I lack energy due to depression. 20 mg Ritalin 2x a day has helped emmensely but is losing effectiveness.?

Because of the depression, I'ts difficult to get motivated and I'm tired. I also have severe sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. The doc says its doing what it should but I don't get up refreshed. He says probably because of other things in my life. Taking Cymbalta, Lithium and Klonopin. Inderal for blood pressure and lipitor for tryglycirides. Providgil hasn't helped the energy level and now I'm on Straterra which doesn't seem to help. After taking the Ritalin in about 45 mins I'm motivated and wanting to do things but my tolerance to it has grown and don't want to become addicted to it by increasing it any more. Any suggestions appreciated.

your're on way too many meds. u are setting yourself up for disaster. u should only be on 1 med for depression, and 1 for sleeping if nessesary. all those meds are probably doing more harm than good and that's why u have no energy...since 2 of them are sedatives. see a new dr. and they will tell u the same thing. the one you are seeing now is an absolute idiot.

Okay. It's good that you don't want to increase the dose, so what I'd suggest is maybe go around and ask some other doctors what their opinions are on your drug regimine, and anything they think can help. Your energy problems might also be affected by your diet or level of exercise, and you can ask a doctor(s) about that, too.

Sir, that is a lot of medication and then you have sleep apnea too? You need to get this properly evaluated. Do ALL your doctors know about ALL the medication you are taking? No wonder you have no eneregy! Please, do what you really need to do. Best wishes. Edit: Leave the energy drinks alone!! Don't add another drug (caffiene).

yogic exercises especially pranayama will definitely help you. this i am telling from experiences with many people. by doing it oxygen and blood will flow to you brain, you will feel powerful and energetic.

My oh my what a mess of chemicals you are...

I'm sorry they have done this to you... sooner of later you'll realize that you were better off before they got their hands on you and used you like a cheap hooker-mentally ill guinea pig and hopefully... You'll find a better way, less their influence.

I'm sorry...

I have never heard of anyone taking Ritalin and Strattera for depression. These medications are commonly used for ADHD because they calm down the nervous system and tend to make users feel sedated, lethargic. Caffiene also does the same thing, it gives us a buzz, but energy levels are zapped.
Lithium also causes a slowing down affect. And klonopin is also very heavy duty. It really shocks me that you are taking so many medications. And it's no wonder why you're feeling tired. I think you should see a different doctor than the one who prescribes you all these meds.
I work with several kids and many of them are on psychotropic meds like these and they only take them for short periods of time.

okay, enough of that. if you have apnea I'm assuming that you're obese. sorry if I'm wrong. it could also be the medications that are preventing you from getting a good night's sleep, especially the Ritalin. Many of the kids I work with have to take a sleep aid if they are on ADHD meds.

Exercise might seem impossible wtih the lack of energy you have, but trust me, I know this is true, you need to exercise. Exercise, walking, swimming, riding a bike, yoga, are all things that you can do easily. You need to force yourself to do them. After some time you will experience for yourself that exercise creats energy by teaching the body to actually use the food you eat instead of storing it. You'll have more energy and it'll lift your mood too because of the endorphins that are produced with exercise. You'll sleep better if you exercise too.

Many foods, or products that are called food, can cause lethargy, depression, sleep problems, etc. Eat only natural foods, not processed foods or fast foods. Don't eat anything that comes in a box. These processed and fast foods are made to be addictive and when we go through withdrawls we experience depression.

Also cigarette smoking causes depression too.

You can solve many of your ailments naturally and this will help you avoid the side effects of medications, which are causing your ailments. See another doctor and don't stop the medications without a doctor helping you and advising you. Many doctors overmedicate patients and they should be cited.

Sometimes medicnine does that. you should keep going until you find a medicine that helps you and works as it should. And also, if that doesn't work, they always have energy shot drinks, so that you are awake, and ready to gk for up to six hours a shot. They have a lot of caffiene tho, and u might get addicted.