i was diagnosed with ADHD a few years back now and was on a non amphetamin bassed medication for it. This was basicaly because I have an issue with amphetamins that stems back to addiction, in a nutshell. I recently mooved to australia and the only thing im able to get acess to is dexamphetamine. This for me is a problem, ive acepted the meds because i ned them but ive put off collecting my perscription for what i would assume is obvious reasons. Im totaly confused and Im hesetant to mention to my phyciatrist the issues i have becaues it could result in me being banned from getting any perscription meds, or at least theat is my understanding of it. if anyone has some advice on what to do or how to approach this i would be greatfull to hear (read) it, i dont want to end going back to the person i used to be if i can possably avoide it, ive come too far.

thanks in advance
_n0bi

Were you on Stratterra? Wellbutrin & Provigil are other options.

If taken as directed dexamphetamine is not addictive and it may actually prevent or lessen substance abuse problems - the improvements to impulse control can be amazing! Most 12 step programs and other treatment programs require total abstinence from everything - for fear that a person will just switch to abusing something else, but in your case you are treating a condition that is in all likelyhood the root cause of your previous substance abuse problems - I'm assuming here, sorry if I'm wrong.

Thankyou for the advice. I will take it into concideration. Oh yeah, if my memory serves i was on amilytriptaline (spelt wrong, more than likely). Their an anti depresent i think and wernt the most affective at treating me.

Amitryptyline, nortriptyline and fellow members of the TCA family of anti-Ds are thought to have some positive effect on ADD -- but from my experience - they don't ..at least in relation to stimulant medication.
And as to whether the TCAs work on depression - well my depression lifted whilst taking them, but of course, I don't know whether my depression would have burnt out of its own volition, naturally and without medication.

SB.

i can understand your reluctance to take an amphetamine given your history, but as was said, if taken under the correct dosage, it is not going to send you into a spiral of abuse. i would certainly start with the lowest dosage possible, and work your way up. sometimes the fear of taking a med (understandable in your case, again) is the real issue we have to overcome, and in an adhd mind with an abuse history, that can be difficult. i agree with greg that you may have been self-medicating all along, many adhders do. give it a try since you have the script, and let us know how you do. good luck!

I was just put on dex, and have been referring to this thread for advice, because I'd never been on an amphetamine at all (though I'd been on nearly everything else under the sun.)

I freaked out when I got home, because even though I'd seen the word "amphetamine" in the name, I still didn't think it was such a big deal. But I research everything after I get it, and I was like, "Holy &*#%" when I saw how *******' panicked the world is about its addictive nature.

Eventually, logically, we just figured, well hell, just stay on the dose you're told to, do what you're told to do, and don't go and change the dose yourself, and everything should be fine. Talked to my doc yesterday, and he further soothed me, saying that I'm on a "Mickey Mouse dose" (10 mg at the moment, but I'm supposed to increase it by 5 every week until it seems to be working as it should.) He said his sons have been on it, and that of course he'd die for them and wouldn't ever do anything to put them at risk. "So, Chrystine, as you always say, 'Be Zen and chill.'" :)

He also pointed out that while I've never been on addictive stimulant, I've been on several addictive tranquilizers (Xanax, Ativan, Ultram, muscle relaxers...the list goes on) and managed not to develop a dependency on them, so I must have some self-control.

The main concern I have at this point is that I have nearly no appetite and have been going to bed (average) at 3 a.m. since I got on the stuff, save for last night when my husband got me drunk (he made me two screwdrivers--I figured he put a shot in each, but after finishing them, I found out that he estimated having put in 2 1/2 or 3 in each one.)

I even tried to take Xanax the other night, but after taking a dose that usually practically knocks me out, I didn't feel the slightest tranquilizing effect.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm on the same wavelength. I haven't been on amphetamines before, so obviously I was never addicted to them, but I was an alcoholic for about 4 years before I got therapy for a traumatic childhood incident, so I have been addicted to something...well, besides cigarettes and caffeine (and knitting, hence the rather cynical name I've given myself in this discussion group.) I got past the constant drinking, and now just have a few beers at night once in a while.

I doubt that this message really proves to be immensely helpful, but at least know that you're not the only new dex user at the moment who's a little freaked about potential addiction.

Chrys

im getting on with them ok, as expected my sleeping is, well, it isnt, but ive never slept properly for as long sa i can remember, might mention it to my doc, see if i cant get somthing for it. im just concerned because i know my will power isnt the best and when i got two bottles laying about and instructoins from my doc to "build it up day on day untill you find what works" and "heres anough to take 8 per day for 3 weeks solid with a few spare" didnt exactly give me a great guideline. Somtimes its very easy for me to think, nah just neck a load and get buzzin. so far so good though.

Yeah, but I'm kind of little, so he calculated my body size while deciding on dosages, and decided that the appropriate maximum dose was 30 or 35 mg, I forget which. I'm supposed to increase it by 5 mg a week, am currently on 10, next increase in dose is next Friday. I'm going to see him in a couple of weeks, so I'll have him remind me whether it's 30 or 35 wayyy before that ship sails. I'll probably stop far before then anyway, hopefully it'll start working at a low dose, like this 10, and maybe the increase to 10 on Friday hasn't kicked in yet or something.

We'll see...

Dangit, I hate drugs. Especially unfamiliar ones--amphetamines.

Ugh.:mad: I think I'm getting a tad cranky because I'm tired yet not sleepy--you know? I need to wake up and go to interview a preschool at 7 in the @$!%ing morning, and can't sleep yet. Guess I'll go in there half-dead if this is another up-until-3-or-4 evening.

Chrys

for the record im 5ft 8in and 9stone 1lb (proly less now i started meds, eating less). I think dose depends on more than just weight, like resistens, metabolisum, severity off add, etc.

Dosage is related to weight, but not completely - one 150lb person might take 100mg a day and another person of the same weight might find that 20 or 30 mg a day (or less) is what they need. A doctor will base their initial dosage on weight, but they will almost always start a person off slowly so that they aren't taking too much right from the get-go. It's a bit of a pain sometimes - 5mg for the first week, 10mg the second week, etc - especially when you can feel it starting to work but have to stay on the lower dose as per doctor's instructions - but it's the prudent way to prescribe stimulants.

yeah, i have found that to be annoying at times. Its all good though. Just need to get my head around it all. Im ok for most of the day, its worst at night though, when im tierd and meds are wareing thin. Everyone in the house is stressed and stuff. I think that for the most part im dong fine. The biggest thing at the moment is ill be getting **** of my parents for somthing, like not having a job (wich im not exactly happy about eather) and they give me **** for it, i get a headache, neck some paracetamol and the first thaught into my head is 'may as well neck some more'. I can get headaches quite quickly as well and when im stressed is when i find it worst.

Shinobi:

I'm not really model-thin; 5 feet tall, 119 pounds. For a while, I lost some weight (down to, what was it, 115?) to placate my neurologist (he wants me to be between 105-110, and I haven't weighed that since I got pregnant. 4 years ago, that is.) I think I'm probably going to knock off a few pounds because of the dex, though...don't really get hungry all day until the dex starts to drop off at about 9 or 10 p.m., then I could go for a little snack...

All I know is that I seem to be showing some improvement since I upped it to 15 mg on Friday. So maybe we're either at the appropriate dose now or will be with another 5 mg--depends on what he meant by "Up it by 5 until you get a good result" or whatever...I don't really know how to decipher that. What would you guys consider to be a "good result?" Maybe the more experienced can give me a hint.


p.s. My husband thinks my doc had an alterior motive in putting me on this medicine, since he's so adamant about me losing some weight. :rolleyes: The reason for this suggestion, by the way, is that somehow "the perfect weight", in his opinion, could be beneficial to my epilepsy...

i think i have my head around it. Things are not stressing me as much anymore and i find it easyer to 'go with d flo'. Somtimes i do get stressed out alot, like when im looking for a job and getting nothing but abbuse from the person on the other end of the phone but its all goood and i calm down quickly. Living at home is not the best place for me, i guess you could say i have grown out of it, but i recently got a college place [big grin] and im confident of getting a job soon (i need a job soon, cash is not a plant). Also we had some family staying with us and that helped things a bit, my mom hasnt seen any family since we mooved to .au so it was a real boost for her, which has helped lift the overall mood in the house. I think that as things progress and life begins to settle down for me and my family itll all be good. Thanks for the advice and input ive recieved, it has realy helped me.

Do you think 4 times a day 3x5mg tablets or 3 times a day 4x5mg tablets is ok for a 84kg male.

wouldent know, was taken off them. sorry dude.

Why were you taken off them? Im actually down to 82kg now.. about 5 ' 9.. have 12 dex a day.. 4 x 3daily

my mental health took a turn for the worst, it was the hospital that finalised the decission, refused to script me them. I may be going onto an ADhD med at some point in the future but right now im not.

you know 12 a day is quite a high dose to pop. might want to be carefull.

Yes i am being careful. I started on 8.. but im on 12 now.. thats the max.. and its fine..

Out of curiosity, what was that non-stimulant medication? And how well did it work for you?

i was diagnosed with ADHD a few years back now and was on a non amphetamin bassed medication for it. This was basicaly because I have an issue with amphetamins that stems back to addiction, in a nutshell. I recently mooved to australia and the only thing im able to get acess to is dexamphetamine. This for me is a problem, ive acepted the meds because i ned them but ive put off collecting my perscription for what i would assume is obvious reasons.

What horrible dilemma for you. But the research shows that treating someone who has been addicted to a stimulant drug before is quite safe as long as they have not been using for at least 6 months. The treatment outcomes for people with ADHD who have been addicts and are being treated with stimulant medications are much better than for those who are not treated at all. The two usual stimulant medications happen to be the best treatments we currently have. All the research shows that filling your prescription, taking you medication as you doctor recommends actually reduces your risk of returning to abusive drug use. Part of your discouragement, worry and hesitation at filling your prescription may be the returning symptoms of your ADHD.


Im totaly confused and Im hesetant to mention to my phyciatrist the issues i have becaues it could result in me being banned from getting any perscription meds, or at least theat is my understanding of it. if anyone has some advice on what to do or how to approach this i would be greatfull to hear (read) it, i dont want to end going back to the person i used to be if i can possably avoide it, ive come too far.




You do hve to be honest with your psychiatrist. He is the most likelly to support you. Also educate yourself and have a look at teh research concerning the treatment of former addicts with stimulant medication. A return to drug addiction is almost unheard of.

katatak.

Do you think 4 times a day 3x5mg tablets or 3 times a day 4x5mg tablets is ok for a 84kg male.


I ama a 75 kg male and I take 3x5mg 4 times a day as well as a 10 mg spansule at night (it actually helps me sleep). That's 70 mg daily. I haven't found any documentaion about maximum doses.

I have read, however, that some of the pharmacutical guides way underreport what patients are actaully prescribed. Read this: What the C.P.S. Does Not Say About Stimulants (http://www.benchitrit.com/content_lng01/03/03_01/03_01.html)

That article rang true when my doctor read me what the C.P.S. said currently. It sounded more out of date that what I've found on the Internet. My GP and I are wondering about a larger doses as well if I need it. He will try and talk to a psychitrist who treats adults with adhd, but there are so few andn there is so little research out there about Dexedrine specifically. That's even though many people preferr it hands down over Methylphenedate.

So far, I don't feel like I'm taking to much.

Katatak

Yes, 12 a day is a lot. But this has been done gradually, and I am seeing my GP weekly during the time we are finding the right dose. I suspect what passes for common knowledge about Dexedrine isn't as reliable as some think. As that earlier article pointed out, there is a big difference between what doctors with actual experience are prescribling and what the "official" litterature says.

my mental health took a turn for the worst, it was the hospital that finalised the decission, refused to script me them. I may be going onto an ADhD med at some point in the future but right now im not.

you know 12 a day is quite a high dose to pop. might want to be carefull.
Have a look at this article :
Clinical Suggestions for Management of Stimulant Treatment in Adolescents (http://www.cpa-apc.org/publications/archives/cjp/2000/oct/clinical.asp
)

This is a long article meant for doctors written by a well known researcher in ADHD. She has followed children from the early '70's the the present day. She knows how ADHD works. The part of this article that talks specifically about treating addolecents with ADHD and comorbid addiction or emotional problems is here: Contraindications to Stimulant Treatment (http://www.cpa-apc.org/publications/archives/cjp/2000/oct/Clinical3.asp
) . She doesn't put it very well, but she is hopefull that adolecents with ADHD and addiction problems can be successfully treated with stimulant medications.

Of course now, Straterra is on the market (In Canada and the U.S. and maybe Australia). Straterra is an SNRI and NOT a stimulant. It is more succesfull than any other non-stimulant medication in treating ADHD. Ask your psychiatrist about it.

Hang in there, you'll find your way...

Katatak

Thanks for those links.. very good ;) and thanks for your reply:D