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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 25, 2016 13:51:42 GMT
I now have this medication after not getting on with Straterra.
I am scared to start taking it as the thought of causing some or permanent anxiety is terrifying. Also the thought of not sleeping and losing my appetite is not helping.
Could anyone help put my mind at ease. I have been given 5mg to start one a day, then second week two a day and up to three on third week. During each week I must visit my GP to get my heart and blood pressure monitored. Even the fact that the chemist asked me for ID when picking the drug up made me even more paranoid at how strong or dangerous it could be.
Yes, I know I may sound stupid but if you have had anxiety like I have in the past, then anything that could upset the apple cart is worrying. I am also on 10mg of Paxil which I have been on for years.
Thanks in advance for any help, tips and advice.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 25, 2016 15:48:25 GMT
Hi newdawnfades haven't seen you for a while What you've got is a very small dose and it's instant release which means that it wears off quickly if you don't like it. It's a scary thing to take a stimulant at first, but it should help to calm you down because it's stimulating the parts of your brain that are currently unstimulated. I'm sure there's plenty to read in the medication section, but the main thing for you right now is don't be scared, and if it does things to you that you don't like, it will be out of your system quickly. Give it a go.
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 25, 2016 16:08:54 GMT
Thanks. Do you think it is too late in the day to try 2.5 mg to start?
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Post by JJ on Feb 25, 2016 20:50:31 GMT
vagueandrandom is right, it's a v small dose, and in fact, your titration regime is very very slow. You can try 2.5mg if you want - the good thing about instant mph is that you can experiment by breaking them in half. The other good thing, as already said, is that the effects wear off after 4 hours, so whatever you feel will be short-lived. I'd be amazed if you felt anything much, possibly a bit tired, but I'd bet more on you feeling nothing. The ID thing is only because they're a controlled drug, but don't let that concern you, they're really not dangerous for us. Remember that young children take them and that what they're doing is giving us the chemicals normal people have in their brains anyway. I'm not a dr, but I've never heard of anyone getting permanent anxiety on them. As far as sleep is concerned, they'll wear off before you go to bed, so you should be ok. In fact, taking ADHD meds can help your sleep, in that your mind is less active. If I can't sleep, sometimes I take 5mg mph to help me relax in my head. As far as appetite goes, when you start feeling them work (ie when you're taking the right dose) you don't want to eat for that 4 hours, but appetite comes back when they wear off - that's how I'm reminded in the day I need the next dose because I get really hungry. It's understandable that you're anxious, but once you try them, you'll see that it's not how you're imagining it now. I don't know if you work, but if so, maybe you should wait til the weekend to start, so you don't have to face anyone while you're trying them, therefore don't have to worry about whether anyone else can see anything different. Good luck - and take the plunge - there's every chance they will help with your ADHD
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 26, 2016 8:28:42 GMT
Thanks JJ. The internet is as much as a help as it is a hindrance I must say. This forum is amazing and posts like yours really help. On the flip side, Google Medikinet, Ritalin etc. and I keep reading about a "crash" as the meds wear off, anxiety, paranoia, racing heart, addiction, weight loss. It's so bloody scary. Thanks everyone for your continued support and wonderful answers. You have all been amazing on my journey so far.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 26, 2016 11:39:15 GMT
Hey there newdawnfades as JJ says, the dose is so low that you'll probably not notice much difference, maybe a bit tired or spacey. I don't know, we all react differently. Let us know how it goes when you get the courage up to take it.
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 26, 2016 11:52:28 GMT
Will do Vague. I keep sitting here researching the drug. The anxiety and crashes reported are still scaring the s**t outta me.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 26, 2016 12:05:33 GMT
I get quite a crash and rebound from the prolonged release mph, but didn't with the IR (which is what you have).
The only reason I changed was because I had to take them 3 times a day and I kept forgetting. When I still had a few of the 5mg IR left, I'd sometimes take one to smooth
the crash (with me, a sudden exhaustion and irritability followed by my ADHD coming back in at full tilt) Exercise can help, even just out in the air for a walk.
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 26, 2016 12:39:20 GMT
the crash (with me, a sudden exhaustion and irritability followed by my ADHD coming back in at full tilt) Exercise can help, even just out in the air for a walk. That is what worries me.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 26, 2016 12:58:37 GMT
I know it sounds horrible, but I haven't got my meds properly sorted yet. I moved house part way through titration and I'm back on the waiting list. I very much doubt that you'll crash on such a small amount of IR. Stop worrying about it You'll not know whether it has any effect if you don't try. You may be surprised! If you are worried though, it would probably help if you took it when you have something fairly non-taxing to do. DON'T sit there and try to work out if it's taking effect and analyse every heartbeat and thought because, if it does improve your focus, you'll be focusing anxiety. And make sure you eat something first
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 26, 2016 13:06:08 GMT
I know it sounds horrible, but I haven't got my meds properly sorted yet. I moved house part way through titration and I'm back on the waiting list. I very much doubt that you'll crash on such a small amount of IR. Stop worrying about it You'll not know whether it has any effect if you don't try. You may be surprised! If you are worried though, it would probably help if you took it when you have something fairly non-taxing to do. DON'T sit there and try to work out if it's taking effect and analyse every heartbeat and thought because, if it does improve your focus, you'll be focusing anxiety. And make sure you eat something first Thanks Vague. I had a good breakfast to prepare and luckily I am working from home today. I just keep focusing on the bad parts of teh drug that I read online. I also it might cause me to have permanent rebound type anxiety which I could not bear.
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Post by smogz101 on Feb 26, 2016 13:28:44 GMT
I was exactly the same when I first started medication! The list of possible side-effects is enough to scare the crap out of anyone! But honestly, i know its easier said than done but don't worry! 5mg is a very small dose, when i took my first one I felt an immediate "oh god what have I done" ... "what if i dont have adhd and the nurse has got it wrong!" but then calmed myself back down.
Half an hour went by, an hour, hour and a half - no thumping heart, no headaches - none of the scary stuff i'd read. All I felt was physically calmer, I'm usually a big fidget .. no improvement in focus, maybe a little less overwhelmed.
If your worried, I'd recommend you take it on a day where you have nothing planned, so even if the very worst does happen and you feel exhausted when it wears off, your safe + comfortable. Eat something first like the others have said. Have plenty of water on hand - dry mouth is a bit of a pain in the arse. Don't take it with anything with caffeine in.
I do get tired on the evenings on my current dose (60mg) but no headaches or anything like that.
Good luck, and try not to worry!
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 26, 2016 17:43:26 GMT
I am at this stage now...
After so much research I have concluded, albeit for now, that something like this cannot be good. Here are my reasons if anyone wants to tell me I have got it all wrong.
A stimulant like this does build up tolerance. With this tolerance comes an increase in dose increase, harder side effects and then finally, it is harder to come off of. Also, stimulants are reported to do damage to the brain, heart and increase blood pressure taken for a long time and that is another reason stopping me.
Also, what goes up must come down. And as this drug is short acting the "crash" scares me. Yes, I know i sound like a wuss.
I have had bad anxiety and panic attacks in the past which are more manageable these days and I do not want to take anything that may make me experience that again and as anxiety is a side effect, this is proving to be another no no.
If anyone wants to reassure, please feel free as I am really struggling at the moment. Thanks
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Post by smogz101 on Feb 26, 2016 21:14:36 GMT
Well i wouldn't say i've ever experienced a "crash" as such... on the small doses 10mg per day - 30mg per day when the medication wore off i was actually just back to my normal self (full of beans) which in contrast to the calmness the medication gave me felt a bit more intense - so I tended to go to the gym at this time to channel the energy somewhere.
Tolerance - yes in some cases but lots of options, breaks at the weekend for example have been suggested for me if I find the 60mg is no longer as effective - no problems yet though. No harder side effects other than more tired on the evenings (not really a big issue if you don't have any commitments on the evenings.
Damage to the brain - can't comment on that as I havnt heard that before... yes can increase heart rate and/or blood pressure - but this is why we are so closely monitored.
The joy of I/R is it will be out of your system after the 4 hours, so if you do find your more anxious on it - you dont have to take it again? I'd personally be more weary of the strattera as that takes time to build up in your system/come off and i've heard more negative side effects with that than the MPH....
I suppose you have to weigh up how much your ADHD symptoms are effecting your life and whether its worth putting up with some of the side effects of the medication (if you get them) to improve your quality of life/functioning. I got to the stage where I had to do something, I was also hesitant/weary about the medication and tried other things first, i can completely understand why you are worried! However, it has changed things dramatically for me. It's not a magic pill, i do put up with the dry mouth, tiredness and weight-loss - but these are minor in the big scheme of things for me.
I don't mean to sound like I'm just going on about myself! - just trying to give you a different perspective from what you have read online.... i think your making a mistake googling anything, you could type in symptoms of a cold and find all sorts of potential life threatening conditions come up haha
H
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 26, 2016 21:24:48 GMT
I couldn't have put it any better myself smogz101 so I'll not add anything more.
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Post by smogz101 on Feb 27, 2016 11:58:08 GMT
I couldn't have put it any better myself smogz101 so I'll not add anything more. I just hope i've helped without coming across as sounding patronising! Of course its an individual decision at the end of the day and its good to way up all the pro's and con's! Most of us have been in this situation and its natural to be cautious about what we're putting in our bodies. But I just can't emphasise enough how much they have changed things for me, and to think that I might have been to nervous to take the first one (I almost was) makes me think wow- I'd have been stuck going round in circles, digging myself into a deeper hole.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 27, 2016 12:15:01 GMT
At the end of the day, it's your own decision and if you're managing OK with your ADHD being unmedicated, then that's brilliant.
I don't suffer too much with anxiety, but know how crippling it can be. The thought of taking the mph is making you more anxious.
I wish someone would come on this thread who has GAD and who has experience of stimulant meds because I think that might help.
I've had much, much worse side effects and permanent damage done from antidepressants. All drugs carry risks.
I think you've managed to talk yourself out of it now and I'm not sure that anyone can change your mind.
Try not to dwell on it. Try to forget about it for a few days and do something nice for yourself this weekend. Think again in a few days/weeks time.
There's no rush. It just may not be the right time.
Take care x
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 27, 2016 13:40:10 GMT
At the end of the day, it's your own decision and if you're managing OK with your ADHD being unmedicated, then that's brilliant. I don't suffer too much with anxiety, but know how crippling it can be. The thought of taking the mph is making you more anxious. I wish someone would come on this thread who has GAD and who has experience of stimulant meds because I think that might help. I've had much, much worse side effects and permanent damage done from antidepressants. All drugs carry risks. I think you've managed to talk yourself out of it now and I'm not sure that anyone can change your mind. Try not to dwell on it. Try to forget about it for a few days and do something nice for yourself this weekend. Think again in a few days/weeks time. There's no rush. It just may not be the right time. Take care x Thanks Vague. Much appreciated. I still haven't taken them and must say I agree that if some people with GAD could comment that would be great. I have just got so far away from how much anxiety I had and the panic attacks as well that the risk seems too much. I also tried speed once when I was younger and the anxiety from that made me feel like I was gonna die or something. It is such a catch 22 situation at present.
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Post by manson88 on Feb 27, 2016 16:45:38 GMT
I can only share from my experience,
I have social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. I'm on 300mg of pregabalin.
Like you I was on strattera up to 60mg. It made me depressed. So I came off it and started concerta.
I actually preferred the feeling of being on strattera though it stopped working.
I take it you are on anxiety medication..
I had similar experience starting strattera. I talked myself out of it. As someone said how bad do want a break from your symptoms? Truthfully..it smoothes the attention and reduces your anxiety when you're on it.
You will have a clearer head and notice some things running smoothly more on the ball and sleep better!! Though you need to work on reinforcement of routine.
Like for me I'm a white van man. I have to make sure I write each delivery down and look at the clip board after& before each delivery.
Yes I know it's that simple. If I don't I'd try and remember each Job as I go along. Or try and remember them in two's. If I don't look at the clip board I'd miss one out and would cause a lot of anxiety. Cause I would have to drive back round to do that job.
I feel your anxiety is around the chemical that your putting in to your body. I had trouble getting over it also. You wouldn't have the medication if you didn't have the symptoms!!
I actually like the feeling I get from concerta when I take no breakfast and just black coffee.
It's not an anxiety were your afraid of a situation happening or where you are afraid of offending someone.
It just feels like a real strong coffee and can feel like as if you are free wheeling, I actually feel as if I'm floating along flying it's actually funny real giddy like as well..
Concerta takes about 1.5hrs to spike in you, some days you feel it some days you don't it's subtle and smooth.
I would personally prefer to try the instant ritlain though the psychiatrist won't let me.
I will leave you with this, getting a dx is everything, getting treatment is a bonus.
The hard work is getting there. Cause you have tried so hard to get this far. Try the medication see if it works and if it doesn't ask for something different you are in control..
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mtb79
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 32
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Post by mtb79 on Feb 28, 2016 0:37:20 GMT
Concerta made me less anxious as my mind wasn't running through a million and one worst case scenarios all the time.
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 29, 2016 12:07:12 GMT
Thanks Manson and mtb. Great answers
I still have them unopened as I can't bear to the risk my anxiety coming back - Yes, I am a wuss, I know but I may change my mind. The crash that people keep reporting is another reason.
Sorry, I must sound like an idiot, as kids take this medication with no fuss.
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 29, 2016 12:09:43 GMT
I can only share from my experience, I have social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. I'm on 300mg of pregabalin. Like you I was on strattera up to 60mg. It made me depressed. So I came off it and started concerta. I actually preferred the feeling of being on strattera though it stopped working. I take it you are on anxiety medication.. I had similar experience starting strattera. I talked myself out of it. As someone said how bad do want a break from your symptoms? Truthfully..it smoothes the attention and reduces your anxiety when you're on it. You will have a clearer head and notice some things running smoothly more on the ball and sleep better!! Though you need to work on reinforcement of routine. Like for me I'm a white van man. I have to make sure I write each delivery down and look at the clip board after& before each delivery. Yes I know it's that simple. If I don't I'd try and remember each Job as I go along. Or try and remember them in two's. If I don't look at the clip board I'd miss one out and would cause a lot of anxiety. Cause I would have to drive back round to do that job. I feel your anxiety is around the chemical that your putting in to your body. I had trouble getting over it also. You wouldn't have the medication if you didn't have the symptoms!! I actually like the feeling I get from concerta when I take no breakfast and just black coffee. It's not an anxiety were your afraid of a situation happening or where you are afraid of offending someone. It just feels like a real strong coffee and can feel like as if you are free wheeling, I actually feel as if I'm floating along flying it's actually funny real giddy like as well.. Concerta takes about 1.5hrs to spike in you, some days you feel it some days you don't it's subtle and smooth. I would personally prefer to try the instant ritlain though the psychiatrist won't let me. I will leave you with this, getting a dx is everything, getting treatment is a bonus. The hard work is getting there. Cause you have tried so hard to get this far. Try the medication see if it works and if it doesn't ask for something different you are in control.. HI mate, Not on an anxiety med' as I have that fairly controlled at the moment. Have been on paxil for a number of years and now only take 10mg a day which I really want to come off of but not the easiest med' to withdraw from. Your post made a lot of sense and thanks for taking the time to answer.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 29, 2016 12:12:13 GMT
Take your time to get your head round it newdawnfades Have a good day
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Post by newdawnfades on Feb 29, 2016 12:13:46 GMT
Take your time to get your head round it newdawnfades Have a good day Thanks Vague, you too!
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