Is this ADD or anxiety? How do I tell my doctor about this.. It's driving me crazy?
- Posted:
- 12 Jul 2011 by alwaystired
- Topics:
- bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, doctor
Details:
Kk this year my anxiety got worse through a job experience for some reason but anyways lately I can't stay calm.. I have social anxiety, OCD, GAD, and bipolar. What is this? I constantly research treatment on anxiety and depression and I always have racing thoughts about it.. I'm trying to find the right medication for me but lately my head gets all zappy feeling and I can't stand still about anything. I have to always do something, research on meds , so many racing thoughts. I can feel like my brain can never feel calm and I have like pressure feelings in my head. Is this a migrane? I just can't have patience for anything lately.. I get distracted by anything.. my head feels like ****..I can't relax.. my racing thoughts are driving me crazy man ****!! plz someone help
Also what are some medications that help with my conditions really well
* 23 minutes ago
* - 4 days left to answer.
12 Jul 2011
Hey alwaystired,
You might want to write down some of your symptoms and behaviors to share with the doctor. Journaling would not only help you talk to your doctor but would help you gain perspective. It might even slow down some of the racing thoughts.
I mentioned earlier in your other question the use of paxil or zoloft as my first choice. Now that you mention the racing thoughts you might respond better to Wellbutrin. If you truly have ADD, which your doctor would need to diagnose with the appropriate evaluation, you could respond to one of the stimulants like Concerta, Adderall, or Vyvanse.
It is very difficult to say what would work without having a complete medical history and knowing all your symptoms. And like I shared before what works for one, may not work for another. It is trial and error. Have you ever tried seroquel? It is in the same class as risperidone.
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I wish I could just tell you what would make you feel better. If you write down your symptoms and share with your doctor, hopefully, he will help you decide what you need to help you feel better.
Best wishes,
Laurie
13 Jul 2011
I have a relative who has the symptoms as you describe the information I am giving is not (from my own knowledge or experience but from family) she has racing thoughts can't function, in high school things are so bad concentration was to where she had to be removed from school the psychiatrist started her on Strattera, it has helped her to be a functional person again, she can make above average grades, socializd with people in general again -this may indeed not be the correct (or the only drug) they use it in combination with an old Bp drug called tenex, I had never ever heard of the tenex, one is given at night and the other very early each morning.
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I am not the most educated person when it comes to psychiatric drugs, I used to experience Panic in my teens and if you can't care and empathize and try and encourage those with a problem which to me is as treatable as any physical condition then I think we still have a long way to go, I wish you nothing but the very best! Please feel free to post here anytime whether you need advice, encouragement, or someone who needs a friend to talk, I am more than happy to be of any assistance possible to you! Once again I wish you the best! Caringsonbj Laurie is right it might be one of the most helpful things even though you've lost your journal start again, write those things that come from memory if possible and then 4 days worth of notes would be helpful not only to him but also to you, I journal on my medical issues and it has served me well again take care,
13 Jul 2011
Hi... first of all, I am so sorry to hear how much you are suffering and what you are putting your self through. IMO I honestly feel you may not be taking the correct medication. PLEASE speak to your medical doctor to determine a possible better combination of medication. I have ADD/Anxiety/Bipolar. A very tricky combination to medicate, but it can be done. Trial and error was how we determined the best course of medication for me. I personally (now what has worked for me, may not work for you - please keep in mind) take Adderall, Lithium, Abilify and at nighttime when my anxiety is worse I take Xanax and Ambien. Since taking the Adderall, I am able to focus, produce well at work and concentrate on things I never could before. My mind does not race as much and it has given me a much better quality of life. However, it can aggrevate OCD symptoms I have found. The Lithum and Abilify are for the bipolar and help with the depression that can go hand in hand with anxiety.
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The Xanax and Ambien are to mainly help me with sleep and to help me calm down when I may be having times of angst. One of the other posters mentioned Seroquel and this is a very good medication as well. It has a calming effect and is in the anti-psychotic class of medications. I wish you all the best in finding what works best for you, but PLEASE do seek further help from your medical doctor. The quality of your life can really improve and your mind can become more quiet. Again, sorry to hear your strugging. From one unquiet mind to another... may peace be with you.
18 Jul 2011
Hi. I have be diagnosed with both ADD and anxiety disorder. What your describing sounds a lot like what I feel like during an anxiety attack... that's what I call it atleast. I was on Kolipin and Zoloft. ( I also have OCD, PTSD, and Bipolar I... so my meds have changed but those helped me alot! Just talk to your psychatrist an tell them everything you wrote in your question... anxiety is horrible to deal with ! Hope that helps.
28 Jul 2011
ok! so here's the scoop my friend! I've been on just about every medication out there and am now finally stable after years of experimenting from doctor to doctor from med to med. i have some of your same diagnoses. Heres a few suggestions that have worked for me. I'm presently on 200mg of lamictal 2x a day, along with 5mg abilify in the a.m, 1mg of xanax 3x/day as needed, and effexor xr 150mg 2x/day. however, these are all pretty high doses. I'd also look into the drug Geodon, which calms racing thoughts and nerves. if you're not on an anti-depressant, i'd suggest trying one of the SNRI meds: cymbalta, pristiq, effexor, wellbutrin, and especially STRATTERA, which is an anti-depressant and is prescribed for adhd. i have adhd and it works great. but i wouldn't be so sure about you having adhd, especially if these symptoms just came on recently. sounds more like panic disorder and major depressive disorder.
10 Nov 2011
Hi alwaystired, I suffer/ed from Anxiety and am bipolar, ADD, ADHD, ADHI and tendancies towards OCD and have/had all the symptoms that you have described. I am not sure if you have tried Lamotrigine as this changed my life. It seems to help organise my thoughts, they don't go as fast but does not make me slowed up. It also helps with the anxiety as anxiety comes from thoughts and if the thoughts are under control so is the Anxiety. I only take 100mg most days but there are some days that I take 100mg at night when I feel that my thoughts are racing and I can't workout the most simple thing. I tried many different medications and this is the only one that helps me and I have no side effects what so ever. I could feel the difference two days after I started taking Lamotrigine. I have been taking it for over 7 years and I have always been on the pill. I am not sure if all Lamotrigine is the same. I take Lamictin 100 made by GlaxoSmithKline and this works so well for me.
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I tried a generic but did not feel it worked the same. I hope you find what helps for you. You have my sympathies as I know you are going through hell.
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alwaystired
LaurieShay
caringsonbj
ironmaidn
alwaystired
HPoole
I stopped writing my journal because I lost the journal accidently.. so I stopped but I write my symptoms down. Also can I just ask my doctor to see if I have ADD? because ever since I was little I always had trouble doing work, paying attention in school all the time... always distracted.. couldn't do homework.. But anyways can I ask my doctor to see if I have add?
Lately I just been having racing thoughts constantly.. like I can't stop researching.. my racing thoughts comes in social situations and at home I get racing thoughts on treatment or anything constantly..
Also I never tried seroquel but I'm taking risperdal 1 mg tab and 5 mg tab buspar which I feel like is doing nothing.
I always get scared what to tell my doctor kind of.. Like I want to suggest these medicine but I blank out..
Here are my symptoms I wrote down
-some sort of social anxiety with any people(friends,family)
-I feel inferior to people
-I feel people are going to bully me
-having no patience on literally anything
-a lot of sweating on my hands in anxiety situations
-fast heartbeat sometimes
-feel sensitive to everything
-a lot of anxiety feeling with my thoughts sometimes
-I repeat and check a lot
-always moving around
-easily distracted to do something else
-a lot of racing thoughts
(Like I have to change my meds)
(which meds are the best)
(worried about school)
-phone anxiety
-can't be relaxed lately.. most of the time I'm restlessness
I would write your symptoms down and include your info about what it was like when you were younger and share that with the doctor then certainly ask the doctor about ADD. It sounds like from what you describe a possibility.
Kk Laurie I'm going to the doctor tommorrow and do I just tell her everything? also what medication helps with dopamine because people say social anxiety, bipolar, and add is involved with dopamine. I'm going to ask my doctor if he can prescribe me efexor with wellbutrin or paxil with wellbutrin.
Yep, tell her everything. Being as honest as possible is always the best avenue to take with the doctor. Letting her know your present symptoms and your history is critical. I think the Wellbutrin might be a good choice. I would start one antidepressant at a time. Give your body time to adjust to one new med before starting the other one. Just my opinion. Good luck at the docs.
Wellbutrin acts on dopamine by the way.
Laurie it went ok I guess. I didn't meet the doctor though. I went today as IN A walk in. My regular doctor appointment is in 2 weeks, but they said they were fine if I come today. Though I just waited 7 hours.. OMG..was long lol and then i just met the nurse. I told the nurse if I can be put on a antidepressant again, but since she wasn't a doctor I guess it went offroad.. The nurse called the doctor and the doctor I'm seeing in 2 weeks said to add in propranolol for social anxiety. Then she dosed up my risperdone to 2mg and buspar to 10mg and divalproex a mood stablizer to 500mg. Most of twice take 1 in the morning and at night.
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I know I'm meeting the doctor in 2 weeks and shes going to be my new doctor. The place I go to is a small clinic, I don't have insurance anymore. But I get everything free. My old doctor left to start his own private mental place I guess. But anyways it's in 2 weeks and I'm determined to ask about wellbutrin. Since I'm meeting the doctor I can tell her everything I guess, today at nurse was talking to her through the phone in the office, so it was kind of hard. Though I can't go around asking the doctor to change every medicine u no.. I can't be like hey I want that! or I want that! Do I just simply ask.. like doctor I was thinking of trying wellbutrin?
I hope the propanolol and increase in other meds helps. It won't hurt to ask the doctor about Wellbutrin. Let me know how the change in meds goes.
Tho Laurie isnt propanpolol for physical symptoms? but oh aite I will see how it goes with my next appointment
Propranolol will help the physical symptoms of anxiety which in turn may help the mental piece. Give it some time, I think you are on the right track.
though laurie one more question can bipolar ppl take antidepressants or does it worm well with a mood stabilizer? I guess im going to have to find out after i try another antidepressant but just asking
oops meant does it even work on ppl with bipolar
Yes, many people with bipolar take an antidepressant. I am bipolar type 2 and take 2 antidepressants as well as a mood stabilizer. It really depends on the symptoms. How are you doing with the recent medication increases?
oh k and i been feeling the same even after they added propanpol. dunno if its doing anything.. its just my anxiety need some help.. i think imma suggest my doctor for paxil for sure but i think i shud wait l8er 4 wellbutrin. wat antidepressants do u takr? does help with anxiety? my biggest concern is social anxiety and i heard paxil is pretty well for it
Hey,
Yes, Paxil works very well for some peoples anxiety. I suffer mostly from depression and mood swings so I take Pristiq and Wellbutrin along with Abilify. I have managed to control my anxiety through these medicines and ongoing talk therapy. When do you see the actual doctor next?
the 27th
OK, you'll have to discuss your options with the doctor then. I'm hoping he/she works with you on this especially if the present combination of meds isn't helping enough. Keep me posted.
kk thx i will see how it goes.. im just worried bout finding the right med issue bcuz i have school soon in a month..
You will find the right combination. Just hang in there and let the doctor know all your symptoms. Write down what you listed above and let the doctor read it that way he/she can make the best informed choices.
laurie so today it was kind a let down.. i went to the clinic and finally about five i met someone but wasnt a doctor i think. then the pharmacy closed but anyways i couldnt ask questions.. i dunno my anxiety was so bad today i felt so paranoid in public and i couldnt talk to her.. she got about social anxiety but i told her i got mania from prozac so she didnt prescribe other ssris. she prescribed me a benzo that im going to go back tomm to get it.. i dunno laurie i always freeze at the doctors office not knowing wat to say and lately my anxiety is bad to the point i avoid my friends.. this reaaly sucks laurie.. i feel so stuck! so stressed out i worry bout life like crazy.. so i cant take antidepressants cuzz prozc made me mania? im also getting increased anxiety bout not changing meds in my mind..
my bad for wrong grammar.. i just cant write either.. i dunno know wat to do and i have school soon..
Hey alwaystired,
I want to encourage you again to keep a journal of your feelings and symptoms so when you have an appointment you can take it with you and share it. That way if you freeze up, you'll still have the notebook to share. The benzo will work to help the anxiety. Which one and how much did they prescribe a day?
Our post here is getting too long, the site will stop posting to this thread sometime soon. I'll make sure we are friends, then we can talk more in a private message, if you want.
I am here for you and we will get you through this. Lauire
oh k laurie I will try my best on the journal again and with the private messages I keep ya posted. My doctor prescribed me lorazepam .5mg tab. I take 1 tablet 2 times daily needed for anxiety. about the journal can the doctors read it all? I just make short list of my symptoms thinking that my doctor cant read it all but kk I will try on the journal but what should i write about? I'm just getting really scared my new school is coming up..
the clinic is busy so I'm just understanding should I list my feelings and thoughts? and laurie thank you so much for everything
Yea, write down your feelings and thoughts. Don't worry about how neat it is or whether you have used good grammar etc. Concentrate on getting your feelings down. When is your next appointment at the clinic?
The lorazepam should help the anxiety some. Just be sure to take as prescribed. Let me know how it goes.
Its august 11th and thx laurie
I took ativan once but I just feel the same...
I feel so scared about my medication right now.. I feel even worse.. I dunno laurie I wish I can find the right medication but I feel so stuck.
My head just feels so tight on the right back side like tight.. and I feel so stressed out for no reason.. I just went out with my friend and it was horrible.. I hope I can find a solution and laurie thx for everything even tho they are comments it helps me thank you