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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zonked on February 25, 2016, at 10:19:12
Hi,
I'm actually doing really well... as a result of working hard on myself and working with some caring counselors in the dual diagnosis rehab, I have developed some really solid coping skills and as a result don't need Klonopin quite so much anymore.
Pretty amazing stuff.
Anyway, I am still unsure as to whether or not I have a "black mark" on my chart from abusing meth and heroin occasionally since my mother died (I have not abused my psychiatric medications), and am considering alternatives to standard stimulants if I need to treat my ADHD again.
Almost everyone I've talked to personally has concluded that Strattera (atomoxetine) is "junk" or "useless" except one person. I mean patients, of course; not doctors.
Anyone have any good experience with disorganization, clutter, impulsiveness, spaceyness, focus with this medication?
Also, can it be safely used with MAOIs like the Nardil I still am on? SLS?
If that fails, I am going to ask for Focalin XR in small (weekly) prescriptions along with the chemical dependency program's support...no, I wasn't using meth when I had that prescription before.
I have failed on norandrenergic meds in the past - nortriptyline made me very anxious and "snappy" and I never got past 75mg of effexor xr for the same reason.
I see my psychiatrist next month.Best,
-z
Posted by linkadge on February 25, 2016, at 17:49:49
In reply to Strattera for ADHD--does it work? w/Nardil? SLS?, posted by zonked on February 25, 2016, at 10:19:12
I experienced some benefit from straterra. I just found it hard to take in doses above 10mg.
It did appear to help with some aspects of anxiety and racing mind.
Linkadge
Posted by rjlockhart37 on February 25, 2016, at 23:15:23
In reply to Strattera for ADHD--does it work? w/Nardil? SLS?, posted by zonked on February 25, 2016, at 10:19:12
Strattera can make me irrtibile, it increases the NE and makes things edgy and more prone to snap. But on the other side, it does improve attention, and clearer thought in some aspects. It doesnt increase dopamine like the psychostimulants do, so it doenst produce a dopamine stimulation, but it can be a good choice when used with other meds for ADD
r
Posted by SLS on February 26, 2016, at 6:33:57
In reply to Strattera for ADHD--does it work? w/Nardil? SLS?, posted by zonked on February 25, 2016, at 10:19:12
> Anyone have any good experience with disorganization, clutter, impulsiveness, spaceyness, focus with this medication?
Strattera (atomoxetine) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). However, I think it is still worth a try.
I was very friendly with an adult who had ADD. He had the same symptoms as you do. Strattera was a miracle for him. He was finally able to organize his apartment and organize his life in general. He never mentioned side effects.
Before Strattera became available, desipramine was used to treat ADD. It, too, is a NRI. Like nortriptyline, it is a TCA. I would try this drug, too. If any of these drugs affect you negatively, you can always discontinue them. I think it is important to acknowledge that we can't be sure how any one drug will affect you, even if we know some of their pharmacology.
Regarding combining Strattera with MAOI, I have never tried it. I would not want to recommend it, even though I know of no reason not too. I know there is a theoretical reduction in the probability of having a tyramine-induced hypertensive episode when combining a selective NRI with a MAOI. I believe there is some empirical evidence for this, but I would have difficulty finding it.
I can recommend combining desipramine with a MAOI. I have been doing this since 1983. Desipramine is more selective as a NRI than is nortriptyline. Strattera is not very effective for depression. Using desipramine for ADD would also help with depression, if there is any.
How long did you take nortriptyline for? Is there any possibility that the anxious and "snappy" side effects produced by nortriptyline were startup effects that would eventually disappea? How long did you take it for?
- Scott
Posted by J Kelly on March 1, 2016, at 15:31:41
In reply to Strattera for ADHD--does it work? w/Nardil? SLS?, posted by zonked on February 25, 2016, at 10:19:12
> Hi,
>
> I'm actually doing really well... as a result of working hard on myself and working with some caring counselors in the dual diagnosis rehab, I have developed some really solid coping skills and as a result don't need Klonopin quite so much anymore.
>
> Pretty amazing stuff.
>
> Anyway, I am still unsure as to whether or not I have a "black mark" on my chart from abusing meth and heroin occasionally since my mother died (I have not abused my psychiatric medications), and am considering alternatives to standard stimulants if I need to treat my ADHD again.
>
> Almost everyone I've talked to personally has concluded that Strattera (atomoxetine) is "junk" or "useless" except one person. I mean patients, of course; not doctors.
>
> Anyone have any good experience with disorganization, clutter, impulsiveness, spaceyness, focus with this medication?
>
> Also, can it be safely used with MAOIs like the Nardil I still am on? SLS?
>
> If that fails, I am going to ask for Focalin XR in small (weekly) prescriptions along with the chemical dependency program's support...no, I wasn't using meth when I had that prescription before.
>
> I have failed on norandrenergic meds in the past - nortriptyline made me very anxious and "snappy" and I never got past 75mg of effexor xr for the same reason.
>
> I see my psychiatrist next month.
>
> Best,
> -zHi Zonked.
A friend of mine is extremely high functioning to the point of being ridiculous. He gave me some of his Strattera to try. I didn't like it at all but it works very well for him. I do notice that he is very irritable a lot of the time.
Jade
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