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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iris2 on October 9, 2004, at 15:11:23
I looked at a back log of posts of Strattera and I cannot figure out if it helped people or not. I really thought it was a good one for me to try as besides depression I cannot concentrate,focus or have any energy. Not much for the adhednia.
What is your opinion?
Irene
Posted by fallsfall on October 9, 2004, at 16:22:51
In reply to Strattera question, posted by iris2 on October 9, 2004, at 15:11:23
I liked it a lot. It did give me more energy, and also decreased suicidal ideation (I was taking Provigil, too, not sure which did this, or if I needed both). I took it for a year or so.
I dropped it this spring because it was causing unbearable sweating (and I didn't want to go through another summer like that). I was so hot (beads of sweat sitting still at 85 degrees) that I couldn't do anything. The sweating was almost more debilitating than the depression (I know it sounds strange, but it really was). I could tolerate it in the winter, but I couldn't do it again in the summer.
If it didn't make me overheat, I'd still be on it.
P.S. I took it for depression, not ADHD.
Posted by zeugma on October 9, 2004, at 20:34:30
In reply to Strattera question, posted by iris2 on October 9, 2004, at 15:11:23
> I looked at a back log of posts of Strattera and I cannot figure out if it helped people or not. I really thought it was a good one for me to try as besides depression I cannot concentrate,focus or have any energy. Not much for the adhednia.
>
> What is your opinion?
Excellent for focus and motivation, has a n 'alerting' effect that I was aware of immediately, and when I restarted it last week. Unfortunately, it tears my stomach to bits, I have bad IBS, and it aggravates the constipation and feeling of intestinal distress. It is not a drug that I can tolerate. My dr. decided to raise the Ritalin instead, even though it is less effective for my symptoms, seemingly, than provigil or Strattera. Of the three drugs, I can only tolerate the Ritalin.-z
>
> Irene
Posted by iris2 on October 9, 2004, at 21:38:23
In reply to Re: Strattera question » iris2, posted by zeugma on October 9, 2004, at 20:34:30
>
> Excellent for focus and motivation, has a n 'alerting' effect that I was aware of immediately, and when I restarted it last week. Unfortunately, it tears my stomach to bits, I have bad IBS, and it aggravates the constipation and feeling of intestinal distress. It is not a drug that I can tolerate. My dr. decided to raise the Ritalin instead, even though it is less effective for my symptoms, seemingly, than provigil or Strattera. Of the three drugs, I can only tolerate the Ritalin.
>
> -z
> >
> > Irene
>
>z,
I already take Ritalin. How would you compare the two?
This is very important to me as chances are I will not be able to take the Strattera so that is why I want to know as much of other peoples experiences as possible first. I have a bladder disease which makes it difficult for me to take most medications. It is called interstitial cystitis.I took Provigil. I was so nervous and anxious I had no time or peace of mind to even know if my mood had lifted. I did not take it very long though because of the anxiety. My friend took it and had the same effect.
She has IBS very bad too, but she usually has diarrhea. I have read a large volume of material about it all. I tried to get her to try just a couple of eating behaviors that I read constantly in every article or book but she will not change her poor eating habits. I would be sick all the time if I ate like her and very overwieght. She had an operation for her throat and they had to move all her digestive organs and it caused huge side effects. Very bad IBS and she lost about 100 pounds which she is so proud of. But if she did not stay ill she would gain it all back in a few months because she eats so bad. She was so distressed and still is she spoke of it all the time. No change in a terrible diet. Nothing. Just constant medication. A lot of it is for pain. Some for reflux which actually makes the other problems worse. She just cannot seem to understand that if she eats better she will have less pain and problems. At least make a concerted effort to see if it helps. She is reallly irrational which is probably the main reason why I cannot be friends with her anymore.
From what I have read I cannot imagine thatchanging diet and/or adding fiber a little at a time would not help. I do not think it would be a cure all but it could change her whole life. I have never had an oportunity to discuss this with anyone before. If you are not comfortable discussing it no problem. If you want to and would rather email my email is ilm@att.net
Thanks for the information and take care,
irene
Posted by theo on October 10, 2004, at 8:06:17
In reply to Re: Strattera question » iris2, posted by zeugma on October 9, 2004, at 20:34:30
I've never taken a stimulant and my doc is going to put me on either Adderall XR or Concerta(Ritalin).
Have you ever tried Adderall XR? My fear with Concerta(Ritalin) is that it may not be as smooth for me as Adderall XR from what I've read for people with anxiety taking stimulants. Any feedback would be appreciated.
I do remember back in my party days taking a dose of Ritalin and I had a very anti-social almost paranoid experience.
Posted by zeugma on October 10, 2004, at 21:03:46
In reply to Re: Strattera question » zeugma, posted by iris2 on October 9, 2004, at 21:38:23
Strattera and Ritalin are very different. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, but like Ritalin, has rapid absorption so the boost in NE is apparent right away. It does not directly affect dopamine like Ritalin does. For some reason, Strattera helps my ADHD although it worsens my fatigue, while Ritalin does not go near my fatigue but seems to do nothing for anything else either. Strattera is worth a try but has a reputation for causing fatigue, and as I mentioned is hard n my GI tract. I'll respond to your other questions in a separate email.
-z
Posted by zeugma on October 11, 2004, at 10:21:18
In reply to Re: Strattera question » zeugma, posted by theo on October 10, 2004, at 8:06:17
> I've never taken a stimulant and my doc is going to put me on either Adderall XR or Concerta(Ritalin).
>
> Have you ever tried Adderall XR? My fear with Concerta(Ritalin) is that it may not be as smooth for me as Adderall XR from what I've read for people with anxiety taking stimulants. Any feedback would be appreciated.theo, I'm sorry i didn't answer you yesterday. I wrote out a response but must have forgotten to hit 'confirm.'
Anyway, Ritalin does not make me more anxious at low doses (10-20 mg/day). I am taking 40 mg Ritalin LA, and quite anxious, because it does not seem to be working for me. Ie my energy level remains low and my ADHD severe. There is a specific 'jitteriness' effect but it seems to have worn off.
I have never taken Adderall, but I guess it's next on my list. I believe chemist takes Adderall together with an AD, and he would be up on the differing chemical properties of Ritalin and amphetamines, about which I am very curious myself. He would also know which one is more anxiogenic. From reports I've read, Ritalin is worse from this standpoint, but individual reactions must vary a great deal.
-z
>
> I do remember back in my party days taking a dose of Ritalin and I had a very anti-social almost paranoid experience.
This is the end of the thread.
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