Hey everyone, I'm new here and looking for some advice on meds/med combinations. I've been on Lexapro for almost five months now (started with 10mg then moved up to 20mg) and it's helped my depression/anxiety tremendously. I always said that anxiety was my biggest problem, and I was depressed ABOUT the anxiety. I'm able to meet new people and have conversations without getting sweaty and nervous, I can go grocery shopping without the people and lights stressing me out.

I was hoping the Lexapro would bring me out of my funk and I'd have the motivation to accomplish things in my day to day life, but that hasn't been the case. I've always suspected ADD in my family, so today I talked to my doctor about it and she said I most likely have ADD (inattentive). She prescribed me Ritalin LA, 20mg, but when I called the pharmacy to get a price quote I about choked. I don't have insurance, and we can't afford $90/month (a family of three, $1500/month). I left a message with her office to try to find me something generic and/or cheaper.

My question to those of you dealing with similar issues, what's been a good combo of meds for you? My biggest problems that I'd like to overcome are my inability to stay focused on one task (unless it's reading, that's something that I can get tunnel-vision with, and soothes me), my inability to multi-task, my procrastination. I've always felt like things are so overwhelming and I might as well not even try. In school I got good grades up until high school and was labeled talented and gifted, but by high school I was so scatterbrained I couldn't manage to turn my assignments in on time even if they were completed.

Sorry for the novel. I hope someone can help me.

Hi scatterbunny :)

I am not qualified by any means other than to share with you my experience - this is not med. comibination advice.

I was on Lexapro for almost 8 months for anxiety and depression. Same as you, I felt like the anxiety was the cuprit. Lexapro knocked my anxiety right out, but I feel like I kind of crawled out of the depression.

While Lexapro was wonderful at what it was supposed to do, I absolutely had no get up and go. I felt like I had to have a nap every morning and I was very unproductive. I decided to go off with my doctor's permission. I told him I needed to be able to get things done and had a LOT of upcoming obligations. I went off and still felt better, so that was good.

I believe my anxiety was partly due to dealing with undiagnosed adhd my entire life. I am hoping when I get my ADD medicine, the anxiety/depression will stay in check. I have insurance, so I am ok, but it is still a strain on our budget. I take an anti-siezure drug also. 4 kids, you know the picture.
Maybe when/if your doctor takes you off the Lexapro, the ritalin just might be all you would need? That would be one way to reduce cost wise. I read in the book"Women with ADHD" by Sari Solden, that often times anxiety and depression are resolved once the adhd is treated. You should talk to your doctor for his views on this idea.

It sounds like your doctor is taking good care of you. Why don't you discuss your needs with him?

good luck and take care :)
Annie

Generic ritalin or generic "Adderall" or generic "dexedrine" spansules will be cheaper than the Ritalin LA. Name brand stuff is pricey.

Scatterbunny,

Congratulations on the diagnosis. I am sure it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

I too started on Lexapro 10mg. It was working and got me out of my depression. Then I went further and got the ADHD diagnosis. I started on Adderall XR and it really worked. I then added Strattera and it seemed to make it work more efficiently. I helped smooth out the Ups/Downs of Adderall. I was really focused and able to get things done. I tried to stop taking the Adderall, but the Strattera by itself was not enough. I could really notice a difference in my thinking and go confused easily.

I would ask the doc about generic Adderall. It's about $50 a month.

I hope you find something that works.

Hey everyone, I'm new here and looking for some advice on meds/med combinations. I've been on Lexapro for almost five months now (started with 10mg then moved up to 20mg) and it's helped my depression/anxiety tremendously. I always said that anxiety was my biggest problem, and I was depressed ABOUT the anxiety. I'm able to meet new people and have conversations without getting sweaty and nervous, I can go grocery shopping without the people and lights stressing me out.

I was hoping the Lexapro would bring me out of my funk and I'd have the motivation to accomplish things in my day to day life, but that hasn't been the case. I've always suspected ADD in my family, so today I talked to my doctor about it and she said I most likely have ADD (inattentive). She prescribed me Ritalin LA, 20mg, but when I called the pharmacy to get a price quote I about choked. I don't have insurance, and we can't afford $90/month (a family of three, $1500/month). I left a message with her office to try to find me something generic and/or cheaper.

My question to those of you dealing with similar issues, what's been a good combo of meds for you? My biggest problems that I'd like to overcome are my inability to stay focused on one task (unless it's reading, that's something that I can get tunnel-vision with, and soothes me), my inability to multi-task, my procrastination. I've always felt like things are so overwhelming and I might as well not even try. In school I got good grades up until high school and was labeled talented and gifted, but by high school I was so scatterbrained I couldn't manage to turn my assignments in on time even if they were completed.

Sorry for the novel. I hope someone can help me.

Generic immediate-release Ritalin seems to be the least expensive drug for ADD on the market. The generics seem to cost by the pill, so 100 pill bottle of 5mg pills might cost the same as 100X 20mg pills. You can then use a pill cutter to split up the doses.

BTW, I've tried paxil for depression, which sort of worked, then added generic ritalin, then switched to generic mixed-amphetamine salts, then dropped off the paxil and maintained the amph.

I happened to be in the Doctors office today and was scanning the "Physicians" Desktop Reference (not sure about the name) and its listed Adderall as an addictive substance.

I have been on both Lexapro, Concerta, Cylert and finally Strattera. I find the Strattera to be the most effective for me.

My son, who is in college was on ritilin, adderall, concerta, and finally strattera. Strattera was also most effective for him.

I am currently on Wellbutrin XL. I have been diagnosed with ADHD Combined Type and Depression. I know that the depression is directly linked to my ADHD. I am feel more distressed than depressed about the effects that ADHD has on my life. My therapist is very with it and really has a grasp on how I tick. My pdoc does not. She gave me the Wellbutrin XL and it is the first med I have been given for the ADHD. I feel she is trying to treat the depression first and hoping the Wellbutrin XL will help some of my ADHD symptoms. Well, it's not.

The Wellbutrin XL is simply not working. It has made things worse in my case. I have been so exhausted since beginning them, completely unfocused and unmotivated to get things done. I called last week to talk to the nurse about this and she seemed unconcerned. Well, last night I saw my therapist and she is very concerned because Wellbutrin is notorious for causing insomnia and alertness...they even give it to people with narcolepsy for that purpose. I am seeing the doctor on Thursday about a med change.

I would rather have them treat the ADHD first because that is what is causing me the most problems. The depression I can deal with, but it is so hard to try and be normal with the ADHD. Thanks artsmartbabe for bring that up, because I will definitely discuss it with my doctor.

I have not tried Lexapro, but hope that you can find something that works for you. About the expense...I don't blame you. I feel the same way and when my pdoc wanted to try Wellbutrin XL which I know did not have a generic I said SAMPLES PLEASE! I will not pay for anything other than generics and always make it clear to any doctors. I do have insurance, but I always tell them that my insurance will not cover brand name drugs. This usually works.

Hello There! I Know What You Are Going Through. I Too Had Depression And Anxiety, And Thought Maybe I Was Adhd Too. So I Finally Made An Appointment With A Therapist And He Confirmed My Adhd. He Told Me I Should Try Treating The Adhd First, Because Often Times Once That Is Treated The Anxiety And Depression Go Away On Their Own. So I Took The Advice And Started Ritalin. A Month Later I Went To See The Therapist And He Couldn't Beleive How I Had Changed From The First Visit. Not Only The Ritalin Helped, But The Diagnosis Itself Releived So Much Anxiety. Now That I Am Reading About And Working On This Adhd Thing (and Now Taking Adderrall, Much, Much Better Than Ritalin For Me) I'm No Longer Depressed!!! The Anxiety Went Away With My Depression. This Is The Very First Time In My Life I Haven't Had That Darn Black Cloud Hanging Over My Head. I'm Motivated, Focused, And Free Of Brain Fog. Don't Get Me Wrong Life Is Not A Big Bowl Of Cherries Every Day, But Way Better Than I've Ever Been.


I Hope You Can The Same Releif I Have With The New Diagnosis And Meds. Btw Generic Ritalin Instant Release Is Very Cheap. 20bucks A Month I Think. Xr's Are Usually Very Expensive.

Good Luck!! Sorry For Rambling On And On.
Lisa:d

The Wellbutrin XL is simply not working. It has made things worse in my case. I have been so exhausted since beginning them, completely unfocused and unmotivated to get things done. I called last week to talk to the nurse about this and she seemed unconcerned. Well, last night I saw my therapist and she is very concerned because Wellbutrin is notorious for causing insomnia and alertness...they even give it to people with narcolepsy for that purpose. I am seeing the doctor on Thursday about a med change.

I had a similar experience with generic Wellbutrin XR (not XL). It kept me awake at night and turned me into a worse unfocused klutz than I've ever been. I was quite manic on the stuff. The mixed-amphetamine, in contrast, has been very effective for ADD symptoms and for depression, as well.

I have serious Aniexty problems along with Depression, I take effexor which helps me not going crazy, I had anxiety since I was a little kid, I'm 28 years old, doctors still can't do anything about it, I smoke marijuana, it cures anxiety and depression, I can't quit this, cause doctors don't want to give me anything for my anxiety. I remember few years back when my aniexty was so bad, I even had few emergency visits to the hospital cause of aneixty, still no med for it. Thank god for marijuana, THANK GOD! ALL DOCTORS CAN GO **** THEMSELFS.

My morning rant, again, on a thread which I didn't start. I got problems.

don't we all?

T-Bass