Posted by mtdewcmu on April 30, 2011, at 22:31:07
In reply to Re: Do SSRIs and Stimulants Oppose? » mtdewcmu, posted by 10derheart on April 30, 2011, at 21:32:03
> I took Prozac 20 mg and anywhere from 5-10 mg q day up to at least 60 mg q day of IR Ritalin for about 18 months for inattentive ADD. The combo was extremely effective for ADD symptoms and the comorbid depression. Only transitioned to Strattera alone becasue 1) depression was so much improved (w/psychotherapy) and 2) my GP at the time had a fit that pdoc was using a stim because I was being treated for hypertension and he was **sure** the Ritalin was exacerbating that (made no sense but it's a long story...) So we tried the Strattera and I have been on it ever since (7 years +)
It's true that stimulants can cause or exacerbate hypertension, but if you need them, you need them. You could add antihypertensives until your BP was reduced enough if need be.
>
> I think at that time (2002-2004) that combo was very popular for ADD. In hindsight I had anxiety I never understood nor could I identify it as such to my docs, so I think the Ritalin made that worse while it was helping all the ADD symptoms that end up triggering both depression and anxiety....yeah, it gets to be a vicious cycle sometimes. Because of that, Strattera really was/is a better route for my inattention.If you have the kind of ADD where Strattera controls it, then I would absolutely prefer Strattera.
poster:mtdewcmu
thread:984164
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110418/msgs/984234.html