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Using SNRI Medications for ADHD: Any Experiences?

Yumeno

122d

Hi all, so I know that this is a less common med category for treating ADHD but has anyone had experience using SNRI meds for ADHD? The specific SNRIs I've seen mentioned are: 1. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 2. Venlafaxine (Effexor) 3. Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) So if you have any experience when it comes to any of those 3 meds and ADHD, I'd appreciate it.

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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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Escitalopram

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    • coreesha

      107d

      @BlackBonnet i haven't seen much difference in adhd with Straterra. I guess it's working for depression and anxiety. I really need it to work for adhd. I can't get on an amphetamine because of my history of using marijuana... I think that's the reason... Drug "abuse".

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    • RainbowNarwhal

      113d

      I originally tried venlafaxine hoping it would help both my anxiety and ADHD. I've been taking it for almost 3 years now and it's so helpful for my anxiety, but I didn't really notice it helping with my ADHD, so we added methylphenidate after a couple months. There's some research that shows that an SNRI + a stimulant can be more effective than a stimulant alone.

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    • BeeDandelion

      120d

      I take Venlafaxine but I don't personally see any benefit for ADHD. It might help someone else though!

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    • BlackBonnet

      121d

      I was on Effexor many years ago (for mental health issues) but it made my vision black out when I stood up so that didn't work for me. It's not one of those three but I'm on Atomoxetine (Strattera) which is an SNRI and it's worked quite well for me. Helps to regulate my emotions and make things just that little bit easier to handle.

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      • coreesha

        107d

        @BlackBonnet i haven't seen much difference in adhd with Straterra. I guess it's working for depression and anxiety. I really need it to work for adhd. I can't get on an amphetamine because of my history of using marijuana... I think that's the reason... Drug "abuse".

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    • 1bananahere

      122d

      Hey! I've been on venlafaxine for quite some time and I can say it's really helped my depression/anxiety besides my PMDD. I had to switch to another anti-depressant (Escitalopram) to help with PMDD and the transition was horrible and really proved venlafaxine was helpful. Purely to medicate ADHD however, has not been as effective as my dexamphetamine, and it also only works well when I'm on both venlafaxine AND dexamphetamine. One by itself doesn't work. Hope this helps somewhat!

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    • Ash.G

      122d

      I have not tried any ADHD meds yet.

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    • MrsFox4322

      122d

      I was switched to Duloxetine from Wellbutrin specifically because of my nerve damage and the ADHD combo, plus I’d been on Well-being for years and it had just lost its effects. Anyway, I’ll tell you this, my pharmacy filled my script incorrectly and I was missing 30 MG of my 90 Duloxetine dose and it took us half the week to realize what was happening. I was losing focus, crying for no reason, stimming and having bad sensory issues and time blindness/sudden urgency problems and finally my Husband checked everything and sure enough, 3 days back on it and I feel closer to…whatever normal is…lol

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      • Yumeno

        122d

        @MrsFox4322 Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm so sorry to hear about the pharmacy messing up though and I'm glad you're back to feeling closer to normal now. Not sure if you'll be able to answer this but for someone who is trying Cymbalta for the first time and not switching from anything, do you know around how long it might start working for ADHD? Like I know you mentioned feeling better after being back on it for 3 days but I've never been on any dose of Cymbalta at all and haven't been on any other antidepressants previously either, so I'm wondering how it might go for someone just starting for the first time. Like I've heard of some people who notice ADHD improvements the first day on meds but it's always stimulant meds specifically for ADHD.

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        • MrsFox4322

          115d

          @Yumeno Most of the time it takes about 3 weeks to see an improvement but I have heard of people having pretty immediate improvements within the first few days. I hope it helps and you don’t have to keep trying stuff. I hate having to switch and go between. It makes me feel horrible.

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One user mentioned taking Cymbalta, which is a type of SNRI, and felt that it improved their ADHD a little. They also take Ritalin for their ADHD but only on occasions when they need to focus for a long period of time. Another user mentioned having a terrible experience with Effexor, experiencing sickness every day. They switched to Cymbalta and have been doing well on it for about 5 years, but they cannot forget to take it or they get terrible withdrawal side effects.

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