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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
I have been on 60mg of Celexa for almost 4 months. The Celexa very much lifted my depression. I am also ADD. The Celexa seems to have aggrevated some of my ADD symptoms. My motivation is low. I have a terrible time getting started on tasks. I am tired and apathetic. I take Dexedrine spansules (15mg) for ADD. The DEX was quite effective before taking Celexa. It is much less effective now. Even at higher doses.
Does anybody have this kind of experience?
I am considering talking to my doctor and switching medications. I live in Canada so I do not have access to Adderall and I cannot tolerate Ritalin. If I increase the Dexedrine dose I will need to add something powerful for sleep. I am also thinking of trying Manerix (Moclobomide). Does anyone with ADD have experience with Manerix? Can it be combined with stimulants.
Thanks,
Xaos
Posted by Bill L on May 1, 2002, at 9:36:44
In reply to Celexa, ADD and Motivation, posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
A new version of Celexa called escitalopram (Lexapro in the US) is coming out in the next month or so. It does not cause drowsiness like Celexa does. I take Ginkgo Biloba along with 40 mg Celexa. It helps with energy and concentration. If you have bleeding problems you may not be able to take it. I take 120 mg twice a day. It's important to take a reputable brand.
Posted by fachad on May 1, 2002, at 11:03:05
In reply to Celexa, ADD and Motivation, posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
That response is a very common long-term side effect of SSRIs.
The depression is lifted, but the apathy, lethargy, and anhedonia become overwhelming.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry just did a study on treating this condition, which they call Antidepressant Apathy Syndrome, with Zyprexa, see my post below:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104624.html
I believe that stimulants are usually the best treatment for AAD. Ritalin worked for me - take a look at this thread:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
and my response:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97130.html
Take comfort that you are not at all alone in this, but I think you and I are in the most difficult to treat group, because we took SSRIs after already taking stimulants.
> I have been on 60mg of Celexa for almost 4 months. The Celexa very much lifted my depression. I am also ADD. The Celexa seems to have aggrevated some of my ADD symptoms. My motivation is low. I have a terrible time getting started on tasks. I am tired and apathetic. I take Dexedrine spansules (15mg) for ADD. The DEX was quite effective before taking Celexa. It is much less effective now. Even at higher doses.
>
> Does anybody have this kind of experience?
>
> I am considering talking to my doctor and switching medications. I live in Canada so I do not have access to Adderall and I cannot tolerate Ritalin. If I increase the Dexedrine dose I will need to add something powerful for sleep. I am also thinking of trying Manerix (Moclobomide). Does anyone with ADD have experience with Manerix? Can it be combined with stimulants.
>
> Thanks,
> Xaos
Posted by IsoM on May 1, 2002, at 11:34:30
In reply to Celexa, ADD and Motivation, posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
I take Celexa (40 mg) & by itself have the same results as you. I have narcolepsy, depression, & ADHD. Dexedrine seems to wear off far too fast for me - it doesn't last as long as it should, or did before. I don't like Ritalin - the ups & downs are so abrupt & far too sharp.
I have tried Manerix (I live in Canada too) & it made me strangely activated but in a very angry sense till I felt in a constant state of low-key rage & anything would set it off to become full-blown. I had to stop it, but that was a couple of years before I took Celexa. I was trying to find a good AD after Luvox wore off.
The stimulant I take now, & find the best for me - almost a 'wonder' drug really - is adrafinil (Olmifon) that I order from over seas. There's only one other stimulant like it, Provigil (modafinil). In fact, one of the main metabolites of adrafinil is modafinil. They're referred to as eugeroic drugs, meaning "good arousal".
It doesn't cause an up/down feeling like I experience on other stims but is even - hour by hour, day by day. It not only stimulates & energerises me but motivates & *calms* me remarkably. I sleep better on it & have no trouble relaxing at bedtime. Personally, I love it. It does everything I've always been looking for in a med.
I'll provide some links if your interesting in reading more on it.
http://www.adrafinil.com/
http://www.nevapress.com/cnsdr/full/5/3/193.pdf - one of the best
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020327/msgs/101413.html
Plus these results from Google that have list of different threads on adrafinil & modafinil from Dr. Bob's site:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+site:www.dr-bob.org+adrafinil+modafinil
Posted by katekite on May 1, 2002, at 12:55:32
In reply to Celexa, ADD and Motivation, posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
I have ADD and tried moclobemide and found it did help ADD symptoms, the first few days. The first day was great: it seemed to help a lot with my morning get-up irritable state where my cortex is struggling to be in charge.
As time went on though I think the serotonin aspects became predominant and I got more amotivation and less help for ADD. I tried it at two dosing levels: 150/day the first time and 75/day the second (I am very sensitive to meds in general and most people would take more). Sedation was stronger at the lower dose. Since all of that only took 10 days total to figure out that it wasn't likely to be a miracle for me, I recommend a trial. One is supposed to know pretty quickly, within a week, if it is likely to help or not.
Of celexa, paxil, zoloft and prozac I found prozac the best in combination with my ADD. ie prozac seemed more stimulating, but it really did take a good month to even start working. So that might be another option.
Most serotonin enhancing drugs will make ADD worse.
Is Concerta the extended release ritalin available in Canada?
I'm curious to hear if you find out whether stimulants can be taken in low doses with mocloemide. I would guess instead of 15 mgs of dexedrine you would be taking a very very tiny dose, if you could at all.
Thanks,
kate
Posted by Chocoholic on April 12, 2003, at 1:06:30
In reply to Celexa, ADD and Motivation, posted by XaosSurfer on April 30, 2002, at 20:18:46
I took moclobemide with Dexedrine for three years for depression and ADD. It worked pretty well and I had minimal side effects from the moclobemide.
Chocoholic
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