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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lee on November 16, 1999, at 11:37:56
My son has just been put on Effexor fordDepression, anxiety and ADD. We've tried adderall, ritalin, dexadrine, celexa, zoloft and luvox. Severe insomnia and weight loss w/ stimulants and NO response to the anti-depressants. Is there hope?
Posted by dove on November 16, 1999, at 11:52:37
In reply to Effexor and 11 year old, posted by Lee on November 16, 1999, at 11:37:56
Have you considered BuSpar? My daughter presents with ADHD, Anxiety disorder and depression, we have also tried CNS Stimulants, and some of the SSRI's including Paxil, which sent her off ot mania land. The BuSpar has helped her quite a bit, there are areas we would like to see some improvement in, but can't find a way to do that while not causing her to get manic.
The stimulants also caused weight loss and very bad sleep, which can totally be *not* worth the positive behavior during the day. Her doc told me to give her benadryl or melatonin to help her sleep. She has been expressing more sadness than normal the last 3 weeks and I have no idea if it's the season change or the meds. The BuSpar did not effect her in a dramatic way, it was subtle and I would also say that it remains a subtle effecting med, calming some of the anxiety not all.
Good luck to you,
dovep.s. I talso take Amitriptyline, which is a TCA and it is suppose to help with depression and anxiety. I don't feel comfortable recommending a TCA for a youngin' though, at least not my daughter, but I could be wrong and maybe it's an option?
Posted by Elizabeth on November 18, 1999, at 0:58:57
In reply to Effexor and 11 year old, posted by Lee on November 16, 1999, at 11:37:56
> My son has just been put on Effexor for Depression, anxiety and ADD. We've tried adderall, ritalin, dexadrine, celexa, zoloft and luvox. Severe insomnia and weight loss w/ stimulants and NO response to the anti-depressants. Is there hope?
Effexor is a good idea - lots of people respond to that after not responding to other antidepressants such as the SSRIs (e.g., Zoloft, Luvox, Celexa). Serzone and Remeron are antidepressants that are often good for anxiety and insomnia. Remeron can cause weight gain, so it might actually work out mixed with a stimulant.
For the ADD, some ideas:
- Cylert: a mild stimulant, needs to be taken promptly on waking up because it is long-lasting. Also, I believe regular liver function tests are recommended (worst case is the test is abnormal and he has to stop the drug; not permanent if caught quickly).
- Provigil: stimulant approved for narcolepsy, also being used for ADHD. Less "jittery" than other stimulants. Long-lasting like Cylert.
- Wellbutrin: stimulating antidepressant, works differently than the SSRIs and Effexor, often used for ADHD. May cause increased anxiety, irritability.
- clonidine (brand name Catapres) or guanfacine (Tenex): antihypertensive drugs often used for ADHD. Often kids take a low dose in the AM and a higher dose at bedtime to help them sleep. Supposed to be good for frustration tolerance.
Posted by Paula on November 24, 1999, at 6:55:41
In reply to Re: Effexor and 11 year old, posted by Elizabeth on November 18, 1999, at 0:58:57
> > My son has recently started luvox for OCD. i really think it is a trial (by fire) and error thing. He was on prosac first, it worked wonderful for the ocd but he was off the wall control wise. We went to paxil...with no results at all, and had a nasty set of withdrawl symptoms. the Luvox...so far so good....i think it might work. try not to give up, i think it is just a matter of finding the right thing thru experimentation. Not exactly a pleasant thought but hopefully soon, you will find it!
This is the end of the thread.
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