Life after starting treatment…

[veronica]

sensation of un natural tunnel vision, very jittery

a feeling good and high feeling

these sensations fade. just be sure to stick to the prescribed dose. good luck! i’m rooting for you.

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[Anonymous]

Sadly Adderall is not working for me thus far, mostly just annoying side effects even at double the dose

Adderall xr 15ml x 2

I am staying positive, but I get the feeling Adderall is not for me, or , not yet at least.

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[purlgurl]

I’m sorry that it’s not working out for you, mannyc79. I kind of “lucked out” in the drug lottery – while waiting to see a psychiatrist for confirmation of an ADHD diagnosis, my family doctor tried me on Ritalin SR, and it happened to work for me *really* well.

I have now tried Concerta and Biphentin (to see if I would be able to take 1 pill/day instead of 3), and in both cases, they did *not* work. I never realized how much of a “mess” I probably was before – when I was on C/B, I had trouble paying attention in lectures, trouble remembering household chores, trouble getting up in the morning, etc. However, I do view it as a positive that in those cases I *recognized* that I was turning into a mess, and took steps to correct it. My meds now are SR 20mgx3/day, and I am also on Wellbutrin for longstanding depression (along with Vitamin D, Omega 3-6-9, and multivitamin supplements) – in the spring (once my semester is over), we may try to replace the WB with Strattera, but if that doesn’t work out, I’m happy to stick with my current meds. I should note that I have not experienced any episodes of depression since the summer (6ish months depression-free is a record for “me ages 16-28”).

Regarding the side effects, I noticed that I had a very dry mouth when I first started Ritalin – several months in, that has pretty much gone away. I also noticed some appetite suppression – my appetite is coming closer to “normal” (normal for me), but sometimes I’m not hungry when I think I *should* be, or I’m full faster. Since I tend to pack on pounds, especially in the winter, I view this as a bit of a plus now – it was just problematic when I first started, and had a few low blood sugar cranky/ill episodes because I hadn’t eaten enough during the day.

All this is by way of saying that it’s entirely possible that the Adderall doesn’t work with your particular physiology. Don’t give up! There are plenty of options to try! I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

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[purlgurl]

Decided to edit first post instead of making new one!

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[Anonymous]

So, I am officially off Adderall now and I have started Strattera. I havent been on it long but I have a feeling This may just be “IT”!!

I’ll keep you guys posted in a few weeks once the effects of the Medication are realized.

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[Anonymous]

This is in reply to many of the posts above:

Manny, how can you tell if it’s “it?” My GP (still haven’t been able to get in-touch with an ADHD doc) increased the Concerta dosage from 27 to 36mg. I really don’t notice any difference, or maybe there are and I don’t know what to look for or feel..

Purlgurl, you wrote: “he (my husband) was even at the point where he was encouraging me to start looking for full-time jobs in fields like food services in hospitals (unionized, with benefits).” Does your husband, know my wife? She thinks I should get a unionized job with benefits and cruise since I’m obviously ‘damaged goods & can’t hold a steady job, have no drive etc etc.”

As Nory wrote… (i just cut & paste, it would take me all day to write down what my mind is going through. I’d miss the boat completely and freeze). I agree with his note completely. I know I’m smart. I know I have a higher than avg intelligence level. I just can’t put it down on paper or speak it. Chronic underachiever etc etc…you know the drill.

<snip> “I’m smart, and I know I’m smart, but I’ve been an underacheiver all of my adult life, and that really pisses me off. One of the results of being bright is that you compensate so well for your disability in many situations (especially school) that nobody ever notices just how totally scattered you really are. “<snip>

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[purlgurl]

abslt0, I found that it really hurt me when he suggested that. Luckily, he no longer is, now that I am actually doing well in school, etc. One thing I took away from that experience was the memory of how much it hurt when it felt like someone whose opinion I valued seemed to stop believing in me – so I really try to emphasize in my work with kids and adults with disabilities how much I believe in them and their capabilities. If they want to do it, it’s my job to help them make it happen!

Regarding telling the “it”, I noticed a big difference when I started on the Ritalin SR, within half an hour. When I stepped outside my door to walk to the subway and go to work, it was totally like I had been living in an impressionist painting without realizing it – I actually *noticed* all of these details that I hadn’t even realized that I had been missing. With the “not it” (Concerta and Biphentin), I noticed pretty quickly that they weren’t doing much for me, but I don’t know if I would have if I hadn’t had the Ritalin SR experience to compare them with.

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[Anonymous]

Hi everyone!

Just to give you an update on how things are going.

I am now up to 80 mg of Strattera.

There have been some interesting improvements in my mood swings. I am not moody at all. I do not feel irritable and I have had a normal sleeping pattern now for 3 weeks, even when I try to go to bed late, I get tired at a reasonable time. Sleeping well has given me a clear head and improvement in piece of mind.

The one area I have yet to see a big difference is my ability to focus. But I am told it may take a few more weeks. I am also told I may be able to try Adderall again now that I am on Strattera and may have a good out come ( has anyone done this? ).

This medication is just a tool that will lead to more solutions in helping me deal with ADD.

Life is not easy and I had to finally humble myself and seek financial assistance. My goal is to be self sufficient and productive.

THIS NEXT QUESTION IS FOR Dr. J

@ Dr. J

I have been told vitamin b3 therapy really helps with ADD/ADHD. More specifically Niacine. What are your thoughts on this and can you give me some insight on this?

Thanks!

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[Anonymous]

Sorry for the late posting but could you start a new thread for this question. I think it deserves to have a broader comment and may be interesting to others.

The short answer is that it can help with emotional mood swings.

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[Anonymous]

Ok Doctor I will post a new thread for my previous question.

Just an update everyone.

I am now up to 160 mgs of straterra and I have a fairly ok mood, my concentration is slightly better. My specialist has recommended that due to my size and high I may require a dose as high as 220.

My sleeping is eratic, but as mentioned not as moody, and concetration is a bit better, and I am hopeful. I have also been prescribed vivance.

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[Rick Green – Founder of TotallyADD]

One of the ways to tracking mood swings is a journal. I know it’s a pain, unless it’s right beside your bed, or actually blocking you from getting into your underwear drawer in the morning, but I’ve found that some of my mood swings, headaches or things I am concerned may be side effects of the medication were also spiking when I was under a lot of stress, frustration, etc..

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[powcat]

mannyc:

I’m curious to read about how you are doing now!

I also just wanted to say how happy I am that there are ADHD folks out there getting off drugs and getting their lives together. since being diagnosed very recently, it dawned on me that my older brother has very likely been struggling with the same condition. he was always very creative, smart and curious – but horrible at school and easily bored with most kinds of work. over the years, I have watched him get scolded for daydreaming, for being too “lazy” or sleeping in every day.

I believe that the self-esteem he’s undoubtedly lost during that time added to the constant stress that was present in our family life is what drove him to cut school and experiment with drugs. he was using heroin for about 6 years. he is 32 now, and though he’s been technically off drugs for a few years, he’s stuck in jail for something dumb (made more serious by an extensive criminal record), and if he weren’t, he would still be abusing things like alcohol over-the-counter pills.

he’s not only depressed but his entire personality has changed. he can’t hold a conversation, he can’t be there for me in any way; once he almost hit me, actually. I miss having my older brother; he is the only sibling I’ll ever have.

I really went off on an unexpected tangent here. I just deeply hope that more parents, caretakers, and educators start to recognize the signs of ADHD. and more than that; I hope that we can focus on encouraging children’s strengths instead of judging and shaming them for their differences. I’ll bet there are many other tragic stories out there like my brother’s and they can be prevented.

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[Author]

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