Posted by MoonageDaydream on December 9, 2009, at 0:09:06
Hi psychobabblers! I've read this board from time to time for years, but this is my first time posting.
Here's my situation: I have problems with recurrent, treatment-resistant depression (although its not especially severe, few medicines have worked, and the ones that do stop working after a few months). I also have ADD, inattentive type. Some background: for the last few years I was been taking 10 mg of Lexapro and 20 mg Dexedrine. Even at low doses, SSRIs me very lethargic, apathetic, etc, & worsens my memory and ADD symptoms, although they do improve my mood somewhat.
2 weeks ago, my doctor switched me over to the 6mg/24hrs EMSAM patch. Although its early, I feel like its improving my mood a bit, & I'm shocked to find that I have NO side effects whatsoever from it. I felt a very mild stimulating effect for a few days, and was a bit irritable, but that has gone away. No insomnia or anxiety- I feel like I won the lottery, having read some reports on here of people having a rough time on it.
Now here's the conundrum: I'd like to stay on Emsam as an antidepressant, but unfortunately its not doing anything for me in the ADD-department.
Which leads me to my questions:
-To anyone who has taken Emsam, did you notice improved concentration/focus or motivation after being on it for longer? Or when you went up to 9mg or 12 mg?
-To anyone who has taken a stimulant ADD med with any MAOI (Parnate, Nardil, Emsam, etc.), what was your experience with the combination? Was it effective? Any adverse reactions?
-Has anyone else found a way to manage their ADD while on an MAOI with other meds? PROVIGIL seems to be a possibility, especially since I doubt my pdoc is cavalier enough to add even a tiny dose of a stimulant to an MAOI.
I've read through several archival threads on here and other sites, but would still love to get more opinions/thoughts/comments/experiences. Thanks.
poster:MoonageDaydream
thread:928595
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091206/msgs/928595.html