What other options are there to help alertness and attention span after having tried several drugs which don't seem to help:

Zoloft
Clonidine
Atavan
Ritalin LA
Metadate CD
Strattera
Risperdal
Are there any other options available that may help me?

Andy...

I see none of the amphetamines on there.

Meaning adderall and dexedrine.

Though I can't say that I'd react the same way but:

My cousin is taking adderall and it has no effect on him

My brother took dexadrine and mom told me it worked ok in the beginning but then he got worse than even before starting medication.

Also, from my own account, with the other stimulants that I did mention, they made my anxiety worse and gave me tics. I don't know how the amphetamines would effect me at all...

Hard to tell...i have no idea what a bunch of dopamine dumped in the frontal cortex does to you aspergers folks. Probably isnt helpful or it'd be discussed more often.

I don't either but am willing to learn.

Then again, this is mainly a chat board for the issues of ADHD and comorbids.

Sounds like what netsavy006 is dealing with falls into one of the comorbid categories.

like what Andrew? What possible ones?

Your dx...Aspergers. (No need to reply to this post).

Ok. But what can I do re: the inattention I get when the drugs listed make it worse...

Talk to your doctor about it.

I want to but am wondering about what treatment options I should ask about. I don't want to end up on another drug that most likely wont work.

Simply ask the doctor what recommendations he/she can make. I am confident the doctor knows much about medications being prescribed, far and away beyond what any of us can find on the internet.

...Treatment for Asperger's Disorder :

Medications: There is no one specific medication for Asperger’s syndrome. Some are on no medication. In other cases, we treat specific target symptoms. One might use a stimulant for inattention and hyperactivity. An SSRI such as Paxil, Prozac or Zoloft might help with obsessions or perseveration. The SSRIs can also help associated depression and anxiety. In individuals with stereotyped movements, agitation and idiosyncratic thinking, we may use a low dose antipsychotic such as risperidone.

Social Skills Training: This is one of the most important facets of treatment for all age groups. I often tell parents and teachers that the individual needs to learn body language as an adult learns a foreign language. The individual with Asperger’s must learn concrete rules for eye contact, social distance and the use of slang. Global empathy is difficult, but they can learn to look for specific signs that indicate another individual’s emotional state. Social skills are often best practiced in a small group setting. Such groups serve more than one function. They give people a chance to learn and practice concrete rules of interpersonal engagement. They may also be a way for the participant to meet others like himself. Individuals with Asperger’s do best in groups with similar individuals. If the group consists of street-wise, antisocial peers, the Asperger’s individual may retreat into himself or be dominated by the other members.

Educational Interventions: Because Asperger’s covers a wide range of ability levels the school must individualize programming for each student with Asperger’s Disorder. Teachers need to be aware that the student may mumble or refuse to look him in the eye. Teachers should notify the student in advance about changers in the school routine. The student may need to have a safe place where he can retreat if he becomes over stimulated. It may be difficult to program for a very bright student with greater deficits. In one case, a student attended gifted classes but also had an aide to help her with interpersonal issues. That student is now in college. Children with Asperger’s are often socially naive. They may not do well in an Emotionally Disturbed class if most of the other students are aggressive, street-wise and manipulative. I have seen some do well when placed with other students with pervasive developmental disorders. Some do well in a regular classroom with extra support. This extra help might include an instructional assistant, resource room or extra training for the primary teacher.

Psychotherapy: Individuals with Asperger’s Disorder may have trouble with a therapist who insists that they make an early intense emotional contact. The therapist may need to proceed slowly and avoid more emotional intensity than the patient can handle. Concrete, behavioral techniques often work best. Play can be helpful in a limited way if the therapist uses it to teach way of interaction of the therapist uses play as a break form an emotionally tense if it is used to lower emotional tension. Adults and children may also do well in group therapy. Support groups can also be helpful.

Parents play an important role in helping their child or adolescent. This child or adolescent will require time and extra nurturance. It is important to distinguish between willful disobedience and misunderstanding of social cues. It is also important to sense when the child is entering emotional overload so that one can reduce tension. They may need to prepare the child for changes in the daily routine. One must choose babysitters carefully. Parents may have to take an active role in arranging appropriate play dates for the younger child. Some parents seek out families with similar children. Children with Asperger’s often get along with similar playmates. Parents should help teachers understand the world from the child’s unique point of view. Parenting an adolescent with Asperger’s can be a great challenge. The socially naive adolescent may not be ready for the same degree of freedom as his peers. Often parents can find a slightly older adolescent who can be a mentor. This person can help the adolescent understand how to dress, and how to use the current slang. If the mentor attends the same school, he can often give clues about the cliques in that particular setting.

Adults may benefit from group therapy or individual behavioral therapy. Some speech therapists have experience working with adults on pragmatic language skills. Behavioral coaching, a relatively new type of intervention, can help the adult with Asperger’s Disorder organize and prioritize his daily activities. Adults may need medication for associated problems such as depression or anxiety. It is important to understand the needs and desires of that particular adult. Some adults do not need treatment. They may find jobs that fit their areas of strength. They may have smaller social circles, and some idiosyncratic behaviors, but they may still be productive and fulfilled....

Source: http://www.baltimorepsych.com/aspergers.htm

Bottom line: Talk to your doctor.

Here are a list of some other possible treatment options (not limited to you specifically, approved for or used off-label to treat AD/HD, talk to your doctor):

Wellbutrin (inhibits reuptake of DA and NE, can work for inattentiveness comorbid with anxiety and/or depression)
Provigil (Modafinil - narcolespy drug, low abuse potential)
Stablon (Tianeptine - SSRE, enhances reuptake of serotonin)
Amantadine (see Halloway's latest book, studies supporting it's efficacy lacking)
Effexor XR (SNRI, works like Strattera, side effects may be unpleasant)
Edronax (Reboxetine - SNRI, works like Strattera)
Tricyclic antidepressants (side effects may be difficult to tolerate)

If you react like I did, consider:

Strattera + [low-dose psychostimulant]

The following are more speculative drug combinations (caution is warranted, talk to your doctor):

Strattera + Provigil
Edronax + [low-dose psychostimulant]
Wellbutrin + [low-dose psychostimulant] (could increase your risk of seizures)

Can't take strattera. It made my agitation worse so I had to stop it w/in the first week of taking it.

Does anybody know if they make long acting Dexadrine?

Have you checked in the medications forums?

I'm doing a forums search and not finding what I want to know...

Andy...

C~F I submitted a request to be in the private forums...