I am taking estrogen in combination with Ritalin for (ADD) Attention Deficit Disorder without hyperactivity. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Are there any drug interactions that I should be on the look out for? Does the Ritalin, in anyway affect the efficacy of the estrogen. Before I go any further with my questions, please be sure that I have repeatedly spoken with my several doctors about these questions, but they have little or no experience with the combination of medications I am taking, so are not able to provide any real answers to my questions.

I think I may have experienced some unusual side affects from taking the two medications, but I am not sure. I really feel quite like my normal girly self when I am on the appropriate levels of estrogen, but when I am taking the Ritalin in addition to the estrogen, I lose a great deal of the female sense of well being and completeness. I loss many of the more important female qualities of behavior and thought such as creative expression, intuitive thought, and several other qualities I have long associated with the estrogen that I believe to be feminine.


Additionally, since recently beginning, once again to take this combination of medications, my skin has become much drier, less soft and feminine. (I will not mentioned the type and dosage of estrogens I am being prescribed) but my doctor has changed my estrogens, at my request, from oral medications to intra muscular (IM) twice a month, two time the amount of a normal woman post menopause. I have also experience dermatitis and raped hair loss along with more aggressive facial hair growth. Can anybody tell me what is going on? Are these side affects to one or both of the medications?


Godiva

Dry skin is a symptom of estrogen dominance with low testosterone, if you don't have progesterone in your HRT  or your T level is too low, either your adrenals are producing too little or your anti-androgen blockers are a being too efficient.

I'd recommend dustasteride to reduce the hair on the body and help the hair on the scalp, but this won't help the dryness, maybe just make it worse since it will block even more sebum being generated.

I think progesterone should probably be tried to see if it will help with making your skin less dry.

I am post operative so, is the issue of anti-androgen blockers still a question for me? Should I be taking dustasteride as a post op?


Godiva

I too am taking methyphenidate [Concerta ER]; I am dealing with ADHD, residual.

I am not taking an anti-androgen [unnecessary].

I am on an aggressive "E" [IM] HRT administration.

I am taking Progesterone [Prometrium].

The only ill effect which I have observed is only problematic when I take this medication too late in the morning: insomnia.

Ronda:

You do not loss any of your sinse of female presence while taking the concerta? I was taking concerta and it made me feel like a zomby at 18mg once a day. What is the reason for the Progesterone? are you taking it for breast development? I guess, I have not been taking Progesterone because I have breast implants and am at a size 36B, and do not want to get any larger, given I am only about 5' 8" and weigh about 129 lbs with a waist of about 25".

Godiva

Ronda:

You do not loss any of your sinse of female presence while taking the concerta?

"Sense of female presence"? That is interesting how you put that, not at all with intention to make fun of you.

I don't work that way; I never make fun of people.

I am not certain exactly what you are referring to, hon. I do not feel any less feminine because of it, but it does tend to focus my concentration like a laser beam.

I was taking concerta and it made me feel like a zomby at 18mg once a day.

I am taking 36mg/day; I have not noted that effect.

What is the reason for the Progesterone? are you taking it for breast development?

I am taking it to augment breast development.

I guess, I have not been taking Progesterone because I have breast implants and am at a size 36B, and do not want to get any larger, given I am only about 5' 8" and weigh about 129 lbs with a waist of about 25".

Godiva

It's a woman's choice. The implants gave me a large "D" and aggressive growth continues.

It's a woman's choice and taking it is not as crucial and important as taking "E" is.

Kiera:

eh? What's Up with that doc?

. . . without hyperactivity. [/quote]

Aye, I see now . . . Seems you've changed two med administrations at the same time so hard to tell.

Yes, Attention Deficit Disorder without the hyperactivity is actually thought to be much more prevalent in females, oddly enough!