Concerta and Xanax

[bubabe]

About five years ago I had a serious run-in with meth.  About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed ADHD at age 30...go figure.  Now I take concerta--started out strattera (didn't want stimulant, but it made me sick every day for about eight months).  I've been taking it successfully for about a year.  Well, about a month ago I started having anxiety attacks so my doctor put me on xanax.  It helps, but I still have issues with yawning/breathing difficulties.  I'm scared that I'm starting down the same path I was on in my past.  I quit meth cold-turkey.  It was crazy, I went through SERIOUS depression, but my family was on my side and I made it through.  I'm not saying there aren't times when I wish I could have some, but I enjoy the stability my life has now.  I graduated from college and my husband just got his PhD.  I'm just scared.  I don't want to go back to where I was.  Is anyone else being treated for ADHD with comorbid anxiety?  I just know these are pretty heavy duty drugs and I REALLY don't want to go back from where I came.  My husband loves me and is by my side.  He knows my past, my fears, and wants to help, but I want to believe my doctor knows best.  Is anyone else going through something like this?

[sophiasmama]

is it safe to take xanax and concerta at the same time ... my friend gave me a concerta that she has prescribed to her and ive been on xanax for about 3 months now ........ is it safe to take both of them together ????

[GoingToMakeIt]

Just so you know. You are answering on a post from Feb26,2007. bubabe is probably not around now.

[wilma22]

I could offer a lot of opinions, but the bottom line is if you feel your doctor isn't listening to your concerns or explaining things well enough maybe you should seek out the advice of other psychiatrists.  I have been to some that barely listen to me and just write prescriptions, and then there are some that are super super cautious about prescribing both of those drugs even in people with out a history of drug addiction.  Just because they have a doctorate doesn't mean they are the best doctor for you, you have to find someone you feel comfortable with, can confide in, and someone who you feel is helping to guide you in a better direction.  Sounds like if they let you go 8 months feeling like **** instead of choosing a different med after a month or two than they might not be the best at diagnosing and prescribing for you.  In my personal experience with ADD I took Concerta when I was younger and my life improved 10 fold.  I stopped taking it and due to major life changes I started seeing the doctor again.  They put me on Concerta again, but at this stage in my life it is not working like it did in the past.  It helps my concentration but my anxiety is out of control.  The point is that there are other medications and therapies out there (even if they are different stimulants sometimes they just work differently in the brain), if you feel too vulnerable/at-risk with certain medications and anxious with others, than find a doctor that is willing to find what's right for you and don't put up with being in mental turmoil.  If your anxiety is consistant and not just an attack here or there, I wouldn't want to be taking Xanax all the time either.  Anti-depressants like Lexapro can help with anxiety without the risk of addiction.  Maybe even explore the possibility of alternative therapies if taking medication makes you uncomfortable ... hope this helps:)  

[bubabe]

I REALLY wish someone would help me out on this.  I'm really worried.  It took me three years after abusing street/rx drugs to even be willing to take a medication.  I've looked online to see if there is any information about the usage of these two medication in conjuction and what I find is conflicting.  I'm already paranoid and anxious, not knowing or finding help makes is worse.  Someone??