View Full Version : When ADs counteract stimulants...


ahalo
10-24-05, 02:14 PM
Has anyone else had this problem?? It appears that whenever I try to take an antidepressant (Zoloft or Effexor XR at the low, SSRI stage), the effects the of AD somehow "counteract" my methylphenidate so that the benefits of the methylphenidate are almost completely gone. In particular, the methylphenidate REALLY helps with my impatience and overreactivity. But whenever I try an AD for my anxiety/PMDD, the methylphenidate has stopped working. With Zoloft, not only did that happen but I was always in a bad mood.

I don't understand why this happens to some people. There has to be a reasonable "brain" explanation, which can help me find out what I can do to control my anxiety and PMDD without becoming a spaz.

Maybe I'm not getting enough sleep? I know that I am monster-like if I don't get quality sleep, and so maybe that's the problem. Or maybe I have a really screwed up brain that won't allow me to find relief from my problems. :( If anyone has ever had this problem, what did you find to be a solution??

Daven
11-16-05, 03:12 PM
I was put on Effexor for some mild social problems, but recently, I began to notice, that my attitude twords work had changed. While the stimulant (In my case, Adderall.) still effected me to some degree, the Effexor just about nullified any benifit.

Im slowly tapering off Effexor, from 75mg to this week, 35, and im already noticing a big diffrence only 3 days in. Im working on dropping it all togeather.

So in answer to the question, while I don't belive it compleatly cancles it, I think it may effect my motivation, so it seems that way. After all, basicly they are all designed to "take the edge off" in simple terms.

netsavy006
11-21-05, 10:55 AM
I wish I could help with this issue but I don't understand the counteracting of the AD's and the methelphenedate. I know that Zoloft can cause irritible mood/agitation. I experienced that myself while on Zoloft. It just doesn't make sence to me b/c (please correct me if i'm wrong), Doesn't ritalin affect dopamine and zoloft affect serotonin.

Has anyone else had this problem?? It appears that whenever I try to take an antidepressant (Zoloft or Effexor XR at the low, SSRI stage), the effects the of AD somehow "counteract" my methylphenidate so that the benefits of the methylphenidate are almost completely gone. In particular, the methylphenidate REALLY helps with my impatience and overreactivity. But whenever I try an AD for my anxiety/PMDD, the methylphenidate has stopped working. With Zoloft, not only did that happen but I was always in a bad mood.

I don't understand why this happens to some people. There has to be a reasonable "brain" explanation, which can help me find out what I can do to control my anxiety and PMDD without becoming a spaz.

Maybe I'm not getting enough sleep? I know that I am monster-like if I don't get quality sleep, and so maybe that's the problem. Or maybe I have a really screwed up brain that won't allow me to find relief from my problems. :( If anyone has ever had this problem, what did you find to be a solution??