You're going to sleep like a baby with the lexapro lol. I was able to sleep for days when I started, but I couldn't because I had to go to school. It'll go away within a week or so. Also you might feel a bit lethargic, that'll dissipate with time as well. The great thing is that you won't freak out about the smallest things anymore. I used to fight with my brother all the time for smoking ciggs, because I hate how much it stinks. However, now I could care less if he eats them. I do find myself laughing at the most absurd things at times. I also find myself forgetting little things here and there, but it's worth the trade off for that constant anxiety I had. When I'm out in public, i.e. doctors office, or post office, I talk non stop to all the strangers around me about anything that comes to mind. Good luck with the lexapro, they say it has the least amount of side effects of any SSRI out there, 3 different docs has told me that this year.
Johnnyboi39210.884224537*Update*
I went back to the Drs today. I have gone back to the 60mgs of Strattera a day, but we have added Lexapro 10mg (to start). The Dr picked up on my breathing right away (sudden deep/sharp inhilations), so she knew that I was going to ask to treat my GAD before I said anything. I go back to see her in a month.
Thanks for your advice everyone.
I have been on adderall for 3 years, and i have gotten past the side effects IThanks guys! After talking to several people, I have stopped taking the Adderall and have gone back to the Strattera. I have an apt with my Dr for Tuesday to sit down and figure the next step. I believe that I had been treating the wrong disorder. The Strattera had been working just fine, I was just hopeing for a "magic pill" to get me off my butt and to make it all better. We will probably try to add something to help with my GAD instead.
This past Thursday was a big roller coaster ride for me. One minute I was ok, the next I was bawling. I felt like I couldn't handle anything.
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Kelipoo,
I use Adderall IR 10mg 2x daily in conjunction with Lexapro 10mg - an antidepressant. It helps to control the anxiety caused by the adderall, as well as helping me sleep at night. I take the lexapro right before bed. I have tried Adderall XR 20mg before without anything else, and I had terrible anxiety, so I know what you mean. Eating and sleeping on XR wasn't even possible for me, hence the fact that I stopped it after 3 days. It might've been different had I taken an anti-depressant with it, but I wouldn't know because I'm using IR now. The dry mouth will always be there, no matter what type of med you are taking. The eating issue comes with all of them too, I take liquid vitamins, the kind that claims to have all your daily vitamins, the bottle is about a liter or so. A tablespoon of that around lunchtime or dinner helps me eat.
I'm not on Adderall, but I wanted to also say that if exercise doesn't help you relax enough to sleep. You could try Melatonin. It can be found online and in any drug or health store like GNC in the Vitamin section (In the U.S, not sure about abroad?)Hiya Kelipoo, my thats a.. uh.. thats a swell name. I have been on AdderallXR 5 years. I too had the symptoms you described when I started. Your being a nursing student, I'm sure you realize these medications will have varying effects in different people. Also to be considered is diet and mental well being. Here is a brief sketch of my experiences;
In 1994 at the age of 38 I was hopitalized after depression over the direction my life had taken. The doctor who attended me determined I was suffering from Bi-Polar disorder. After brief periods of relief- presumably due to the effects of the medications- I would return to the hospital. Nearly 2 1/2 years passed and I had exausted the medication options. Then the doctor suggested ECT- electro-shock therapy- and with way mixed emotions I consented. That left me numb and void of character as well as robbing me of priceless pieces of my life experiences through loss of memories.
From mid 96 to 2001 I was switched from Prozac to Zoloft and back. One visit as I complained of my inabillity to focus mentally and the frustration at my lack of finnishing things I started, a light bulb apeared over the doctor's head, and after a hit and miss trial of treatments, I began taking AdderallXR in 2001, and it was as if I had steped out of an ice box into the sunlight. To bring us to present;
I experienced the dry mouth and sleeplessness also. I found that limmiting cafine intake helped a great deal. I also found my new improved focus would be useless if my brain doesn't shut down for a spell at night. Then all I can focus on is being tired and neglecting my responsabillities as a result. Excersize was a key here. I walk 'every' night for a good 1-2 hours, but any physical activities will serve to make bedtime a sleeptime. I also use this period to sort out my day and deal with any unresolved issues of the day. Many times its those unresolved issues that steal your sleep as you toss and turn trying to resolve them in bed. Then, when you awaken refreshed, don't take your meds yet. Eat first, then wait an hour to take the meds. My eating times are odd but regularly so. I eat breakfast, rarely do I eat a lunch so I eat a healthy breakfast and take vitamins with my meds, dinner at 8 or 9... then walk and sleep.
So give it a few weeks, maybe 3 or so, and try some of what I've written here. You may also need to adjust the dosage or even change, but give it a chance. Theres alot of options in medication and if your impatient you may get to try them all. good luck Marko the KIDD
Hi, I am new here. I am a 29 yr old nursing student, living in Central Florida. Sorry about this being so long, I just feel lost.
I was diagnosed with ADD in 4th grade at the age of 9. I have also dealt with depression and anxiety issues since a child. I was a heavily medicated child - I took 1 20mg Ritalin SR in the AM, 1 20mg Ritalin SR at lunch, 1 20mg Ritalin when I got home from school and then 2 Imipramine (can't remember the dosage leve) before bed. I quit all meds in the 10th grade, because it became obvious that I was just overly medicated.
Things have been going well, though I still struggled with ADD on a daily basis. When I went back to school I felt that I needed more help and was initally put on 60mg of Strattera. I spent a year on that, but I didn't really feel that it was helping. So, last weekend I started on 1 20mg of AdderallXR a day.
I feel like I am focusing much better, but these side effects are really taking a toll on me. I have the dry mouth, loss of appetite (though I do seem to feel constantly hungry and never satisified), and insomnia (I average 2 or 3 hrs a night). Also the anxiety seems to be magnified. I feel as if I am on edge all the time, and snap very easily. Do you eventually work your way through the side affects, or do they never go away?
My Dr wanted me to try to Adderall alone, but said we could look into other meds to deal with the depression and anxiety if needed (she mentioned Zoloft). At this point I feel like I might need it. My poor husband has had to deal with my daughter all week, because I felt like I haven't been able to handle her.
Is there another med out there that might be better for me than Adderall? Do you think trying the Zoloft might help? And any tips on overcoming the insomnia? I went to my Drs this AM to have a TB test read and asked to talk to her, but she is out of town until next week.
Thanks! Sorry again about it being so long.