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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 11:50:39
Since Straterra and Adderall haven't helped and I'm getting more and more depressed with the piles of unfinished stuff, should they be treating my depression first, then the ADD?
Posted by sailor on January 9, 2004, at 12:39:04
In reply to Inattentative and depressed, posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 11:50:39
Dazed--this may or may not be useful, but perhaps you can share it with your prescriber at your next visit. I have a 25+ year history of major depression, now considered to be "treatment resistant". Not long ago a did a trial of Strattera and it had a noticeable effect of improving my ability to focus and to concentrate. However, there was no discernible mood elevating or antidepressant effect, so I'm now on another med trial with Parnate. Too early to report any results with that but, but it has done wonders with some people with histories similar to mine. I don't know if you are a previous poster, but I can suggest that the more info. you provide in a post (diagnosis, previous med trials, a little of your history and symptoms, etc.), the more likely you are to get specific and maybe helpful responses. Best wishes and keep us informed. Regards, Sailor
Posted by PoohBear on January 9, 2004, at 12:44:28
In reply to Inattentative and depressed, posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 11:50:39
> Since Straterra and Adderall haven't helped and I'm getting more and more depressed with the piles of unfinished stuff, should they be treating my depression first, then the ADD?
I have inattentive ADHD with comorbid depression. 6 years ago we tried to treat the ADHD alone without worrying too much about the depression. Now we're attacking depression first, ADHD second.
I'm taking Effexor XR and have settled down to a manageable 75mg per day. I also take 75 mg of Wellbutrin to offset the sexual side effects of the Effexor. I take the Effexor in the morning and the Wellbutrin at noon.
I have found that the inattentiveness has continued to be a problem, but the depression, obsessive thoughts and suicidal thoughts has been brought under control. Consequently, it's far easier for me to 'force' myself to do thing and snap out of the day dreams when I want to, which was nearly impossible before taking care of the depression.
I am meeting with my PDoc this afternoon to discuss meds and whether we should add some Adderal or not for the inattentiveness...
Since depression *can* be deadly, I would suggest taking care of that first...
Good Luck!
Posted by Laree on January 9, 2004, at 14:02:23
In reply to Inattentative and depressed, posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 11:50:39
Absolutely. Adderall started 'pooping-out' on me big time when my seasonal depression was not under control this year. I was so disorganized and scattered, little interest in anything really... So I could see why it did not initially help you to be more attentive. When I started on Adderall over a year ago, my depression was under control at the time--so we knew the lack of concentration was not resulting from depression as well. It worked beautifully for months! I definitely think the depression should be treated first, before it gets life-threatening.
Best,
L.
> Since Straterra and Adderall haven't helped and I'm getting more and more depressed with the piles of unfinished stuff, should they be treating my depression first, then the ADD?
Posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 15:48:32
In reply to Re: Inattentative and depressed » dazed, posted by Laree on January 9, 2004, at 14:02:23
Thank you all for the helpful information. I have to agree. Depression is by far the worst enemy in my opinion.
I go see my p-doc on Monday, so I will nail him down on treating that.
Thanks all.
Posted by Interject79 on January 9, 2004, at 21:55:52
In reply to Re: Inattentative and depressed-Thank you, posted by dazed on January 9, 2004, at 15:48:32
Just be careful how you treat the depression. SSRIs can be aggravate inattentive ADD, and if complications from that are what cause you to feel depressed, those feelings might persist. Lexapro might be okay (I take it at a low dose with only mild aggravation of ADD.) Prozac too-- and I think this one makes a lot of sense as SSRIs go. MAOIs might help with all symptoms, but they come with 'strict' restrictions. It would seem prudent to go for a middle ground, treating the broadest spectrum. Maybe a low dose of an SSRI with Wellbutrin, or Nardil or Parnate by itself. There are plenty of options :)
Best wishes,
interject
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