Ways of dealing with side effects

[Brosieden]

Alright so I have ADD. I researched it a little and I've sort of narrowed it down to what I've found known as the "Ring of Fire," ADD: "Inattentive, extremely distractible, angry, irritable, overly sensitive to the environment, hyperverbal, extremely oppositional, possible cyclic moodiness."(http://newideas.net/add_types.htm) but I'm no expert.

I'm taking the 20mg Daytrana patch, which is a hell of a buddy when it comes to school, as I'm in highschool. It works so well that sometimes
I find homework is the only way to satisfy my constant boredom.

However, it constantly makes me feel abnormally cold, not like freezing cold, but just always a bit chilly. I'm always hungry, but its like this weird hunger where when I put food to my mouth I have to literally force my self to take a bite of something, and I can never seem to fill this "sort of hungry" appetite. And of course I get the insomnia, and what bothers me most of all is that I feel uncomfortable all the time, as if I'm out of place or doing something wrong. I always feel like an outcast or something.

Now, I've found a few ways to cope with these effects, i.e. coffee sometimes helps, occasionally working out a little bit will help. Does anyone know of other things that help tackle these side effects, or at least suppress them? Also, has anyone had this with daytrana and found an alternative med that works equally as well? Thanks.

[fivedaisies]

Are you taking any other meds? I ask because I was treated for some depression and the ssri I was put on made a HUGE difference in 8 hours. I'm not kidding. I took it at night and the next morning I woke up and could get out of bed without hitting the snooze a couple times (couldn't remember the last time it was easy for me to get out of bed). My patience with my kids improved tremendously, it was just so EASY not to get angry. I always felt I was keeping a lid on my anger before and felt like I was failing even though I tried so hard. It's amazing what the right neurotransmitters can do.

[mister friendly]

You are young. Has your DR considered bipolar with your ADHD? I spent 23 years being treated for bipolar with serious bouts with depression. I won't speak for everyone, but a knowledgeable doctor in ADHD and other psychiatric related disorders and educating yourself by reading, asking questions, and looking into EVERYTHING about yourself, family and upbringing can bring forward issues you might have never thought could affect you. I am much older than you. I am not preaching. Asking for help is a good start. ADHD is a lifelong issue. Daytrana patch? Substance abuse issues? Anyway, I found the makings of my medicine "cocktail" when an anticonvulsant was added to the Dexedrine SA. I went thru the other stimulants with extreme anger and agitation problems. Ring of fire, these people can be very unpleasant to be around - Dr. Amen's words. I hope you afire well. Sometimes old people can be of some use.