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Post by Perfect Mess on May 11, 2010 9:59:00 GMT -5
I will be getting a prescription for adhd medication in 10 days. I think she's said it would be Vyvanse.
My question is do any of you have been diagnosed with ADHD taken medication for it? And if so, did it help you? and how did it help. I'm really curious to see what I should expect. my doctor says that it should help a lot. my main problems are with distractions and forgetting what i'm doing from one moment to the next and short term memory.
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Post by sparkle on May 11, 2010 11:01:04 GMT -5
I have been taking Ritalin for a long time and finally came to the conclusion that I was just getting the side effects with none of the benefits. I was sort of stuck with Ritalin because I couldn't afford anything else and Walmart has it on their $4 generic list. BUT, my doctor switched me to Straterra a little over a week ago (he will be able to keep me supplied with samples) and I do believe I see a difference. My distraction problems seem to be much improved and I find myself attacking things in a much more efficient and sensible manner. It's like I can finally see what the problem really is and correcting it is not nearly as daunting as I thought.
Each of us has has a different chemical make-up so trial and error is really the only way to find something that might work in your case. Google to find out what you can expect with this medication and report to your doctor if you see no improvement after a couple weeks past the longest estimate. Be patient and don't expect miracles. Fingers crossed that you've found something that helps on the first try. Thanks to my recent switch I see that there IS a medication that can help me after all. Yours sounds like one of the newer ones and we are fortunate that they are constantly working to make things better for us. Keep us posted.
p.s. If this Straterra continues to work for me it will mean that I can cut out my current medication for depression which hasn't been working for me either. My depression level seems to be better, too, and I've tried any number of antidepressants over the last few years. What a bonus THAT would be if I could take fewer pills. Better living through chemistry; I'm all for it.
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on May 11, 2010 11:39:33 GMT -5
I've been taking Adderall for almost a year, and it makes my life so much easier. I used to be able to remember to follow up on only the most compelling of things, but now I can remember to take care of more mundane tasks, too. I really had no idea that I had ADHD until I was 50 years old, and failing at my job. If I'd received treatment when I was younger, my life would have been different; I occasionally grieve for some squandered opportunities. I recently had to demote, because I couldn't handle the routine paperwork. The Adderall came too late to save that job, but I returned to a former job that I liked better, and I'm more effective at it now.
I knew the Adderall was improving my life the morning that I had to take my checkbook with me to work. As I was looking for my keys and checkbook, I realized that I'd forgotten to take my Adderall. As I turned to go upstairs to take it, I noticed some "pet mess" on the floor.
I was able to pick up the pet mess, find my keys, and remember to take both my Adderall and my checkbook. Never would have been able to remember all 4 things before.
I did have to experiment to get the dose just right. At one point, it was too high, and any noise seemed too loud. I also had to switch antidepressants; my old one didn't control my anxiety well enough, when combined with the Adderall. It's certainly not "one size fits all"! I can also understand how easy this medication is to abuse: it's very tempting to take more when I'm tired, overworked, etc. I'm not sure I would have been able to resist the temptation when I was younger.
Hey...you don't have to keep taking it, if you don't like the effects. Do give it 2--3 wks before you decide. It took me about 3 months to "get used to 'the new me.'"
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Post by Perfect Mess on May 11, 2010 12:24:55 GMT -5
worldly, my doctor started out by treating my depression first because she felt that was a bigger problem in my life than the adhd. I'm on wellbutrin, abilify, and trazadone. It seems to be helping me a lot - no side effects. Now that she's satisfied with that, she's focusing on the adhd. IMO, the adhd was bigger problem than the depression so I'm really excited to finally get help for that.
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Post by Perfect Mess on May 11, 2010 12:33:09 GMT -5
hgirlfriend, it's nice to hear that it really helps. If I could just remember to write things down, I wouldn't have to remember everything.. but remembering to stick with writing things down IN ONE PLACE just doesn't happen.
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on May 11, 2010 14:30:09 GMT -5
Oh, yeah! Before I started taking the Adderall, writing things down was counterproductive--I'd just lose the piece of paper.
Perhaps your doc treated your depression first because if he/she gave you meds for ADHD, they could have made your depression worse. The Adderall gives me more initiative, and if I'd been really depressed, it might have given me suicidal thoughts.
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Post by lorettaskid on May 14, 2010 20:10:50 GMT -5
I am an RN----I am taking Wellbutrin, Ritalin, and Prozac. I am more ADD than ADHD (no hyperactivity) and I now see that it has been with me since childhood. I guess I am better focused, but still need to work on it.
Ritalin reduced my appetite. I take in in the morning & early afternoon,
but later than that I will notice a problem getting to sleep. My MD is psych-pharmacology specialist & expert. I was on Prozac when I 1st saw him, and came with what I called a "head full of fog & marbles."
I am able to concentrate in certain situations, but have learned to avoid certain distractions. For instance, passengers need to be quiet when I drive. I am best in a place where other activity is going on, but does not involve me (coffee shop or library). Heck, I got a thesis done in one semester. Some ADD people note that they can focus---on what interests them. I am NOT interested in laundry or vacuuming, etc--so that is always a stumbling block (clutter, etc). My sometimes scattered brain bothers me more than anything. I think the MEDS help; give it a try. Our brain chemicals need some adjusting & that is no sin.
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