If you are already concerned about taking the drug combination, and you haven't tried it yet, will the anxiety about taking the combination put you over the edge? Medications affect everyone differently. Just because one person experiences certain side effects, doesn't mean it will affect you the same way. You will only know once you try it. However, you should work closely with your doctor when adding or combining medications.

Before you start on medication that already causes you concern, you might want to consider other options. First, you need to see your doctor about your anxiety and determine if the anxiety is primary or secondary and how it relates to your ADHD. An accurate diagnosis is critical to developing an appropriate treatment plan.

I suggest you read up on ADHD and anxiety before you make any decisions.

ADHD and Anxiety: What You Need to Know

Worried, Read This--10 Ways to Help You Get a Grip

Good luck, Dena

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Dena - Thanks for your message. Honesty, my anxiety and ADD are like the old "chicken or the egg" saying. I don't know which one is primary, but I know that I've been anxious most of my life, probably because I tried and tried my hardest to pay attention in school and somehow I got by. Fortunately, I got decent grades, but I wasn't an A student because there were way too many distractions in the classroom. I think I got through school with the fear that if I didn't do well I would be in trouble at home.

Strangely enough, when my Parents both filled out their "parental" mirror forms when I was being evaluated for ADD - my Dad said "I've felt the same exact way my whole life". That was the first time he had ever told me that. I think my Anxiety comes from my Mom's side, her mother was on a tranquilizer while my Mom was growing up and there are Learning disabilities and Alcoholism on that side too. *** I'm SO genetically blessed! ***** (can you sense the sarcasm)... sorry, sometimes I get down because I just wish I could find out what would help me the best and I'm tired of meds, but SSRI's make me so unmotivated and hungry and no libido.

well, enough rambling from me. thanks again for the reply.

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I was on those meds a while ago, and I don't know why your doc would prescribe both. When I was on effexor, I could not sleep for two whole weeks! Maybe an hour a night at most, never with the full REM cycle. I also had heart palpitations. If you do combine them, make sure to tell your doc if you notice anything wrong with your heart.

I currently am taking adderall and celexa. It is great because I can focus all day, and the celexa allows me to sleep at night without anyt major side effects or insomia. It is used for anxiety and depression.

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MANAGEMENT: In general, amphetamines and other sympathomimetic appetite suppressants should not be combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Close monitoring for enhanced sympathomimetic effects and possible serotonin syndrome is recommended if these agents must be used together. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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