SSRIs: Interactions § side effects

[wheeln]

I've been diagnosed with clinical depression since I was 23 (now 54).    Diagnosed with ADD, not ADHD, approx. 3 years ago.
Current meds:
Wellbutrin:    200mg in AM
Zoloft:        100mg in AM
Adderall (adderrall):       20mg twice a day
Trazodone:     100mg @ bedtime

Any interaction comments on this cocktail?

Zoloft was introduced as a substitute for Prozac and seems to coincide with tinnitus, major skin disorders (shingles, atopic dermatitis, acne)and a weight gain of 25 lbs.    Any thoughts?

What about Effexor as a possibility?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

This cocktail, like most such cocktails, is a fine tuned effort to do what your body does naturally. Some of these medications stimulate you while others slow you down.  If it is working for you, you might want to stay on it and not tinker.

On the other hand, you may not need as much as you are taking. Oftentimes people start these medications at one time in their life and continue as if they will always need it.  Oftentimes people do much better on either reduced levels, or even trying to get off all of them to see how you are doing.  If you think about that, you should do that only under the supervision of a psychiatrist who will evaluate your current situation, and monitor the experiment.

[polishgrrl]

Hi. I was diagnosed w/ depression, anxiety and ADD. My psychiartist place me on effexor and strattera which both worked marvelously for all symptoms. I was on this combination for about 1 1/2 years. The problem with the effexor though, is that if I did not take the medication right on time, I became quite dizzy. I wanted to be taken off of it. My doctor switched me to Lexapro (for depression and anxiety) one month ago. The Lexapro seemed to only exacerbate the depression and anxiety--or perhaps it simply is not working so that the symptoms appear to be increased. I also have heart palpitations while on it. Does anyone else have similiar experience with Lexapro? What about Zoloft? How does everyone rate this for depression and anxiety...I don't want to be tired...By the way, I highly recommend Strattera for ADD--non addictive , works round the clock and highly effective. Thanks.

[sdc1213]

I've been taking Zoloft for about 2 years now. Like all medications that have to do with depression/anxiety, you need to give them time to work. I was taking it gradually (25mg - 50mg - 75mg - 100mg) it helped me, but recently I've had a relapse because I wasn't taking my dosages correctly. Which very well freaked the hell out of me. Now ever since I've been anxious and have dizzy spells, and am tired all the time, ect. My best advice to give to you is, if you take anything make sure you take it how you're suppose to. I have tremendous amount of anxiety and I'm a hyperchondriac also. So if you think your doctor has perscribed you too high of a dosage (zoloft starting out ... 100mg is a lot, start at like 25-50 max) then make sure you let them know.

Common side effects I get (I don't know if it's the medication or what:

Dizzy spells
Heart skips beats (not too much avg 1 - 2 times a day)
Numbness (could go along with the anxiety not positive)
Lightheadedness is a big one.
Dry mouth
Tired and feel spacey a lot of the time.

Anyone else feel these side effects??? also with the dizzy spells if I like turn around once I'll become dizzy.

[joyce45]

Personally, I found Prozac to have almost no side effects for me.  Zoloft gave me bad headaches, the runs, and cramping. I believe Prozac works for more people than Zoloft, but you never know. I gave Zoloft a couple of months but it got worse, not better. Regards.

[deb723]

I am currently doing research for an upcoming book which deals with the side effects and withdrawals people have experienced from Effexor XR and other (like) anti-depressants. I am interested in receiving any information current or former users would like to share concerning their experiences with these drugs. Please email me @:
beach-***@****
and thanks!
deb