Posted by SueG on July 12, 2000, at 18:35:25
In reply to Re:augment?ADD?, posted by SLS on July 10, 2000, at 9:36:54
> Dear Sue,
>
> I am not familiar enough with ADD to comment as to whether or not it should be ruled out based on your description. However, I don't see anything in your description that would point in that direction. Taking a self-examination on the ADD websites might be good idea. It would help give you some indication as to whether you should pursue this possibility with your doctor. Depression and ADD do have some features in common. Both can impair memory and concentration.
>
> From what I do see in your description, everything you describe is consistent with depression or dysthymia (sometimes called minor depression). I don't see anything in your description as being inconsistent with these diagnosis. Perhaps someone with a better understanding of ADD will see something I don't. I think it is prudent to remain on Prozac and see how well it can make you feel. Even if you do have ADD, it seems as if depression is present comorbidly (at the same time). Ritalin can make an excellent augmenting agent to Prozac or the other SSRIs. If you have ADD, adding Ritalin may be a perfect answer for treating such a comorbid condition. If you do not have ADD, adding Ritalin can help increase motivation and energy in addition to mitigating the sexual side effects of the SSRI. However, four weeks is probably not enough time to make decisions like this. Check out the ADD in the meantime.
>
> > I am taking 20mg Prozac and am in my fourth week. After (and coinciding with) the initial side-effects of dizziness and sleepiness,
>
> Have these side effects begun to disappear?
>
> > I have noticed definite improvement in some areas i.e. mood stabilisation, more confidence and more talkative, and the ability to concentrate has increased.
>
> This is consistent with the improvements seen when someone suffering from depression responds to Prozac or any other antidepressant.
>
> > I have noticed I am slightly more interested in things, however, not to the extent that i am happy with. I still have days where i just sit on the couch and want to do nothing, even though I feel fine. I had a few days early on where i felt that i had some drive and motivation however, this goes up and down.
>
> Sometimes, the progressive response to an antidepressant can look like an inclined saw-blade. The teeth represent improvements and set-backs, but the direction is always up. The peaks of each successive tooth is higher than the one preceding it, and the setbacks not as low.
>
> > I really want to change careers and begin studying but i am really afraid that i'll start and won't continue because i don't have the motivation/drive and i'll lose interest.
>
> This is understandable, and it is probably too early to plan and commit to such things. I would wait until you are feeling better and remain stable for awhile before making any of these decisions. However, you seem to be headed in this direction. Based on what you are experiencing right now, you should be optimistic, in my opinion.
>
> > I have done this with a lot of things in the past. I seem to get bored easily and i lose focus easily. I don't know why
>
> Depression or dysthymia can explain this. Perhaps ADD would explain it also. If your "moderately depressed" state has been constant for years, it may be dysthymia.
>
> > - I know i have the ability but i start to question myself when this happens.
>
> I imagine you don't have a track record of success that would give you the confidence that you will complete a chosen task.
>
> With my limited knowledge, I wouldn't want to rule out a diagnosis of ADD (or anything else), but I don't see that anything you describe lies outside the features of depression.
>
> Good luck. It looks like you are responding to Prozac.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott, and thank you for your thoughts. From my (very!) limited knowledge, I agree that my symptoms could be from depression, or ADD, however, I am thinking that depression is probably the cause. I never had problems as a young child with concentration and interest in school work, it just came on later in life.
Something of interest though, my sister was always a slow learner at school and really struggled, and now, one of her twin sons (6 yo) is about to see a specialist on ADD. He is also the innatentive type and a bit of a troublemaker to boot. My mother also complains of not being able to concentrate and retain information (that's why she doesn't read books).
Any thoughts on this? Is ADD something that can come on later in life, or you have it from childhood?Back to me....The Prozac seems to be doing quite well for me so far, so I plan to stick with this for a while (particularly as I am going on holidays for 4 weeks soon).
The side-effects don't seem to be too bad, I am even sleeping sometimes without the help of my temazepam and this is a major breakthrough for me who has had a big problem with sleeping over the years.
The sexual side effects - I lost my drive as part of my depression but I think that this is actually starting to pick up again. Not great, but at least i'm having some thoughts about it now.
A couple of things I have noticed - I have this annoying muscle twitch in my left eye, something i have only noticed in the past couple of weeks. It started happening maybe once or twice during the day, but now is happening quite a lot.
Also, I am noticing that i have to urinate a lot more than i used to. Sometimes i wake up 3 times during the night to go to the bathroom. I used to sleep through, or wake up to go once.
Would either of these have anything to do with the medication? I can put up with these relatively minor side-effects though.I have only just finished my fourth week of Prozac, so I may even improve some more (only taking 20mg). Depending on how things pan out i might try some Ritalin later on, and see how it feels.
Thanks for your input.
Sue.
poster:SueG
thread:39920
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/40235.html