![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 12:13:30
OMG i hate the discusiting strattera, it made me just just a ugly person.
Im taking a ADHD medication holdiday.
Posted by Racer on August 10, 2007, at 14:51:40
In reply to I feel so back to life!, posted by rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 12:13:30
Just a reminder: what you're experiencing with Strattera is most likely related to start up effects. It's unlikely that you'll continue to experience these effects, and certainly not to this extent.
That being the case, the only way to get past the adjustment phase issues is to continue taking the medication until your body adjusts. If you take "holidays" from it, you'll only extend your discomfort.
I think it's worth it for you to consider what your choices are right now. Realistically, you have three choices: don't do anything about your ADHD issues, address those issues through behavioral treatments, or take medication. I haven't heard you express much interest in behavioral treatments, so for the purpose of this post, I'll ignore that option.
If you choose to treat your ADHD with medication, you really are in a quandary. You can't take psychostimulants -- not only because of your mother, but also because of your past misuse of them. That past history indicates that they're probably not a good option for you. So, what are your remaining choices? Strattera, which many people find a very good and useful drug, or ??? There's not much left, really. That puts you squarely between a rock and a hard place.
Since Strattera really does seem to be the last remaining choice for you, maybe it's worth trying to give it a fair chance?
By the way, I seem to remember that Strattera and Prozac are not considered to be friends -- perhaps asking your doctor to switch you to Zoloft would help? You can google that yourself, but I know I was switched to Zoloft when I went on Strattera, because Prozac was contraindicated.
Good luck.
Posted by Racer on August 10, 2007, at 14:57:23
In reply to I feel so back to life!, posted by rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 12:13:30
Posted by Phillipa on August 10, 2007, at 17:42:50
In reply to Re: I feel so back to life!, posted by Racer on August 10, 2007, at 14:51:40
Sounds like good advise to me. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 10, 2007, at 17:48:17
In reply to I feel so back to life!, posted by rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 12:13:30
Take a few days off, and carefully keep an eye on yourself. My worry about the Strattera is the "First, do no harm.." concept. There are many other non-stimulant meds for ADD/ADHD. Some might also help with both your depression and ADD/ADHD.
Jay :)
Posted by rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 19:48:15
In reply to Re:I feel so back to life!Give it a few days off! » rjlockhart, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 10, 2007, at 17:48:17
well its so happens i just took strattera an hour ago.
Jay what im going to do is not take it in the mornings and take it in the afternoons. After i take Prozac because when they both hit at same time it feels like adrenaline and psychosis hit. We need get some HALDOL up in here! yea!
Whew man, well i definely feel stimulanted from 40mg Prozac and 25mg of Strattera. But sometimes psychosis can happen, or nuerosis.
I took it just now, im fine. I dont feel blunted or anything.
But my long lost stimulants that i used to take i just wished i never noticed the "lift" adderall and dexedrine gives you. You know what im saying?
Im in an ok mood right now. Feel like saying mmm let eat some tacaritas! (taco's)
Marie
Posted by Racer on August 10, 2007, at 21:39:07
In reply to Re: Racer Jay and Mrs. Phillipa, posted by rjlockhart on August 10, 2007, at 19:48:15
I did a quick search, and both Prozac and Paxil are contraindicated with Strattera. How about doing a search yourself, and asking your doctor why he prescribed them both? Perhaps changing to another SSRI would make some sense -- since the others are not contraindicated.
Also, Prozac has a very, very long halflife in the body. I very much doubt what you're feeling is truly "the Prozac kicking in," and suggest you consider taking the Strattera in the morning, as is generally recommended.
Good luck.
Posted by rjlockhart on August 11, 2007, at 0:16:25
In reply to Nonetheless... » rjlockhart, posted by Racer on August 10, 2007, at 21:39:07
i just googled it but then i found some resources that show there where actual treatments with flouxetine and atomoxine
But they do counter act eachother. Im feeling fine right now. I mean i have a headache and feel really speedy. And its 12:20pm at night.
well i mean these two drugs are definalty changing me.
Im having to take xanax every night to go to sleep.
Plus i read that flouxtine keeps stattera in your ststem longer.
Omg no wonder i thought i was Linda Blair, im joking. I mean i am getting used to this new Stattera which i dont like at all.
But its making me a bit manic now.
That the side effect from taking it with prozac.
Posted by girlnterrupted78 on August 12, 2007, at 7:33:24
In reply to Re: omg..... Larry Hoover we have got a med crisis, posted by rjlockhart on August 11, 2007, at 0:16:25
Hey, just curious: did you read what Racer said? He said Strattera and Prozac are contraindicated.
It doesn't seem like you're reading and assimilating that part of his post.
No wonder you've been feeling terrible on it. Are you going to make any changes, or you're going to stay on it just because you feel manic now?
Posted by med_empowered on August 12, 2007, at 14:53:59
In reply to Re:I feel so back to life!Give it a few days off! » rjlockhart, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 10, 2007, at 17:48:17
this I guess is a general question...are stims off limits, forever, just b/c of misuse in the past? It would seem like since meth heads are soemtimes given stims as maintenance, and former coke heads sometimes get stims as part of depression/ADHD treatment, then past misuse shouldn't be an absolute contraindication. Or is it? Especially with Vynase now, it seems like they should be OK.
Or not?
Posted by Racer on August 12, 2007, at 15:45:45
In reply to are stimulants completely off?, posted by med_empowered on August 12, 2007, at 14:53:59
I think the "past misuse" was rather more recent than that...
Besides -- since his mother has stated clearly that stimulants are not allowed while he lives with her, and he is not in a situation to move out, it seems wise to advise something within that framework...
Posted by Deputy 10derheart on August 12, 2007, at 17:23:21
In reply to Re: omg..... Larry Hoover we have got a med crisis » rjlockhart, posted by girlnterrupted78 on August 12, 2007, at 7:33:24
> It doesn't seem like you're reading and assimilating that part of his post.
> ...or you're going to stay on it just because you feel manic now?Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be directed to Admin and should of course be civil. Dr. Bob has oversight over deputy decisions, and he may choose a different action.
Respectfully,
Deputy 10derHeart
Posted by JohnnyBLinux on August 13, 2007, at 20:53:44
In reply to are stimulants completely off?, posted by med_empowered on August 12, 2007, at 14:53:59
He makes a valid point about Vyvanse, etc...
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2007, at 21:42:13
In reply to Re: are stimulants completely off?, posted by JohnnyBLinux on August 13, 2007, at 20:53:44
Wow there are a lot of dangerous side effects pertaining to the heart and circulatory system and anger. Doesn't sound like a wise choice to me. Thanks for the link. Love Phillipa
Posted by JohnnyBLinux on August 14, 2007, at 21:05:47
In reply to Re: are stimulants completely off? » JohnnyBLinux, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2007, at 21:42:13
You're welcome.
Talk with your doctor about risks & benefits of prescription medication.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.