I have schizoaffective disorder or bipolar (doctors don't decide between the two of them) and also ADHD predominantly innatentive type. I have been on a combination in which wellbutrin have been included for the ADD, but it didn't help much. Perhaps the dose was too low, 150mg once a day. I am currently not treated for the ADD because I moved and the new doctor started again from the beginning (I hate when they do that!), but I wonder what combination would work that won't make the moods worst and help the ADD at the same time

As with any medication its affect differs from patient to patient. But the one med that does come to mind is the non-stimulant Straterra. Once the time comes to discuss meds I would ask him about it. Good luck to you.

Hi:
I am kind of in the same rocking row boat as you are!! I was dx with ADD-Inattentive about a year ago. My family doctor has tried me on Strattera; worked for a while and then it quit. I wanted to up it to 80mgs but he wouldn't. I have heard that Stattera in some people can sometimes intensify mania in a bipolar person but ????? All I know is that when it worked it was the first time in my life that I felt liked I belonged and that my feet were firmly on the ground. Anyways then we tried Prozac(?) and that was a nightmare!!!! Made me think very suicidal thoughts and very hyper!!! Then we tried Ritalin at 10mgs twice a day and after a while it made me more irritable and aggressive but gave me an inner calm; figure that one out??? Plus I became quite depressed or should I say frustrated!! My doctor was at a loss so he wanted me to talk to a shrink to see if they had any ideas on which route to take.

Well yesterday was the big day??!! After an hour of being told that myself and my family are all alcoholics because they had "a" cocktail before dinner??? Arrogant B.....h!!! Sorry for wandering off..... She went through my past and we both came to the conclusion that the SSRI's have never worked for me. The only meds that gave me some relief was Buspar and the Strattera. Anyways her dx was that I have probably been misdx'd through the years and that I have Bipolar and probably the ADD-Inattentive but since the symptoms can be so close she wants to treat the Bipolar first and see if that helps with the symptoms and if not maybe add the Strattera.
She has me starting 500mgs of Depotake at bedtime and if its not effective than up it to 500mgs in the AM and 500mgs at bedtime.

I hate starting new meds because of all the BS ones I have taken through the years!! If anyone is aquainted with Depotake I would like to hear about it and what it has done for you. My husband is questioning her dx because we only talked for an hour....... If I have Bipolar okay but with all the hit and miss through the last 35 years I myself am somewhat hesitant. Anyways here is a quick bio:

School was hell especially junior high and up. Dropped out 3 months before graduation. got my GED a year later. Started having Panic Attacks at the age of 24. Became Agoraphobic for 2 years; still can't drive long distances or freeways( could with the Strattera when it was working?) or fly. Started Panic Attacks again in 93'. Dx'd with Fibromyalgia in 97'. ADD-Inattentive in 04' and now maybe Bipolar. And I wonder why I am confused!!!!!

Anyways I wish you luck and if you find anything out please pass on the knowledge!! I will do the same!!

Sending good thoughts your way!

jlauren

It does sound like Bipolar with ADD. I've read a lot on Bipolar and ADD and other disorders because of my two sons(long story). But by your reactions to the meds it definitely sounds like Bipolar. Look at the list of symptoms or signs on Bipolar and see if it sounds like you. Why didn't they start you on lithium? The med they started you on is for Bipolar as well, but i've heard lithium is a true winner most of the time when it comes to bipolar. Keep us posted. and good luck.

jlauren, I took Depakote, along with Zyprexa at the same time, and the two made me gain 25 pounds in 3 weeks, and then another 30 in the next 3 months. All Depakote did for me was cause weight gain, and I wasn't prepared for it, because nobody told me that it would. I just naively took the pill. So watch out for that.

If Depakote isn't good for you, Lamictal is an excellent choice. Besides for the serious rash that it can cause, I have never heard of a bad experience with it. Good luck!


Mariela,
Doctors can't decide if I'm schizoaffective or Bipolar either. VERY frustrating! Anyway, I've been on a lot of different meds for ADHD and none of them have made my moods worse. That's just my experience, though. Good luck!