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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NYCguy on December 29, 2006, at 23:25:04
Hi P-Babblers!
My doctor suggested that I go on a trial of Strattera. I was thinking an MAOI, but my Doc said it was too dangerous. So I said "okay" and prompty went home and looked up what people had to say about Strattera and got discouraged. I know that maybe I shouldnt do this, but I've been badly burned before by just blindly going along with my Doc's reccomendation. So I research things before I take them, and Strattera just sounds bad.
My symptoms are Atypical Depression and Social Anxiety, along with some ADD and some mood-instabbility. I didn't know that Strattera was a good drug for anxiety. The side effects seem horrible from what I read.
Has anyone had success on Strattera for these kind of symptoms? What about experiences with side effects?
Any imput would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! :-)
Posted by becksA on December 29, 2006, at 23:34:15
In reply to Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, ADD?, posted by NYCguy on December 29, 2006, at 23:25:04
You might want to look for another doc. If I went into the office, told the doc those symptoms and got Straterra I'd say see ya
Posted by NYCguy on December 29, 2006, at 23:45:38
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, A, posted by becksA on December 29, 2006, at 23:34:15
> You might want to look for another doc. If I went into the office, told the doc those symptoms and got Straterra I'd say see ya
Thanks BecksA! Is it because you think Strattera is junk in general or just a poor fit for my symptoms?
I had some success with Cymbalta/Adderall/Klonopin before... maybe I should go on that again to lose the 50 lbs I need to lose and then try Nardil or Parnate/Emsam with Klonopin.
I'm so confused, because when I'm this down, it's hard to trust my own judgement. I'm really glad I found this bboard and all the helpful people here.
Posted by becksA on December 29, 2006, at 23:55:14
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, A » becksA, posted by NYCguy on December 29, 2006, at 23:45:38
YEah it is a great board...I wouldn't say Strattera is junk....but I would personally consider it only for ADD. I tried it and it had no effect. My brother tried it and has been using it for over a year, it works great for him. Everybody is different. Klonopin is the only thing that worked for my anxiety. Have not tried an MAOI yet though.
Posted by Quintal on December 30, 2006, at 2:28:39
In reply to Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, ADD?, posted by NYCguy on December 29, 2006, at 23:25:04
Haven't tried Strattera but I did try reboxetine (Edronax) which belongs to the same class (NARIs) and had a terrifying experience. So no, I wouldn't recommend any drug of that class for someone who has an anxiety disorder based on that. Srattera is a different drug though so may have a slightly different effect, and as ever mileage may vary.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2006, at 11:09:40
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, ADD? » NYCguy, posted by Quintal on December 30, 2006, at 2:28:39
Why an ADD med for an anxiety disorder? Wouldn't it wire you? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on December 30, 2006, at 11:30:57
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, ADD?, posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2006, at 11:09:40
I think straterra worked just fine, I thought it was a good med, it just gave me too much cardiac weirdness.
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on December 30, 2006, at 12:27:38
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, ADD?, posted by linkadge on December 30, 2006, at 11:30:57
sometimes you can use stimulating ADs in anxiety....Wellbutrin, for instance, helps some people, and can be used w/ other drugs in anxiety disorders (ex: klonopin+wellbutrin). But...ummm...Straterra sucks. The reason its marketed for ADHD is b/c it failed trials for depression. Considering how many marginally effective drugs *passed* the tests for depression, this is a pretty sad statement. Plus, most docs don't even use it that much for ADHD, b/c it sucks. Shrinks I've known both as a patient and just socially have said they'd much rather use (insert stimulant here) than Straterra, because straterra isn't terribly effective.
Plus, Straterra isn't great, but it does have the fun side effects of a lot of stims--increased anxiety, sweating, liver issues in some people. I don't know what your docs deal is, but s/he isn't very good at...ummm...being a p-doc. So maybe you should shop around.
Posted by laima on December 30, 2006, at 14:48:06
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, A, posted by med_empowered on December 30, 2006, at 12:27:38
I don't know about Strattera, but I found that other ADD meds, such as ritalin and adderall, are very helpful for resistant atypical depression. They also make me feel more confident socially, and more sociable in general. ADD meds also don't necessarily make a person anxious- for me they're surprisingly calming- while being energizing. The only time that's not true for me is at very high doses. The big downside I see is that I can't imagine them working forever-and many reports indicate that they don't. On the other hand, that seems to be true of a lot of antidepressants.
Posted by linkadge on December 30, 2006, at 16:58:59
In reply to Re: Strattera for Atypical Depression, Anxiety, A, posted by laima on December 30, 2006, at 14:48:06
The main positive thing I notice from straterra was that I wanted to be around other people. Traditional stimulants can sometimes make me withdraw.
I would like to try a low dose again with an SSRI perhaps a low dose of celexa/lexapro.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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