Anyone taking an SSRI and Adderall(adderrall)?

[baseballjunkie6]

I am a 48 yr old female diagnosed with recurring severe depression.  When I am not taking my meds, I am tired, can sleep all day, am completely unmotivated to do anything and do not want to socialize with anyone.  I have tried several different meds and am currently taking Celexa and Adderall (adderrall) XR.  My psy says that adding the Adderall (adderrall) will "kick in the Celexa" and make it work better.  I have a love/hate realationship with the Adderall (adderrall).  Although I am prescribed 20 mg Adderall (adderrall) XR 3 times a day, I never take all 3 pills a day.  Right now I am down to 1 pill a day.  I love the fact that the Adderall (adderrall) gives me energy but I hate that after a few days of taking it I feel physically exhausted.  I have tried to give up the Adderall (adderrall) but I always go back to it because taking the Celexa alone doesn't work.  I sit around and think about everything I should be doing at home but am unmotivated to do them and I have a hard time getting through the day at work.  After a few days of this, I give up and start taking the Adderall (adderrall) again.  I get more done at my job and have a better attitude when I take the Adderall (adderrall).  Although most people have lost weight while taking Adderall (adderrall) I have gained about 15 pounds which, of course, doesn't help the depression.

Does anyone have the same experience while taking an SSRI and Adderall (adderrall) XR together.

[kaylanc]

I am not on the same meds but very similar.  I was diagnosed with depression at 14 and then bipolar later on.  I was n zoloft but self unmedicated at 20 because of the side affects.  I tried multiple anitdepressants and had a difficult time with them mostly because each had it's own postives and negatives.  I was diagnosed with ADD at 5 and was on ritalin until I did the same thing with that at 20 as I did with the anitdepressants. I went to school without either at 22 and although it was VERY difficult I got through and started a very good job.  It was after starting that job that I realized how to accept both the depression and the ADD and accept help for both.  I went to my doctor about 9 months ago and am now on Vyvanse and Fluoxetine.  Although my depressions meds should be stronger I have not yet made that jump as I am worried about the reaction of the 2.  Thus far though they have worked very well together.  Vyvanse is a newer ADD med and I specifically requested something other than Adderall (adderrall) due to side affects.  My doctor explained to me that because Vyvanse has a very good time release the boost is similar however not as overbearing and much easier as it wears off than Adderall (adderrall) because the "come down" or "crash" does not cause such a severe low.  All ADD meds have their down side and generally the anti depressant is the counteract to this.  I would talk to your doctor and see if there is a better combination than the 2 you are on now because they have put out several new alternatives to Adderall (adderrall) and most of them are much less controversial (another one is medidate).  However just be careful with any of them because all ADD meds have a very high risk of addiction so you need to make sure you regulate accordingly (for instance I only take the anitdepressants on the weekends not both meds it helps to avoid the dependancy factor of the ADD meds).  I hope this helps but the one part I stress the most is asking you doctor about it because he/she would have much more insight.  Best of luck!
Knc

[baseballjunkie6]

Thank you for your post.  I will definately ask my doctor about the Vyvanse.  I also tend to self unmedicate and thus the cycle starts over again.  Again, thank you for your comments and I will follow up after I go see the doctor at my appt in July.

[Hensley258]

I have been on just about every Psycotropic drug there is, but never Adderal.

I may ask my P-doc about it for me. Like you I have a horrible time getting going and active. This problem is even worse in the morning, not so much because I am sleepy, but because I just can't stand the thought of facing another day.

My only concern with Adderal is that I heard it can raise anxiety levels. This may not be a good option for me.