What Meds are Left???

[Salsa]

I'm not on any meds for ADHD right now. Just tapered off the Strattera yesterday.

I was on Ritalin this winter (20mg a day) but because I have epilepsy, it was causing a problem with little seizures. (Simple-partials). I also can't take Welbutrin because of my seizures. Adderal, I believe can also cause problems if you have seizures.......and it's also expensive. (Trying to keep costs down).

I was on Strattera this Fall but it's expensive and besides that, I almost totally lost my appetite. (Basically made me anorexic). I don't mind the weight that I lost but I hardly ate at all while on it-- and I don't think I was even on it full strength. (Took 40mg a day). I also don't think it worked as well at Ritalin, but then again, I don't think I was on it full strength.

I'm not a strong believer in the "alternate therapies." I've tried the gluten/casein free diet. It's a pain, and I didn't notice a difference in my level of attention/concentration. I hear a lot about Omega 3, Omega 6, and multi-vitamins. I take a multi-vitamin, btw. I just don't go for that. I don't think it's going to make a difference like the meds do.

I want to be thinking more clearly again. (I really liked the way I could focus on Ritalin and because of this, I put up with the simple-partial seizures (SPS's) for 3 months while on it-- problem is, it's not really healthy and I also think the SPS's were bringing on depression). I talked to my GP about trying Ritalin again but going on a lower dosage (only 10mg a day). I seemed to be able to handle that. I'm not quite sure how helpful such a small dosage would be but might be better than nothing.

Are there some other meds we're not considering that might be worth talking to my doctor about? I see him in a few weeks.

~Sandy

[Gregster]

Has your Dr completely ruled out trying wellbutrin or Adderall? If Adderall is too expensive, you might try dexedrine instead - it is available in a generic. Dexedrine and adderall are stimulants, but they work in a different manner than ritalin, so they may not cause problems, even if ritalin did??? Your Dr would know for sure, and if it is worth the risk trying them, given that ritalin caused problems? The same may be true for Wellbutrin?
Many other drugs are used to treat ADD "off-label". Most antidepressants fall into this category - SSRI's, NaRI's, etc.
It's always worth talking to your Dr about something health related that's bothering you.
Good luck,
Greg

[Salsa]

I'm 99.99% sure that Welbutrin is a no-no. (Even the TV ads warn about seizures with Welbutrin). It's not worth the risk now that they are pretty well controlled. I believe it's also pretty expensive. Even if it's not, though, it's not worth the risk.

Strattera's awfully expensive. I'm thinking Adderall is too. Might ask about the Dexadrine. I've been on Ritalin in the past and have done OK. This time around, I wasn't so fortunate. Maybe Dexadrine would be worth asking about.

I'm so easily frustrated anymore being on no meds. I really notice how I'm needing my quiet time BADLY-- and a lot. (Very easily over-stimmed). Like I said, I just got off of Strattera yesterday, but it was a gradual tapering down starting a couple weeks ago and so I'm not surprised that I'm already beginning to feel the affects.

~Sandy

[brilliantmoment]

I currrently take 10mg a day of Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) .. which is apparently a "refined form of Ritalin".. The dosage is generally half of what you would take of Ritalin. I don't really understand the difference in effects between the two, other than a chemical difference.. "Dexmethylphenidate is the single isomer version of racemic methylphenidate (Ritalin), which contains the active d isomer of Ritalin".. Another site says Focalin is non-racemic.. I'm going to stop looking before I get myself confused! It may be worth a shot if you did well on Ritalin. It's at least worth asking your doc about Good Luck!

[Tara]

Originally Posted by sandinmyears

I'm not on any meds for ADHD right now. Just tapered off the Strattera yesterday.



I want to be thinking more clearly again. (I really liked the way I could focus on Ritalin and because of this, I put up with the simple-partial seizures (SPS's) for 3 months while on it-- problem is, it's not really healthy and I also think the SPS's were bringing on depression). I talked to my GP about trying Ritalin again but going on a lower dosage (only 10mg a day). I seemed to be able to handle that. I'm not quite sure how helpful such a small dosage would be but might be better than nothing.


~Sandy

I talked to a few MDs at the ADDA conference in may and I was told that smaller doses of medication are very helpful. Some even said that smaller doses may actually be more effective than larger doses. Many MDs are now lowering the dosages now instead of raising them when people complain that the medications are not working the way they want them to.

[Salsa]

Just read your message today.

Thanks. I have an appointment with him the end of the month. Will bring it up again.

~Sandy

[Sc@tterBr@in_UK]

Yes you may want to try Focalin 10 mg - same effects as the 20mg you WERE taking, but with the side effects of the 10mg Ritalin.

[Salsa]

I'm guessing that Focalin is expensive since it's newer. >>Sigh<<

(Money is a big issue for meds as I will be losing my medicaid when I get married next month).