I am new to ADHD and have tried Adderall XR for 2 weeks, then Concerta for 4 weeks. I feel indifferent... I think I can focus better but I still get distracted easily when studying in the library like looking at people. I have noticed that I think less, feel more confident - talking to more people at school, less worried.

What is the big difference between Adderall XR and Dexedrine? Adderall is more expensive, and is newer, so why the change? I've read that a lot of people have success with dexedrine (in the college thread). I'd like to switch back to Adderall since clinically, it is perceived as the better choice, and the side effects I got from Adderall still exist with Concerta (diarrhea and blurred far vision probably due to dry eyes).

How do I know which drug is best for me?

Only you can decide what medication works best. Whatever gives the best benefit with the least side effects.

Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine salts with the idea that the body metabolizes them at different rates (about 75% d-amphetamine salts and 25% l-amphetamine salts). The d-amphetamine acts specifically on dopamine in the brain. L-amphetamine is can act on either dopamine and/or norephinephrine (isn't specific to either one).

Dexedrine is pure 100% d-amphetamine sulfate.

It's a personal preference between these two meds.

J

Azxster,

A suggestion. It might be helpful for you to not think of Concerta as one drug and adderall as another.

With medicine, DOSAGE is everything: 5 mg of concerta is completely different for some people than 18 mg or 54 mg or 72 mg or 90mg.

Each of those dosages is frankly a different drug as in Cocerta 18 mg is one drug, Concerta 54 is another drug, Concerta 72 is a third drug. Conversely shorter acting versions of the drugs are still other drugs still. So the ritalin instant release 5 mg is one drug, 5 mg three times a day is another drug. You see what I mean?

I'm worried that you and/or you doc think meds perform magic. You have to experiment with the dosage and, along as the side effects are not dangerous, let your body adjust over 3 weeks or so before you can really determine the effectiveness of a particular medicine.

You stayed on one medication for two weeks. At what dose? .... I'm a little surprised your doctor didn't go up on the dose of the original medication.

Also, these meds have side effects that take sometimes 3 to 5 weeks to settle down. So my response to you is that I wonder if you're rushing it.
If you want feedback, you need to give us the dosage you're taking, the frequency, etc. Not that we're doctors, but people on the board generally know if there is room for a higher dosage.

Hi Azxster :),

You're asking the right questions, but it also won't be JUST about a pill. It's a time for tinkering under the hood to figure out what works best, not JUSt with your brain chemistry, but with your environment too. With Attention Deficit Disorder we need to figure out where we work best, how we work best, and when we work best. Sorry that the pill isn't the total solution. This means concentration in a busy library may never be your best solution. Or it may mean working there at certain hours of the day, when you know you're at your best, have blocked out a great period of time, are relaxed, and perhaps have had your daily exercise already.

Things like diet and exercise will come into play. Even on the right medication at the right dose (I like how ToneTone put that!) and if you're running on fumes, or buring too many quick burning carbs without some slow burning brain fuel (protein) and fat to keep you going, and you'll STILL be running on Lizard Brain...thinking about the next hunt or the next meal or each and every distraction, rather than what you want to concentrate on.

And particularly as we're young, not enough exercise and we're unable to concentrate and think as well...there's just too much nervous and anxious energy going on inside of us (think aerobic exercise daily...even if it doesn't seem to fit with your schedule, it helps you to calm down and focus giving you greater QUALITY with your smaller QUANTITY of study time).

And then, no matter what medication you're on, if you're not getting enough sleep, you'll never be able to focus and concentrate well...and this is often the hardest piece of the puzzle...A regular routine, sleep habits, and exercise time daily have been shown to dramatically increase the ability for you to fall asleep easy, and stay asleep longer.

Going to class or to the library overtired and in the best of circumstances, you'll STILL struggle to concentrate.

Medication may be the glasses you need to focus, see the challenges around you and begin to implement the solutions. But while it helps bring the world into focus, you still have the tough job ahead of getting under the hood, tinkering to see what works best for you, and building the best environment and routine (among other things) to set yourself up for success. Grab some great books on ADD (such as any by Dr. Ned Hallowell) or the many great books there are for high school or college students with ADD...and learn about yourself, and learn about your mind.

Then take one piece of the puzzle at a time, try something different, and see how it fits. Maybe start with going to the library at different times...or try a different place to study entirely...or maybe it's even studying different subjects at different times (to build positive momentum, or get into a grove, or to do your most difficult subjects first, when you're at your sharpest). Experiment with giving yourself breaks in your studies...for instance, perhaps 20 minutes on and 5 or ten minutes off (try using an egg-timer at home...though studying there is often most difficult) or set a vibrating alarm on your cell phone, or even get a vibrating watch to do the trick. Don't force yourself to study too long at once...the brain's like a muscle, it'll work hard for you, but then it needs a chance to rest and recover. Give it the rest, work it hard, and then reward yourself (frequently...and with great things, my favorite's chocolate or watching a few minutes of a good movie) reward yourself, and reward yourself.

You're on a great journey, and by asking these questions, you'll not only find the right medication at the right dose, but learn so much more about yourself to set yourself up for a lifetime of success.

Keep up the great work, look for the gifts inside of you (when you're doing something you love, you can concentrate like no one else...it's our hyper-creative hyper-focused mind!!!) and be kind to yourself.

Of course, never give up, it won't be easy, but you can do it!!!

~Michael