Tenex and Strattera mix for Adults | ADHD Information

Hello all,
 I've been on Strattera now for 6 1/2 weeks. My blood pressure has gone up since starting it. I've never had a problem before this (other then a few stressful times in the past). Yesterday while I was at my 5 1/2 year old daughter's Psych appt. She had her bp checked before she changed her meds, and I asked if she'd check mine for me since it's been high this week. She did and it was 140/90. Now I know that's not extremely high.. but it is still Stage 1 Hypertension and she told me to get to my Dr about it. I explained that my Psych isn't easy to reach, left two messages and even went in to the office and had to end up leaving another message after sitting for 1 1/2 hours. Anyway..she suggested Tenex, and that she gives that to some of her ped patients to help with ADHD Hyperactiveness/Impulsivity and helps lower blood pressure. I was thinking GREAT! Because the Strattera does help me some, but it doesn't help the Hyperactive/impulsiveness.

anyway..I seen my GP this morning and told her what the other Dr suggested and she did say that she's not used to prescribing that for BP but she'll look it up in the book and did... said it may not be as potent, but then again I really didn't need anything too potent at this point. She went ahead and prescribed me Tenex 1mg to take at bedtime.

My Questions are... Does Tenex stay in your body for a long time (like Strattera does?) Main reason why I'm wondering is how would it help my ADHD if I take it at bedtime?

I've read that this med can cause drowsiness and often used like Clonidine. With the Strattera I've been getting some insomnia lately (on 80mg) and I've started using Melatonin. Would it be safe to use it with this Tenex or would I not need it anymore? I know I'll probably have to figure out that by trial, but I wanted to see what other's have to say.


I don't know if I need to try a stimulant med or if that would be just as bad on my Blood Pressure. I do like how Strattera is helping me in some areas, but it's just not helping any part of the "H" in ADHD. I'm getting tired of all these meds I'm having to take now. I'm now on Glucophage for Insulin Resistance, Strattera for ADHD, and now Tenex to help ADHD and Blood Pressure. I know that's nothing in comparison to what some other people have to take, but man it gets costly and confusing!

Thanks!
ShawnB39172.3061689815

There is a tenex thread with lots of links you might look at.

Tenex is a mild antihypertensive with a half life of 12 to 18 hours. It lasts longer for Blood Pressure control than it does for ADHD symptoms (6-8 hours). It could be a start for you but you would need to monitor to make sure it works for bp control (especially long term). It is less sedating than clonidine and the sedating properties fade as the body adjusts to it. My daughter takes it 2mg AM and 2mg at night with a 1/2 booster in the afternoon when expecting a challenging social activity. The tenex alone was very good for most of her symptoms but not quite enough for school. The stimulant takes her the rest of the way.

If the strattera is not to your satisfaction (and it appears to have some side effects that are bothersome), you might ask to try tenex. Wean off the strattera and then if needed, add a stimulant slowly. It will take some work but you can find the med that suits you best.

If you find the tenex useful, watch for Shire to market a long acting form of guanfacie for ADHD later this year (they should get FDA approval).

I gave it a little "bump" for you.

http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24770& PN=1

You're a sweetie! Thanks :) Thank you very much! I looked for some Tenex threads but missed the one you're speaking of. I'll need to look again. I appreciate your response :) I wish I could talk to my Dr. I really need to see if my family Dr would take over treating my ADHD. My Psych makes me feel like he thinks I'm a druggie or dealer because of what he said to me the first visit. "I don't give out stimulants to people I don't know, and especially for those that it's 'iffy' if they even have ADHD. They have a lot of street value"

A little background here.. my Psych Eval came up as BPD and to R/O ADHD that it was inconclusive because of my Husband's answers to questions. My answers and the computer/Psychologist both agreed I have it, but because my husband was in that mode of saying "There's nothing wrong with you" it messed up the whole test. Now... since starting Strattera my Dr seems to believe I do have ADHD because of my reaction to it. However, I'm still scared to even suggest to him that I may need to try something else or even say that the Strattera isn't working anymore at all. He may think that I'm still drug seeking.

I know deep in my heart that I need to ditch him, but I first need to find a replacement that I can trust.

I'm calling my family Dr now and see if she'll treat me. Left a message for her.
Talk to the doc about changing meds. If you try a few, you can go back to the one that was best for you. This whole thing is about getting the best treatment for your needs. I would have asked the doc first, personally. Multiple meds can cause some serious issues (you know that-enough lecture). I know I probably shouldn't have done this... my daughter has a full bottle of Metadate CD 10mg that she can not take anymore (only had 4 doses before she stopped). But anyway.. today I took my Strattera like normal, had my Tenex .5mg like normal. I was fine last night not dizzy, but when I wake up after taking it at night I'm dizzy and after taking the Strattera I was just sort of 'numb' and 'spacey' feeling along with the dizziness. So, around 11:30 I needed to be able to focus on a couple of projects so I tried 2 of the Metadate CDs so 20mg. A half an hour later I feel much better! Not speeding or anything, made the fog clear so to speak. Perhaps this is a sign that Stimulants would work better for me? I no longer feel dizzy, numb or spacey.

I normally don't take meds that aren't mine, or abuse them. But I figured it wouldn't hurt to try and see if it'd work since my daughter can no longer take those anyway, and she's on Ritalin 5mg short acting now.
ShawnB39175.4497800926

I would definitely look for a doctor that does not treat you like a criminal.  I mean you don't have a history of drug abuse, you haven't sold your daughter's old metadate on the street, have no convictions....it IS still innocent until proven guilty isn't it?

Just so you know, some people use a combo of strattera and stimulant with a good result as well.....something to consider if the strattera is helping, and you don't want to totally stop it....you may be able to add a small dose of stim to do the trick.

chasesmom7939176.3011689815 No.. no history of drug abuse (other then yeah, I've tried it when I was a teen) but that's about the extent of it.

No.. that's another point that I was trying to get across to my Dr.
A) I'm 240lbs.. do I look like a speed freak?

B) I am going to therapy once a week to help with BPD and ADHD coping skills. Not just looking for meds to 'cure me'.

C) I have never in the 12 years of having children on Ritalin (my oldest son was dx'd when he was 6 and he'll be 18 in May. Plus my 5 1/2 year old daughter recently dx'd)  Ever abused or mis-used the meds. They got them when they needed them, gave them breaks from it, never had any 'go missing' Aside from the Metadate I tried yesterday I've never used them for myself. I don't plan on trying it again today or ever again without it being prescribed to me.
Although it never gave me a 'high' it made me realize that a combo may be something to consider because I was functional and productive. Felt what I think "normal" would be like for once!

Today I'm pretty much in a dead blah zone not feeling like I don't want to do anything but hang out online. I have work I need to do, but no focus, or motivation to do it. (doesn't help that it's a dreary, rainy, chilly day out either).
ShawnB39176.3208912037I hope you do get a doc you can work with. I feel fortunate. My kid's doc has opened the door for me to persue med treatment should I choose. He is good about treating what ever come up with his patients (meds, therapy, etc) and their environment (family).

Hopefully your family doc will go with the dx you already have from the psych, and work with you on meds to effectively treat your ADHD.  As an adult, you should have some major input into your treatment options as long as you are responsible, and it seems that you have proven to be responsible at this point.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks :)

Vickie.. that's wonderful that your kids' doc has opened the door for you. I so wish my daughter's would because she is Great! She does listen to me, and has taken my concerns to heart as well as suggestions. It was my suggestion to try short acting Ritalin over the extended release ones and go down to 5mgs. Granted it may take a little while before we can ramp it up, as I've seen a little improvement on this one, but doesn't help the distractibility yet. I've just started her on this so I know I need to give it time.  However she likes this med as it doesn't make "her heart beep real fast and hard" as she says
I hope you are on the right track. Do you have a home blood pressure cuff?Wow... a lot of helpful information there. I learned a lot! I was given 1mg to take at bedtime. The Dr. admitted she's not familiar with Tenex so I'm really thankful for this forum. After reading all of that information I've decided to split that 1mg up. Start slowly with just a .5 dose in the am, then in 4 days add the second .5 in the pm so where I'll be up to 1mg a day total. I have a follow up in 1 month to see if this is working properly and adjust as needed. I'm REALLY hopeful now that this med will work for me. I so need the help with the anxiety, aggression, hyper-activity and irritability that Strattera doesn't touch (not to mention I do need the help reducing blood pressure).

Thanks so much Vickie!

Your body should adjust to the side affects quickly. Make sure you are taking in plenty of water. Good luck.

I bought one and good news...first dose of Tenex last night .5 mg and today I checked my bp and it was normal! 119/71 Yay!! A LOT better then 140/90

However, it is making me have dry mouth, drowsy and I'm feeling dizzy. I've also lost the feeling that Strattera gave me (being awake and alert). But I think it's more because it's that time of the month and Strattera is NOT helping me AT ALL right now, plus it's making me cramp seriously bad. I don't think I could keep doing this every month. I'll ride it out until my next appt on the 25th.
No.. I really do need to get one of those. I may do that today while I'm out.