I have been treated for ADD for about 20 years now. I started with Ritalin, went to Concerta, and now need something new. The best I ever felt was when I smoked. I felt alert but not overly stimulated and focused. Never really felt that way on anything I have taken. Since going to my doc to try something new I've been on Vyvanse and now Focalin. Can't say I'm really happy with anything so far. May just try 54 mg Concerta. The reason he switched me completely was that when I odubled my Concerta it didn't do anything. I doubled it after running out of Vyvanse and it had me jittery and over stimulated. I'd like to find a med or combination of meds that made me fell like I did after a cigarette. Obviously I don't want to smoke for all the obvious reasons. Anyone else feel this way or have any suggestions? ANy more it feels like I'm able to get by but I always feel like I'm in a fog even when over stimulated.

You're not alone in this. In fact, some of the new ADHD medications in the pipeline are working on the nicotine receptors in the brain. It'll be a few years yet before they hit the market, but they've shown a lot of early promise.

I honestly feel more like I want to smoke on Vyvanse, I have never understood it. I had quit smoking for almost a year prior to taking Vyvanse (this is my first medicine for ADHD as well), but once I started taking the medicine, I had extreme urges to smoke and picked it up again. I have actually considered buying an E-Cigarette to get the nicotine with out the smoke, I hate just about everything about smoking.

Thats why I'm trying to find out if anyone else has been or is in the same situation. One guy said Wellbutrin helped him. I really don't want to smoke. I know its terrible for you, plus it smells. I already work around some dirty air, don't need to make it worse, if that's even possible. I know nicotine stimulates dopamine and seratonin. Ritalin and all of it's forms does the same so maybe adding an SSRI would help. I really don't want to try an antidepressant though. Not so much for the stigma of being on one but side effects and what not. Trying to figure out new dosing and meds for ADD right now and it's hell. I would just like to get rid of the foggy feeling which really has only happened when I would smoke.

Thats why I'm trying to find out if anyone else has been or is in the same situation. One guy said Wellbutrin helped him. I really don't want to smoke. I know its terrible for you, plus it smells. I already work around some dirty air, don't need to make it worse, if that's even possible. I know nicotine stimulates dopamine and seratonin. Ritalin and all of it's forms does the same so maybe adding an SSRI would help. I really don't want to try an antidepressant though. Not so much for the stigma of being on one but side effects and what not. Trying to figure out new dosing and meds for ADD right now and it's hell. I would just like to get rid of the foggy feeling which really has only happened when I would smoke.

Wellbutin might be helpful.

It targets norepinephrine and dopamine, and has a very low side effect profile.

It's the same as Zyban which has been shown to be effective in helping smokers stop smoking.

I just celebrated my fourth year of being smoke free and it's great not to have to worry about a cigarette. I still take Wellbutrin.

god i feel you man.

smoking never did jack for my concentration (if anything made me foggy) but i miss them.

i'm in the middle of my 2nd quit, this time for good... (don't lol) and this time is a lot easier, i had quit for 1 yr from a pack a day. this time i was dating a smoker and so i would smoke when i drank, then when a few throughout the day, then i just started feeling the need for one so i nipped it in the bud.

amphetamines made the cravings REALLY intense, but also seemed to somehow give me the impulse control to quit. also it's hard to keep focused when you keep daydreaming about cigarettes, it trumps all your other thoughts.

that's what's great about the ADHD meds IMO, they have such a profound effect on WHAT YOU DO, instead of being absorbed in HOW YOU FEEL, and needing the constant distraction/escape of a cigarette is classic ADHD to me.

i have a lot better control over my life even throughout the ups and downs of the medication and i've managed to cut out a lot of bad habits. i'm actually excited for once to see where i'll be in a year from now...


either get the patch or go cold turkey... the patch is great actually and can really work, for me i could never afford it so i always had to do cold turkey. good luck!

I have been treated for ADD for about 20 years now. I started with Ritalin, went to Concerta, and now need something new. The best I ever felt was when I smoked. I felt alert but not overly stimulated and focused. Never really felt that way on anything I have taken. Since going to my doc to try something new I've been on Vyvanse and now Focalin. Can't say I'm really happy with anything so far. May just try 54 mg Concerta. The reason he switched me completely was that when I odubled my Concerta it didn't do anything. I doubled it after running out of Vyvanse and it had me jittery and over stimulated. I'd like to find a med or combination of meds that made me fell like I did after a cigarette. Obviously I don't want to smoke for all the obvious reasons. Anyone else feel this way or have any suggestions? ANy more it feels like I'm able to get by but I always feel like I'm in a fog even when over stimulated.


and as far as getting a new med, try adderall... methylphenidate meds are way too edgy. adderall is incredibly smooth by comparison, dex is even smoother than that but it's hard to get prescribed sometimes and sometimes not as effective.