southern california guy Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I've found this thread interesting because I was diagnosed with adult ADD back in 1993. However the psychologist became noticeably frustrated because I didn't have all of the symptoms. He insisted that I didn't show all of the symptoms because I was controlling my ADD by "self-medicating" myself with coffee. He said that the prescription drugs that I'd be put on were actually much safer and milder than coffee. So I asked him if I'd have to give up the coffee. He said, [i]oh no no you can keep drinking the coffee[/i]. So I asked why would I need to be put on prescription drugs if I could control it with coffee? He became angry and explained that there were also support groups that he ran that I would join -- in addition to support groups for the wives, girlfriends, and families of people with ADD.. I declined his treatment and he kind of threw a temper tantrum. I left feeling that if nothing else I didn't want to go back to see him again. I moved to Utah in 1995 and I was amazed by how many people there were on stimulants and anti-depressants. Zoloft was the most popular anti-depressant -- apparently because it was the cheapest at the time. The stories I heard about Zoloft didn't make me want to take it -- or any other anti-depressant for that matter. I heard that it made people fat, it changed their personality, and it made men impotent, and both men and women lost their sex drives. I had a friend who was on it and he was being treated for impotence -- at 21! He was achieving a lot and he and his wife had already purchased property and built their own house -- while he was completing college! -- but I was amazed that he would have those problems at his age. Anyway I never got treatment for my so-called "ADD". I posted a little bit about it on another board and Marie-Therese said that it sounded like I had "Aspergers Syndrome" rather than ADD, since I'd had symptoms of autism when I was younger (Problems with stuttering, problems with speech, problems with understanding people, problems with reading, etc). So I went and looked at a number of Aspergers websites and I'm almost textbook Aspergers. Most of my problems are not really with concentration. They are problems with social interaction -- and concentrating when socially interacting. And I have totally obsessive interests -- like my interest in plants. I'm not totally clear if people with Aspergers are "high-functioning" autistics or if it's a little different altogether. Here's a simple online test: [url="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html"]http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html[/url] It's interesting to me that Aspergers is [b]NOT[/b] treated with anti-depressants or stimulants. I guess that you'd just have a wired autisic -- who would still continue to have social problems. Maybe it would help their "concentration" though?? I don't know. I'm skipping the medication but I'm considering getting checked out for Aspergers and seeing what I can do to at least improve socially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) Well, good for you, looking into your health. You might want to look up "Piracetam" (available at speciality pharmacies in the USA). It has been shown to help Dyslexia (see studies) and ADHD, as well as brain and age related cognitive problems. For many it doesn't have side effects. I'm going to ask my Doc about trying it. MATER-- I've been noticing that it seems like some of my down mood lately seems like it might be coming from the stimulant ADHD med I am on. So, I'm thinking of asking my doctor to instead try Wellbutrin and Concerta, separately. Does the Wellbutrin cause any drowsiness? What can happen if you have some alcohol while on it? Is Wellbutrin SR a 24-hour med or how it the SR formula different? Edited September 5, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1315257959' post='2300625'] MATER-- I've been noticing that it seems like some of my down mood lately seems like it might be coming from the stimulant ADHD med I am on. So, I'm thinking of asking my doctor to instead try Wellbutrin and Concerta, separately. Does the Wellbutrin cause any drowsiness? What can happen if you have some alcohol while on it? Is Wellbutrin SR a 24-hour med or how it the SR formula different? [/quote] Wellbutrin doesn't cause any drowsiness for me now that I've been on it for over a year (I was on it previously as well). However, drowsiness is listed as a potential side effect: [quote][size=4][i]Constipation; dizziness; [b]drowsiness[/b]; dry mouth; flushing; headache; increased sweating; increased urination; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; ringing in the ears; stomach pain; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight changes.[/i][/size][/quote] The biggest issue for me is/was insomnia. I've struggled with that ever since I was diagnosed with depression 12 years ago. It's caused by many antidepressants. You are not allowed to drink alcohol while on it because it can cause problems. The SR just means slow release so there is a continual amount of the medication in your system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1315262168' post='2300661'] The biggest issue for me is/was insomnia. I've struggled with that ever since I was diagnosed with depression 12 years ago. It's caused by many antidepressants. You are not allowed to drink alcohol while on it because it can cause problems. The SR just means slow release so there is a continual amount of the medication in your system. [/quote] Well, insomnia isn't new to me. I already have Melatonin, Benadryl, and generic Ambien for when that creeps up on me. Oh, but did you say people can't take Benadryl on Wellbutrin because of the serotonin-effect? What problems can alcohol cause? How serious is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1315263288' post='2300674'] Well, insomnia isn't new to me. I already have Melatonin, Benadryl, and generic Ambien for when that creeps up on me. Oh, but did you say people can't take Benadryl on Wellbutrin because of the serotonin-effect? What problems can alcohol cause? How serious is it? [/quote] Benadryl mixed with Wellbutrin or other antidepressants can cause Serotonin Syndrome -- a very dangerous disorder that can be sometimes fatal. Benadryl is considered a depressant since it makes you drowsy. You cannot take cough medicine containing dextromethorphan because of the same effect. Each and every bottle of medicine that I've gotten from the pharmacy has a bright red label saying "DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE ON THIS MEDICATION." All the literature I've read suggests that Wellbutrin can lower the seizure threshold for some people and mixing alcohol with the medication can cause that threshold to be even lower -- which could lead to seizure episodes. Since alcohol is also a depressant, the effects of it can be increased or even elongated while on Wellbutrin. Not a good combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Mater, I'm going to by flying in a few weeks for a vAcation / retreat (non-vocational), and I have to take a decongestant like Sudafed for flying due to ear pain. Can I take Sudafed while on Wellbutrin, should I get on it? If not, what decongestant can I take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1315855435' post='2303886'] Mater, I'm going to by flying in a few weeks for a vAcation / retreat (non-vocational), and I have to take a decongestant like Sudafed for flying due to ear pain. Can I take Sudafed while on Wellbutrin, should I get on it? If not, what decongestant can I take? [/quote] As long as it is Sudafed PE, you are good. But if it is pseudoephedrine, it is not a good combination because it is a depressant and shouldn't be mixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) I'm very happy. I was able to get an rx for generic Wellbutrin SR today to see how it goes on my ADHD, anxiety and depression. I have to fill it soon. He said he will start me at 150mg and then see if I need more later on. I also got an rx for Piracetam which is great for dyslexia and learning/memory issues. He couldn't find it in his books so he had to look online. It's supposed to be available at specialty pharmacies so I will be trying one and hopefully I can get it. He said it might cause some nervousness, and so if it does, I'll probably be quitting it. I sure hope it goes okay. Edited September 16, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContemporaryCaflicCrusader Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 My doctor recommended Strattera the day it came out. Said it was made for people who need a non stimulent ADHD medication because Riddelin helped w/ ADHD, but made my Tourette Syndrome worse because the nature of riddelin being a stimulent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) But can those non-stimulants still cause nervousness, personality change, low mood, etc.? I've been on generic Wellbutrin about a week now and I don't think it's helping my ADHD or anxiety, and I'm not sure about the depression. My anxiety might even be worse on it, and it gives me occasional palpitations. I'm thinking of asking for Prozac next time instead, as it's supposed to be good for anxiety, too. I would like to avoid the typical drowsy-causing anti-anxiety meds. Edited September 22, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fides' Jack Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 We plan to overcome this in our kids with spanking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1316713992' post='2308573'] But can those non-stimulants still cause nervousness, personality change, low mood, etc.? I've been on generic Wellbutrin about a week now and I don't think it's helping my ADHD or anxiety, and I'm not sure about the depression. My anxiety might even be worse on it, and it gives me occasional palpitations. I'm thinking of asking for Prozac next time instead, as it's supposed to be good for anxiety, too. I would like to avoid the typical drowsy-causing anti-anxiety meds. [/quote] You really cannot accurately gauge the medication's effectiveness after only being on it for 1 week. It takes at least a month for any psychiatric medications to reach therapeutic levels in your bloodstream. Barring any severe side effects, you should definitely try to give it more time to work before asking your doctor to switch you to something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1316827216' post='2309095'] You really cannot accurately gauge the medication's effectiveness after only being on it for 1 week. It takes at least a month for any psychiatric medications to reach therapeutic levels in your bloodstream. Barring any severe side effects, you should definitely try to give it more time to work before asking your doctor to switch you to something else. [/quote] That sounds like what he will probably tell me, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 (edited) Mater, do you have much experience with anxiety medications? Are there one-a-day meds? Do any have no or little drowsiness (and what if taking a super tiny dose)? How well do they work? Edited September 24, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Bump for Mater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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