[caper]

@Scattybird: I got the tightness in my chest too (and often a similar tightness in my throat). I noticed it coincided with the afternoon bolus of the Concerta release profile.

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[caper]

If you look at the release profile of Concerta, it has an initial plateau at ~2-4 hrs, with a bump at 6-8hrs to levels almost double the initial plateau. By 10-11hrs after taking it, levels drop to half of peak (referred to as T1/2 in pharmacology).
When I was taking MPH, I found taking generic (APO) Ritalin SR 20mg in the morning and again ~5hrs later lasted longer than Concerta, and had a more even effect through the day. An added bonus was it is a fraction of the cost (~25c for 20mg APO MPH SR vs ~$3 for 36mg Concerta).

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[caper]

No amount of brain training will change your genetics. ADHD has a significant genetic basis (thinks like the DRD4 allele differences discovered by Robert Moyzsis), so those things won’t change.
However, diet, exercise & meditation will help anyone, ADHD or not.
When it comes to medication, I wouldn’t worry about moderate doses of Methylphenidate messing up your brain. High doses (i.e. 80+mg) haven’t been well studied over long periods, and the drug has a plateau effect, so I’d avoid the high doses.

Instead of lumosity, I’d recommend the free site http://cognitivefun.net/
I used it for a few months, logging my scores in a spreadsheet to try to measure the effect of medication. 40mg MPH (2x 20mg Ritalin SR) made a small but statistically significant (~5%) improvement in my PASAT.

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[caper]

I’d agree. I found Concerta (and Ritalin – they’re both Methylphenidate) improved impulse control but also made me feel more “edgy”.
Try B12 if your levels are below 350pmol/L. I was low (~200pmol/L) and found a big improvement from B12 shots followed by supplements.

Changing my environment & routines was also a big improvement. For example if your kids interrupt you when you try to relax with a good book, wait till they’re asleep in bed to do your reading. Changing what you can is a lot easier than trying to make the people around you change.
My 1st wife was a drama queen who rarely responded to logic. Wife 2.0 is easy going and doesn’t criticize me for talking fast, interrupting people, and laughing out loud in public.

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[caper]

A psychologist I saw suggested wellbutrin, though my psychiatrist didn’t think it was appropriate.
I tried atomoxetine, which helped with irritability (but had some negative side effects so I didn’t continue). When I started taking atomoxetine, I had also started B12 supplements. My psychiatrist asked for a liver test before prescribing the atemoxetine, and the test results showed low B12; 229pmol/L. As B12 is sometimes referred to as the stress hormone, I decided to boost my levels. I gave myself cyanocobalmin injections (0.5ml of 1000ug/ml) every week for about 10 weeks, then 1000ug methylcobalmin pill taken once/day tapered down to 1/wk over a few months.
Now I rarely feel frustrated, and when I do the feeling is much less intense. I’m not taking any medication, aside from an occasional 20mg Ritalin SR which I take to keep me from feeling sleepy in the afternoon (instead of my usual coffee).

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[caper]

Most of the research I’ve read indicates the serum levels don’t correspond to the effect; i.e. over time (many days) it seems some metabolite of the drug builds up in your system.

The fact that the therapeutic effect continues for some time after you stop taking the drug is further evidence of this.

“There was no evidence of symptoms rebound and no evidence of an acute discontinuation syndrome when discontinuing treatment.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18033153

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[caper]

I am combined type ADHD, and also have Aspergers. I noticed slowness in urinating after I started 40mg of atomoxetine, but after a few days of taking it, I’m pretty much back to normal. I don’t notice any libido changes, but definately some sexual side effects (no details so I can keep the post PG).

I find I’m less irritable, similar to what I felt on dexedrine, but without the overall mood dampening that I got with dexedrine. I’m going to stick with it for a couple weeks to see if the sexual side effects go away; if not I’ll stop taking it.

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[caper]

I have no trouble focusing on things I find interesting/challenging (may have something to do with my high IQ and Aspergers). So I have had full-time jobs last for up to a year or so.

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[caper]

I find Ritalin (methylphenidate) really helps with my temper (and brain imaging studies support this too). In an adult 20mg of Ritalin IR should have a noticible effect.

If distractibility/focus is your biggest problem and not temper, then try dexamphetamine.

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[caper]

@Tea: what you describe sounds a bit like Aspergers.

Although it’s targeted at guys picking up girls, the book “The Game” by Neil Strauss contains a lot of social psychology.

An oldie that still has lots of good suggestions: “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.

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[caper]

@Tiddler: I’d go one step further. I think incomplete brain development is one cause of high IQ, ASD, and ADHD. Learning abilities peak in early adolescence. We’ve evolved to do most of our learning before adulthood, and then put that knowledge to use by making as many copies of our genes as possible as adults.

If your brain stops “maturing” in early adolescence, you will have problems with behavior control, distractibility, and adult social skills. The bonus is you have the curiosity and learning ability associated with the immature brain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cplaWsiu7Yg

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[caper]

I find memory practice helps (try n-back on cognifivefun.net) as well as dexamphetamine.

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[caper]

A couple things I do that help… when I remember to do them!

1) Commit to 5 minutes. Once I get started I usually do a lot more than 5 minutes work.

2) Reward substitution: reward myself with something I like (i.e. food treat, hot bath, etc.) for completing the work that I don’t like doing.

I give credit to my wife for the first idea.

I give credit to Dan Ariely for the 2nd idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvQrqIRLGU

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[caper]

I disagree with Tolan on the “all 5” part. Emotional sensitivities (like in a mood disorder) is a lymbic system overactivity. It involves a different area of the brain than sensory stimulus responses. In other words I see no causal link between sensory hypersensitivity and emotional hypersensitivity.

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[caper]

@Tiddler: you’re not the first to see the co-relation between Aspergers and ADHD. The CADDRA practice guidelines indicate 85% of people diagnosed with Aspergers also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

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