Posted by Ktemene on June 10, 2004, at 0:36:15
In reply to strattera trial ends, posted by zeugma on June 9, 2004, at 0:07:47
The fact that you only needed a single cup of coffee and soft drink to get through the day is a strong indication that you did the right thing in stopping the Strattera. I know what you mean when you say that Strattera gives you a combination of ‘alerting’ and fatigue. When I take Strattera in the daytime I have just that feeling- it is as if I am really very tired but a layer of stimulation is lying just on top of the still clearly perceptible fatigue/somnolence. I have tried taking it at night to take advantage of its sleep-inducing properties, but it tends to disturb my sleep. It is a strange drug. Your experience is tempting me to try dropping Strattera altogether to see how I do on just Provigil and Adderall (and very low dose Selegiline if it continues to work well). I take it you are still using Nortriptyline? And it won’t be too difficult to find another pdoc? With a new pdoc at least you won’t have to worry about countering your former pdoc’s inordinate fondness for Strattera and you won’t have to listen to any unsupported claims that TCA’s work in the brainstem while Strattera works in the frontal lobes etc.
Another positive aspect of the situation is that you have been thinking through a lot of possible alternative meds, and, now that it is summer, you will be able to experiment without endangering your effectiveness in teaching your classes. By the way, I really like your idea about severe inattentive ADD and anergic depression being the same condition. I think you mentioned that one of your areas in philosophy is philosophy of mind. Your idea might make a very interesting and original addition to the philosophical literature. I have always wondered why so few philosophers write about the philosophical implications of depression, especially since so many philosophers suffer from depression.
I hope your withdrawal from Strattera continues to be smooth. Let us know how you are doing.
poster:Ktemene
thread:353502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040608/msgs/355285.html