DRUG COCKTAILS | ADHD Information

Not sure if I am doing this correctly--as I have posted this topic before and not received any answers.  I took Adderall for a month and gained 10 pounds..switched to Ritalin...became very bloated and am now back on Strattera.  I think that the Ritalin was far more effective than the Straterra..but, I couldn't handle the bloat and weight gain.  I was wondering if anyone is on a cocktail of medications that include BOTH Strattera and a stimulant?

Thanks,

Lynn

Hi ditzy.

I've been on strattera for 3 months, it's good because it doesn't "wear off" like the stimulants, seems to work round the clock.

Some days I forget to have it until late, and I can't really notice an obvious difference.

It's good for most symptoms but doesn't do much for concentration. I've just started a low dose of Ritalin as well, 5mg twice a day.

Ritalin makes me a bit edgy, and it wears off, but it seems to be quite good as a concentration booster for the strattera without the side effects of higher doses of stimulants.

one other thing, less appetite on strattera, but have had a huge chocolate addiction the last week. Not sure if it's PMS or the Ritalin.  

Thanks for the reply.

The Ritalin DID help my concentration much more so than the Straterra...I will have to ask the new psychiatrist if I can take a small amount with the Straterra.  He doesn't care for Strattera..says it is too new..would like me on the Adderall or Ritalin, alone.  BUT, I'm not willing to put up with the bloat and weight gain that I had with both of them.  The Adderall increased my appetite immensely....the Ritalin didn't do that--but, I still was bloated.

As far as hyperthyroid---I am on Armour Thyroid meds for HYPO thyroid.  Don't think that the Ritalin affected that in any way..didn't see any drug interaction when I checked it out on the web.

ACtually, you are the first person i've ever heard of saying that they *gained weight* on stimulants. Were you hungry alot? That screams to me of a hyperthyroid issue in combination (maybe) has that been tested?

I, personally, was on a stimulant combination for awhile. That i felt worked better, dexadrine and adderall (non xr) but now am on just adderall.

A friend of mine was on Strattera and adderall. He said the strattera made him gain weight (we are all different i suppose) gave him acne issues, and made him *very tired*.

Coctails are common , I believe, but you probably need to see a psychiatrist or a doc who is very familar (and comfortable) concocting such remedies.


Alera =)


Ps. Oh! One last thing ... We both did not like ritialin. Short lasting and made us both edgy. I just didn't feel good on the stuff at all. Achy even.
alerah38509.8663194444 Yes, but all that stuff inter-reacts. The adrenalin bone connected to the thyroid bone etc. A month isn't really enough time, it could just be water gain. I make it a daily habit to sweat (in a shauna, or just take a hot bath)

Ditzy,

I took ritalin for over 20 years and I did not gain weight.  I switched to Strattera over a year ago and I have noticed that I have gained weight, because I forget to take the stratter until late and I have to eat when I take it.

I am going to visit my DR. this week and go back on my ritalin.  I think it helps better any way.  The only reason that I switched is because I was looking for something that I maybe able to take while pregnant.  I think when I do get pregnant I am just going to lower my ritalin dosage.

Good luck. 

I spoke to the psychiatrist by phone....and he said to go back to the Strattera of 80 mg and try taking 5mg of Ritalin to see if maybe that helps. 

I have to think that most of the weight gain....although I was hungry all of the time on BOTH the Adderall and the Ritalin was water weight.....as after I stopped taking the Ritalin, I went down four-five pounds immediately.  Very strange.......

Would love to continue on the Ritalin as I found that my concentration was much better than just with Strattera, alone.

Thanks,

Lynn