[Rthrwz]

I have been diagnosed with ADD and Bipolar and have been on Lamotrigine for the past few months. My anxiety and mood have more or less stabilised, but I still have symptoms that are difficult to pinpoint exactly what I'm suffering from. I am not on any ADD meds because my doc wanted to focus on my bipolar issues first. The issues I'm having are all over the place and I'm really not sure if it is my bipolar or ADD that are causing me these problems.

The symptoms I'm experiencing are mostly Inattention based as opposed to Impulsivity/Hyperactivity (although I fidget a lot and move around). Basically, the effects of drinking caffeine (energy, focus, attention) make me feel normal but ever since I quit it (which helped my mood immensely), I feel very zoned out and not "in the moment" all the time.

I have been looking at Vyvanse and Strattera, but am not sure which one is more suitable for me. I feel like my issues are more fatigue related so Vyvanse would help me more since it is a stimulant and Strattera may decrease energy (serotonin related?), and my mood cycling issues are more depression-based as compared to mania (rarely get these now). Would appreciate advice from those suffering from ADD and bipolar concurrently.

[LacunaCoiler]

I suffer from bp and add and what my doctor told me when we first started treatment was that bp symptoms often mimic add symptoms. So the plan of attack was to control the bp first and if the symptoms are still there once it's under control then we can tackle the add. It took quiet a while (too long for my liking tbh) to get the right cocktail of meds to control my bp and it's only been in the last year that we actually started on add meds (I was diagnosed with bp about 6 years ago).

It's a very good thing that you noticed and stopped with the caffeine because that does affect my mood in some people with bp. I've had to cut out or limited caffeine intake because it was messing with my mood and concentration as well. I'm much better when I'm not on caffeine.

As for meds in regards to bp and add, most docs (good ones anyways- imo) are hesitant to hand out stimulants to people with bp because it can send them into a manic episode. I started out on very low does of stimulants and work my way up to proper doses.

It's always good to review different meds that have the potential to help you but at the same time if you attempt to push stimulants it can look bad on your part since they are addicting in nature. This is something you should talk to your pdoc about... remember, it's your team and communication should go two ways.

I know this probably sounds like I jumped around a lot and probably doesn't make much sense, but I hope it helped a little bit if nothing else. If you have anymore questions feel free to private message me anytime.

[Rthrwz]

Originally Posted by LacunaCoiler

I suffer from bp and add and what my doctor told me when we first started treatment was that bp symptoms often mimic add symptoms. So the plan of attack was to control the bp first and if the symptoms are still there once it's under control then we can tackle the add. It took quiet a while (too long for my liking tbh) to get the right cocktail of meds to control my bp and it's only been in the last year that we actually started on add meds (I was diagnosed with bp about 6 years ago).

It's a very good thing that you noticed and stopped with the caffeine because that does affect my mood in some people with bp. I've had to cut out or limited caffeine intake because it was messing with my mood and concentration as well. I'm much better when I'm not on caffeine.

As for meds in regards to bp and add, most docs (good ones anyways- imo) are hesitant to hand out stimulants to people with bp because it can send them into a manic episode. I started out on very low does of stimulants and work my way up to proper doses.

It's always good to review different meds that have the potential to help you but at the same time if you attempt to push stimulants it can look bad on your part since they are addicting in nature. This is something you should talk to your pdoc about... remember, it's your team and communication should go two ways.

I know this probably sounds like I jumped around a lot and probably doesn't make much sense, but I hope it helped a little bit if nothing else. If you have anymore questions feel free to private message me anytime.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing what medications you have tried,are currently on and if there were any undesirable side effects? I'm aware of bp and add sharing the same symptoms which makes it very difficult for me to pinpoint the exact cause of my symptoms.

[LacunaCoiler]

I have tried Ritalin, Conserta, and currently on Adderall for my add. I maxed out on Conserta and I couldn't remember to take Ritalin when I was supposed to (I don't do good with having to take pills multiple times a day).

As for my bipolar... I've tried a number of drugs and I can't remember them all off the top of my head, but I can't take antidepressants... learned that the hard way so I haven't taken many of them. At the moment though I'm on Risperdone and Lamictal and they both seem to be helping me control my moods really well.

[Jenna120]

Taking an antidepressant when you have bipolar disorder is difficult, the mood stabilizer would have to be adjusted. But the treatment that best helps me with my ADHD is a tricyclic antidepressant, desipramine. I was diagnosed before SNRIs existed, which is why I was prescribed that. I've tried Strattera and a couple of other SNRIs and even tried Ritalin briefly. Nothing worked even near as good as desipramine.

[Leia78]

I am bipolar 1 and have ADD. After my bipolar symptoms were managed, my psychiatrist added Vyvanse. Vyvanse has been a good med for focus and organizing my thoughts. It was like adding a piece of the puzzle that was missing. I improved a lot once it was included. Because I take it with mood stabilizers, I haven't experiencing any problems with mania from it thus far. I've been taking it for 2 years. Of course, people react to all medications differently. This is my experience with it.

[Werewoman]

I take Wellbutrin, Abilify, and Viibryd for my BP and Vyvanse for ADHD. This combo works very well for me.

[LucyLouBabyCat]

Originally Posted by Rthrwz

I have been diagnosed with ADD and Bipolar and have been on Lamotrigine for the past few months. My anxiety and mood have more or less stabilised, but I still have symptoms that are difficult to pinpoint exactly what I'm suffering from. I am not on any ADD meds because my doc wanted to focus on my bipolar issues first. The issues I'm having are all over the place and I'm really not sure if it is my bipolar or ADD that are causing me these problems.

The symptoms I'm experiencing are mostly Inattention based as opposed to Impulsivity/Hyperactivity (although I fidget a lot and move around). Basically, the effects of drinking caffeine (energy, focus, attention) make me feel normal but ever since I quit it (which helped my mood immensely), I feel very zoned out and not "in the moment" all the time.

I have been looking at Vyvanse and Strattera, but am not sure which one is more suitable for me. I feel like my issues are more fatigue related so Vyvanse would help me more since it is a stimulant and Strattera may decrease energy (serotonin related?), and my mood cycling issues are more depression-based as compared to mania (rarely get these now). Would appreciate advice from those suffering from ADD and bipolar concurrently.

Hello,
I have been "unbalanced" since childhood and was not diagnosed until I was 35 with Bipolar 2, ADHD, and post traumatic stress disorder. I am now almost 50. The most helpful thing that I did was search for a psychiatrist that would work with me and not just treat me. What I mean is that I finally found a health care professional that listened to me when I was struggling with the right combination of medication and other treatment sources to deal with my condition. I was on Risperdal for a long time from 3 different psychiatrists along with other medications. I finally found a psychiatrist (female) that actually listened to me and would respect and work with me to resolve my conditions. As far as the ADHD medications go I tried Adderall, then Ritalin, Vyvanse, and now I am using Adderall XR at half the dose I was receiving from a previous doctor and I am feeling much better, more focused, and hopeful. All of my symptoms of ADHD have not been completely resolved though. I have finally been put on Seroquel XR for my Bipolar 2 and that works pretty well, better than anything else so far. But the medications only do so much. I have been seeing a counselor for 2 years weekly until recently. I started one on one sessions with a meditation instructor and we have been working on mindfulness to help dial back some anxiety and impulsivity. The mindfulness has helped me stop and ask my self what I am feeling physically, emotionally, and to recognize these feelings, name them, and gently calm myself and just become aware of them. It is very hard for me to focus on something other than the distress of insecurity, my reactionary behavior and what I should have done. Bottom line is 1. Find a doctor to work with you and allow you to sample different medications until you find the right one. That means that a. you need to see your doctor regularly to monitor your reaction to the medications b. you must take your medication- one thing that I struggle with is "sleep hygiene". I have to stick to my routine of when I get up, when I take my medications on time, and when I go to bed. Sleep is so very important. You must plan your days and nights so that you have enough time to allow yourself to relax. This can be difficult when you are not single and others are depending on you. You must remind them that you NEED to stick to your schedule. 2. You need to plan. I make a lot of notes. But I only have one calendar for everything and it is not electronic. If I don't have everything in one place and orderly then I get distracted. You MUST make things simple. And you MUST allow yourself to break big tasks into smaller bits. Otherwise you may not be successful in completing the tasks. 3. Do not allow others to have power over you or control you. Having a medical condition and needing to take care of yourself should come first, otherwise you cannot take care of others. I was not able to really seek help for my conditions until I met my husband and he supported my search for help. Albeit he did not ever ask about the details of my illness, it was not because he was not concerned with my well being. To look at the bright side he allows me the privacy I need to deal with my health as I see fit.

Write back when you have time. I would like to stay in touch.

This is my first posting and the first time I have joined a group like this.
Be gentle, speak softly to yourself. Be kind to yourself. Consider more than one type of therapy in your treatment. I use YouTube for finding guided meditations from UCLA and a couple of other sources.

hugs, hot tea, soft light, etc. are good medicine too.

[MedicWolf]

Originally Posted by Rthrwz

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing what medications you have tried,are currently on and if there were any undesirable side effects? I'm aware of bp and add sharing the same symptoms which makes it very difficult for me to pinpoint the exact cause of my symptoms.

One thing to remember on these medications is that every patient will have different experiences. It will be a long process, more often then not, to find what is right for you personally and a lot of times patients will have preconceived notions on something "will totally work" because of someones recommendation and that can lead to huge disappointments and sometimes increase depressive moods. Just a reminder on this commonly over looked part of the topic.