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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vasdef on February 22, 2004, at 8:51:32
I've been bipolar since I was 15, I am now 39. I've been on Prozac and Lithium for about 15 years, and this combo has worked great for me. Just recently I was diagnosed with ADD. Next week I will go to my pdoc and talk to him about this. I'm a little concerened because if he gives me stimulants for the ADD, I'm afraid it might make me manic. (I know a lot of bp's like to be manic, but I don't, I've seen my dad in action, and its a most embarrassing sight!) I also take Provigil for Narcolepsy (a stimulant, but works differently than Ritalin or Adderall) So, I don't know if taking all these pills are going ot pan out. I really do need to treat the ADD, because the forgetfullness, sloppiness,and disorganized life I lead is taking its toll. If anyone out there is in a similar boat, I would like to hear how you deal with it. Thanks
Posted by HappyGirl on February 22, 2004, at 9:21:19
In reply to bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by vasdef on February 22, 2004, at 8:51:32
Hi:
Bipolar/Depression(some folks, ... not everyone tho') and ADD goes 'hand in hand.'
I have the same problem as yours after dx'ed Bp. In my case, I take Wellbutrin SR that works good, ... but not 100% *perfect.* For this, I believe that any medication is meant to 'Buffer,' not 'complete cure,' then I'm quite satified. The rest is just to remind myself not to forget by carrying and jotting down note.
Also, in my knowledge, 'Strattra' is reputable for 'ADD,' and depressive side of Bp.
Lastly, as you quote, .... whether your pdoc. prescribes some of 'stimulants,' ... frankly I just doubt. Because, any pdoc. does not like their Bp patients become 'more' manic.
H.G.
Posted by B2chica on February 22, 2004, at 14:48:51
In reply to bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by vasdef on February 22, 2004, at 8:51:32
> I've been bipolar since I was 15, I am now 39. I've been on Prozac and Lithium for about 15 years, and this combo has worked great for me. Just recently I was diagnosed with ADD. Next week I will go to my pdoc and talk to him about this. I'm a little concerened because if he gives me stimulants for the ADD, I'm afraid it might make me manic. (I know a lot of bp's like to be manic, but I don't, I've seen my dad in action, and its a most embarrassing sight!)
If anyone out there is in a similar boat, I would like to hear how you deal with it. ThanksJust this last week i was Dx with ADHD (already having BP2). My pdoc put me on strattera and symbyax. The strattera is supposed to not be a stimulant like ritalin or such. It hasn't given my any manic effects (as of yet). And i agree with you, i don't like my mainc either, the first week or so is fine but then it comes to the point where i can't even carry on conversations cuz people are so slow with their thoughts, i can't stay on one task at work longer than 2 minutes and i am constatnly confused cuz i have 1000 things running in my head and i can't grab onto any of them, either that or it turns black and i'm throwing anything i can get my hands on across the room at anyone in my line of sight.
Best of Luck.
c.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 22, 2004, at 20:37:30
In reply to Re: bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by B2chica on February 22, 2004, at 14:48:51
Hi:
Symbyax is one med. containing two meds., 'Zyprexa' and 'Prozac,' and 'Prozac'is one of SSRIs that might make the 'manic' side of your Bp aggrevated? In my case, I NEVER able to take any of SSRIs because of 'too' much activating effect to my Bp with rapid cycler.
In my guess, ...to cause more manic is NOT due to 'Stratera,'.... more likely 'Prozac' in Symbyax? Because Stratera is NOT stimulant, as you quote and I agree with that. Or, for some reason, Stratera and symbyax does not go well?
In my suggestion, call to talk to your pdoc. ASAP.
H.G.
Posted by AzureBay on February 23, 2004, at 23:06:17
In reply to bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by vasdef on February 22, 2004, at 8:51:32
Hi,
Just noticed your post and I'm both Bipolar II and ADD/ADHD. I take a small dose of an SSRI along with a neurostimulant Ritalin, plus the gold standard Lithium in the form of Lithobid.
I know there is quite a difference between BP I and BP II, but to tell you the truth I have had no manic problems or issues on the neurostim. It works well for me, and has done for a number of years.
Actually I should say that I was diagnosed ADHD first, then BP II. So it's a little the reverse of your situation. I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try with the okay of your pdoc, especially if you are more of a bipolar II type. ;)
Smiles Always,
Azure
> I've been bipolar since I was 15, I am now 39. I've been on Prozac and Lithium for about 15 years, and this combo has worked great for me. Just recently I was diagnosed with ADD. Next week I will go to my pdoc and talk to him about this. I'm a little concerened because if he gives me stimulants for the ADD, I'm afraid it might make me manic. (I know a lot of bp's like to be manic, but I don't, I've seen my dad in action, and its a most embarrassing sight!) I also take Provigil for Narcolepsy (a stimulant, but works differently than Ritalin or Adderall) So, I don't know if taking all these pills are going ot pan out. I really do need to treat the ADD, because the forgetfullness, sloppiness,and disorganized life I lead is taking its toll. If anyone out there is in a similar boat, I would like to hear how you deal with it. Thanks
Posted by cybercafe on February 24, 2004, at 1:03:20
In reply to Re: bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by AzureBay on February 23, 2004, at 23:06:17
apparently abilify is the mood stabilizer least likely to interfere with concentration, so i combined abilify, parnate, ritalin and clonazepam
results good so far
no side effects
Posted by vasdef on February 24, 2004, at 21:47:49
In reply to Re: bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by cybercafe on February 24, 2004, at 1:03:20
First I want to thank all the people who took the time to give me some input. Yeah, it's starting to get a little complicated now. For years I was taking 20 mg (1) cap of Prozac a day, after a depression that came over me Dec. 2002, he bumped me up to 80 mg (4) Prozacs a day, along with the same 900 mg lithobid a day. I use a cpap machine every night for sleep apnea, I take 400 mg Provigil every day for Narcolepsy, Mirapex every nite for RLS, and now ADD has joined in all the fun. I'm curious to see if my pdoc will put me on any ADD medication at all at this point.
Posted by PsychoSage on February 25, 2004, at 0:05:50
In reply to Re: bipolar disorder and A.D.D., posted by vasdef on February 24, 2004, at 21:47:49
> First I want to thank all the people who took the time to give me some input. Yeah, it's starting to get a little complicated now. For years I was taking 20 mg (1) cap of Prozac a day, after a depression that came over me Dec. 2002, he bumped me up to 80 mg (4) Prozacs a day, along with the same 900 mg lithobid a day. I use a cpap machine every night for sleep apnea, I take 400 mg Provigil every day for Narcolepsy, Mirapex every nite for RLS, and now ADD has joined in all the fun. I'm curious to see if my pdoc will put me on any ADD medication at all at this point.
What is RLS? Mirapex and provigil are also used for memory/attention/concentration/depression. It seems to me your bases should be covered and that the doses should be tinkered with.Maybe you need more of your NA covered, but provigil is doing part of that. Effexor, wellbutrin and strattera are used for ADHD, and they all can hit NA [noradrenaline].
Aricept may be helpful with executive functions, organization and time management. It is an anticholinerase [acetylcholine].
I just started provigil for attention because i can not take amphetamines because I am in recovery for substance abuse.
Sometimes prozac can make bipolars apathetic or irritable which can contribute to inattention and depression. I have an article about a man who stopped prozac after having a BP2 diagnosis, and he became better with a typical bipolar med regiman minus the SSRI. Otherwise, a stimulant can probably hit other dopamine places the provigil or mirapex don't hit.
I am heavily skeptical of SSRIs and anything to do with Serotonin because for many years I was diagnosed with major depression, and I finally got on the mood stabilizer more than 5.5 years after my first psychiatric treatment. I used many new generation antidepressants which hit serotonin, and they all did not do much for me. I am BP2 I think. I am not formally ADHD, but I have inattention from substance abuse. I have been clean for a couple of years, and I am in my 20s, but I am still struggling.
I hope your ADHD gets taken care of!
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