I have been on medications for ADHD for almost four years now. I've been on Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Adderall, Adderall XR, Strattera, Concerta, yeah I think that's it. I always seem to have a great reaction, but after that, it doesn't seem to help much. Especially since I've been out of high school (two years now). (I'm actually thinking that it's possible that the structure in high school seemed to kind of mask my symptoms to an extent). Anyway, the doctor said that it's too severe for him to help me anymore and he referred me to a psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD (I also have anxiety as well). (The psychiatrist can't even get me in until September 25th and I'm about to lose my job so I'm kinda freaking out about that). But anyway, there are a few mediacations that I haven't tried yet. Such as the new Vyvanse, Focalin, Metadate, Daytrana, and I'm sure there are some others out there. Anyway, since these are all stimulants, would it be worth trying them? Why are there so many stimulants on the market? How is one different from the others? I haven't shown much of a reaction to stimulants. Well at least not enough of a reaction. They definitely help. Everyone at work can tell when I don't take them, but when I do take them, they still see my ADHD coming right through and creating disasters. So does anybody know if someone who has little reaction to one stimulant might have great reaction to another, even though stimulants basically do the same thing? Thanks for the replies. I'm at the point where I don't know what to do. I've never felt this helpless and out of control.

And also, does it always take that long to get into a psychiatrist; two months is forever. (She's actually not even accepting new patients; the only reason I even got in was because I was referred there by a physician). But anyway, there's no way I can wait that long. Don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm feeling miserable and everything in my life has been going down the drain for two years now. Waiting two months is just not an option. Maybe I'll see if there's somebody else who is as good as this lady who can help me. Any responses are appreciated. Thanks.

Hmmm. Most of those drugs are variants of each other (Vyvanse = extended release Dexedrine, Daytrana = Ritalin in a patch, Focalin is Ritalin with only the dextro form instead of the racemic mix, Metadate = another form of Ritalin).

The only other stimulant I could think of is Desoxyn - but most doctors won't prescribe it (It's methamphetamine - yeah, the same stuff that junkies use - except it's the 'pure' laboratory form). Most docs won't give it out because of the stigma aroudn it, because it's EASY to get addicted to, and because people will do anything to get their hands on pure lab-forms of 'illegal' drugs (kinda like OxyContin). BUT - it's the most powerful stimulant there is I think available - dosage is like 5mg a day (Yeah, that's pretty powerful stuff if you only need 5mg a day).

Maybe instead of stimulants you need an antidepressant? Wellbutrin is used to treat ADHD.

So basically if one of the forms of a med doesn't work, then another one won't. Like if I don't react very well to ritalin, then I won't respond any differently to Focalin? Maybe I can get my doctor to prescribe me desoxyn. I've never even heard of it before. I don't need him to try to figure me out. I just need to get through the next couple months until I go to the psychiatrist. (I just got written up at work again; I made another mistake on an important form; attention to detail; one more and I'm suspended so this is getting to be somewhat serious). Thanks for the reply.

You said that you see some positive results but then the symptoms break through. Is it posible that you were not titrated up quite high enough, or did you have side effects that prevented further increase. The different forms of the same med can have different levels of side effects. For example, short acting methylphenidate can have ups and downs between doses and increased side effects or lessened effectivity. In this case, a long acting med like concerta could be smoother without the ups and downs. Side effects on methylphenidate may not occur on focalin because focalin is only the more centrally active form (dex isomer) of methylphenidate.

Also keep in mind that stress can mess with brain chemistry and can lessen the effectiveness of the meds.

It may be that the stims do not fit with your specific brain chemistry and you need to move to antidepressants or other 3rd line treatments. Or, a combo may be needed. It is hard to work through this sometimes, and I wish you the best on this tough journey.

So basically if one of the forms of a med doesn't work, then another one won't. Like if I don't react very well to ritalin, then I won't respond any differently to Focalin?
Not necessarily - some of the longer acting ones (the extended release formulas) are generally 'smoother' acting, and some of them are the 'dex' only forms (i.e. Dexedrine, Focalin, etc.). instead of the recemic mixes (i.e. Adderall).

I've tried the shorter and longer acting meds. I've also been on antidepressants, lexapro and prozac. They didn't help my adhd though. I was taking them for anxiety, but they didn't really help the adhd. The meds were upped, until they could safely be upped no more. I don't know how they determine certain "safe doses," like with adderall, it's 60 mg a day. I've taken more (shouldn't have), but the other day, I took two 20 mg doses for one of my three daily doses (so I had taken a total of 80 mg that day). It was exactly what I needed. I was focused, getting my work done, everything that the other employees seem to almost do with ease. Won't be doing that again, basically because I don't know what it could do to my body if I start taking that much adderall. I just wanted to see what would happen. I just love how good I feel, when I'm on the right dosage. This is why I'm looking for something else, because my body doesn't react enough to the doses determined to be safe for you to consume in a day.

So basically if one of the forms of a med doesn't work, then another one won't. Like if I don't react very well to ritalin, then I won't respond any differently to Focalin?That is not always the case. For example, when I took Adderall I experienced pronounced sedation. In contrast, I never experienced any sedation with Dexedrine whatsoever.

As far as not reacting well to Ritalin being a good indicator for how you will respond to Focalin, I would strongly suggest that you wait and see for yourself before assuming that to be true.

I started in 1992 with Ritalin, and went on to several different versions & brands of methylphenidate. Having had plenty of experience with methylphenidate, I put off trying Focalin for several years. I remember when it first came out that my Dr was very excited for me to give it a try, but I was not the least bit interested. I was not interested due to my Dad dying the year before as a result of having taken the new diabetic drug Rezulin which was later pulled from the market, and also from my own ignorance about what Focalin really was. I wrongfully assumed it to be like the traditional methylphenidate experience I had come to dread over the years. I was wrong, and wrong in a big way about Focalin.

Having taken all of the stimulants prescribed for this condition (except Daytrana & Vyvanse), and most of their approved generics, I have found Focalin to be on par with both Desoxyn, and Dexedrine. From my experience, that puts it in the top echelon of ADHD medications. It's important to note that what works best for one person, may not be best for another person, and vice versa. We can and often due respond to these drugs in our own unique ways.

Focalin and Desoxyn are both very expensive (as far as prescription stimulants are concerned), but Dexedrine (generic these days) is quite affordable for most people. If you and your Dr are interested, there is a coupon that you can print off from the Focalin XR website that allows for a free one month trial.

PS Semper Fi!

Careful with taking that much Adderall. It will mess with your heart and can possibly damage it permanently. Also, 80mg is bordering on being a junkie dosage - recommended max for adults is 30mg a day - it's the largest pill they make.