Hey,

I've been diagnosed for a few months now, and I'm currently on 54mg of Concerta. It's helped to a certain extent at work, but not in the "amazing" ways that some people describe.

However, after a bit more discussion with my psychologist, we realized that I met most of the criteria for Amen's Limbic ADHD. So, the next time I see my physician, I plan on asking for an antidepressant to take along with Concerta to see how that works for me -- does anyone have any experience with these?

I'm thinking of asking for Wellbutrin first, as it has stimulant properties and lacks the miserable side effects of SSRIs (which I've been on before in my life).

Any thoughts?

i started Wellbutrin first and am about to add Concerta. I;ll let you know how it goes. the wellbutrin was great for the depression (I'm limbic also) and works quite quickly (within a week to 8 days). I have had almost no side effects.

Well, good luck! I added Prozac (10 mg) to my Concerta and my thinking and affect did improve dramatically. However, I also developed Tardive Dyskensia -- involuntary movement of the mouth and eye and that was after only three weeks. I also had a couple of visual hallucinations of my skin dissolving off my hand :eek: -- never had that before -- can't say I enjoyed it much. I'm currently weaning off Prozac (I'm down to a quarter of the lowest dose they make). I know many people use that combination and it seems to work for them, but I'm a little gun shy now and am off (or almost off) all medication including my Concerta and caffeine. So far so good. I'm actually feeling really good and getting more accomplished. Even my husband has noticed an improvement. Go figure!:rolleyes: I'm still ADD but I'm back to my normal ADD functioning. Fast and not terribly organized -- but if I go fast long enough a good bit still gets done.

A word of caution, I've read and my experience was that the SSRI strengthened the effect of my Concerta until it was too strong. Keep in mind that you might want to increase the anti depressant gradually and might even need to use less Concerta. Everyone is a bit different on these things. Work carefully with your doctor.

Take care,
Scattered

I take Cymbalta (an SSNRI) and Concerta and that combo works very well for me.

Crazy :cool:

Good doctor appointment!-Seems like a dream.

As of today, 8-8-06, I am on a new drug cocktail, including non ADD meds. I am allowed a few drinks a week with no harm to my liver. My diagnosis is ADD, Anxiety, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and depression. These are all interrelated and my doc thinks we well geta much more accurate picture for a final diagnosis after getting symptoms under control. I feel very comfortable with her. She is very understanding and was more than willing to put the BPII possibility aside until we see what happens after finding my most effective dosages and supplemental treatments. I took my Sudderth and Kandel, ADD book; and Nadeau's clinical textbook to show her where I get my info so she understands that I have a sound basic knowledge of ADD, and other issues, and am not following some whacky unproven, treatment philosophy.

No more Trazodone-to avoid Serotonin Syndrome

-----------------PRESCRIPTION----------------

Cymbalta-30mg-1x Day, 1st week, increase to 60mg, 1x day, 2nd week which is a common dose for adults. Is an SSNRI and Norepinephrine reuptake inhiabitor. A treatment for my fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and mild depression.
Concerta-72mg-1x day, up from 54
Ritalin 10mg-3x day-7am, 12pm, 5pm
Zanax-.25mg-3x day, or as needed and at bedtime if I have sleep difficulties-for anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep if needed. Mitral Valve Prolapse causes some of the panic attacks.
Vivelle estrogen patch-.5mg. Estrogen helps with mood and preventing hot flashes that can be confused with adverse side effects. Other good stuff too. I am low breast cancer risk and post total abdominal hysterectomy, so no progesterone.
-------------------OTC----------------------

Aleve-400-600mg, for arthritis pain
Claritin-Allergies
Vitamin Supplements-Multi-vitamin, calcium w/magnesium and D, Vitamin C, Potassium when needed.
Omega fish oils
Looking at other mind and memory enhancing supplements-one at a time to determine true effectiveness and benefits.
------------------OTHER--------------------

Walking 3x week alternted with groving to the tunes onn bad weather days.
Stretching and Relaxation
Massage Therapy
Journal of symptom improvement in each area.

Yay! Glad to hear it RADD!!

Crazy :cool:

I love calling this a cocktail-I'll take minde with a lime wedge and pineapple. I have set my timers now to make sure I take them on time and do not forget a dose. That is the only way I will know the true effect of the meds.

Becky

Hope it works for ya RADD, really I do!

Of course I definitely know if my meds are effective...yeah, definitely...

Crazy :cool:

Thanks, I hope this is will get me on the right track. Intuitively feels right. I just want to funtion smoothly so my gifts and talents may have their voice and not be subordinated to my ADD.

Why do people think different is defective? Who says I want to fit in?

I think, therefore I am dangerous.

Glad your doctor listened to your input Radd -- hope your new cocktail works great for you! Let us know how it goes!:)

Scattered

Well, after having to postpone the appt once, I managed to get to my Dr and get some Wellbutrin SR (100mg).

Today's the first day on it, so I'm not expecting much other than a few minor side effects. I have another appt in 4 weeks to report on how it goes.

Does anyone keep a medication journal or whatever when they're trying new medications? I've tried to do this in the past, and i forget about it after a week.... I'm thinking it might be a good idea with this stuff, though.

Well, after having to postpone the appt once, I managed to get to my Dr and get some Wellbutrin SR (100mg).

Today's the first day on it, so I'm not expecting much other than a few minor side effects. I have another appt in 4 weeks to report on how it goes.

Does anyone keep a medication journal or whatever when they're trying new medications? I've tried to do this in the past, and i forget about it after a week.... I'm thinking it might be a good idea with this stuff, though.Hope it goes well for you -- I know some people do real well with Wellbutrin. It's probably the only anti depressant I'd be willing to try at this point after my experience. Let us know how it goes.

I'm no good at journaling on a consistent basis, but what I have been able to manage is I have just write a few notes each day on my calendar. I keep one on the refridgeator and have found it helpful in identifying patterns and responses to medication.

Scattered

Well, it's been about two weeks.

No side effects whatsoever, at least that i've noticed.

The primary problem I'm trying to address is that after work (which is soooooo much nicer since I started 54 of Concerta... I can actually get **** done, it's amazing) I'm almost completley disconnected emotionally from everything around me. Makes home life a bit stressful. For everyone else, that is. I don't really have a problem being like that. I've painted two rooms in the last month, cook two meals a night (dinner, and next day's lunch), wash up, and still have time to go for a walk with my wife, play an hour of WoW[1] and watch The Daily Show with the baby while my wife does stuff.

That really hasn't changed yet, but I still have 1-2 weeks before it's supposed to hit full steam.

Regardless, I think I'm going to double the dosage at my next Dr's appt (since SR is apparently twice daily, and I was only given it for once daily). Taking one later in the day should also help with that nice 8-10pm rebound which still sucks.

[1] "Playing" being defined as sitting in Org playing the AH. I don't have time to raid with a 1 month old child :-(

Kuranes, I hope this works well for you. But for me this combo made me feel emotionally disconnected at first, but then it swung 180 degrees to extreme emotionalism. I was so angry all the time (not at all like me)A month later I went to my psychiatrist appt and waited 45 minutes past my appointment time for her. I took this so personally I started to cry. I left in a huff. This was so out of character for me it scared me. When I finally stopped the wellbutrin I felt so much better. My doctor told me that wellbutrin and concerta act on the same neurotransmitter, responsible for flight or fight. It was too much for me.
TOO much for me, but that doesnt mean it will be this way for you. Just something to be aware of. Dont mean to scare you. Let us know how it goes for you.

I took Paxil before Concerta. Concerta made me feel so good that I am coming off of the Paxil entirely :)

I took Paxil before Concerta. Concerta made me feel so good that I am coming off of the Paxil entirely :)
In the interest of honesty and following up on my previous post: back when I posted this I was so naive and had no idea what was about to happen so I figured I'd update.

I came off Paxil gradually, and withdrawal lasted for three months of severe suicidal depression.

If anyone reading this wants to consider taking an AD..take it for only as long as it takes for you to get back on your feet. If possible, try other options first. Please be careful. Paxil almost killed me. :(

New to all this. Was on Effexor, but it made me impotent. Some people in a similar situation said they tried Concerta, or something similar, and it made a big difference. It did help with the sexual side effect, but this weekend the depression grabbed me again. I'm going to talk to my doctor about trying the Concerta with a smaller dose of the Effexor. One thing that's interesting, is that the state I'm in is different than the depression I've felt before. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the Concerta GAVE me ADD. In the past, I was able to focus and remember things, just no drive. With this depression(Since Effexor left my system), I can't remember where I put things, forget stuff, etc. Strange.