well i just got diagnosed with ADD and ive had the symptoms my whole life but now that im am an adult it started interfering with important stuff. anyways im a little confused about this whole thing i was prescribed metadate CD 20 mg. and all the papers that came with the Rx said to take in the morning but my dr. said to take it at night before i went to bed. i dont know what good it would do then or maybe it will be a way to get accustomed to the medication i dont know. also i was trying to quit smoking cigs but now that i started the medication it makes me crave nicotine all the time. i find myself chain smoking. i was doing good before i started taking it. also i am an insomniac and i dont think taking this medication at night helps any. i did inform my doctor of all this before. i have a younger sister who is add but she seems to have a more severe case. the is taking concerta. so as u can imagine being diagnosed with this disorder at 20 years old is very confusing for me and im hoping that maybe ya'll could help

We'll help with whatever we can Danny!

Have you told all this to your doctor? The one who is advising you to take your meds at night? He's the one you should be asking why he says that...

Welcome to the forums!

We're here for you, dannyson!

It seems to me you're first priority is clearing up the medication thing. My first question is, is your prescribing doctor a general practitioner, a family practice doctor, or a psychiatrist who has extensive experience with ADHD, specifically adults with ADHD. It is very important that your doc know about ADHD. You don't state your location, but depending on where you are, I'm certain someone on the Forums could give you references to ADHD qualified docs in your area, if you need to find one.

Second, have you checked out the Treatments/Medications threads? You may find some answers there.

Third, the Members here are each at different places in their ADHD journeys. If you have the time, please browse the different threads as much as possible. You will probably experience a lot of "hey that's ME!" moments, and more than likely you'll have more questions arise. You will surely find even a tiny bit of clarity after just being diagnosed.

We're here to support you; don't hold back! Ask what you need to know about. :)

We're here for ya, Dannyson :)

thanx guys for all your support. well my mom reccomended the dr. he is a neurologist. i live in miami, florida. perhaps he told me to take the medicine at nite so that i can sleep through any side effects that i may get when i start taking the medicine?
i dont know. but i had already left the doctors office when i realized that add medicines were related to amphetamines then i started wondering how i was supposed to sleep. i did though mention all these things to him. wellfor all you miami people his name is dr. shafey he has his office at mercy hospital.

dannyson,

Not all ADD meds are in the amphetamine family. What medication were you prescribed?

i was prescribed metadate cd

Danny:

Miami, no kidding.....I'm in Tampa, FL and plan to move to the South Florida area, hopefully find a job there.....you do have some GREAT hospitals there....and some great doctors.....

I did inquire about Mercy....wonderful facility.....

I don't know anything about Metadate so someone else here can tell you more about it.....but

want to welcome you.....I'm glad you're getting treated at such a young age....you have the rest of your life to look forward to in recovery.....:)

Please keep posting and as the others state, we will be here for you:)

Metadate CD is a long acting form of methylphenidate (Ritalin).

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the active ingredient in Metadate® CD as a first-line therapy for ADHD in children ages 6 and older.

The active ingredient in Metadate® CD is a stimulant called methylphenidate, the most widely prescribed medication for ADHD. Methylphenidate has been used safely in children for almost 50 years.


Metadate® CD is contraindicated in patients:

* With marked anxiety, tension, and/or agitation, since the drug may aggravate these symptoms

* With glaucoma, motor tics, or family history or diagnosis of Tourette's Syndrome

* During or within 14 days of treatment with MAO inhibitors

Metadate® CD should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychosis, drug dependence, or alcoholism. Chronic abusive use can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence.

Caution is advised when Metadate® CD is prescribed for patients with a history of seizures, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease, and in those who are receiving anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, some antidepressants (tricyclics, SSRIs), and pressor agents.

The most common adverse reactions are headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and insomnia.

Dannyson - Yeah, it is very confusing, I'm 31 and was just diagnosed as well. I'm of the understanding that for some people, getting medicated is like 'turning the lights on'. I'm hopeful... But I'm more wondering how I'm going to fix the other problems in my life that stem from living with undiagnosed ADD for 31 years.

Good luck!

i know what you mean timboni ive been on a self-destructive path now since i can remember. i like ur analogy about turning the lights on because alot of times i feel as if the lights are off

Originally posted by timboni
I'm of the understanding that for some people, getting medicated is like 'turning the lights on'. I'm hopeful... But I'm more wondering how I'm going to fix the other problems in my life that stem from living with undiagnosed ADD for 31 years.

Good luck!

A day at a time is the short answer:) and it takes time and it doesn't happen overnight but the journey can be QUITE exciting....congrats on taking the first step......timboni and Danny.:)

The begining is just that. Don't change course too often or too quickly.

It is a stimulant. A Neurologist is not neccesarily ADD knowledgible. your prescribing physician and you may become a colaborative team, if you wish it, and they are comfortable in that role. Before I'd advise you seek that, I'd want to know whether you want that relationship or rather have some one "in control." What ever, find the good match for YOUR desired way of dealing with ADhD and drugs. Give it a good set of tries that way, and then assess.

Good luck.

dannyson,

Welcome to the forum.

**Disclaimer**
This is a laymans persepctive; just to get your mind thinking; not by any means consider it medical advice.


Nicotine is such a nasty drug. I don't know what is actually going on; but maybe; the stimulant is having an adverse affect on your nictine receptors, and as such; you are needing more nicotine to match your body's fix satisfaction level.

Definately talk to the doctor; ask why he advised to take in the morning instead of the night...if there is no major reason, ask him if it ok to try in the morning to see if the effect is the same.

Ask your doctor what experience with ADD he has as he may be a great neurologist; but his specialty may be stroke victims; not ADD patients.

If your really bored or feeling brave, ask him to explain what nicotine does to your brain...that might help you give up!!!

When trying meds; you need to have a Doctor you can trust and have faith in. Try ringing the hispital and asking who their ADD specialist is there. If they say no-one; then that helps a bit; If they give a different doctor; possibly see if you could see them as well; even just for a second opnion.

Just another option from left field.

Sleepz

thanx guys well i talked to my doc and it was a big mix up. i was prescibed 2 meds one for migraine headaches and the other for add. the directions at some point where switched the migrain med at night and the add medicine in the morning. well so far is day 2 on the meds and i find myself being able to concentrate on one task. actually i think im concentrating to well, i have to pry myself away from one task to do another one but at least its better than trying to tackle 4 and not finishing any.

That's great to hear!

Well done dannyson.

Keep us posted on how you are going, and checkout some of the different posts which may help you understand things a bit better as well.

Sleepz.

Whew! Glad the mix-up seems to have been cleared up! And I'm excited for you that you seem to be experiencing some positive results from the ADD meds. You and your doc will find the perfect dosage, and then WOO! Who knows what kinds of good stuff will happen! :D

Here's to hoping things are better now that that's cleared up... :D

thanx you guys have been great. im just happy to know that im not nuts. i will be posting and reading and i feel excited about life again

You're most welcome, man! YOU'RE not nuts--it's just the rest of the world that is!! :D

Looking very forward to your posts, and I'm thrilled that you're excited about life again! :D :D