Posted by katekite on August 27, 2002, at 18:29:12
In reply to New to Group - Complicated Case, posted by Jim Bob on August 26, 2002, at 19:38:38
Sounds like you have been through a lot.
There is a long quiz at www.mindfixers.com that was helpful to me in defining my ADD symptoms. You would want to answer the questions as you remember yourself for a drug free period, maybe before you became depressed -- since depression itself can cause some ADD type symptoms.
A good question is whether you have been hypomanic or manic off of drugs. If you really have had periods of increased energy, decreased need for sleep, talking too much, etc, without drugs, that lasted at least 4 days in a row, then you probably do have bipolar disorder of some type.
I agree in order to get prescribed true stimulants you will need to be drug-abuse free for quite a while and win the trust of a doc.
When Wellbutrin is used for attentional problems it usually takes high end doses for over I think its 8 weeks to see an improvement in the attentional aspect. Since you were on it in a combination with other drugs its hard to know whether you would tolerate it ok on its own.
You have had a bunch of medication changes in the last few months. You might want to stick with what you are on for at least 6-8 weeks to see if it helps. None of these drugs really help much at all in a couple weeks. Your poor brain needs time to adjust.
You could consider asking about clonidine which is used for kids with ADD but is not a stimulant. Very helpful for sleep. There is also atomoxetine coming out soon which is a non-stimulant ADD drug. Desipramine is the TCA usually most helpful for ADD.
Good luck and take care of your brain.
Kate
poster:katekite
thread:117819
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117969.html