"The Prozac Pirate" <TheProzacPirate@REMOVEitookmyprozac.com> wrote in message
news:2ipb2cFpj0saU1@uni-berlin.de...

Bullwinkle Jones wrote:

Hello group. I was prescribed Paxil about two weeks ago at 20mg/day. While

I

am noticing that I'm not feeling as blue anymore, I do notice that I'm still
biting my fingernails just as much, and am still just as unmotivated as

before.

I thought the motivation problem had to do with feeling down, but now I'm

not

thinking thats the case. I thought the nail-biting problem was related to
anxiety, but thats not the case either, as I'm not feeling anxious anymore,

but

still bite my fingernails something awful. In fact, it's gotten worse.

Anyways, my psychologist and I have pretty much decided that I've gove
inattentive ADD. I've read that SNRIs are good for that, and that effexor

is

partially an SNRI...

What are your thoughts?

It's a good move.

Thanks for the encouragement, but do you have anything else to add? Regarding
why it would be a good move? I know there is a lot against SSRIs in these
groups, and am wondering if this is perhaps you're reason for saying what you
did..

Just curious.

Thanks!

Works great for some, but not for everybody.

"Velvet Elvis" <gambolt@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.06.09.20.50.16.154472@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet...

Wellbutrin is another option, but it's
the experience of most people that it isn't as effective as the
stimulants

i have inattentive type ADD, and i am doing much better on a combination of
Effexor and Nortriptyline (both act to inhibit the reuptake of
norepinephrin) than i ever did on any stimulants or Wellbutrin.

both the stimulants and wellbutrin exacerbated my anxiety to the point of
frequent panic attacks, and the wellbutrin made me crazy (increased OCD
symptoms, hypomania, etc).

btw, Effexor is an SNRI, Strattera is an NRI. :-)

"Velvet Elvis" <gambolt@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.06.09.20.50.16.154472@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet...

The first line of treatment is still the CNS stimulants such as Ritlin,
Dexidrine and Adderall. Effexor can be helpful with overfocused ADD,
particularly when co-occurring with OCD and/or anxiety, but not so much
for the inattentive type. The only SNRI on the market in the US right
now is Strattera, but it's not been out long enough for there to be a
real verdict about how well it works.

Wellbutrin is another option, but it's
the experience of most people that it isn't as effective as the
stimulants

i have inattentive type ADD, and i am doing much better on a combination
of Effexor and Nortriptyline (both act to inhibit the reuptake of
norepinephrin) than i ever did on any stimulants or Wellbutrin.

both the stimulants and wellbutrin exacerbated my anxiety to the point of
frequent panic attacks, and the wellbutrin made me crazy (increased OCD
symptoms, hypomania, etc).

btw, Effexor is an SNRI, Strattera is an NRI. :-)

-kelly

"Velvet Elvis" <gambolt@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.06.09.20.50.16.154472@REMOVEsofthome.THISnet...

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:15:54 +0000, Bullwinkle Jones wrote:

Hello group. I was prescribed Paxil about two weeks ago at 20mg/day.
While I am noticing that I'm not feeling as blue anymore, I do notice
that I'm still biting my fingernails just as much, and am still just
as unmotivated as before.

I thought the motivation problem had to do with feeling down, but now
I'm not thinking thats the case. I thought the nail-biting problem
was related to anxiety, but thats not the case either, as I'm not
feeling anxious anymore, but still bite my fingernails something
awful. In fact, it's gotten worse.

Anyways, my psychologist and I have pretty much decided that I've gove
inattentive ADD. I've read that SNRIs are good for that, and that
effexor is partially an SNRI...

The first line of treatment is still the CNS stimulants such as Ritlin,
Dexidrine and Adderall. Effexor can be helpful with overfocused ADD,
particularly when co-occurring with OCD and/or anxiety, but not so much
for the inattentive type. The only SNRI on the market in the US right
now is Strattera, but it's not been out long enough for there to be a
real verdict about how well it works. Wellbutrin is another option, but
it's the experience of most people that it isn't as effective as the
stimulants. The stimulants cost less and are effective immediately, ie
you don't have to wait a month to see if they are going to work. If
your pdoc is reluctant to prescribe stimulants, get a new pdoc. All
clinical research to date indicates that stimulants are the most
effective treatment for inattentive ADD in both children and adults.
While they can make anxiety worse, this side effect can usually be
countered by augmenting with an SSRI such as paxil, celexa, or prozac.
I've been taking some form of stimulant in combination with an SSRI for
about ten years now. I can testify that while there may be some side
effects, this is definitely the best first course of treatment.

Oh, if you are getting your medications from a general practitioner and
not a psychiatrist, shell out the extra cash and see a psychiatrist.
It's worth it.

See, the problem with getting stims is that I have past problems with
cocaine. Both my psychologist and GP know about this. My psychologist
thinks that stims would be a worthwhile thing to try, and will talk with
my GP about a closely monitored trial of them. I'm jost not sure how to
bring it up with my GP

Velvet Elvis wrote:

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:15:54 +0000, Bullwinkle Jones wrote:

The first line of treatment is still the CNS stimulants such as Ritlin,
Dexidrine and Adderall.

Those meds are nothing short of crack now days, they're quite outdated as
well as primitive. Strattera works, although, it's a bit of a crude SNRI
compared to its conterpart in Europe - Robextine. Nonetheless, Strattera
is far preferable to psychostimulants.

He says he's got anxiety - it ought to be obvious that the last thing he
needs is a CNS. Effexor would be the first logical step, as to rule out --
or rule in, as the case may be -- the presence of accompaning depression..
If Effexor didn't work out, and I were him, I'd move on to Strattera.

Psychostims are nasty, harsh little buggers.

The only SNRI on the market in the US right now

is Strattera, but it's not been out long enough for there to be a real
verdict about how well it works.

Well Robexitine works..

Personally, in the given situation, I wouldn't put my long term as well as
present heath at risk to save a dollar.

and are effective immediately,

Of course - that's because they're a narcotic.

ie

you don't have to wait a month to see if they are going to work. If
your pdoc is reluctant to prescribe stimulants, get a new pdoc.

Sounds like "my pdoc wont score for me.." ..

All clinical

research to date indicates that stimulants are the most effective

You forgot to mention the harshest.

treatment for inattentive ADD in both children

A crime.

While they can

make anxiety worse, this side effect can usually be countered by
augmenting with an SSRI such as paxil, celexa, or prozac.

So he'll start on Ritalin, then be given an SSRI to combat the Anxiety,
then given an antipsychotic to combat the psychotic features which this
combination has been known to cause, then he'll develop TD or
Parkinsonism from the antipsychotic, then be put on Mirapex to combat
the TD and/or Parkinsonism.

Where is this headed?

I've been taking

some form of stimulant in combination with an SSRI for about ten years
now. I can testify that while there may be some side effects, this is
definitely the best first course of treatment.

You're of an older generation; additionally, you seem to follow the
motto of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' ..

Oh, if you are getting your medications from a general

not a psychiatrist, shell out the extra cash and see a psychiatrist.
It's worth it.

Shell out extra cash for another practitioner, however, slap your heath
on the alter?

Velvet Elvis wrote:
The stimulants cost less
[...snip...]
you don't have to wait a month to see if they are going to work. If your
pdoc is reluctant to prescribe stimulants, get a new pdoc.

Sounds like "my pdoc wont score for me.." ..

All clinical
research to date indicates that stimulants are the most effective

So he'll start on Ritalin, then be given an SSRI to combat the Anxiety,
then given an antipsychotic to combat the psychotic features which this
combination has been known to cause, then he'll develop TD or
Parkinsonism from the antipsychotic, then be put on Mirapex to combat
the TD and/or Parkinsonism.

I've been told a lot in many of these groups that I was probably
self-medicating, and I can understand how that would be true. My worry in
regards to wellbutrin and a stimulant are the fact that both have warnings
against prescribing to people with a history of stimulant abuse. Am I

being silly or is this something that I should be worried about?

I've been told a lot in many of these groups that I was probably
self-medicating, and I can understand how that would be true. My worry in
regards to wellbutrin and a stimulant are the fact that both have warnings
against prescribing to people with a history of stimulant abuse. Am I just
being silly or is this something that I should be worried about?

<(((*> Also, I'm on Paxil at the moment and have been
<(((*> for about two weeks. The reason I was prescribed it is because of depression
<(((*> and anxiety. While I do know myself as somewhat anxious and depressed, I don't
<(((*> think that's really what my problem is. I was hoping that the Paxil would help
<(((*> me over-come my nail-biting problem, but it's only gotten worse.
<(((*>
<(((*> I am feeling a little more up-beat, and less anxious in social situations, but I
<(((*> don't think Paxil is the answer.

"Pete" <jdarish@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:GYCdnUgik652pVTdRVn-jw@comcast.com...

Wellbutrin and Straterra together are fairly effective, and works geat

some people.

Also, Wellbutrin and one of the stimulant drugs(Ritalin, Adderall,
Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Cylert) as needed, will be effective, and can also

option to avoid stimulant side effects by being able to use a lower

Alone, Wellbutrin, and Straterra work only fair.

Assuming you do not want to use a stimulant, and dont mind how much of a
pain in the ***** they are, a MAOI would also work to combat your

and ADD, MAOI's will be very effective, but they are not easy drugs to
handle in terms of side effects and restrictions and such.

Effexor will work somewhat in your case, but imo it will end up being
disappointing. Its norepinepherine inhibition is not very active until
serotonin reuptake pumps are fairly blocked first; you would need a high
dose of Effexor; and even then dopamine levels are unaffected, which
probably plays a significant role in ADD. Lack of a dopagenic effect is
probably why straterra, and other drugs that only have significant

on the noradrenergic system seem somewhat ineffective, its because they

As such, Tricyclic Antidepressents with primarily noradrenergic effects

be roughly effective as Straterra is.

Some people have found that certain supplements and activities can help

such as L-Tyrosine, B-vitamins, and some exercize, and other hobbies.

mindset and feelings are as important as the drugs, for sure.

Thank you very much for your informative reply. My doctor and

share information as I requested them to. My only worry is a past history

some fairly heavy cocaine use. During the height of my problem, I was

about a gram a day, and sometimes more. While to some this may not seem

big problem, for me it was.

I've been told a lot in many of these groups that I was probably
self-medicating, and I can understand how that would be true. My worry in
regards to wellbutrin and a stimulant are the fact that both have warnings
against prescribing to people with a history of stimulant abuse. Am I

being silly or is this something that I should be worried about?

I know that if my psychologist was a psychiatrist he'd prescribe me

for the ADD right away, but my GP seems kinda conservative. I don't

the hassle of finding a new one. Also, I'm on Paxil at the moment and

for about two weeks. The reason I was prescribed it is because of

and anxiety. While I do know myself as somewhat anxious and depressed, I

think that's really what my problem is. I was hoping that the Paxil would

me over-come my nail-biting problem, but it's only gotten worse.

I am feeling a little more up-beat, and less anxious in social situations,

don't think Paxil is the answer. How can I relate this to my doctor? I

I could just bring this post in for him to read, since it would be much

than me having to tell him.

I also have serious problems with motivation, and I know that a stimulant

help immensly. I abused fairly large amounts of ephedrine in the past,

found that I was able to focus for hours on end - and not even think about
chewing my fingers...

Anyways, thanks again and I look forward to any replys.

--
Bullwinkle Jones.