![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 626 to 650 of 1242. Go back in thread:
Posted by paulk on May 23, 2003, at 10:44:29
In reply to Re: Mirapex, posted by comorbid? on May 22, 2003, at 22:03:18
>In my case, the current diagnosis is childhood-onset bipolar, type 2, seasonal, with rapid (ultra-ultra-rapid) cycling
<snip>
>But, referring back to the above, my new psychiatrist refused to prescribe stimulants, because he felt they might induce mania. This despite the fact that I have only experienced hypomania, never full-blown mania, and never psychosis. Needless to say, I found this frustrating.
<snip>
>… it has not had any great influence on my mood swings; last autumn, which season is usually my worst due to falling light levels, was absolutely horrible, my worst in a decade
A very similar type of deal is going on with my sister’s girl. Once she got the bipolar diagnose, they wouldn’t even try her with stimulants.I think the bi-polar diagnose is a fad diagnose and unfortunately, ends up removing most of your treatment options. Deciding if a patient is hyperactive or manic is a VERY subjective determination that will get you either a bipolar or a quite different ADD diagnose.
The fix is to go to a new doctor and tell him you want his to diagnose you BEFORE he has access to your old records.
You will most likely get a new diagnose, and if it is non bi-polar you should be able to try stimulants. (In fact I would bet if you go to 5 different doctors, you will get 5 different diagnoses!)
Your best hope to get good treatment is to be very proactive with your doctor.
Posted by ciejae on May 23, 2003, at 10:52:37
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 23, 2003, at 9:55:23
I also had many side affects at the beginning (taking it 2.5 months now). I had minimal trouble sleeping, but an incredibly hard time staying awake during the day while at work. In order to function, I just drank lots and lots of coffe to counteract the sleepiness, and the lack of motivation. Gradually I needed to use less and less coffee. I also had problems with urinary retention, minor headaches,and dry mouth. Those too went away gradually. The final result?--I'm not a different person, but it has helped me in many ways. Just try and stick with it in spite of the side affects. And by the way, it really didn't start helping my ADD until about 3 weeks after starting. It's like an antidepressent, it takes a while to work.
Posted by froggyanna on May 23, 2003, at 12:10:57
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by ciejae on May 23, 2003, at 10:52:37
Thanks, ciejae, I'd really like to know how you think it has helped you, specifically. What symptoms of ADD have you been able to overcome with it? Have you ever tried any of the stimulants? (I have not.) I am also hypothyroid, so I would like to avoid them if possible. After taking Straterra for awhile now and getting used to it, do you notice any side effects at all? That is, are you aware that you have taken a drug? With the others that I take (Zoloft, Levoxyl, Buspar), I just pop them in and forget about it. Can you do that now with Straterra?
I appreciate the encouragement. I'm definitely planning on sticking this out, at least until a better idea comes along....
Regards,
froggyanna
> I also had many side affects at the beginning (taking it 2.5 months now). I had minimal trouble sleeping, but an incredibly hard time staying awake during the day while at work. In order to function, I just drank lots and lots of coffe to counteract the sleepiness, and the lack of motivation. Gradually I needed to use less and less coffee. I also had problems with urinary retention, minor headaches,and dry mouth. Those too went away gradually. The final result?--I'm not a different person, but it has helped me in many ways. Just try and stick with it in spite of the side affects. And by the way, it really didn't start helping my ADD until about 3 weeks after starting. It's like an antidepressent, it takes a while to work.
Posted by ciejae on May 23, 2003, at 15:45:01
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 23, 2003, at 12:10:57
I usually don't get irritated over loud or sharp noises or bright light anymore
I need less sleep now (6 instead of 8), and when I wake up, I'm fully functional and not tired and "out of it" anymore in the morning.
I not speeding through traffic cursing at people all the way anymore. I don't find it as annoying as I used to when people are holding me up in traffic, even when I might be late for something.
I'm not feeling panic over deadlines that I have to meet, or multiple tasks that I have to do in a short period of time (my job can be very stressful at times, I'm an engineer).
I'm not feeling like something terrible is going to happen (I'm usually always waiting for the worst)
I haven't been feeling the urge to go on a shopping binge (spending money has been one of the ways that I've provided myself the stimulation I needed)
I'm not worrying as much (I used to get fixed on a certain issue, and go over and over it in my head)
I don't fall asleep while watching movies anymore.
I find it easier to talk, my thoughts are flowing much easier now.
I'm becoming a better listener, people don't bore me as much as they used to.
I'm tackling difficult jobs at work for much longer periods of time than I could have ever tolerated before.
I'm getting along better with my husband and kids.
I'm not getting stressed out when I'm a passenger in a car anymore.
My phobias aren't bothering me as much (fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of being under a bridge, fear of going over a bridge……yes, I do have my issues)
I'm still messy, but I think that now I have more patience to work on it.
Also, I have no sexual side effects. I've taken anti-depressants in the past, and all of them had sexual side effects.
Posted by ciejae on May 23, 2003, at 15:58:02
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 23, 2003, at 12:10:57
I forgot to say that I've never tried any stimulants. I never realized I was ADD until I started reading about it on the internet. Then I realized that me and both my daughters had the same symptoms. I went back to my old psychiatrist (who did one of the studies on Strattera before it was approved)and he looked in my records. He said that way back when I was seeing him before, he thought I had ADD (I thought it was depression) and he was treating me with anti-depressents that were for depression as well as ADD (I think it may have been Wellbutrin or Paxil, it's been so long-10 years now). After about 6 months of success with this drug, I'm going to tell my daughters about it. I don't want to let anyone in my family know about it right now. For instance, when I've taken anti-depressents in the past, everytime something went wrong, my husband would blame it on the drug (because he's the type that just doesn't believe in taking a pill to make you normal). I just want to be able to evaluate this drug on my own without his slanted opinion. Oh, by the way, he really is a nice guy, but just a little too protective of me.
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 2:03:24
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by ciejae on May 23, 2003, at 15:45:01
Hey ciejae, that's quite an impressive list! Thank you for taking the trouble to write that!My "wish list" would certainly include some of these, but others would not be applicable. Since I have taken antidepressants for years and have also done some meditation, I don't have as much trouble with things like family relationships, stress from worrying, etc. What I'm hoping for is more results in the areas of task management, job performance, time and life organization, etc. I guess that everyone's specific symptoms and hoped-for results are going to be different, despite the overall similarity of having ADD.
Well, I'm definitely going to continue with the Straterra for now. See my next post on my experience today.
froggyanna
> I usually don't get irritated over loud or sharp noises or bright light anymore
> I need less sleep now (6 instead of 8), and when I wake up, I'm fully functional and not tired and "out of it" anymore in the morning.
> I not speeding through traffic cursing at people all the way anymore. I don't find it as annoying as I used to when people are holding me up in traffic, even when I might be late for something.
> I'm not feeling panic over deadlines that I have to meet, or multiple tasks that I have to do in a short period of time (my job can be very stressful at times, I'm an engineer).
> I'm not feeling like something terrible is going to happen (I'm usually always waiting for the worst)
> I haven't been feeling the urge to go on a shopping binge (spending money has been one of the ways that I've provided myself the stimulation I needed)
> I'm not worrying as much (I used to get fixed on a certain issue, and go over and over it in my head)
> I don't fall asleep while watching movies anymore.
> I find it easier to talk, my thoughts are flowing much easier now.
> I'm becoming a better listener, people don't bore me as much as they used to.
> I'm tackling difficult jobs at work for much longer periods of time than I could have ever tolerated before.
> I'm getting along better with my husband and kids.
> I'm not getting stressed out when I'm a passenger in a car anymore.
> My phobias aren't bothering me as much (fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of being under a bridge, fear of going over a bridge……yes, I do have my issues)
> I'm still messy, but I think that now I have more patience to work on it.
> Also, I have no sexual side effects. I've taken anti-depressants in the past, and all of them had sexual side effects.
>
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 2:11:11
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 23, 2003, at 9:55:23
Day 2 -- After TakingWhat a difference a day makes. I reported that my first day consisted of queasiness, dizzyness, "high"ness, and tiredness on 40mg of Straterra. Also, no dryness.
Today, I felt NO queasiness, NO "high"ness, just a teensy bit of spaciness, and a little tiredness -- not enough to be able to nap. I got just a hint of the dry mouth feeling, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I use Biotene toothpaste and chew Biotene gum on occasion, and that's supposed to counteract the dry mouth caused by medications.
This was a MUCH better day in terms of side effects. Well, I'm going to bed now, so I hope I don't feel as fitful as I did last night.
Nighty-nite!
froggyanna
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 9:44:01
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 2:11:11
Day 3 -- Before TakingMuch better quality of sleep last night! I don't know what was going on 24 hours ago, but I slept very soundly this time. Some VERY loud birdies woke me up this morning, because we've just started opening the windows in the warmer weather.
Also, just now I woke up with the same kind of clarity and enthusiasm as I did yesterday. I even quickly sorted all my laundry and popped a load in the washer. That's something that usually takes me DAYS to decide to do, well past the time when I need to do it! This was a simple decision to do something and I did it -- none of that emotional back-and-forth of whether I really want to or not. Five minutes and it was done. On to the next activity.
I don't know at this point if this is the drug working on me, or if this is me pushing for a positive outcome and I'm excited at the newness of it. The stimulation of the new and different always "gets me going." But I really do feel different... not dragging and very clear-headed.
My doctor said that I should aim for a dosage of 120mg and I'm only at 40mg now. Does anyone know if Straterra is a drug where you "need" to increase the dosage after awhile in order to keep the good effect? Does your body start tolerating it?
I'm going to take today's dose now.... I wish all of you the best!
froggyanna
Posted by fallsfall on May 24, 2003, at 11:20:48
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 9:44:01
Your laundry story sounds just like the effect I get from Strattera. I have found it quite refreshing to actually be able to move again. I'm on 80mg (but also taking Prozac which means I should need less Strattera), and started 4 months ago. If you start having more side effects (nausea, dizziness were mine), increase the dose slowly. I've found the side effects have pretty much gone away. (Except maybe for the dry mouth, but I don't know if that is due to Strattera or the other things I take. I use Biotene toothpaste, too - even when I'm not having dry mouth - I like the mild taste.) Best of luck!
Posted by Ritchie on May 24, 2003, at 11:53:15
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra » froggyanna, posted by fallsfall on May 24, 2003, at 11:20:48
I have been on Strattera for several months. I started at 18 mg and I am now at 120mg even though it is above the FDA recommendations of 100mg. My doctor is using me as a guinea pig for depression. I am finally seeing some results. I still experience dizziness and the dry mouth. I use biotene toothpaste and gum and carry water with me wherever I go. Actally it seems to have lessened since I bumped up to 120mg. I still have no appetite which is fine with me. I find it very good for anxiety and ruminating. It also helps clear the suicide thoughts out.
I tried Lexapro which was bad and also Remeron which worked but made me swell up like a pig. So the STrattera is a trial thing for me and it seems to be working. I'm sticking with it. Also no sexual side effects as you have on other anti-depressants. But I also take 300 mg of 5-HTP in the evening. It helps with the sleep problem Stattera can cause. Frequent awakenings.
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 13:33:01
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra » froggyanna, posted by fallsfall on May 24, 2003, at 11:20:48
It IS refreshing! I feel more like the person I know I can be! Moving, not eating, doing things that need to be done and that I WANT to do. (Not that laundry is my ultimate dream activity, mind you....) But you know: get going, do things, and leave room in the day to do other, more enjoyable things instead of ruminating about it all day!How long did you go before going up to 80mg? Or did you start there?
I am also planning to add T3 (Cytomel, perhaps) to the T4 I'm already taking (Levoxyl) for my hypothyroid condition in a few weeks, after I've gone over the results of my blood tests with my doctor. I wonder if having your thyroid functioning optimally would prevent some of the side effects? I took my dose of Straterra this morning and almost immediately started feeling tired again. Even without drugs, my normal pattern most of the time seems to be to wake up with enthusiasm but then kind of hit a wall after an hour or two. I think that having a properly functioning thyroid would prevent that, and make it less of an issue when taking drugs. Maybe?
Biotene -- at first I didn't like the taste, but I quickly got used to it. Now I can't STAND the taste of the mainstream toothpastes! They make me gag and make my mouth feel like it's filled with cotton candy, even after rinsing!! Good stuff, that Biotene.
So you've been taking Straterra for four months. Do you take it for ADD, like I do, or some other reason? I hope you've realized some good, positive changes!
Thanks for your feedback!
froggyanna
> Your laundry story sounds just like the effect I get from Strattera. I have found it quite refreshing to actually be able to move again. I'm on 80mg (but also taking Prozac which means I should need less Strattera), and started 4 months ago. If you start having more side effects (nausea, dizziness were mine), increase the dose slowly. I've found the side effects have pretty much gone away. (Except maybe for the dry mouth, but I don't know if that is due to Strattera or the other things I take. I use Biotene toothpaste, too - even when I'm not having dry mouth - I like the mild taste.) Best of luck!
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 14:02:24
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by Ritchie on May 24, 2003, at 11:53:15
Hi Ritchie,Have you ever tried any of the SSRI's for depression? I took Prozac for years and then a few years ago I switched to Zoloft.
My doctor also prescribed 1 to 3 40mg tablets a day, which means I could also go up to 120mg. I wonder what their reasoning is, if the FDA guideline is 100? I also wonder if I go up that high if I could gradually go off the Zoloft? If I get my thyroid in order (see my previous post), maybe that and this drug for ADD would help to prevent depression. All I know at this point is that I KNOW what it feels like to be heading toward depression, and I can tell the difference between that and the kinds of symptoms I get from the ADD. I kind of think that it's the dysfunction from ADD that triggers depression, and if I'm not triggering depression anymore, and the thyroid is in order, then maybe I won't need an antidepressent?
I would also appreciate the lessening of my appetite! So far, with Straterra, I've found that that's the case. I just don't seem to need the junk food and candy. But it's only three days now.....
I'm not sure if I'll end up with sleep problems with Straterra. The first night I had them, the second night I didn't. I also have sleep apnea, and my psychiatrist recommended that I take Buspar to reduce snoring and possibly even relieve the apnea. I'm taking 60mg of Buspar. On Monday night I'm doing a sleep study and they'll be able to tell me if anything has changed.
I'm glad you've found Straterra to be a good solution. I hope it is for me, too!
froggyanna
> I have been on Strattera for several months. I started at 18 mg and I am now at 120mg even though it is above the FDA recommendations of 100mg. My doctor is using me as a guinea pig for depression. I am finally seeing some results. I still experience dizziness and the dry mouth. I use biotene toothpaste and gum and carry water with me wherever I go. Actally it seems to have lessened since I bumped up to 120mg. I still have no appetite which is fine with me. I find it very good for anxiety and ruminating. It also helps clear the suicide thoughts out.
> I tried Lexapro which was bad and also Remeron which worked but made me swell up like a pig. So the STrattera is a trial thing for me and it seems to be working. I'm sticking with it. Also no sexual side effects as you have on other anti-depressants. But I also take 300 mg of 5-HTP in the evening. It helps with the sleep problem Stattera can cause. Frequent awakenings.
Posted by Ritchie on May 24, 2003, at 14:17:34
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra » Ritchie , posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 14:02:24
My doctor told me since the Strattera is so new they are not really sure about the dosage so he let me go up to 120 since I wasn't getting much relief from the depression at 80. The 5-Htp I take is also a serotonin enhancer so I think that helps. I've lost 20lbs since taking the Strattera and my therapist thinks I am heading toward an eating disorder so this may be a new side effect since Effexor SR can trigger anorexia. I have tried SSRIS and I am extremely sensitive to them and anything that makes me gain weight, I refuse to take. I also have high blood pressure which I take magnesium for to keep it down while on the Strattera as well as 3 other meds. I don't have ADD, I am only taking this for depression and anxiety. I know my nephew tried it too for his ADD and he hated it. Some brains are more stubborn then others and mine happens to like the 120mg.
Good Luck!
Posted by fallsfall on May 24, 2003, at 15:40:38
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra » fallsfall, posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 13:33:01
But I don't want to go overboard with the useful activity. Right now I am eating a piece of cake and reading message boards instead of cleaning my very dirty kitchen...
I take Strattera for depression. It gives me energy, motivation, initiative and is really good at lessening suicidal thoughts. I would still call me severely depressed, but before I was catatonic. Since it is approved for ADD (and not depression) hopefully it will be even more wonderful for you!
I started at 10mg and increased 10mg every 3 days. I did have some side effect issues, and based on what other posters have said I'm really glad I went up slowly. (I also take Prozac which should mean I need less of the Strattera. I'm getting over a really difficult period where my world collaped despite all the meds I take. It was really hard to see what the Strattera was doing. My pdoc had talked about 100mg/day, but I stuck to 80mg - we'll see what he says in 2 weeks)
The lithium I've been taking for 8 years messes up my thyroid so I take Synthroid. My pdoc checks levels periodically and adjusts the Synthroid. So I assume that those levels are OK.
Strattera gives me energy, but there was a long time when I would get my daughter off to school, take my meds and then take a nap. I did this both before Strattera and after Strattera. After Strattera the nap is almost never more than an hour and a half. So my guess is that that is how long it takes the Strattera (and Provigil) to get to work.
(Dare I say this outloud? Maybe we should get together and market a mainstream toothpaste that has a mild taste? My daughter uses "bubblemint" and that just seems so disgusting!)
Posted by littie on May 24, 2003, at 17:23:14
In reply to Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 22, 2003, at 4:32:32
I too am experiencing my first week on Strattera. My situation is more "pure" because I stopped Prozac and Buspar a couple of months ago, and Strattera is my only med. I just could not handle taking things every day that seem to make me so hungry all the time. I have gained nearly fifty pounds since I started taking Prozac ten years ago. I was always a skinny minnie before that and I can't incorporate all of this weight into my body image. Prozac, while immensely helpful, also took away my desire to exercise and much of my creativity.
I have depression with a subtext of ADD, but I'm unable to take stimulants because of a past history of drug abuse. So the doctor decided to try Strattera. I tried it for a few days but felt very tachycardic and nauseated and stopped, but decided to give it one more try. It's been about five days. I'm not depressed, I'm a little queasy, and most of all I don't feel terribly hungry. It's a little early to tell, but I seem to be able to stay on task a bit more. I'm interested in hearing from others who are taking the Strattera road, particularly as it relates to motivation in doing daily tasks and appetite.
Posted by Ritchie on May 24, 2003, at 17:30:10
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by littie on May 24, 2003, at 17:23:14
> I too am experiencing my first week on Strattera. My situation is more "pure" because I stopped Prozac and Buspar a couple of months ago, and Strattera is my only med. I just could not handle taking things every day that seem to make me so hungry all the time. I have gained nearly fifty pounds since I started taking Prozac ten years ago. I was always a skinny minnie before that and I can't incorporate all of this weight into my body image. Prozac, while immensely helpful, also took away my desire to exercise and much of my creativity.
>
> I have depression with a subtext of ADD, but I'm unable to take stimulants because of a past history of drug abuse. So the doctor decided to try Strattera. I tried it for a few days but felt very tachycardic and nauseated and stopped, but decided to give it one more try. It's been about five days. I'm not depressed, I'm a little queasy, and most of all I don't feel terribly hungry. It's a little early to tell, but I seem to be able to stay on task a bit more. I'm interested in hearing from others who are taking the Strattera road, particularly as it relates to motivation in doing daily tasks and appetite.I have lost 20 lbs on Strattera, I take magnesium for the rapid heart beat and I am at 120 mg for depression and anxiety and it helps. I don't have ADD only taking it for depression. But your weight should eventually come off. Strattera seems to be like most anti-depressants, it takes it awhile to kick in. Be patient as I was and I am pretty happy with it.
Good Luck!
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 20:24:02
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by littie on May 24, 2003, at 17:23:14
Day 3 -- After StraterraSometimes I wish I was doing only one drug at a time, but the ones that I am currently taking I've been taking for a long time. So it's pretty clear when something changes, it's because of the "new drug." However..... I did also just start taking buspirone, but that's because the psychiatrist thought that it might help my snoring and apnea.
I also have struggled with the weight. I've put on a LOT more than 50 pounds over about 12 years, starting with Prozac, then Zoloft. It seemed like the better I felt in my head, the less oomph I felt in my body! Frustrating. I do suspect the thyroid problem might be at the root of it, though. With Straterra, I'm finding my appetite to be really in control. I could stand to lose at least 100 pounds, though, probably more, so I don't think I'll be able to rely on just Straterra to help me with that. Also, I read something earlier today from WebMD, a report that said that people do tend to lose weight quickly at first, but that over the long haul, the loss isn't that significant. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!
Yes, I'm also interested in hearing from others using Straterra, in regards to motivation and appetite! As for today..... after my glowing report first thing this morning, I kind of conked out. The tiredness hit me pretty hard. If it wasn't a Saturday and I had things to do outside the house, I don't know if I would have felt as bad. But that couch was mighty inviting today and it got used! Then I was all groggy the various times I woke up and moved around during my extended "nap."
froggyanna
Posted by comorbid? on May 24, 2003, at 20:24:24
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar » comorbid?, posted by paulk on May 23, 2003, at 10:44:29
> I think the bi-polar diagnose is a fad diagnose and unfortunately, ends up removing most of your treatment options. Deciding if a patient is hyperactive or manic is a VERY subjective determination that will get you either a bipolar or a quite different ADD diagnose.
>
> The fix is to go to a new doctor and tell him you want his to diagnose you BEFORE he has access to your old records.
>
> You will most likely get a new diagnose, and if it is non bi-polar you should be able to try stimulants. (In fact I would bet if you go to 5 different doctors, you will get 5 different diagnoses!)
>
> Your best hope to get good treatment is to be very proactive with your doctor.
>
paulk -
Thanks for your input and advice. I must say, my initial self-diagnosis, based on what i ferreted out on the web, was ADHD, inattention subtype, and i wanted stimulant treatment. BUT, i had additional symptoms that were not covered by the ADHD symptom cluster: Depression and hypomania on a seasonal cycle (as well as on shorter cycles), pronounced mood lability of long duration, strong correlation between light exposure and mood, ultra-ultra-rapid (ultradian) mood cycling, and so on. These are all hallmarks of childhood-onset BPD, and after my doc told me he thought i might be bipolar, i looked into it and found that my symptoms were MUCH better characterized by bipolar type 2 than by ADHD.
AN interesting thing: Childhood-onset bipolar disorder is very frequently _misdiagnosed_ as ADHD. I would suggest that any parent who has a child with an "intractable" case of ADHD consider the possiblity of COBPD or "early onset BPD," especially if there is a family history of mood disorders. This is 180 degrees different from your assertion about "fad diagnoses."
To further respond to your suggestions: My current doctor had no medical history to refer to, other than what i told him about my self-diagnosis and my history of winter depression and summer up-mood, with agitation and extreme mood swings in spring and fall (which had been ignored by my previous docs). My case history was unavailable to him, due to difficulties in obtaining the documents and my privacy concerns. This doc has wide experience in dealing with ADHD and numerous other disorders that interfere with studying, because he works in a university mental health setting. He doesn't have any predispostion to one diagnosis or another (which is what i think you're suggesting). And his diagnosis is in complete accord with my symptom cluster, more so than that of any doc i've had previously.
If you look back at my first post, you'll see that my psychometric assessment, which was performed independently by another doctor in the university system (who did not communicate with my current doc) was ADHD _inattention subtype_ with FEATURES of hyperactivity, and that my slight hyperactivity was not my reason for seeking treatment, nor was it the most salient part of my symptom cluster. I have never fit into the hyperactivity model very well; i'm a distracted daydreamer, rather than a disrupter. Always have been, from early childhood.
You may also see from my earlier post that i AM proactive with my doc. We have a very open relationship, and he respects my self-awareness and asks me to consider things rather than telling me what to do (he even suggests that I look up references for various drugs to see what I think about them!). Since i agree with his diagnosis and am doing well with my current treatment (though not finished titrating, and still having some concentration issues that we’re working on), i think it would be ill-advised, even foolish, for me to seek another doctor at this time.
Finally, it bears mentioning that there are NUMEROUS treatment options for both ADHD and bipolar disorder, and a well-informed doc will know about them. My doctor has included the possibilty of stimulants in my case, having decided that my degree of self-awareness and my honesty and openness with him reduce the risk of unwanted complications “snowballing”... Strattera is appealing, because it is not a controlled substance like the amphetamines and appears to be less likely to induce mania. But frankly, i'd rather continue my current course of treatment, because stimulants simply will not address my various problems with long term mood lability (ADHD is often associated with SHORT-TERM mood swings). My doc even suggested the possibility of using stimulants on an occasional basis, for times when i need extra concentration, but i'm not very interested in this option, because i've abused stimulants in the past and am familiar with how they affect my mood when i discontinue them (depression).
Thank you for your opinions, but really i think you need to take a closer look at things before making the type of statements you made. Mental illness is complicated, highly variable, and poorly understood; jumping to snap conclusions is not the way to deal with it.
comorbid?
Posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 20:48:08
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar, posted by comorbid? on May 24, 2003, at 20:24:24
> Thank you for your opinions, but really i think you need to take a closer look at things before making the type of statements you made. Mental illness is complicated, highly variable, and poorly understood; jumping to snap conclusions is not the way to deal with it.Yes, I think it's very easy sometimes for people to hear someone else's story and react to one idea in that story and go galumphing about giving unsolicited advice. I'm sure I've done it, too. I'm on a discussion board about thyroid problems, and after posing a question about information that my doctor gave me, I got all kinds of responses along the lines of "Your doctor is stupid, get a new doctor." I find that people have sometimes polarized themselves and set themselves up to automatically disregard doctors, no matter what. It's probably because they HAVE been abused and/or neglected by many doctors in the past. However, in this particular case, I've seen this doctor ONCE, I really liked him, we hit it off, and he spent time with me. So, because he does one thing or says one thing that may not be in line with what some people "know," I'm supposed to run madly away?? No. You can drive yourself crazy finding the one doctor who will tell you what you WANT to hear. Would I switch if I came to the conclusion that he is NOT the doctor for me? Yes, but that will take some time to find out! At least, for this one, it will. There have been other doctors where I knew right away. The fact is: he's NOT stupid and neither am I. If we can work together to find the best solution to my health problems, in a give and take manner, that would be ideal. And that will take a few visits to find out if that's the way it will go. The best way to GET respect is to be sure that you give plenty of it (without giving away your power, of course).
froggyanna
Posted by TenMan on May 26, 2003, at 11:33:56
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar » comorbid?, posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 20:48:08
Anyone have any new updates on strattera? I have a sample bottle of 40mg. sitting in my bathroom and am afraid to take it due to some of the side effects I have been hearing about. I also take 60mgs. of adderall a day. My doc wants me to taper off the adderall and start the strattera. Is it really better to switch or should I stay on the adderall. Thanks!
Posted by froggyanna on May 26, 2003, at 12:45:12
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar, posted by TenMan on May 26, 2003, at 11:33:56
Hi TenMan,I've only been on Straterra for four days, so I'm not an expert. But from what I've been able to glean here, each person's experience has been different. It sounds to me, though, that the people who have chosen to "wait out" the side effects are glad that they did. I have been posting a sort of diary about my experience and I'm going to write about my fourth day now in a new thread. My reason for choosing Straterra over one of the stimulants was that I just didn't want to put that kind of substance into my body if I could at all avoid it. I don't know what my final decision will be at this point. It's only my opinion, but I would try not to let fear get in the way of trying something that could potentially be very beneficial for you! I wish you the best!
froggyanna
> Anyone have any new updates on strattera? I have a sample bottle of 40mg. sitting in my bathroom and am afraid to take it due to some of the side effects I have been hearing about. I also take 60mgs. of adderall a day. My doc wants me to taper off the adderall and start the strattera. Is it really better to switch or should I stay on the adderall. Thanks!
Posted by Ritchie on May 26, 2003, at 12:52:26
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar, posted by TenMan on May 26, 2003, at 11:33:56
> Anyone have any new updates on strattera? I have a sample bottle of 40mg. sitting in my bathroom and am afraid to take it due to some of the side effects I have been hearing about. I also take 60mgs. of adderall a day. My doc wants me to taper off the adderall and start the strattera. Is it really better to switch or should I stay on the adderall. Thanks!
You have to be patient and give it time. The side effects do go away but it takes a couple of months, even the dry mouth is getting better for me. I am at 120mg and I love it. I take it for depression and anxiety not ADD but I am glad I waited it out. I have been trying to find the right med for me for over 6 months and I finally am happy with Strattera.
Jax
Posted by fallsfall on May 26, 2003, at 12:56:05
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar, posted by TenMan on May 26, 2003, at 11:33:56
The side effects seem to be less if you start small in increase the dose gradually. I started with 10mg and increased 10mg every 3 days. I did have side effects. I've been on it for 4 months now (80mg). I still have constipation, and maybe dry mouth (or is is one of the other meds I take?), but the benefits vastly outweigh any side effects. Good luck!
Posted by theo on May 26, 2003, at 16:23:26
In reply to Re: Glad To Find This Group -- Starting Straterra, posted by froggyanna on May 24, 2003, at 9:44:01
I am currently taking 10mg Lexapro and thinking about adding Strattera. Any input??
Posted by littie on May 26, 2003, at 16:36:14
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) - bi polar » TenMan, posted by froggyanna on May 26, 2003, at 12:45:12
I'm new to the boards and wondering what positive effects people are noticing on Strattera. I'm on Day 5 and my energy is very low and I'm very quiet and pretty irritable. What's the outcome after the wait, and how long should it be before I experience anything good--like better mood, more motivation--higher spririts?
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