I have taken a 5 or 6 week "vacation" from Concerta, as the good Dr. Hallowell suggests. I knew I was irritable a lot before, but I credited it to the ADD, not so much the medication. I've been back on half the dose for two days, and I can barely stand to be in the same room with my kids for more than a few minutes! That seems to be where the irritability hits me the most - the constant interruptions, arguing and "Mom, MOM, MOM!". If it weren't for that I would feel like I do so much better on medication than off. However, off the medication, I have fallen apart over the last month. I ran out of gas and almost forgot to pick up my daughter from school on the same day. I never return phone calls. My checking account became horribly overdrawn. Isn't there some middle ground?
My first post here mentioned that I basically diagnosed myself with ADD and asked my HMO to try something in that vein, as opposed to being treated for BiPolar Disorder, which never came close to working. I feel like it's up to me to tell "them" what I need to do, but I just don't know what that is now. I was Adderall for two days and thought I'd hurt somebody, I was SO irritable. But, by God, I got more stuff done in those two days than in the last year. I have also been on standard Ritalin, but tend to forget to take it, and really get the peaks and valleys from that. I am also on 40 mg of Celexa at night, but I think anymore than that will make me comatose.
I have read in "Driven To Distraction" that taking beta-blockers in conjunction with the stimulant meds can help with the irritability and anxiousness. Has anyone tried that? Is there another anti-anxiety med that has helped anyone with the irritability? I am hesitant to try Paxil again, but I'm wondering about Effexor(?). I wonder if this is typical with ADD, but I seem to get the opposite reaction from medication. If it is supposed to make you sleepy, I get wired, or vice versa.
I would really appreciate any feedback anyone can offer.
Thanks!
That has been a big problem for me too...especially during my "lady days." I'm taking 5-HTP, Omega 3 fish oil, and a liquid Vitamin B complex. All seem to be help ing a bit. Also, I'm very prone to depression and I have been doing really well since taking those supplements. I'm under some pretty heavy personal stress right now, but holding up as though I had been taking an anti-depressant.