|
Help
Aug 14, 2003 9:42:36 GMT -5
Post by spanky203 on Aug 14, 2003 9:42:36 GMT -5
My doctor has mentioned the possibilty of putting me on Ritalin and Zoloft. The Ritalin for the ADD and the Zoloft to counteract the side effects of the Ritalin. I have not been diagnosed with anything other than ADD. Anyone ever heard of this. Are the side effects to Ritalin that bad that you need another drug?
|
|
Tara
New Member
Posts: 2
|
Help
Aug 14, 2003 15:26:42 GMT -5
Post by Tara on Aug 14, 2003 15:26:42 GMT -5
Stimulants can make anxiety worse when taken alone. Zolft is an antidepressent used for both depression and anxiety. Maybe the doctor feels that you also have anxiety too. It is good to question doctors though.
|
|
|
Help
Aug 15, 2003 14:50:19 GMT -5
Post by toomanyideas on Aug 15, 2003 14:50:19 GMT -5
Hi! Interesting combination. Everyone responds differently to every med. I tend toward anxiety and Zoloft was TOO stimulating for me. So...mybe the Zoloft (which is known to be one of the more stimulating ssri's) is being given to counteract the "drop-off" effect of the Ritalin. I had a tough time with both of those drugs. I take adderall, and just TODAY started the extended release version. Not sure it is EXTENSIVE ENOUGH for me! I feel tired all the time. Good luck.
|
|
|
Help
Nov 13, 2003 14:03:58 GMT -5
Post by delilahcw43224 on Nov 13, 2003 14:03:58 GMT -5
I have been recently diagnosed with ADD plus have already been treated for bi-polarism, anxiety with panic attacks and chronic depression and obstructive sleep apnea.. My psychiatrist has me on lamictal, provigil, wellbutrinXL (which she just changed me back to from Lexapro), Serax(for the anxiety) and trazodone to help me sleep at night. She said that the wellbutrin and provigil are a treatment for ADD but that if I get over-stimulated she will take me off of the Provigil. Does this sound right? I feel better in some ways but this is a thing that has not surprised me being diagnosed with this. I procrastinate, am late to most things, can't keep on one thing for very long, and alot more. My marriage is in a wreck after almost 32 years but I can't blame it entirely on these things as he is not a very understanding man with my problems. He tells me that this is my choice to be this way. Please let me know what you think or if you have been on any of these medications. Thank you. Delilah
|
|
|
Help
Nov 15, 2003 18:11:41 GMT -5
Post by spanky203 on Nov 15, 2003 18:11:41 GMT -5
I don't take any of the meds you mentioned. My first post in this topic was a long time ago. At the present time I just take ritalin. Having ADD is not a choice. If it was, I would probably choose not to have it. There are benefits, but also problems from having ADD. Sounds like you are lacking support from your husband. I want to support this forum, but I also know that it is not used a lot. Here are some forums that are more active. I was stressed out when I was first diagnosed. I have difficulty talking to anyone about anything. The forums helped me get through the initial shock of the diagnosis and helped me to deal with things better. Here they are: groups.msn.com/ADDedSupport/home.htmwww.adhdfriends.com/The next one is not as active, but I like it: pub152.ezboard.com/badultswithadhdLike I said, I support this board, but it's not as active as some of the others. There are probably otherforums out there that are good too. Good luck, and if you ever want to vent, I post on all the boards, including this one. Good luck, and remember it's not a choice. (There are also some good books out there if your ever interested, let me know.)
|
|
roha
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Help
Nov 16, 2003 15:05:44 GMT -5
Post by roha on Nov 16, 2003 15:05:44 GMT -5
I've been taking ritalin for quite some time. Concerta 54 and a 10 mg of ritalin if I haver a long day. I went to the doctor two weeks ago and she was shocked that i was extremely anemic which can be a side effect of ritalin. She didn't want to alarm me but I could hear the concern in her voice. I also have experienced facial tremors which I read was another side effect. I have also been told i have a fast pulse.
I read the anemia can put one as risk for cardiac problems. I have never had any health issues. has anyone heard anything about this?
|
|
|
Help
Nov 16, 2003 16:37:08 GMT -5
Post by spanky203 on Nov 16, 2003 16:37:08 GMT -5
I certainly am not an expert when it comes to ADD/ADHD, being that I was only diagnosed a few months ago. However, whenever a doctor puts me on a new drug I always do all the research I can. It's a trust issue, I don't trust most doctors. I once had a doctor put me on a med and I started having severe abdominal pain and severe pain in my legs. So bad I could barely walk. I did some research on the net and discovered that I should stop taking the med and call the dr immediately. The dr. was not even aware that this was one of the side effects. (It wasn't an ADD med.) Here is what webmd has on Ritalin. my.webmd.com/content/drugs/1/4046_1616?bn=RitalinYou can search for more details through just about any search engine. Be careful though, there are anti-add sites out there that will use scare tactics. Only trust the reputable sites. I expected some side effects when I started taking Ritalin. It hasn't been bad though. My blood pressure did go up some though. I use to run around 103 - 107/70. The other day I was 120/70. I have been told, and I also read, that Ritalin can make tics worse. Could that have something to do with your facial tremors. There are other meds out there if you don't like the side effects. Talk to your doctor. Heck, I've tried a few myself. I started out on Ritalin. The dr was trying to be nice and switched me to Concerta so I would not have to sneak around to take my meds. It did nothing for me. Then I tried Adderall. That was an experience. I finally decided that Ritalin worked so well, I would just go back to taking the regular Ritalin. I just realized something, maybe this board is coming alive again. I hope so. It's nice to talk to other women who have ADD. ;D
|
|
|
Help
Apr 11, 2004 18:51:10 GMT -5
Post by ONTHEGOMOM on Apr 11, 2004 18:51:10 GMT -5
I've just tried ritalin for the first time in my life after speaking to my doctor about how I felt overwhelmed and have felt like this for many years. I explained that I have been functioning very well in life, on and off for over 25 working years. I have always suspected a chemical imbalance since my teens..not an emotional one. However the suspected ADHD that I myself figured out has caused my emotional anguish. I now know what it is like to feel "normal" for a whole day. I only take 5mg and if I need to be focussed an additional 5mg after 6 or 7 hours. What a difference. I have also tried adderal 10mg and I find it "speeds" too much and for too long 10 to 12 hours with increased anxiety at the end. It also gave me a frozen effect around the mouth...strange. Well all this in a week! I'll keep testing but I think ritalin will be fine for now. Now I'm going to check up on ritalin as a long-term medication and what long-term effects can occur...anyone have info? :D :)
|
|