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In Your Professional Opinion:
I was diagnosed with ADD a little less than 2 months ago, for which I began taking Ritalin immediately; I was already taking Bupropion and Clonazapem (also a recent addition).
About a month ago, I began forgetting small, inconsequential things. More recently, I have been forgetting HUGE things. I was already being weaned off of the Clonazapem, because of one its side effects, before the forgetfulness was attributed to it. That said, I understand that Ritalin and Bupropion may be a problematic combination and that Bupropion has been been known to cause forgetfulness, too.
I need "something" for my "moods" and "anxiety" but the current combo isn't working as well as I had hoped... Two weeks ago, I received a prescription for Seroquel, which I take only at night, although I was given the option of taking it in small amounts during the day. I am wary of doing so, however, because I had been experiencing "tiredness" during the day, practically nodding off each afternoon, which is why my Clonazapem dosage was initially lowered.
Because of my work, I really need to be alert both mentally and physicall during the day, so side effects like forgetfulness and sleepiness are deadly. I'd really like more info about the current drug combo of Bupropion, Ritalin, and Seroquel (evenings only), with minimal Clonazapem. Thank you.
About a month ago, I began forgetting small, inconsequential things. More recently, I have been forgetting HUGE things. I was already being weaned off of the Clonazapem, because of one its side effects, before the forgetfulness was attributed to it. That said, I understand that Ritalin and Bupropion may be a problematic combination and that Bupropion has been been known to cause forgetfulness, too.
I need "something" for my "moods" and "anxiety" but the current combo isn't working as well as I had hoped... Two weeks ago, I received a prescription for Seroquel, which I take only at night, although I was given the option of taking it in small amounts during the day. I am wary of doing so, however, because I had been experiencing "tiredness" during the day, practically nodding off each afternoon, which is why my Clonazapem dosage was initially lowered.
Because of my work, I really need to be alert both mentally and physicall during the day, so side effects like forgetfulness and sleepiness are deadly. I'd really like more info about the current drug combo of Bupropion, Ritalin, and Seroquel (evenings only), with minimal Clonazapem. Thank you.
Hello Dr. Gould:
I would like your feedback on the following:
1)
I am taking two 20-milligram Ritalin pills and three 100-mg pills of Bupropion daily. I went thru a deadline siege recently, working round the clock, or trying to... that's over but in the interim, I have noticed that I am having difficulty falling asleep, even when my body is tired. And, the Ritalin works but perhaps not as well now... In additio, I have been feeling emotionally uneven recently and not sure the 'mood shift' -- accompanied by slight depression, feelings of resentment, over-sensitivity to slights and feelings of isolation and of being misunderstood which feels pronounced and heightened by the diagnosis -- is just a life thing or part of a meds issue... Regarding the present med-combo, which I hope to have adjusted soon, do you have any thoughts? I have scaled down considerably since my first post.
2) CONFIRMATION OF DIAGNOSIS NECESSARY?:
I received a tentative ADD diagnosis from my therapist which was later confirmed by a psychatrist that I was seeing... the confirmation came via a conversation and a self-test which I brought in; - the psychiatrist had been regulating my other meds.
I still hope to have the diagnosis confirmed by the medical facilities' assessment center b/c they conduct a rigorous evalutation which lasts a few hours and this is 'what they do.' While I accept the diagnosis, and am in some respects 'grateful' for it, I am uncomfortable with the informality and would really like to be evaluated, yet I sense this would feel 'insulting' to the therapist who feels its unnecessary and doesn't want to have to approach her colleague about this and feels it's a conversation I should direct. What is your sense? Is a more formal eval. overkill? Thank you.
I would like your feedback on the following:
1)
I am taking two 20-milligram Ritalin pills and three 100-mg pills of Bupropion daily. I went thru a deadline siege recently, working round the clock, or trying to... that's over but in the interim, I have noticed that I am having difficulty falling asleep, even when my body is tired. And, the Ritalin works but perhaps not as well now... In additio, I have been feeling emotionally uneven recently and not sure the 'mood shift' -- accompanied by slight depression, feelings of resentment, over-sensitivity to slights and feelings of isolation and of being misunderstood which feels pronounced and heightened by the diagnosis -- is just a life thing or part of a meds issue... Regarding the present med-combo, which I hope to have adjusted soon, do you have any thoughts? I have scaled down considerably since my first post.
2) CONFIRMATION OF DIAGNOSIS NECESSARY?:
I received a tentative ADD diagnosis from my therapist which was later confirmed by a psychatrist that I was seeing... the confirmation came via a conversation and a self-test which I brought in; - the psychiatrist had been regulating my other meds.
I still hope to have the diagnosis confirmed by the medical facilities' assessment center b/c they conduct a rigorous evalutation which lasts a few hours and this is 'what they do.' While I accept the diagnosis, and am in some respects 'grateful' for it, I am uncomfortable with the informality and would really like to be evaluated, yet I sense this would feel 'insulting' to the therapist who feels its unnecessary and doesn't want to have to approach her colleague about this and feels it's a conversation I should direct. What is your sense? Is a more formal eval. overkill? Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Gould.
I am no longer taking the Clonazapem and would be quite fine getting rid of the Seroquel. This is my first time taking medication for sleep and I don't like the idea of 'dependency' on something which is "helpful" but by no means "critical."
My new schedule conflicts with my doctor's, so I will soon be seeing someone new. I look forward to reviewing the remaining drugs, the Ritalin and the Bupropion, and coming up with a more effective solution.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My opinion is that you are on too many medications, and the combination of any of these can cause forgetfulness. I recommend that you and your doctor choose one, at most two. Keep in mind that ritalin is a stimulant and can make you anxious, leading to klonopin, which can make you forget. Don't look for some miraculous state of mind from medications because when you do, you keep on adding and then get in trouble. You are going to have to make some decisions with your doctor about which symptom is most important for you to have controlled.
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