The more I look into various parts of the brain and their functions (basal ganglia, limbic, etc) the more I realize that I probably have decreased activity all over the brain. I'm on Concerta, but it doesn't seem to do the job. It helps with motivation and somewhat with focus, but not much for anything else like my slow recall of memories, constant irritability, impatience, inability to bond or care much for the lives of others, etc.

All these problems seem to disappear or get better at times when I am walking fast, driving fast, playing fast paced video games, etc. But once I am done doing any of these kinds of things, I am right back to my old self.

Any ideas?

From my experience, the most stimulating medications for the CNS (central nervous system) were/are Dexedrine, Desoxyn, and Focalin.

Interestingly, each of those three drugs happen to be the dextro isomers of their innovator drugs which preceded them, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate respectively.

Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) is the dextro isomer of amphetamine, Desoxyn (dextromethamphetamine) is the dextro isomer of methamphetamine, and Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is the dextro isomer of methylphenidate.

That you for your reply, Lars.

From what I understand it can be hard to get prescribed Dex and Des.. I'm not sure about Focalin but the chemical name looks similar to Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate part). Does Adderall do the same job as the first two since it's an amphetamine mixture?

I remember the few times I had adderall (unprescribed) I felt great... like a barrier had been released. I'm not sure if maybe that was from the euphoria or not because I never had the opportunity to give adderall a week's trial. My first day with Concerta wasn't as impressive. I felt euphoric and more motivated but that was it. I still have a hard time filtering out irrelevant information or environmental stimuli.

The first time I asked for adderall, I got an evil eye and was told to try Strattera. Later he put me on Concerta/strattera and now I dumped Strattera because it didn't do anything. Everytime I see my Dr. he asks me if I am abusing my Concerta or not and he now trusts me enough to write out two months worth of Concerta without having to see him for another visit.

What do you think about the Adderall?

Caffiene is a global CNS stimulant. Methylphenidate is a reinforcing CNS stimulant. Personally I do not take well to global CNS stimulants, they activate too much of my brain and make me anxious and nervous. Hell I'm used to my understimulated brain...

Except I have to say Im adoring nicotine, but I'm not willing to be a smoker, or wear patches...

From my experience, the most stimulating medications for the CNS (central nervous system) were/are Dexedrine, Desoxyn, and Focalin.

Interestingly, each of those three drugs happen to be the dextro isomers of their innovator drugs which preceded them, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate respectively.


Yes, but would they have MORE effect than the racmic mixture? Or just LESS of the L-isomer effects? Because I know that for most of those the dosage gets halved when you take the isolated D, ex Dexedrine versus Adderall. I'm interested to know, maybe I should switch over to the D-side!

Does Adderall do the same job as the first two since it's an amphetamine mixture?
Not from my experience. Adderall was the only stimulant medication that actually made my symptoms worse. My response to it was not the typical response, and it's important to remember that we each can and do react differently to these things more often than not.




What do you think about the Adderall?
Well, personally I do not have a high opinion of it, but that is just me personally. However, for anyone else that finds it to be effective for them I am all for it. I believe very strongly in choosing what works best for yourself.

I would strongly suggest that you consider talking to your Dr about Focalin before you ask him/her about trying Adderall.

Focalin is probably the single most underrated ADHD drug on the market right now, IMO.

In time, I would be willing to be that most would agree. I guess time will tell. ;)

I think you need a strong ''dopaminergic'' like Adderall or Dexedrine for energy combined with a ''serotonergic'' like Prozac for empathy and interest to care for others.

Like lars said, the dextro isomers are usually better, and, interestingly, the d-isomers are also the most dopaminergic ( i.e. they stimulate dopamine release to a greater extent or block dopamine transporters with a higher affinity ).

Combined with a SSRI like Prozac, you should be able to maximize your whole brain activity ( don't forget: everyone has limits and your brain has negative feedback mechanisms which control your brain activity to some degree ; sad but true )

I think you need a strong ''dopaminergic'' like Adderall or Dexedrine for energy combined with a ''serotonergic'' like Prozac for empathy and interest to care for others.

Like lars said, the dextro isomers are usually better, and, interestingly, the d-isomers are also the most dopaminergic ( i.e. they stimulate dopamine release to a greater extent or block dopamine transporters with a higher affinity ).

Combined with a SSRI like Prozac, you should be able to maximize your whole brain activity ( don't forget: everyone has limits and your brain has negative feedback mechanisms which control your brain activity to some degree ; sad but true )

Thank you for your reply.

My next appointment is 2 months from now and hopefully I will get around to doing enough research that both me and him can discuss giving any of these 4 stimulants a try instead of me just saying "Adderall, please" and him giving me Concerta instead. Of course, I did leit arn in this process that while Concerta does an OK job of helping me, it doesn't compare to my past experience with the other stimulant. Of course, just a week on any of these 4 might prove to be less helpful than concerta.

I decided to take 2 of my Concerta's today to see if maybe a higher dose will help me. To my surprise, I am yet to see any painful pressure behind my eyes like I did when I was on 18 mg and I doubled them up to 36 mg. So I am taking an "equivalent" of 54 mg. I found myself reading a book for 30 minutes straight without feeling like I want too punch the wall. Wonderful. Of course, I need to try 54 mg again tomorrow to see if maybe it was a fluke.

As for the SSRI... I was on Paxil a few years ago because they thought I had depression (don't know why, I wasn't sad... just frustrated). A few months on that (upping the dose every visit) and I found that it just didn't do a thing for me... and if I remember right, I found myself content with things... not happy, not sad, not impatient.. just "there." Then I quit Paxil cold turkey when I returned to my old self. I was then put on Effexor... and it did not do a damn thing.. nothing at all. I felt the exact same no matter how much I took.