Health - Swim just diagnosed with ADD, What to expect?

[newdogman]

Swim just got diagnosed with ADD from her GP. For years she thought it was a panic disorder but after looking through past history of several criteria (poor grades in school, concentration problems, motor mouth.. etc..) it was decided the anxiety was just one of many the symptoms ADD displays.

Question is this, Swim is being sent to a psych doc for further exams and who knows what to determine medication type and amount (Swim would assume). If any others that have gone through this process that have any ideas what will happen or what to expect would be helpful.

Swim is a 32 year old male and is not sure what to expect. Since swim is a tad bit anxious about the visit any thoughts on what type of medication would be prescribed, amount, and what to expect in general on starting this type of regimen would be great. I understand Ritalin is for children,, I could be wrong. Also Swim doesn't fully understand differences between Ritalin and Adderall. Swim thanks all in advance!

[Coconut]

There are several drugs prescribed for ADD and ADHD, the most popular of which are:

atomoxetine (Strattera, Tomoxetin, Attentin)
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)
dextromethamphetamine (Desoxyn)
methylphenidate (Ritalin)
dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)

Some of these will not be available in certain countries and will have different brand names.

Methylphenidate is associated with children because irresponsible doctors in the United States diagnose them with ADHD all the time and hand out Ritalin like sweets. In reality, methylphenidate is a medication for all age groups.

Adderall is amphetamine, which has somewhat similar effects to methylphenidate but the two are largely unrelated chemically.

Adderall contains:

1/4 dextroamphetamine saccharate.
1/4 dextroamphetamine sulphate.
1/4 racemic dextro/levo-amphetamine aspartate monohydrate.
1/4 racemic dextro/levo-amphetamine sulphate.

...which makes it 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine.

Reputation Comments on this post:

great info on related adhd

[Potter]

Ritalin is methyphenildate, and works in the brain a bit like cocaine, atleast in terms of pathways, it can be prescribed for adults. A lot of people report it lacks the euphoria of adderall.

Adderall is blend of amphetamine isomers. XR is a slow release version, where normally the effects last from 4-6 hours, XR pushes 10-12.

These days the big drugs they are pushing are:

Stratterra, a non stimulant, that can take 3-4 weeks before it really kicks in (other drugs work right away and do not need a build up time).

Vyvanse, a prodrug version of adderall. With the addition of a lysine group, it is not active until it passes through the liver or small intestine. Low abuse potential (you can't sort it), and longer lasting effect then regular adderall. This is going to replace XR as the flagship product.

Concerta is a time release ritalin.

And there's others nobody has no familiarity with at all.

So that being said, relax, there's no reason to be worried. The best way to approach a psychiatrist is with open honesty. If one drug is causing you concern for any reason, even if it's because you like it too much, tell them. If you aren't honest, they can't help you. Remember doctors have an oath of confidentiality and won't turn you in for saying "well I've been given ritalin a few times by a friend and it worked really well, I'd like to try that." Don't tell them that once and a while you like to grind it up and inhale it, they don't look kindly on abuse, but if you find your needing more at some point, tell them.

Remember the newer drugs aren't availible in generics, and can be quite costly depending on your insurance. Nobody once went to the pharmacy with a new script and they said it would come to $265! Nobody promptly called their doctor and said they'd would need to write a cheaper script. If money is a concern, ask for soemthing that comes in generics.

You can ask your doctor if they have any samples, this can be an easy way of cutting costs, or trying out a new pricey drug, it may be worth spending the money if something really works well. Vyvanse currently has 3 month for free deal.

You'll probably be given a lower dose then expected for avg are/weight/male, and will be told to take it daily. After a month, tell them what you think, if it works for a while then cuts out mid day, they may add to the amount or go for an extended release drug.

Make sure to take time off from daily use (except with straterra). Day a week, weekend a month, week every two months, is a decent minimum. This will help keep tolerance down and prevent addiction. At the doses prescribed these drugs are pretty safe, but it's a smart thing to do anyways.

EAT EVERY DAY! It is amazing how easy it is to forget to do this. These drugs are potent appetite suppressants and it's very easy to put off a meal, or two, then one Sunday night you'll be thinking "there's something I was supposed to do this weekend...what was it... oh shit, haven't eaten since Thursday!" By this point your stomach has shrunk down and eating will not be fun. Malnourishment is very easy to fall into.

It can be useful to break up your doses and take them over a bit of time. Say you have 2 10mg pills for the morning, breaking them each in half and taking part every 20 minutes will help smooth out their effects and you won't "crash" so hard, though if you are having crashing issues, that should be mentioned to the doctor. Eating well will also keep that from happening.

If you've got any other questions...

[newdogman]

Hey you guys were great.

Swim got prescribed Adderall 20mg twice day.
Swim's doc was a trip, very nice guy and it all went very well.
Except waiting in a room full of kids needing Ritalin refills.. that was something else.

Swim took last dose at 4pm and is still going strong and wishes to stay on her normal schedule of sleep. Swim is prescribed K pins as well, would that work to make swim a tad more tired? Or is Adderall not effected by benzos? Also read literature that mentioned grapefruit juice or orange juice makes it leave swim's system quicker as antacids create a buildup. Swim may be wrong on that point as well.
Swim doesn't want to overdo anything. Swim will research site more whilst trying to get sleepy.

Thanks again

newdogman added 11 Minutes and 31 Seconds later...

Ah... swim just re-read stickied info. Benzos ok. Looks like sleep for swim tonight.

newdogman added 5 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...

Well really unknown for combo of benzo+Adderall since not a lot of info is to be found. Since this is a comedown period swim thinks it is ok. Sorry, swim had to re-read sticky a few times.. you know the whole add thing.. anyhow thanks again

[Potter]

Taking a dose at 4pm, then needing benzos to fall asleep is a short path to problems. Once in a great while is one thing, but frankly taking adderall that late in the day is not highly recommended. If you can't sleep, then don't take your dose so late in the day.

[Stimulants]

Someone mentioned Adderall, however Adderall is pretty much limited within the US/Canada as far as SWIM knows.

[Princess]

Dexedrine and Cylert are other stimulants.

Dexedrine has two forms, instant release and Dexedrine spansules. Dexedrine instant release lasts four hours. The affect is strong, intense, you feel energy, euphoria, confidence and then there's a crash.

Dexedrine Spansules last six hours, the effect is smoother than the instant release, but the inatant release is stronger. The crash is intense, but you'll get used to it. It's realy great.

Cylert is a strong stimulant, if you go on it you need to have tests done every couple of months because it is strong.

SWIM was on Dexedrine and Cylert combined when SWIM was in middle school. It totally changed SWIM's personality. However, SWIM now uses Dexedrine for other reasons. Dexedrine is a great stimulant, it gives energy, euphroia, focus, pleasure.

SWIM recommends Dexedrine, the effects are stronger and better than the othe rstimulants.

However, the Dexedrine crash is intense, so be ready for it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good comparison of different pharmaceuticals

[stratry]

Wow, see that SWIY lucked out. Was about to say, "Anticipate prescriptions for a lot of crappy, comparatively overpriced, wannabe amphetamines."

[WalkingMonstrosity]

Swim personally thinks the claim that "ADD Stimulant Medications have a reverse effect on ADD/ADHD Sufferers" is total bullshit. Swim has been diagnosed with ADHD but still speeds easily off Adderall. Of course he could have been misdiagnosed, but Swim doubts it as he meets all the criteria.

In the end, they're just amphetamines. Funny how doctors feel comfortable giving children drugs that share the same, or are close to the potency and neurotoxicity of many illicit "street drugs".

Reputation Comments on this post:

Does not add anything

[10001110101]

stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate enhance focus in a "more than human" way.

for people who are at a natural disadvantage when it comes to attention span and focusing abilities it does not merely "remove the disability" it overcompensates by treating the symptom of the disease and not the cause.

however this does not mean it is ineffective.

often those who go on antidepressants for mild depression become much happier and more emotionally stable than your average joe.

but the theory that stimulants have a reverse effect for someone with ADD or ADHD is completely bogus pseudoscience.

those with ADD and without alike will experience increased focus and similar effects from amphetamines or mph.

onzero added 2 Minutes and 16 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by WalkingMonstrosity

Swim personally thinks the claim that "ADD Stimulant Medications have a reverse effect on ADD/ADHD Sufferers" is total bullshit. Swim has been diagnosed with ADHD but still speeds easily off Adderall. Of course he could have been misdiagnosed, but Swim doubts it as he meets all the criteria.

In the end, they're just amphetamines. Funny how doctors feel comfortable giving children drugs that share the same, or are close to the potency and neurotoxicity of many illicit "street drugs".

yeah one of the original add drugs, desoxyn, is 100% pharmaceutical grade methamphetamine, yes, pharmaceutical crystal meth.

granted it's designed for oral administration and the doses given are much smaller than for recreational use.

this does not mean someone who snorts two desoxyn's won't get a meth high ADD or otherwise!