Posted by Lasagne on August 16, 2003, at 14:51:13
In reply to Ritalin/Anxiety/--Stratera , interesting dilemna, posted by ben12 on August 16, 2003, at 13:39:23
> I am a 20 year old college student. I have been on Ritalin my entire life and have had to decrease dosage gradually throughout the years as my body chemistry changed. My current dosage is 7.5mg. Recently, I noticed that ritalin is responsible for psychological tension (anxiety), which builds up and ironically inhibits my studying. Additionally, exercising seems to be the only way to quell the psychological tension for a period of 3-4 hours. Tired of exercising in order to maximize focus, I have decided to go on stratera. Now, on a a dosage of about 40 (i was on 25 mg for 3 days then moved on), i feel extremely fatigued and hyperfocused. Here are my questions: Does anyone have any information on my particular situation or experience? Does anyone know if one dosage of ritalin corresponds to a particular dosage of ritalin (i know they work on different neurotransmitters) but perhaps there is some correlation of dosage? Any thoughts about my situation or recommendations would be unbelievably appreciated. Thank you
> BenHi Ben:
From my personal experience it is possible that the onset of your tension/anxiety is not due to the Ritalin. College and entering into adulthood is an extremely stressful time, esp. for people with ADD. It's very common for people with attentional disorders to have depression or anxiety arise as a secondary effect of the ADD/ADHD. When I went away to college years ago the demands of keeping on top of an average work load (12 units/credits/semester) was all I could handle. I went in and out of periods of anxiety and depression. Finally when I got married and had my first child I got so desperate that I went in to see my doctor about these feelings. That's when I started on Prozac. A few years later I began to have panic attacks and the doctor had to put me on Buspar. Just a few months ago I finally got an official diagnosis to my lifelong struggles: ADD. My doctor began me on Strattera in combination with what I was already taking. At first I had the drowsiness and lethargic feelings. As each week went by I improved. The most remarkable one was an overwhelming feeling of calmness. It made my brain function at the right speed and I could sit and focus on something without an overriding urge to get up and move around. By the 6th week all the yukky side effects went away and now I feel great.
My advice to you is to realize that adulthood brings so many more responsiblities and the ADD brain doesn't function very well with the type of executive decisions that are necessary to keep on top of things as an adult, thus the feelings of anxiety are taking over you. Be patient with the Strattera and keep in mind that you may have to combine the Strattera and Ritalin if after a certain point you don't feel you are getting the benefits you need to complete your school work and studying. Strattera and Ritalin are so different and people's bodies respond differently to meds and doses and so it's imposible to say that a certain dose of Strattera is equivalent to a certain dose of Ritalin. My oldest son has had to combine the Strattera with a stimulant med. Also, 40mgs. of Strattera is not the average adult dose. I take 80 mgs. So you may need to increase your dose and then wait to see if it is necessary to take a small dose of Ritalin with it too.
Good luck!
Lasagna
poster:Lasagne
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251354.html