Lack of response to medication--misdiagnosis?

[Fiction]

About a year ago I was diagnosed with ADD, Inattentive type (I am 22 now). After the diagnosis, I tried to get on a number of medications, starting with Concerta, then going to Adderall XR, Strattera, and even Focalin (which is new and expensive as hell). While I was not on any of them for particularly long, I did not feel as though I was responding to them. The most that I ever felt was when I took a double dose of Adderall a few times and I just felt exhausted and jittery (especially when I didn't eat every two hours).

I am wondering--is such a lack of response to medication at all common? Could it be that I am simply undisciplined and have a few of the behavioral traits of ADD without actually having the disease? I feel like I would have responded to something.

[MonkeyGirl]

Originally Posted by Fiction

About a year ago I was diagnosed with ADD, Inattentive type (I am 22 now). After the diagnosis, I tried to get on a number of medications, starting with Concerta, then going to Adderall XR, Strattera, and even Focalin (which is new and expensive as hell). While I was not on any of them for particularly long, I did not feel as though I was responding to them. The most that I ever felt was when I took a double dose of Adderall a few times and I just felt exhausted and jittery (especially when I didn't eat every two hours).

I am wondering--is such a lack of response to medication at all common? Could it be that I am simply undisciplined and have a few of the behavioral traits of ADD without actually having the disease? I feel like I would have responded to something.

Not necessarily. About 30% of adults atleast, have no effect from meds.

I feel that I have many clones of myself out there, or half sisters and half brothers - ADHDers. It was quite overwhelming, but it strook me that way. Like ADHD did it so we had like a 1000 things in common. A doctor wouldn't asked you this, but have you had any such feeling?..

[BethanyBez]

Yeah, some people can go through every pill and never really experience any effects. It sounds like you have mainly tried stimulants. Maybe you can ask your doctor for something in a different category?

[JR1973]

Did you work on adjusting the dosage? The usual gold standard for starting stimulants is:

1. Pick either an Amphetamine class or Methylphenidate class. This usually means either Adderall XR or Concerta.
2. Starting with small doses of whatever medication and increase on a regular basis (decided upon by the doctor).
3. If negative side effects appear that do not go away, switch to the other class.

About 70% of people respond to either of the stimulant meds. Most prefer amphetamines but some do well on either. If you give up and 'punt' too soon without finding the optimum dose you won't ever find a solution, only frustration.

As for typical dose ranges in adults:
Adderall XR 40-60mg per day
Concerta 81mg +/- 27mg
Focalin XR 20-40mg

Read these links:

http://healthcalls.com/

http://www.adhdspotlight.com/
J

[QueensU_girl]

Did you have TESTING?

[Fiction]

Originally Posted by BethanyBez

Yeah, some people can go through every pill and never really experience any effects. It sounds like you have mainly tried stimulants. Maybe you can ask your doctor for something in a different category?

Strattera is an SNRI.

[Fiction]

Originally Posted by JR1973

Did you work on adjusting the dosage? The usual gold standard for starting stimulants is:

1. Pick either an Amphetamine class or Methylphenidate class. This usually means either Adderall XR or Concerta.
2. Starting with small doses of whatever medication and increase on a regular basis (decided upon by the doctor).
3. If negative side effects appear that do not go away, switch to the other class.

About 70% of people respond to either of the stimulant meds. Most prefer amphetamines but some do well on either. If you give up and 'punt' too soon without finding the optimum dose you won't ever find a solution, only frustration.

As for typical dose ranges in adults:
Adderall XR 40-60mg per day
Concerta 81mg +/- 27mg
Focalin XR 20-40mg

Read these links:

http://healthcalls.com/

http://www.adhdspotlight.com/
J

Heh...I think that ADHD is kicking in because most people don't seem to be reading my post (not trying to be a dick here, because I do it too). I have used Adderall XR and Concerta and have adjusted dosages.

[Fiction]

Originally Posted by QueensU_girl

Did you have TESTING?

What sort of testing?

[Imnapl]

Originally Posted by Fiction

What sort of testing?

Who diagnosed your ADD?