Help With Choosing Meds

I could have written your post (except that I am a girl).

3 years ago I went on Paxil for my chronic anxiety and panic attacks, and mild depression.  This was great, except I couldn't have an orgasm.  Then I went on Effexor which made me sluggish.  Then I went on Wellbutrin and Lexapro, which seemed to help a little bit, but something was still "missing." 

This past winter I started therapy to work through some family issues.  It was here where the doctor asked me if anyone ever had mentioned ADD to me.  No one ever had.  I like to be quiet, with no noise, and was always at the top of my class.  Bachelors and some Masters work, etc. etc.  So, I read voraciously for a month on symptoms, history, etc..  IT ALL MADE SENSE.   My anxiety was a result of my inabiity to focus and listen, inavility to finish anything, my nack for forgetting everything, etc.. 

So, I have been working with Ritalin and Metadate for a few months now.  Most of the time it does wonders.  It's like someone tuned the radio to the clearest station or something. 

I am off the Wellbutrin now, and plan to go off the Lexapro very slowly.  I wish there was something stronger than Ritalin, as it wears off very quickly, and I build a tolerance to things quickly, but for now, I'll take it.   I am definitley best between noon - 8pm.  Mornings are tough - I need to take my ADD meds as soon as I wake up if I want to get to work on time. 

Not sure if my rambling helps, but I must say it was good for me to read your post - we're not alone.

Thanks.

In my experience the meds have *not* affected my creativity.  In fact, since being on the Adderall I have had the opposite.  Sometimes I have so many ideas for my artwork I literally cannot write them down fast enough! 

Sexual side effects, unfortunately, come with a lot of these meds.  But certain drugs are known to have less sexual problems than most.  Wellbutrin and Lexapro are the 2 I can think of.  In fact I've heard Wellbutrin can increase your sex drive. 

I've heard some terrible horror stories of what Strattera does to men in regards to sexual side effects. 

Being a female, I'm afraid I can't comment on the sexual side effects for men though.  Just what I have read on the boards.  I've never really had much of a libido so if these meds are reducing them I would never know! 

But yeah, everything you list here sure does ring true of ADD. 

Like everything else in life one has to make choices.  Everything has it's good and it's bad.  So you have to decide which things are more important to you and decide from there.  If sex is most important to you then you may need to try other ways to deal with your symptoms.  If treating your ADD is important then you may have to have to live with the sexual side effects of drugs. 

However, not all drugs have the same side effects for everyone.  You may luck out and find one that does not have the side effects.

Good luck!

Hello all.

I'm new to this forum and would like some advice on my current situation.  I realize that ultimately a doctor will decide what is best for me, but their past track records have not proven to be very effective and I would like to arrive at the doctor's office well-informed and able to assist in the decision making process.

I am 23 years old, and have had trouble concentrating/finishing things/fidgeting my whole life.  My mother realized that I had an attention problem at an early age but neglected to put me on a medication because she felt my IQ would compensate for my ADD.  Although she may be right about my academic life being unaffected by ADD (I just graduated college), my everyday life is in constant turmoil. 

I first was put on Paxil and later Zoloft about two years ago to combat my anxiety, social paranoia, and occasional depression.  These medications did not fix anything permanently, but I did learn how to organize things a little better while on the medications (a skill that has now turned in to obsessive checklists and daily schedules).  Since being off these medications, I have begun to believe that any anxiety/social problems I experienced were not a result of an anxiety problem, but difficulty concentrating. 

I have many friends, and I am able to hide any social paranoia I feel.  No one would ever know by looking at me, but while I am holding conversations with people I am dying inside.  My mind is racing a million miles a minute and I have difficulty organizing my thoughts what I want to say, while the whole time being fearful of judgment from them.  I usually come across looking OK (my job consists of holding conversations and entertaining people), but I would like some relief for how I feel inside.

Another common problem I have is finishing and starting tasks.  Whether it be tasks I loathe (reports, cleaning), or tasks I thoroughly enjoy (writing music), I cannot seem to finish them or even maintain concentration for more than 15 minutes.  I am somewhat of an accomplished musician, but I have never finished a song (to my liking).  I can't even sit down at the piano for any length of time anymore, and I'm afraid that my ADD is ruing any chance I have at ever making a living doing what I like.  I can't do anything until I am almost forced to do it, and then the task becomes an unenjoyable one.  I am concerned however, that taking any medication will ruin the creativity that enables me to even play.

- I can't sleep without the TV on (it gives me something to concentrate on instead of the racing thoughts in my head
- I mind often feels numb, and my eyes feel glazed over.  This I attribute to my mind deliberately trying not to think for fear of panicking.
- I am terribly impatient
- I must write down everything to effectively get through my day
- Feel incredibly anxious if I feel I am not being productive, while at the same time I am content to put off getting started on anything

-I am concerned with side effects from ADD medications.  I experienced unpleasurable sexual side effects from Paxil and Zoloft (difficulty ejaculating, and decreased libido).  I am aware of some people's problems with Srattera and Adderall possessing these same qualities, but I was hoping that through feedback I might learn the medications that are least likely to affect me in this area.

I am very sorry for the long post, but these are all thoughts I've been accumulating over the lst few months in the hopes that I will be able to share them with someone.  The points in bold (especially sexual side effects and the possibility of a loss of creativity) are the ones I mainly wish to get across in case you all don't feel like reading all the other ramblings. 
Thank you in advance and good luck to you all,
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