Which medication do you use for ADHD / ADD

[Sudie Nymm]

What makes it so hard is that there is the problem with the misconception, that it is a behavior disorder ...like not wanting to eat your spinach or something like that. Or that it is a catch all term for misbehaving children rather than an actual disorder, when I was diagnoised I was told you could no more choose to have add and adhd anymore than you could choose to have bad eyesight...it's there or not there..and like poor eyesight...if not addressed it becomes worse over time..not better. All the misconceptions over the years about add and adhd, have made it very difficult to get the proper diagnosis...and treatment...leading to even more stress, anxiety, frustration...and self esteem issues...Over the years I have watched the medical community and the general public...do many stupid things...for example, a family member went to the dr to complain about what she now know is fibro...20 years ago..they were saying..it's all in your head..fibro was described back then as basicly..a non-existing condition. We now know different...I just wonder...how many good people will fall by the wayside...before they find the exact biological component...that makes it' acceptable to the rest of the world...my only saving grace is despite whatever was going on with me...is that when I became an adult...It became less about me...cause I was not the only one...it became about us, and when I look at the big picture...I'm lucky...many have not been so lucky...and that needs to change.

[cmar1974]

i dunno, i enjoyed reading this thread this morning after countless hours spent reading about all these disorders and things are so much more clear to me. AA for example, the founders of the program even wrote in their book, "we know very little"! and goes on to talk about outside help! I'm sure back in those days that was hardcore bottom as you get folks that went there but they did have the courage and enough wisdom to put in their book they know very little and have no monopoly on alcoholism.

Anyway, just a lil shocker this week but I do see much more clearly my self than any program have ever been able to help me see or treatment center, its all about your an addict or alcoholic and this is how it is and this is all you got to deal with it. I have heard that for almost 20 years, and finally i am getting relief and it isn't coming from a 12 step program.

It came from seeking medical treatment and being active in understanding the primary problem and looking for a solution to THAT problem, not the problem I was always told was my problem & finding a solution.

then again, "they" don't understand this as I imagine as we cant grasp "that". Like I said almost 20 years and still no long lasting results, I am sitting flat on my ass once again!

[cdog1977]

I use wellbutrin xl it works great for me.. Don't get all the highs and lows when I've used ritalin or adderall...

[Bittersweet]

Is Adderall stronger then Ritalin? It seems like alot of people like adderall more the ritalin...

[Sudie Nymm]

Is Adderall stronger then Ritalin? It seems like alot of people like adderall more the ritalin...

I don't think that one is stronger...I believe the preference is because, Adderall, tends to act in a smoother more consistant manner, with Ritalin, you can feel the ups and downs more, with me, I am aware of the differences, so I can adapt to either or, with no difficulty...you just have to be aware that the dosages are different, and understand the side effects they occur...personally I don't have a preference between the two. But I must add.... take them for what they were intended, and follow the medications intrustructions, and most importantly "......Do not self diagnose yourself with ADD/ADHD"..

[Goleman]

Great post..

I've used Modafinil with great results..

Adderall worked well, have trouble locating a stable source though...

any possible suggestions?

[Sudie Nymm]

No....and if anyone would know... it would be me....lol....if you were to find the "actual" adderall, it would prob. be so expensive...it would not be worth it...I personally have found Rit's to be a more than acceptable replacement...and I am a person..who had taken Adderall XR for years. Sorry I could not be of more help.

[Goleman]

hey! thanks a bunch for responding...

I hate to be a nag asking the same question over and over again..

Why do you think it's such a hard drug to find such a stable source for?

I have been going back to school after more then 10 years off...lol.. plus I work nights. I had someone supposedly give me adderall, then again, it could have been something else. But the focus I achieved studying such a dense finance book was amazing!!!

I have heard from Westend that Ritalin is a decent substitute. I guess I find it amazing out of all the stuff out there, this one common drug is so hard to come across

How do you suppose those students on 60mins supposedly come across it so easily for studying?

Without being such a pest, how do you feel about the effects Ritalin has for you... Also, might you know a relatively stable source. Most of the Roxipo and Starlite recommendations seem to be out of biz..

Thanks and happy to be apart of this forum.

[Sudie Nymm]

hey! thanks a bunch for responding...

I hate to be a nag asking the same question over and over again..

Why do you think it's such a hard drug to find such a stable source for?

I have been going back to school after more then 10 years off...lol.. plus I work nights. I had someone supposedly give me adderall, then again, it could have been something else. But the focus I achieved studying such a dense finance book was amazing!!!

I have heard from Westend that Ritalin is a decent substitute. I guess I find it amazing out of all the stuff out there, this one common drug is so hard to come across

How do you suppose those students on 60mins supposedly come across it so easily for studying?

Without being such a pest, how do you feel about the effects Ritalin has for you... Also, might you know a relatively stable source. Most of the Roxipo and Starlite recommendations seem to be out of biz..

Thanks and happy to be apart of this forum.

I think I can answer how the students get it question...because I live in a college town, and when my youngest was in college he explained it....the kids that have scripts...sell ithe meds....to their fellow students, the reason they want adderral, is because the kids whom are buying it from the other students, cannot get it because they do not have add...and it's the adderral in particular they want...no the other add meds., because they do something to it, which changes it into something that was not intended...they are abusing it...so they can stay up for days...nothing to do w/ focus...they use it for cramming. They are not getting it from OP's and any place like that...they are getting it...from each other...google it...many articles written about this. I hope this is helpful to you.

[Goleman]

Yes, thanks for taking the time to explain things Sudie...

I've made an appt with my general MD to find out a bit more.

I do shift work (nights), have for years.. When I was younger, didn't effect me so much..

Pay is great, but takes a toll on my general day to day functioning..

[Sudie Nymm]

That is good, they have medications that can help with that sort of thing...the health risks associated w/ the ADD meds are great....it's hard to explain, but we do not seem to have the expierences with it that some-one else whom did not have ADD would...that's prob. why the kids in college will sell thier own meds...it works different on ADD people, funny thing is I see it more along the lines as a necessary evil....lol....because the side effects can be a little on the harsh side....I hope it all works out for you.

[beepbeep433]

Does anyone know an approximate equal to or just anything that closely resembles Vyvanse - besides adderall? Just wondering what else is out there.

[johnnynoony]

I've been prescribed adderall and ritalin. In three months on adderall I swear I lost half my hair. Then I went off it because my doctor was concerned about some of the reports he was hearing(and because I was losing my hair). Started taking ritalin and it works much better, a lot smoother. All my hair grew back and I was a happy camper. I want to reiterate what was said previously- you have to have respect for these stimulant meds. More is never better and if you have a bad day on any of these stimulant meds you will never forget it. Be careful.

[temporarydave]

What med do you use?

Good question and I am absolutely convinced that what is right for someone else may not be right for you AND your current med of preference can and probably will change due to tolerance after a few years or you want an ir instead of an sr or vice versa.

I (of course) have tried most of them and currently go 6 months on ritalin (ir or sr) followed by adderal sr for 6 months because the effect wears off on me.

Have tried rit, adderall, dex (in the old days...) modafinil (sp) and many of the "smart drugs" (hydergine, selegine etc).

In general you are best off with figuring out which you are more comfortable with ritalin or the slow release amphet@mines and this WILL take some trial and error-I was extremely uncomfortable when I first switched to Adderall but after a week I was much happier on it rather than increasing my rit dose.

Even for us you WILL know when the dose is too high (I get anxiety bigtime) but when everything is in balance I am almost a normal, productive human being

Would love to try Focalin: the one isomer form of ritalin but it is not available in my homeland.

[Sudie Nymm]

I can relate to the being careful of dosage worry...I have on occasion..double dosed my self...( only happened w/ the ritalin because of the short half life.and small doages....the only other ADD med I have personal expierence is adderall xr and thats only a one a day...because of the longer half life)...and my anxiety went through the roof...because I had pre-exisitng anxiety and PD..before I ever was diagnosed...this was not a good thing...so I tend to take a little less than I prob. should...because it was such a scary feeling...getting used to ADD meds is hard enough...because of the side affects..but when used with respect...I mean respect in the sense..where ADD meds are not m&m's...they are effective...not a cure all...but considering how things in my head where hopelessly jumbled before...for me it was a godsend...to have the ability to take it down a notch.