[rsjc852]

Hello,

I've had a burning question for the past few months, and I'd like to get an opinion.

I haven't be formally diagnosed yet, but i've seen two different pdocs over several months who believe I have ADHD-PI / ADD, as well as my mandated therapist (It's how my university works).

Back in November, the university health center put me on generic Celexa, then I moved to generic Paxil, 20mg nightly. (For anxiety, infrequent depression, and worsening mood swings)

The first pdoc then added Wellbutrin 25mg, and told me to try that because it was supposed to relieve the fogginess and increase concentration.

A family tragedy happened, and I wasn't able to take the medication as-prescribed, but while I was on it, it did nothing but cause terrible insomnia, low labido and impotence. Considering how much I disliked trying Celexa for the same reasons, I was mildly against taking yet another anti-depressant.

At this time, I started seeing another pdoc who co-owned a practice with my first pdoc.


We then went on this merry-go-round of medications:

Strattera - dry mouth, impotence, lowered libido, and with insurance it would cost $220+ for a low dosage. Didn't feel any change.

Concerta - This was a doozy. I accidently took 2x 40mg in a day, 12 hours apart. I spent the night feeling like I was dying, wide awake but physically tired, delirious, hallucinating, borderline manic, anxious, depressed, motor spasms, chest pain, and it caused some pretty bad suicidal thoughts. When I took it as prescribed, it felt like I had just had a coffee, but would quickly wear off and leave me exhausted and drained. I won't even look at this medication anymore.

Adderall SR- This is what I'm currently on now. I've been experimenting with the dosages, since my pdoc prescribed 10mg Adderall generic. At first it gave me just a dry mouth, but recently it's been giving me extremely high libido, and more aggression. (more testosterone?) But even going up to 30mg, I still don't feel anything. The first time I took it, I was more sociable, talkative, lovey-dovey, but the dry mouth was absolutely terrible, and continued on for 4 days. Slightly wakes me up, doesn't give me a crash, but I'd get more out of a 5 hour energy than 30mg Adderall.

Now, before I was prescribed Paxil or any SSRI, I took one 40mg concerta from a friend because my grandfather's stroke left me with a mountain of assignments to due right before finals, and I was in danger of failing half my classes. It was great. I felt happy, clear headed finally, sociable, and I willingly did assignments without the usual extreme procrastination that has plagued me since grade school - all with a clear mind and great memory retention.
After I started Paxil and Celexa, I received another pill, from the same friend, from the same prescription. It was like day and night - not a thing happened.

I can't help but think... even though both of my pdoc's agree that an anti-depressant and stimulant work well together and are commonly used to control ADD/ADHD -- that the antidepressant is robbing me of the mind-clearing, focus effect I got the first time.


TL;DR: Tried Strattera, Concerta, Wellbutrin, and Adderall. None have had the effect I've heard about ("In the Zone"), but have given me terrible side effects with little to no benefits. Can anyone give me a reason why? Currently on 10mg Adderall 2x daily + Paxil 20mg Nightly

Tried Concerta before, amazing results. After starting an SSRI, I get no benefit from meds

Thanks for your time, I know that's a wall of text. I have a bad habit of rambling on.

[Travelinglady]

Goodness, you have been through a bunch of meds. All I know to say, off hand, is that they do work for some folks. But, as with other medical problems, the drugs don't work so well for everybody. I hope the doc can find something that will help without all the problems before too long.

You might also have other undiagnosed, underlying disorders that could be causing these medications to have adverse side-effects. I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD, but I am unable to take stimulant medication because it triggers severe mood episodes. Finding a stable treatment schedule might take a process of trial and error. Good luck.

[RTerroni]

I have taken all of the medications which you have described before and they all put me too much out of it.

I take Lamictal right now and that helps a lot and doesn't put me out of it much.

[{Trixy}]

Sorry your having such a hard time getting the most efficient med cocktail. We are all so different with the ways medications effect us, makes it difficult. Here's my experience with concerta and Paxil.
I'm diagnosed adhd/borderline pd and my pdoc prescribes me concerta xr twice daily. I'm not a candidate for adderal or anything other than time release because it triggers the mood swings, anger, you know, all the fun stuff!
Years ago I was given Ritalin and it literally made me feel void, empty with no emotions. i hated it and it was horrible.
I was very hesitant to even take concerta (xr Ritalin) because how awful I felt. My doctor convinced me after a few months to try it. Im glad i did because I love concerta, it takes the edge off for me. It gave me impulse control and the ability to have some self control. now, Half the time I take it I feel the effects of a benzo from it. Concerta Slows my role.

I also took Paxil 10 years ago and was not impressed. I was still anxious and antisocial. Even worse was the taper off it. I spent 6 weeks coming off of it. I haven't taken an anti depressant for a while however my all time favorite is Prozac. Have you tried it?
I did not get the low libido, or other negative side effects. Ive heard its also a stimulant, not sure if thats true, but i did lose 10 pounds fairly quickly after starting it.
I'm on lithium now and don't feel foggy or disconnected at all. I have no tremmers or other negative effects.
I still can't pay that great of attention half the time but the problematic symptoms are under control. Life's a work in progress.
I hope you find some relief soon, best of luck.