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Post by scatterbrain on Sept 4, 2014 9:32:50 GMT
Good luck. Hope it doesn't take too long.
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m
Sept 4, 2014 9:22:38 GMT
Post by scatterbrain on Sept 4, 2014 9:22:38 GMT
Thanks petra. No, he put me on Sertraline 'cos I complained of fatigue. Wish there was something that worked instantly although the Concerta seems to give me some relief but once it wears off I'm unable to function and feel so down. Night time is worst as I'm only sleeping about 3 hours and waking up with such anxiety, gloomy thoughts, guilt etc..... Got to keep reminding myself that things WILL get better.
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Sept 3, 2014 22:51:45 GMT
Post by scatterbrain on Sept 3, 2014 22:51:45 GMT
Thank you x
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Sept 3, 2014 17:00:09 GMT
Post by scatterbrain on Sept 3, 2014 17:00:09 GMT
soory, no - in a bad place. I changed my mind about my posts the other night and then tried to delete but it wouldn't let me so I ended up leaving some letters! Back on ADs but those first few weeks are hell and I'm only on day 2.
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Sept 1, 2014 22:06:40 GMT
Post by scatterbrain on Sept 1, 2014 22:06:40 GMT
n
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forget
Sept 1, 2014 21:53:22 GMT
Post by scatterbrain on Sept 1, 2014 21:53:22 GMT
I se
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 30, 2014 18:19:52 GMT
Two months ago I was taken off anti depressants and at that time I was pleased to be rid of the zombie effect and was able to laugh again for the first time in years. I was put on Concerta which helped with ADHD symptoms for the first couple of weeks but the side effects (mixed with what I think were withdrawal symptoms) weren't good. The side effects wore off but so did the benefits and I started to become depressed again. I presumed I needed a higher dose and following a month on 18mg the psych upped the dose to 36mg. I had been on this for 3 weeks but didn't notice any change at all from the titration. Still feeling very low I went back to psych who told me that the Concerta could be causing the depression but wasn't sure, so he wrote to my GP telling him to add anti depressants to my Concerta prescription.
When I originally started anti depressants they had seriously horrible side effects including extreme anxiety and hallucinations so I am quite worried about revisiting this. Would it not make more sense to stop the Concerta to see if that is the cause? Also, has anyone else become depressed due to Concerta?
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 12, 2014 15:35:31 GMT
From what I've read it seems the hyperactive types seem to have more pride than the inattentives - poss because they are more driven and achieve a lot more.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 11, 2014 20:19:42 GMT
Just found this in NICE guidelines
........... gradually increase the dose until there is no further improvement in symptoms, behaviour, education and/or relationships and side effects are tolerable. Methylphenidate and dexamfetamine should be titrated over 4–6 weeks
To me, that means increasing the dose over a 4-6 week period not increasing it every 4 - 6 weeks. Agreed???
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 11, 2014 16:01:22 GMT
Was on 18mg Concerta for a month. It helped in the first few weeks and then it stopped and I got depressed. I retained some hope that when my dose was upped it would once again help and in turn lift this depression. I'm now at the end of my first week on 36mg and it hasn't made any difference. My psych will only adjust the dose at monthly intervals which seems such a long time to wait when I'm depressed, especially if it isn't going to help anyway.
Can anyone answer the following:
1. Why do some psychs wait so long to adjust doses when others don't?
2. Having not felt anything or had any result from increased dose is it unlikely that Concerta will work for me? I did expect to feel a difference at each increase before I built up a tolerence.
3. If psych decides Concerta isn't going to help, is he likely to make me come off it slowly before letting me try something else?
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 10, 2014 15:25:49 GMT
Not sure what they mean by 'Age-Activated' though. Still, quite funny and just what it can be like at times.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 10, 2014 8:46:23 GMT
Can't count how many times I have upped and left. I spent 17 years on the move and they were the best years of my life. I would come home only when I absolutely had to (no money or chance of earning any), find any old job and work all hours 'till I could afford to go off again. For me, the depression set in when I settled down here and started to feel trapped. I hate the bloody cold miserable weather and long for my old life back - Oh to by somewhere in the sun, by the sea and to be completely irresponsible. The most planning I ever did was buying 'Lonely Planet' guide book and a plane ticket! Where were you thinking of going? Don't suppose you want to take middle aged woman with you???
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 10, 2014 8:19:09 GMT
Hi petra, I'm surprised, although I must admit I've only read about 40 pages and done a few of the meditations. Found them quite relaxing whilst doing them but can't seem to get much peace and quiet around here at the moment - No doors on the house (diy disaster zone)I'm going to have to pay everyone to go out. As for the meditation where you concentrate on the sounds around you - someone started bloody shooting and that set the dog off barking - doubt that's what he had in mind! I'll try again today when everyone's gone out.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 9, 2014 20:05:06 GMT
petra, we meet again! Have just spent what seems like hours reading the whole of this thread. Having borrowed a Mindfulness book from a friend the other day I was interested to have a proper read here to see how you all got on. It seems to me that the problem is the book you have all been using - sounds to me that said irritating woman hasn't really given much thought to her target readers. The book I borrowed is easy reading and the man on the CD hasn't made me want to attack him with an ax. Although it's not specifically aimed at ADHDers, it seems to cover the same stuff as your book. Take a look at the reviews www.amazon.co.uk/Mindfulness-practical-guide-finding-frantic/product-reviews/074995308X/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 9, 2014 0:21:31 GMT
chrispy, thank you for your concern but I don't think I share it. OK, I don't know if the anti depressants were helping and I had bad experiences coming off them. 12 years ago my GP told me I had PTSD, so that just leaves the dizziness. The good news is that I have snapped out of the depression - I hope I haven't spoken too soon!
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 6, 2014 23:08:11 GMT
.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 6, 2014 20:15:32 GMT
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your replies and support and the massive hug ,Petra(someone tell me how you tag someone).
I also feel I have no need to talk about my Childhood (Petra). I went through it all years ago with a psychotherapist and even then I felt it was too late. I had been on a waiting list so long (mid breakdown would have helped) and it all had to be dragged up again when it was no longer at the forefront of my mind. The thing is, I was getting into this state from time to time when I was on the anti depressants so I don't know whether they were working or not. I also read (somewhere on here) that SSRI's are one of the worst things to be put on with ADHD. I don't know what the better thing is???
Foggyboy, Friends just don't seem to get it and I can't talk to my family - that's why I'm looking for help on here! I went back to psych yesterday. He wasn't sure either whether the depression was depression or if it was down to needing a higher dose of Concerta. He opted for the latter which I took this morning but still feel pretty grim.
Blaze, I looked up DTD and yes it seems quite plausible although I'm not very focused at the moment and can't quite get my head round reading it and taking it in. I'm not dwelling on the past so don't really think it would do me any good to be looking at the other forums you suggested, but thanks anyway - I wish someone had suggested them 12 years ago.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 5, 2014 22:43:11 GMT
Just clicked with seeing you two talking to each other - I think you are using the same psych. Seem to remember you asking about ******** Unohoncho
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 4, 2014 16:56:16 GMT
Came off anti depressants on the advice of psych and have been on Concerta over a month now. Over the past 10 days I have been feeling depressed. I'm not getting anything done but am spending more and more time 'hiding' in the bedroom feeling like I can't face anyone or anything and wishing I could put an end to it all (Don't anyone panic - when I get like this I imagine what it would do to my child - which stops me but also gives me something else to cry about). I have been in this situation many times over the past 12 years starting when suppressed memories of childhood abuse came back to haunt me. I felt like I was having some sort of breakdown. I was put on anti depressants and eventually had psychotherapy but don't know if either of these things helped. The trauma over the return of these memories lessened with time or burnt itself out and I have since been unable to understand my ongoing depression. I really thought I had cracked it when I discovered there was an inattentive ADHD. It made sense - the ongoing depression because I can't get my act together rather than me not being able to get my act together because I am depressed.
I am starting to question it all over again.
Could childhood inattentiveness/inability to focus be explained by ongoing trauma? As an adult could my symptoms be solely down to PTSD rather than ADHD? Have I pinned too much hope on things getting better with ADHD treatment?
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 4, 2014 10:21:08 GMT
Incidentally, I've had a terrible day today...my wife went out all day today so I could get some work done but I procrastinated and generally did anything but knuckle down and get on with it...a big step back. Makes me think the Strattera just isn't working for me. I've been like this too for the last 10 days - makes me think the Concerta isn't working for me. Strange having similar from two completely different drugs. On 3 occasions when I have REALLY needed to get stuff done I have taken a double dose (I'M NOT RECOMMENDING THIS TO YOU). The stuff got done but I felt really rough and depressed on the days following doing this. I know you want to change drugs but please consider first that it may not make the difference you think.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 4, 2014 0:26:20 GMT
Really pleased for you
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 4, 2014 0:13:09 GMT
Thanks for your reply. I set it up for four answers as I wanted to know which drug helps most. I'm surprised the MPH didn't help with motivation - shouldn't it? It did with me at first but has now worn off but I had hoped a higher dose would sort that out.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 3, 2014 17:57:55 GMT
Dermatitis
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 3, 2014 12:38:27 GMT
Just interested to see if anyone has had particularly good outcomes with improvements on focus and memory.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 3, 2014 12:13:56 GMT
Hi Foggyboy As you know I started on Concerta around the same time as you started on Strattera. I felt very calm for the first few days but that seemed to wear off to the point where I now feel quite volatile which is not like me at all as I am usually fairly mellow. My memory doesn't seem to have improved and I am still unable to pay attention for long. One improvement was that I got through lots of tedious paperwork and stuff that I had been procrastinating for ages. I'm now back to feeling like I can't be bothered with it but I expect a higher dose will help. Rather than thinking Concerta is helping with my ADHD I think that anyone would get more done on stimulants. I wonder if a particular drug works better with us innatentives??? I also don't think my psych is knowledgeable about other conditions with similar symptoms like aspergers or APD. Have you researched the NHS psych in Leeds? I noticed he was contactable by email - you could ask him about other conditions he was able to diagnose and take it from there. Sorry I can't be of more help but I'm sure someone else on here will advise you.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 2, 2014 9:20:55 GMT
...as in I'm constantly tired and irritable and I really wish everyone would JUST FUCK OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE. Hopefully this will pass in time. I've been feeling this lately too. Want to take myself off to a dessert Island with a snorkel and a few books! Hope things improve for you soon.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 1, 2014 9:21:08 GMT
I think it is the lack of glucose that makes me feel dizzy, so you might want to try eating some sugary snacks and see if the helps, but if it continues you should definitely get checked out for other possible medical condition. I usually eat tons of chocolate and sweet stuff but haven't felt like it since I started Concerta. I'll give it a go and see if it helps.
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Post by scatterbrain on Aug 1, 2014 9:17:04 GMT
You're diastolic reading is pretty low, and to be honest I don't know how fit you are, but the systolic reading seems a bit variable. Do you have a record of your usual BP/Pulse before you were taking Concerta XL? Did your GP say why he wasn't concerned? No, I have no idea what it was before Concerta and my doctor didn't say why he wasn't concerned. I have just found the following chart which tells me my BP is ideal www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressurechart
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Post by scatterbrain on Jul 31, 2014 10:13:16 GMT
Have you been keeping an eye on your blood pressure and ensuring that you drink plenty of water? I noticed that my increased activity after starting on Concerta meant that I was using up more fluids than I did before-hand (my body used to be locked into conservation mode because I didn't eat/drink particularly healthily). How does the dizziness occur? are there any common situations/activities/time of day etc. that it happens? BP 111/74 at it's lowest ranging up to 133/70. I drink plenty of water and have been trying to eat better over the last few days but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I'm dizzy most of the time apart from when I am sitting. Spoke to my GP about it yesterday but he didn't seem too concerned.
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Post by scatterbrain on Jul 31, 2014 7:22:28 GMT
Been on Concerta for a month now and still feeling dizzy a lot of the time,anyone else?
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