Hi all! My first post

background:
When it was first suggested by a counselor that I might have ADD I was a bit puzzled. I always thought of ADD as a medical acronym that described hyperactivity. I'm not hyperactive.

As I started researching I quickly became very excited! All of these things that have always been a problem for me were listed as if someone were studying me. Things like poor focus, high distractability, disorganization, forgetfulness, problems starting and completing tasks.. I could go on.

Anyhow, I finally made it in to see an ADHD specialist in the area, and by interviewing my wife and I as well as having me take a pc based test, I was diagnosed as having moderate ADD.

The Doctor prescribed Concerta. I have now worked my way though the entire dosing range, and have not seen any positive changes. Side effects such as jitteriness, a feeling of being zoned out, and blood pressure have all increased with the rising dosage. I took 108mg for 2 days it was a bit too much. I reduced the dosage back to a comfortable 76mg, but again no changes, and I just feel off.

Only having tried one stimulant I know I haven't been at this long, but that initial excitement is now turning to discouragement....

Has anyone else out there gone though an entire dosing range of a med without positive results, and moved on to find something that actually works??

Please say yes!!

Wherewasi, I can't help wondering why some doctors don't prescribe regular release medication for new patients. Check out the medication forums and you will find lots of information.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1474811

That article makes the case that for ADD amphetamines might be more effective
than methylphenidate. The reverse maybe true for ADHD. Interesting it mentions if methylphenidate does treat ADD it often does at a low dose.

Not sure if that article mentions the SNAP-25 gene but its related to the release
of neurotransmitters. And some have speculated that amphetamines which trigger the release of neurotransmitters might be more effective in cases of ADD/ADHD thats related to a variation in the snap-25 gene.

"Some individuals with ADHD may have difficulties with release of the neurotransmitters, and in those cases, amphetamines would be particularly helpful. There is a gene implicated with ADHD called the SNAP gene—a protein that is key in releasing neurotransmitters. It guides the vesicle that holds the neurotransmitter to the cell wall and facilitates exocytotic release of neurotransmitters. We suspect that individuals with a fault in that gene may have a much higher likelihood of having ADHD. If you have a fault in the SNAP gene, you are going to be releasing too little neurotransmitter. If you're releasing too little neurotransmitter, blocking the uptake will not be as effective as directly releasing neurotransmitter. Perhaps in the future we will be able to do a genetic test on an individual and detect SNAP gene abnormalities to indicate if amphetamines may be more appropriate for them."

Had problems with the link but it came from this thread.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=461216&highlight=snap+gene#post461216

I remember reading on a site on depression how if your willing to suffer through a 2nd or more medication trails your chances of finding an effective medication go up alot(may have been a study). So trying a different class of medication, various formulations and perhaps combinations of two or more drugs is a reasonable thing to expect. Also any secondary untreated problems
you have like depression will reduce the effectiveness of ADD/ADHD meds.

ADD is an obsolete term that means ADHD primary inattentive.

I appreciate the responses.
On to Vyvanse. Prescription being filled tonight.

Vyvanse only goes up to 70mg right now as the max dose. I needed 120 or 150, but insurance would only cover 70/day.

So, instead I'm m on Adderall XR 30mg, twice a day. Since I believe this is the max recommended daily dose, insurance will cover it.

My pdoc thinks when Vyvanse is officially released for adults, they may offer the higher doses and list a higher daily max, which means insurance would then pay.

If you end up needing a dose at the lower end, Vyvanse may work for you if your insurance has limits.

Give each dose of Vyvanse a week to settle in. The first 2 days were always extreme, then it settled down to little effect until I worked my way up to over 90.