Posted by chris87 on September 7, 2014, at 19:21:44
I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight. I am looking at taking medication again. My PDoc wants me to take Prozac, but I would like to try Strattera. I know it's like comparing apples to oranges since one is an SSRI and the other is an NRI. I have issues with OCD, ADHD, and Social Anxiety. I had taken Lexapro and Zoloft in the past, but they did not help my OCD/SA at all. I think that I had gotten the most benefit from stimulants, even though I didn't like taking them. They seemed to eradicate my OCD symptoms (rituals, repetitive actions, inability to shift thought, etc). This never made sense to me, as I would have expected stimulants to aggravate my OCD. My social anxiety was also reduced, and my mind felt much calmer.
My PDoc thinks that my problems are mostly anxiety related and that an SSRI will help. I'm afraid that my cognition will be affected, and it will make my ADHD issues worse. As much as I dislike dealing with OCD, my ADHD problems and SA are more troublesome. I can't focus at all, and it's extremely difficult to concentrate. Just writing this post is torturous for me. I have to keep stopping, and I can barely complete a thought. I'm disorganized, and I procrastinate horribly. I never follow through with a task, have difficulty making decisions, and feel like an inefficient, unreliable person. My OCD gives me an overwhelming desire for perfection, but my ADHD makes this an impossibility. It's very discouraging.
My PDoc said that he isn't crazy about Strattera, but I think he would prescribe it. He feels that the side effects of Prozac are much less pronounced. He indicated that with Strattera he sees more fatigue and nausea. For whatever reason, I'm afraid of SSRIs. I have read all kinds of articles online referencing GI bleeding, decreased bone density, premature aging/wrinkling, hair loss, and other side effects. I'm sure that Strattera also has these possibilities (I've heard about the liver damage), but I'm not as scared to take it.
Can anyone give me advice? I am totally confused about what to do. I wish I could talk more openly with my PDoc, because he's very understanding. When I have an appointment, I never adequately express my thoughts. I appreciate any input.
poster:chris87
thread:1070902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140815/msgs/1070902.html