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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:52:13
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:16:25
I have had really fun dreams...I look forward to them but I'm an artist and I sometimes have musical comedy dreams.
In fact just last night I woke up with the best idea for a new pottery design that I will definitely use...I think something creative is going on. Maybe if there is tension in your life you might have nightmares but I have only had really good ones.
Lexxy the potter in ga
Posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:55:06
In reply to ADD meds - , posted by PuraVida on April 4, 2003, at 22:31:16
If I were you I would call doctors until I found one that specialized in treating ADHD addults....all you have to do is ask the office.
Posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:55:06
Was diagnosed classic ADHD one month ago and suggested to take Strattera. I'm struggling to get the dosage right...started with 40 mg for three days then up to 80 mg which felt really bad. Over the past two weeks have split the doses into one around 7 am, the other around 1 pm and that's working pretty well. My doc suggested I start pushing them closer together and might reach a point of being able to take 80 mg in one dose. Today was 8 am and 11:30 and so far..so good.
The 'cloud of chos' I've been carrying around in my brain my whole life seems to have dissipated. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate around 7-8, which would be pretty significant improvement. I seem to be more focused, with less tangents in conversation. I'm able to sit at my desk for longer periods of time, without traveling through the office with various excuses (bathroom, coffee, visits etc). I am down to one legal pad of to dos...rather than a stack of notes and multiple legal pads going. I've cleared files that I seemed incapable of removing prior to meds. Mostly threw things away.
Anyway...will keep you posted, but we may be on to something here.
Posted by cybercafe on April 5, 2003, at 18:21:56
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
> Was diagnosed classic ADHD one month ago and suggested to take Strattera. I'm struggling to get the dosage right...started with 40 mg for three days then up to 80 mg which felt really bad. Over the past two weeks have split the doses into one around 7 am, the other around 1 pm and that's working pretty well. My doc suggested I start pushing them closer together and might reach a point of being able to take 80 mg in one dose. Today was 8 am and 11:30 and so far..so good.
>
> The 'cloud of chos' I've been carrying around in my brain my whole life seems to have dissipated. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate around 7-8, which would be pretty significant improvement. I seem to be more focused, with less tangents in conversation. I'm able to sit at my desk for longer periods of time, without traveling through the office with various excuses (bathroom, coffee, visits etc). I am down to one legal pad of to dos...rather than a stack of notes and multiple legal pads going. I've cleared files that I seemed incapable of removing prior to meds. Mostly threw things away.
>
> Anyway...will keep you posted, but we may be on to something here.is it common for an ADD adult to be able to hold down fulltime work (prior to diagnosis/treatment)?
i found i just couldn't work because it took too much effort to focus... like, it just wasn't worth the effort ... ummm... after the first two hours, it started to become a big effort to concentrate, i felt wiped out, wanted to fall asleep (and did sometimes)
the first hour or two were okay though...... i think i probably hyper focused during the first 2 hours
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:19:53
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Lexxey on April 4, 2003, at 15:02:39
Ok now this is weird I have had the shivers really bad when I take the initial dose. I dont know about the focus part.I pee weird. I am not sure this is for me we shall see what happens. I seem to be a little short fused. I will give this a week and see. ----Hoping
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:22:36
In reply to Straterra -dreams, posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:52:13
> I have had really fun dreams...I look forward to them but I'm an artist and I sometimes have musical comedy dreams.
>
> In fact just last night I woke up with the best idea for a new pottery design that I will definitely use...I think something creative is going on. Maybe if there is tension in your life you might have nightmares but I have only had really good ones.
>
> Lexxy the potter in gaDreams are definitly real like a "new life." I wake up all weirded out and have to grip on reality then go back to sleep. I am hoping this going to get better----- hyper
Posted by Lexxey on April 6, 2003, at 17:28:59
In reply to Re: Straterra -dreams, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:22:36
I really think we can have troublesome dreams when we are having to deal with stress. Maybe you can try to workout some stressful stuff.
I'm in the best time of my life but I had some mean stressful times when I was younger. Nobody told me that my 50's would be the best time!!! It must be some secret!!!! It's the only time I've had money, energy and freedom!!! But, alas, I turn 60 this year and it's just downhill physically!!! DRAT!!!
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:51:53
In reply to ADD meds - , posted by PuraVida on April 4, 2003, at 22:31:16
Hi PV
Do a search on the internet for ADD test. That should give you some amunition for your next pdoc.
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:58:23
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
Thats, great I hope to get those results. Thanks for info and hope :)
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:19:53
The first couple weeks are weird, lots of grumpys and some dizzy's. Dizzy's are starting to go away. This is 3rd week.
Posted by rickgee on April 7, 2003, at 9:27:55
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
Well, I have started and started low, 18mg once a day for five days then 18 and 18 and will. This is the third day and I haven't really noticed anything yet, but I do see to be able to concentrate a little better, but that could be psychosymatic.
Will post again in a couple of days.
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:30:36
In reply to Started Straterra, posted by rickgee on April 7, 2003, at 9:27:55
good luck, Rickgee. I was started out on 18ml too. I found a site that recommends starting out at 40ml, if you weigh between 70 and 160 or so. I will see if I can find that site again. I think slow is the way to go with this stuff.
Posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 12:04:35
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
About an hour or 2 after I take a dose I get a throbbing, stuffy feeling in my head and ears...almost like my ears are blocked with a cold or driving in the mountains when you go up in altitude and I have to hold my nose and blow to unblock them. And then it goes away.
Has anyone had this? Weird!!!
Posted by Magpie on April 7, 2003, at 12:12:10
In reply to Re: Straterra- anyone using as stimulant?, posted by Lexxey on April 4, 2003, at 15:07:29
> I don't see any way this could be a stimulant!!!
>
> It's supposed to effect brain chemistry with norepinephirine and dopamine by suppressing the pump or something like that.
>
> But it does cause the heart rate to increase and can cause the bp to also....maybe that's what he means. It sure doesn't stimulate me. I'm still waiting for the foggy slow motion feeling to fade.
Thank you Lexxy and BlondeGirl for your replies. I didn't really think, from reading the PI, that this was a stimulating drug, and that is what I am seeing here and also on asdm. I will argue this with my docs this week. I think the drug company shrills sold them a line of shit and that my docs didn't even read the PDR on this drug. I know a drug company rep visited them because they have a huge supply of free samples stocked away. Very sad how medicine is being applied nowadays. Thanks again,Magpie
Posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 15:57:12
In reply to Re: Straterra- anyone using as stimulant? » Lexxey, posted by Magpie on April 7, 2003, at 12:12:10
Thanks to all who answered me. I did take the test at mindfixers.com and came up w/ types 2 and 5 ADD, plus depression. I am hoping fixing the ADD - which I see now but didn't before - will solve the depression. I probably got depressed cuz I couldn't keep up with things with the ADD.
Cybercafe - back in the days when I worked in an office I was diagnosed w/ chronic fatigue, because like you, by noon I felt I needed to sleep. Since then I have held slaes jobs where I have worked from home, but have always struggled with either hyperfocusing or not working at all.
My PD now discounted my question about ADD, so I am looking for another doctor as I type.
I'm so sick of spinning my wheels. I really need to get a job - and also I am having a really hard time with my diet and exercise. In the past I have been able to motivate, but it seems impossible currently.
Thanks again all,
PV
PS Strattera isn't a stim - as you know - it works like Prozac, but targets Dopamine instead of Seretonin. I'm already on Effexor which is also supposed to help, but it seems to have just helped the depression so far.
Posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 16:48:06
In reply to Re: Add Meds - thanks, posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 15:57:12
> PS Strattera isn't a stim - as you know - it works like Prozac, but targets Dopamine instead of Seretonin. I'm already on Effexor which is also supposed to help, but it seems to have just helped the depression so far.
Atomoxetine (Straterra) CAN be thought of as a stimulant. What needs to be understood is that stimulation is the result of neurotransmitters levels in the brain – dopamine and norephranephrine. Amphetamines work by enabling the release of both transmitters with Dexadrine being more selective for dopamine.
Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
Atomoxetine (Straterra), Webutin, and Reboxitine work by blocking the reuptake – that is the reabsorption of the transmitter into the end of the sending nureon. This results in higher brain levels.
To say that Atomoxetine (Straterra) is not a transmitter is more of a political or marketing statement, as the FDA didn’t classify it with the other stimulants allowing it to be prescribed under more relaxed constraints.
Atomoxetine (Straterra) also has a slight seritonin reuptake effect (like the Prozac like drugs).
What seems the most important thing to know about Atomoxetine, is that the dosage can vary quite a lot from one person to the other. Too high a dose seems to cause sleepiness, and for me makes things worse instead of better. If I get the correct dose adjusted it seems to work well. The biggest problem I have is that in the evening, when it is waning in its effects, I get REALY hungry and am gaining weight. I’m going to try splitting the dose to twice a day or slowly increasing the dosage.
BTW I first noticed it's effects on day 2.
Posted by Caleb462 on April 7, 2003, at 17:04:29
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 16:48:06
>
> Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
>Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 17:40:13
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by Caleb462 on April 7, 2003, at 17:04:29
>
> >
> > Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
> >
>
> Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.From a Monograph:
"Methylphenidate is thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase the release of these monoamines into the extraneuronal space. "
Note the word "thought". It means they don't know.
Anyway, I find Atomoxetine (Straterra) similar to Methylphenidate, but with out as much of a rollar coster.
Posted by RunRedRun on April 7, 2003, at 18:51:59
In reply to Re: ADD meds - » PuraVida, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:51:53
it's actually pretty common for ADD symptoms to become noticable after depression problems are cleared up. that's exactly what happened to me. good luck!!
Posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 22:10:46
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 16:48:06
I would have said that you were exaggerating to notice effects on day 2 since I have read so many opinions that say we won't notice anything for 2-4 weeks. But I also noticed something early myself....so I would have to be exaggerating, too, and I'm a skeptic!!
I still think it made an improvement in my typing and handwriting. But that's all I've noticed and I'm still waiting for something else to impress me after going into my second week on 80 mg. I'm so unmotivated and blah...can't get anything worthwhile done....just the minimum. And I'm getting hungrier...yipes!!! I didn't bargain for that!!!
Posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 22:14:12
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by Caleb462 on April 7, 2003, at 17:04:29
About this stimulant description....I think I understand how it might be described as one but I think the benefit of strattera is this drug is not an "abuseable" stimulant...one there would be a market for in the illegal drug trade.
What junkie is gonna score something that takes a month to have an effect???
Posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 22:47:10
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 22:14:12
Good info on Straterra. The website says it is the first "non-stimulant medication" that's FDA approved for ADHD...and that it is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (I had said it was dopamine.) I'm aware that norepinephrine is a precursor of dopamine, or vice versa, but I'm not sure I completely understand. Effexor, which I'm taking, is supposed to be a reuptake inhibitor for seretonin and norepinephrine.
I am not depressed any longer, I don't think, but am acutely aware that whatever I start I probably won't be able to follow through on, and this cycle will continue. Rather than get all psyched about doing this and that I am alternately taking small bites or not doing anything at all. But mainly I am trying to get some medical help - wading through doctors and insurance isn't fun, is it?
Question - apparently Mirapex is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor mainly used for Parkinson's, but I have seen on this site some people have used it for depression. Has anyone here tried it? Any info on doses/results is appreciated.
Thanks all -
PV
Posted by Magpie on April 8, 2003, at 2:04:07
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 22:47:10
> I am not depressed any longer, I don't think, but am acutely aware that whatever I start I probably won't be able to follow through on, and this cycle will continue. Rather than get all psyched about doing this and that I am alternately taking small bites or not doing anything at all. But mainly I am trying to get some medical help - wading through doctors and insurance isn't fun, is it?
>
> Question - apparently Mirapex is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor mainly used for Parkinson's, but I have seen on this site some people have used it for depression. Has anyone here tried it? Any info on doses/results is appreciated.
>
> Thanks all -
>
> PVHi PV,
Man, I know what you mean about just doing things in small bites or not at all, that's the mode I am in, and that's what I was hoping the Strattera would help with. And now I am not very confident about that. Anyway, as to Mirapex, initially I had thought it was helping slightly. I was started on .25 mgs, it was increased to 1 mg but when it was increased I began having difficulty swallowing at night after I took my nightly 3 mgs of Risperdal (I am on one hell of a cocktail, very treatment resistant atypical depression along with other fun things.) So they decreased it back to .25 but I am thinking of dropping that when I see my docs next because of adding the Strattera and trying not to keep adding on more and more drugs. So that is my experience, hope this helps,
Maggie
Actually, now that I think about it, the dosages may be .025 mgs and .1 mgs, I'm not sure exactly, sorry...
Posted by PuraVida on April 8, 2003, at 2:32:49
In reply to Mirapex » PuraVida, posted by Magpie on April 8, 2003, at 2:04:07
Thanks Maggie -
I was asking because I have grown quite close to my neighbor, who has Parkinson's, and some Mirapex. I know its a dopamine thing, and so is this apathy/inattentive ADD. I tried a .125 mg one day around noon - I was so depressed, and it seemed to boost me - but for her it puts her to sleep. Probably psychosomatic, though. But that night I took .375 and could NOT sleep! But my brain was positive - creative -hopefull! I actually exercised the next morning - like my old self! I have been rather afraid to take anymore, I don't want some doctor to refuse me for being self-medicating - which could be a good thing now days, since some doctors know less than we do - but I digress. So I'm kind of existing - and I'm trying to get an appt w/ a good adult ADD Dr. in San Diego. I am very hopefull - I have known on a certain level, I think, that depression is NOT what it so all about. I do have depression - maybe because of the ADD, maybe in addition to, but I'm NOT bipolar and, the main reason I'm depressed is because I KNOW that I'm smart enough to handle things, but somehow, I can't/don't - make sense?
PV
Posted by Magpie on April 8, 2003, at 2:48:59
In reply to Re: Mirapex » Magpie, posted by PuraVida on April 8, 2003, at 2:32:49
> Thanks Maggie -
>
> I was asking because I have grown quite close to my neighbor, who has Parkinson's, and some Mirapex. I know its a dopamine thing, and so is this apathy/inattentive ADD. I tried a .125 mg one day around noon - I was so depressed, and it seemed to boost me - but for her it puts her to sleep. Probably psychosomatic, though. But that night I took .375 and could NOT sleep! But my brain was positive - creative -hopefull! I actually exercised the next morning - like my old self! I have been rather afraid to take anymore, I don't want some doctor to refuse me for being self-medicating - which could be a good thing now days, since some doctors know less than we do - but I digress. So I'm kind of existing - and I'm trying to get an appt w/ a good adult ADD Dr. in San Diego. I am very hopefull - I have known on a certain level, I think, that depression is NOT what it so all about. I do have depression - maybe because of the ADD, maybe in addition to, but I'm NOT bipolar and, the main reason I'm depressed is because I KNOW that I'm smart enough to handle things, but somehow, I can't/don't - make sense?
>
> PVHey PV,
Wow, that is great, how you responded to it. It does make me sleepy as well, though. I do take it in the morning none-the-less, in order to space it far out from the Risperdal which I take at night, as to prevent the swallowing problems. (I really want to get off of that Risperdal and maybe try Abilify.) I wish I could tolerate a higher dose and maybe then I would get the great results you got at the higher doses. Maybe when you try a different doctor don't mention that you self-medicated but say you know a friend who takes it with good results or you researched it and want to try it or something along those lines. I would be afraid, myself, to admit to self-medicating, these doctors are so paranoid nowadays. I only know about ADD/ADHD in children, I'm really not familiar with how it manifests in adults, I assume it is different? I guess maybe I should look into that angle myself, although I don't really feel I have attention problems. And I am definitely depressed, but no bipolar either (sometimes I wish I could have some mania, well not really...) Well anyway, I wish you good luck and that you do find the solution to your problems, whatever they may be.
~Magpie
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