Atomoxetine

[P_killeen]

Hi. I can't remember if I have posted here before. I'm 67 and diagnosed with ADHD, after decades of a bipolar diagnosis. Anyway I take atomoxetine and am wondering what other people's experience of it is. I am in the UK

[SunniM]

Hi. Welcome. I’m 51 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder years ago too. Unfortunately, that was a misdiagnosis and resulted in many trials of medications that never really helped much. In my experience, Atomoxetine is one of those medications where I didn’t notice any improvement in my symptoms even at a very high dose. I do have ADHD and PTSD. For the last few years I’ve been taking Adderall instant release 2 x a day and I’ve been able to stop all other “psych medications.” I don’t need an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or anti anxiety meds anymore. I’m also a mental health therapist and know that sometimes ADHD can be mistaken for other diagnoses, particularly bipolar disorder. It’s also possible to be diagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar disorder. It seems some folks are unfamiliar with the mood disruption that can happen in folks with ADHD. Also, anxiety and overthinking/obsessiveness can be sometimes described as “racing thoughts.” I think that’s the part that convinced my doctor about bipolar disorder so many years ago.

I’m in the US so I’m not sure how things work in the UK. If you have a good relationship, I’d suggest speaking with your doctor if you have concerns about the medication. Otherwise, you could ask for a second opinion. I don’t know if you got the answer you were looking for….but I hope you found something helpful in what I’ve said. Best of luck!

[P_killeen in reply to SunniM]

Thanks for your reply. I've seen many psychiatrists since I was 15 and have been diagnosed with bipolar plus ADHD. I can't take stimulants as I have a tic disorder. Atomoxetine does help me focus but doesn't help with the internal restlessness that I feel. Mind you I lost my father just before Christmas and my mother caught Covid during the first wave and sadly passed away (pre vaccination times). So starting on atomoxetine now might not give me a true reflection as I am grieving. But hey ho, will give it a decent try this time. I've had a stop/start relationship with it for quite a while. Thanks again for your input

[GabyLaw in reply to P_killeen]

There you have it. Wrong but good time to start. Good because its helping you keep clear after this trauma . Bad because you can't monitor. I'm on concerta and want to get on what your on. Anyhow even when C isn't good it stops me having a million thoughts which helps me not ruminate but if I'm super anxious, it will fight through!

[Muneca48]

Hi I'm 28... took this when I was 26 and it did nothing for me and I was slowly having the dosage increased until my psychologist said I had maxed out on what they prescribe. I had to go with a stimulant medication. Adderall is what I currently take and have positive rests with so far.