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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by utopizen on January 30, 2003, at 14:18:21
Anyone take Straterra for 10 days or more?
Does it keep you focused?
I have social anxiety and inattentive ADD.
Gabitril and Vikodin (separate occassions) gave me severe cases of paranoia, where I thought I would be committed (and literally, felt as if hell wasn't much worse). Buspar gave me terrible anxiety, making me feel compelled to pace and talk to myself when I didn't want to.
Almost every med is guaranteed to give me dry mouth and vivid nightmares. I think I'd rather stick with Klonopin and Adderall, keep things simple. But hand trembling is annoying.
Posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 21:47:42
In reply to Long-term Straterra users?, posted by utopizen on January 30, 2003, at 14:18:21
> Anyone take Straterra for 10 days or more?
>
> Does it keep you focused?
>
> I have social anxiety and inattentive ADD.
>
> Gabitril and Vikodin (separate occassions) gave me severe cases of paranoia, where I thought I would be committed (and literally, felt as if hell wasn't much worse). Buspar gave me terrible anxiety, making me feel compelled to pace and talk to myself when I didn't want to.
>
> Almost every med is guaranteed to give me dry mouth and vivid nightmares. I think I'd rather stick with Klonopin and Adderall, keep things simple. But hand trembling is annoying.
Hello,I tried Strattera for a couple of weeks, the only thing I noticed was dry everything. I started at 40 mg, after 3 days, I went to 80 mg. That is Lilly's recommended adult dosage, but many people posting here thought that was way to high. Many here started out, and still are on a lower dose than I was. I suddenly broke out in this horrible rash. I went to the ER for it. They said it was an delayed allergic reaction from Strattera. Not sure that was really the cause, but that's a long story.
I was wondering, can you take klonopin with adderall? My pdoc said to me last time that klonopin tends to be bad for people with ADD/HD. I currently take klonopin, for anxiety, and seizure control. Since I had an allergic reaction my pdoc may try me on Adderall. I don't want to, and really shouldn't, because of possible seizures, stop klonopin. Do you know, is this combo ok for ADD/HD? Have you heard anything about klonopin being bad for this diagnosis?Thanks
Jodie
Posted by BekkaH on January 30, 2003, at 22:00:23
In reply to Long-term Straterra users?, posted by utopizen on January 30, 2003, at 14:18:21
> I think I'd rather stick with Klonopin and >Adderall, keep things simple. But hand trembling >is annoying.
Have you tried Dexedrine? If so, did your hands tremble as much as they do on Adderall? I found fewer peripheral side effects with Dexedrine. I noticed in another post you said you were tearful. Adderall made me more emotional and "volatile". I wonder whether Dexedrine might be a little easier for you to tolerate?
Posted by BekkaH on January 30, 2003, at 22:05:45
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users?, posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 21:47:42
>I don't want to, and really shouldn't, because >of possible seizures, stop klonopin. Do you >know, is this combo ok for ADD/HD? Have you >heard anything about klonopin being bad for this diagnosis?
Hi Jodie,
I don't know whether Klonopin aggravates ADD/ADHD. I would imagine that a very tiny dose wouldn't be problem, but I'm not sure. I did want to mention that I've read that Klonopin and other medications in that class (known as the benzodiazapines) should NOT be stopped abruptly, especially if someone is prone to seizures. Don't stop it abruptly, and don't stop it without your doctor's supervision, if you do decide to taper it.
Bekka
Posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 22:18:54
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie, posted by BekkaH on January 30, 2003, at 22:05:45
> >I don't want to, and really shouldn't, because >of possible seizures, stop klonopin. Do you >know, is this combo ok for ADD/HD? Have you >heard anything about klonopin being bad for this diagnosis?
>
> Hi Jodie,
>
> I don't know whether Klonopin aggravates ADD/ADHD. I would imagine that a very tiny dose wouldn't be problem, but I'm not sure. I did want to mention that I've read that Klonopin and other medications in that class (known as the benzodiazapines) should NOT be stopped abruptly, especially if someone is prone to seizures. Don't stop it abruptly, and don't stop it without your doctor's supervision, if you do decide to taper it.
>
> BekkaHi Bekka!!!
Yes, I dealt with the seizure thing not very long ago when I stopped Klonopin abruptly. There is a thread somewhere here about AD's & seizures, where I explained that one.
Guess I just need to do a little research about klonopin & ADD/ADHD.
Thank you, by the way, NO MORE RASH :-)
Jodie
>
>
Posted by utopizen on January 30, 2003, at 23:41:25
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - Bekka, posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 22:18:54
I took Adderall along with Klonopin. The two go well together, cancelling out each other's side effects.
Your p-doc's probably just thinking of Klonopin and other downers in general. Any downer can make you feel less focused. But if you're combining it with Adderall, one shouldn't have a problem with this.
Then some docs think combining uppers and downers are bad, but I'd challenge them to explain why.
Posted by BekkaH on January 30, 2003, at 23:58:30
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - Bekka, posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 22:18:54
> Thank you, by the way, NO MORE RASH :-)
> Jodie
> >
***********************************************
Hooray! I'm so glad your rash is gone. Now, if we could only know for sure what caused it. Hmmm. . .
Posted by viridis on January 31, 2003, at 1:59:06
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie, posted by utopizen on January 30, 2003, at 23:41:25
I agree -- Klonopin and Adderall have a real synergy for me. I wouldn't call it cancelling out side effects for me though. Each works very well on its own, Klonopin for anxiety and anxiety-related depression, and Adderall for ADD and a different kind of depression, something probably closer to dysthymia (except that it isn't constant, but recurrent and much lower-level than the kind of depression I get from anxiety).
I have essentially no side effects from either med on its own, just benefits. But the two together seem to potentiate one another, an effect some others here have noted.
And, the concept of "uppers and downers" to which many doctors seem to subscribe simply doesn't apply for many with mental disorders. If anything, Klonopin is more of an "upper" for me (at low doses) than Adderall, and vice versa. This "upper-downer" thing is way too simplistic, especially for those with ADD in the mix.
Posted by jodie on January 31, 2003, at 12:18:59
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie » utopizen, posted by viridis on January 31, 2003, at 1:59:06
> I agree -- Klonopin and Adderall have a real synergy for me. I wouldn't call it cancelling out side effects for me though. Each works very well on its own, Klonopin for anxiety and anxiety-related depression, and Adderall for ADD and a different kind of depression, something probably closer to dysthymia (except that it isn't constant, but recurrent and much lower-level than the kind of depression I get from anxiety).
>
> I have essentially no side effects from either med on its own, just benefits. But the two together seem to potentiate one another, an effect some others here have noted.
>
> And, the concept of "uppers and downers" to which many doctors seem to subscribe simply doesn't apply for many with mental disorders. If anything, Klonopin is more of an "upper" for me (at low doses) than Adderall, and vice versa. This "upper-downer" thing is way too simplistic, especially for those with ADD in the mix.************************************************************
Thanks for the info!!! It was helpful, I see my pdoc soon, so I'm going to speak with her about it!!!Jodie
Posted by not exactly on February 1, 2003, at 4:46:42
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie » utopizen, posted by viridis on January 31, 2003, at 1:59:06
I have ADHD, and have found Klonopin to be quite helpful in small doses. Sometimes I think my distractability stems from low-level anxiety. If I can relax, I can concentrate better. But too much Klonopin (what most people would think is a normal dose) makes me sleep excessively.
I've never tried Adderall, but in general I find that amphetamines (also in small doses) *really* help. In my experience, benzo's synergize very well with amphetamines and are good at relieving the anxious edge and other "speedy" side effects.
- Bob
Posted by Jim Boardman on February 2, 2003, at 13:28:47
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - Jodie, posted by BekkaH on January 30, 2003, at 23:58:30
I'm glad to hear most people are doing well on Straterra. I am in my fifth week, and the side effects are lessening. I don't have the problem trying to pee that I had in the beginning. To update those who haven't read the threads since January 2, I am diagnosed with ADD and bi-polar... have been trying different meds since last May. Now I am on Lexapro, Remeron, Gabitril, and 80mg per day of the Straterra. My pdoc is starting to think he may be able to back down on the gabitril. The Straterra is GREAT. I did poorly on the stims... this stuff doesn't hype me up like the stims did. The spaceyness is a bit disconcerting at times, but I hope it goes away as time goes on. Stay tuned...
Jim
Posted by not exactly on February 2, 2003, at 14:51:36
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - Jodie, posted by Jim Boardman on February 2, 2003, at 13:28:47
Jim,
You've been a real Strattera pioneer, and I'm happy that it continues to be a successful med for you!
> The spaceyness is a bit disconcerting at times
Since you're now taking 4 different psychoactive meds, how can you be sure that the "spaceyness" is due solely to the Strattera? It might be an interaction among the meds. Since Strattera is now effective, well tolerated, and stable, you might want to try systematically eliminating 1 or more of the other meds. Although some people swear by synergistic "magic cocktails", I find it hard to believe you really need all 4 at this point. Specifically, the Remeron and Gabitril may now be redundant.
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
- Bob
Posted by Phil on February 2, 2003, at 16:32:09
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie » utopizen, posted by viridis on January 31, 2003, at 1:59:06
viridis, Same for me..the two work incredibly well together. If you have anxiety(caused mostly by falling short in life due to ADD)the two are a great combo.
They are sometimes seen as mixing meth with with downers. Not even close.
Posted by jodie on February 2, 2003, at 21:53:30
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - jodie » utopizen, posted by viridis on January 31, 2003, at 1:59:06
Jim,
I have been wondering, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a year and a half ago. Now a different pdoc is saying I have ADD instead. My symptoms fit both disorders. I had asked this a while back in a thread about if one can have both disorders. Of course why couldn't they? Just because you have one, doesn't mean you can't have another disorder.
Also I have a history of seizures, temporal lobe, and I've had 2 grand mal seizures. The first grand mal was 8 years ago, the other about a month ago. Since Strattera didn't work for me, and I had to stop taking it, my pdoc mentioned putting me on Adderall. I wonder if I can do that with a history of seizures?
I was just interested in reading that you are bipolar and have ADD. I have been wondering if I have both.
Glad to hear you are doing well on Strattera!!!
Jodie
Posted by Dog Breath on February 3, 2003, at 10:45:13
In reply to Re: Long-term Straterra users? - Jodie, posted by Jim Boardman on February 2, 2003, at 13:28:47
> I'm glad to hear most people are doing well on Straterra. I am in my fifth week, and the side effects are lessening. I don't have the problem trying to pee that I had in the beginning. To update those who haven't read the threads since January 2, I am diagnosed with ADD and bi-polar... have been trying different meds since last May. Now I am on Lexapro, Remeron, Gabitril, and 80mg per day of the Straterra. My pdoc is starting to think he may be able to back down on the gabitril. The Straterra is GREAT. I did poorly on the stims... this stuff doesn't hype me up like the stims did. The spaceyness is a bit disconcerting at times, but I hope it goes away as time goes on. Stay tuned...
>
> JimJim,
I am encouraged Straterra is working well for you. I am on day 12 at 50mg and I'm not sure it's doing anything for me. I'm also having zero side effects. I take 20mg Lexapro as well. I'm not sure if I need to give Straterra more time or up the dose to 80mg.
D
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