Re: OCD and ADHD - sorry, long -

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Yes...we've thought about switching to another SSRI; however, because

the prozac is so effective in reducing the OCD symptoms - we are all

(including the psychiatrist) hesitant to switch. It may be our only

option, though, if the ADHD continues to be such an issue. If we

switch to another SSRI - we will most likely try it next summer.

Thanks,

Anne

[Guest guest]

I may have written in before mentioning that my son is on the exact

same 2 meds, Focalin and Prozac. In our case, we had to work on the

anxiety first as it was more pronounced, but there was definitely some

overlap in the beginning of this regimen when we added in the Focalin.

We had been thru the ringer trying different combinations of drugs

for 4 years, and this seems to be the right mix for him at this time.

I do recall that we had to lower his Focalin dose a few weeks back

because he was talking a mile a minute and losing too much weight.

Luckily, it did not increase his anxiety. I believe we are on 15 mg.

(was 20) now and both of those symptoms are gone. He has moderate OCD

and moderate ADHD, and it is currently much better, down to a 3 or so

from an 8 or 9. But that's our story.

I think I would agree that you should try the Focalin for a week

before making changes as it is a major adjustment to the body. Do you

have room to tweak the dose if needed?

>

> Hi all,

>

> I have some questions about treating ADHD and OCD at the same time.

> DD is doing pretty well this year - but her ADHD causes homework to

> be pretty difficult. This is getting much worse as she gets older

> (she is 9 now). Her attention at school is a problem as well - the

> teachers say they can handle it behaviorally - but DD is telling us

> that she's having a really difficult time focusing. As many of you

> may remember - her main OCD fear has been throwing up. We weaned her

> off Prozac over the summer - but after the flare up - put her back on

> this fall. The prozac really helps the anxiety and worrying. The

> prozac makes her very restless (hence, worsens the ADHD) and also

> really increases her appetite. Since the prozac works so well on the

> anxiety - we're all (DH, the psychiatrist and I) hesitant to change

> this but we want to help the ADHD and lessen the side effects of the

> prozac. The psychiatrist suggested that we try focalin - she said it

> tends to decrease the appetite and help attn issues. I know that

> ADHD meds also tend to increase anxiety. We gave DD focalin last Sat

> and she worried more than usual. We tried it again today (she has a

> big project due this week and has been struggling). It seems to help

> her attention. She did come to us saying that she has been having

> some " bad thought " OCD lately. She's worried that she will hurt her

> guinea pig (even though she knows she never would) or throw an eraser

> at the teacher. She has told me about these thoughts before going on

> focalin - but I definitely see the increased anxiety on focalin

> today. She is pretty good at rationalizing these " bad thoughts " out

> (surprising when dealing w/OCD!) - we talk to her about how everyone

> has " bad thoughts " and you just don't act on them. However, I'm

> concerned that this could get worse. DH thinks we should give the

> focalin about a week or so to see if it can really help her. Any

> thoughts? Things that helped your children with OCD and ADHD

> together? It seems like it's very difficult to treat both. Sorry

> this is so long - thanks for reading and any words of advice that you

> can offer.

>

> Anne

>