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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 12:02:07
Over the past summer I struggled with anxiety very frequently. Recently the anxiety attacks have been less frequent, but when I have them my heart races and I feel like I will vomit at any second, although i never actually do. My doctor prescribed me zoloft but I have been hesitant to take it because of my lack of concentration and motivation in school. I then saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with anxiety, depression and ADD. He prescribed me strattera. I am afraid to take strattera because of the vomiting sensation that comes over me when I start to panic. I guess my question is, will strattera really help with my panic attacks as well as my ADD?
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2008, at 12:13:20
In reply to Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 12:02:07
Should help with the add why not do a google search. I'd do it but seem to be messing up today. And a hardy welcome to babble. Hope you recieve a lot of replies. Phillipa
Posted by Four Feathers on November 6, 2008, at 13:07:13
In reply to Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 12:02:07
Strattera definitely helped anxiety for me. I would notice a "calming" of my mind and physical body within a couple of hours of taking the medication, which then became constant the longer I was on the med. Unfortunately, I had side effects which caused me to discontinue it's use after about a year. I am not ADD by they way, my dx is anxiety and dysthymia.
Posted by azalea on November 6, 2008, at 15:36:53
In reply to Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 12:02:07
Straterra was originally developed as an antidepressant. It is a non-stimulant medication for ADHD, so it shouldn't increase anxiety like stimulant meds. What dose did your doctor prescribe?
> Over the past summer I struggled with anxiety very frequently. Recently the anxiety attacks have been less frequent, but when I have them my heart races and I feel like I will vomit at any second, although i never actually do. My doctor prescribed me zoloft but I have been hesitant to take it because of my lack of concentration and motivation in school. I then saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with anxiety, depression and ADD. He prescribed me strattera. I am afraid to take strattera because of the vomiting sensation that comes over me when I start to panic. I guess my question is, will strattera really help with my panic attacks as well as my ADD?
Posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 17:10:45
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety » annelyse, posted by azalea on November 6, 2008, at 15:36:53
18mg i am supposed to take 1 a day for a week and then go up to 2 a day
Posted by azalea on November 6, 2008, at 17:18:47
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 17:10:45
18mg is a very low dose, which is a great place to start, especially because of the anxiety. Let us know how it works for you.
> 18mg i am supposed to take 1 a day for a week and then go up to 2 a day
>
Posted by bleauberry on November 6, 2008, at 17:55:38
In reply to Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 6, 2008, at 12:02:07
I've never taken strattera. The closest thing I have taken is milnacipran, which is similarly strong on norepinephrine as strattera. With milnacipran, there was very nice calming. But, if you are like me, there may be a period of 1 to 4 days when the anxiety actually increases and sleep is disturbed. I think the norepinephrine feedback loops are quick to turn on though, and when they do, norepinephrine reuptake inhibition works great on anxiety, panic, and social phobia. It is a different mode of action than stimulants.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 7, 2008, at 18:56:41
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by bleauberry on November 6, 2008, at 17:55:38
I've taken both. Zoloft is more likely to lower anxiety.
Posted by annelyse on November 9, 2008, at 12:56:23
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by Zyprexa on November 7, 2008, at 18:56:41
Okay so I started my medication 3 days ago. So far the effects have all been negative. I do not feel any more focused or motivated than I usually do. Whenever I stand up after sitting for a while I get very dizzy and feel like fainting. I feel more irritable than normal which is very bad because irritability is a big issue with me. I have no appetite but if I don't eat I get bad headaches and feel nauseous. Is it just too early for me to be getting the positive effects from it? Do the negative side effects go away?
Posted by Zyprexa on November 9, 2008, at 22:47:13
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by annelyse on November 9, 2008, at 12:56:23
Thats what happened to me. I gave up on it after 2 weeks. It didn't go away, only got worse.
Strattera is not for anxiety. My doctor decided that I'm not ADD after taking the strattera. You might give the zoloft a try.
Posted by desolationrower on November 10, 2008, at 17:09:12
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by Zyprexa on November 9, 2008, at 22:47:13
Weird. It depends on the type of anxiety. Reboxetine is good for panic. IMO, attomoxetine is just a crappy drug.
-d/r
Posted by Lorinda on May 8, 2009, at 7:54:51
In reply to Re: Strattera for anxiety, posted by desolationrower on November 10, 2008, at 17:09:12
For some people Strattera can cause dizzyness and make people tired. If you take the meds in the morning try swiching to nights. ADHD meds are known to cause less appatite (great if you are overweight). You can eaither eat small meals even if you are not hungry or talk with your doctor about a med that will counteract this side efect. My daughter is seven and has been on ADHD meds for a little less then a year, because she is a child and needs to gain weight no appatite is bad. Her doctor also has her on remeron to counter act this side efect. Remeron is an antidepresent in higer doses but in low doeses it increses appetite and helps sleeping. As far as helping with focus you may need a higher dose plus give it time unlike control substances Strattera builds up in the system. At higher doeses if Strattera doesn't help with attention and you don't want to use a control substance ask your doctor about Wellbutrin (I don't think Wellbutrin will help with anxity though). Wellbutrin and control meds work on the dopaminen in the brain but Strattera works on nerotransmitters in the brain. Unfortionatly with differnt dignosis you may have to take different meds to treat diferent onces. Don't give up.
This is the end of the thread.
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