I'm so sorry that I've been away so long, thank you all very much for the helpful information! I'm still not on any meds (stopped Lamictal and Adderall XR 2 weeks ago) and my Dr. has recommended that we monitor for mood swings over the summer instead of making me get back on meds immediately.

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Darkeyes said:Try the concerta, my pdoc said "no" about strattera,cause it effects the liver,even some cases already pointing at strattera.
Concerta is a stimulant, but designed as time release so you really don't get that "speeding" feeling.
Best to talk to your pdoc about this and other options. I take concerta besides lamictal, all seems to work fine, the only anxiety that has been going on, is taking care of my sickly mom,who has dementia on top of it. Thats the anxiety for me, not the concerta in my case.
I wish you lots of luck in finding the one that works well for you, it's so important as we all know.

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This is really good for me to know since my grandma died from liver failure (induced by years of meds). I'll probably try Concerta instead of going back to Adderall, it's good to hear your experience with it and lamictal together. Thanks!!

To LMo, I'm really glad that Strattera is working for your husband, and I hope that he is one of the types of people who do not get the liver damage. Overall, I think that the pro's of your husband living a happy life with Strattera weigh strongly against the possible health affects. Of course, since I won't be relying on it to control my depressive symptoms, it's less important to me.

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Jerrypharmstudent said: HI Jessie!

In my experience - and from reading experiences of others - Adderall - especially the XR formulation - is the "smoothest" and produces less anxiety among the amphetamines. Concerta - which is just a new timed release forumlation of the active ingrediant in Ritalin (METHYLPHENIDATE) works differently than the amphetamines and is in it's own drug class. Concerta works by blocking reuptake of dopamine whereas amphetamines (Adderall & Dexedrine) work by releasing stored norepinephrine & dopamine in the presynaptic neuron. Anyway, it seems that Concerta has less sympathogenic effects, i.e.: effects on blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, etc., so one could assume that Concerta would produce less feelings of anxiety - especially the physical aspects.

Strattera started out being developed as an antidepressant - an SNRI (selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) when the company changed it's mind and decided to market it for ADD/ADHD because they thought that it being non-stimulant/non-addictive potential that they'd make more money. However, since it's release, Strattera has shown to be a less than stellar medication - for ADD or depression. I've heard nothing but bad news from doctors and people who have taken it - saying it produces terrible side effects including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, dry mouth, sexual side effects - among others. Now, this doesn't mean it doesn't work for some people.

--> Remember the Rx "Golden Rule": Everyone responds differently - so someone who doesn't have problems with anxeity on Adderall might with Concerta and visa versa.

But in general - I'd say that Concerta has the least chance of producing anxiety.

Hope this helps!!
Jerry :-).

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Thanks Jerry! This was quite helpful, and I've learned some new things about the meds! Again, I'll probably be asking my Dr. about Concerta, thanks to your and Darkeye's recommendations.

I'm really confused about what I need/want to put in my body at this point, since I feel like I've "recovered" from the worst of the bipolar I was diagnosed with about a year ago. I hate how the meds change my personality, and I feel like Adderall XR and Lamictal keep me mildly depressed. Anyway, I feel much more clear about my choice for ADHD treatment from this discussion, so thank you all so much for your input!

Jessie