Don’t know about Ritalin.... | ADHD Information

Do they have concerta in your country?  I used to take ritalin and had the same withdrawl issues so my doctor switched me to concerta, which is basically a longer acting ritalin.  I think there are a few postings in the forum about it.  The medicine is relased evenly over a 8 - 12 hour period.  You don't get as many ups and downs as you do with the regular acting ritalin.

Hello that is great to meet someone from out of the US,

Oh, reason I am not taking medication I have Bi-Polar w/ADD and with the first part it causes a bit of an problem just wanting to stay on meds. When you have manic / depression (the manic side is a bit like your own natural drugs) don't like having the highs taken away by the meds to result in feeling like a zombie blah!

Now that I am older the Bi-Polar part is less of a problem, lost the highs any way, but the ADD is causing a lot of trouble functioning. I would like to start some kind of medication now.

But my final problem is cost, I have no health insurance, and earlier this year the doctor I was seeing kept trying to put me on meds that run over 0 per month. I just don't make that kind of money. Though I know for a fact from experience that cheaper drugs exist. They just would not help me realistically.

So in a few months after I pay down my medical debt I will look for a new doctor and try again, just that now I found this site and would like to research the different drugs available till then so I can be better prepared.

I notice we have a few others here as well from out of country, this is just great getting to meet people from all over the world.

 

hello jessie,

i hope everything works out with your son..and it must be hard with the fact that you suffer from adhd too. i only have one toddler that is 3 1/2 and i'm struggling with that..and my husband is a great father and totally doesn't expect me to do everything. but i must commend you..yes indeed i understand why a crash at the end of the evening would make that ritalin not really function for you..

i'm taking wellbutrin 300mg..and adderall XR 20mg.

i sometimes need to nap in the afternoon

or at my office i snack with fruit throughout the day and my lunch hour is spent sleeping..and that helps.

but what i think chief b is saying is that most adults don't usually take ritalin..from what i've read around here and what i've met in real life...i bet you adderall might be better for you. also yes do seek therapy. .it would help to be able to relieve some of your stress and doubts etc with someone..

by the way your english is superb!

i find that a lot of adults it seems are reluctant to take meds for a few reasons..some feel they can do alternative things to improve ..others probably feel like they are 'giving up' and don't want to cave in..others might feel stigmatized by saying 'i take adderall' which is clearly a medication that is only given to adhd sufferers..

some adults may as nightstar mentioned have a couple of disorders..(comorbidity) and that would prevent them from treating the adhd up front with medication b/c of the adverse affect with the other disorder...

so there are many reason why some of us are not on medication..and it may not be b/c they feel that medication wouldn't help them ...

usually we have to try many combinations before we get it right.

i was on lexepro, paxil, and some other stuff before i hit about wellbutrin (bupropion) so

good luck

sumi

Thank you Sumi & Nightstar for your responses!!

In the meantime I also found a Dutch forum for adults & children with ADHD, but I will continue joining this one as well, since I think it is wonderful to meet some hyper women from the states, ha,ha.

As for health insurance, well, that's a totally different thing around here; it's very well taken care of, everyone (also the ones on welfare!) here has a good health insurance and they cover a lot of costs here! So for me both the psychiatrist and the medications payed for!

The meds you mention Sumi, I haven't heard of!? Well, maybe my doctor will suggest an alternative.......thanks for your input anyhow, and I'll keep you informed!

Greetings from overseas,

Jessie

 

Hi Jesse,

Welcome. I know of the Netherlands, though I've never been there. I do not like Ritalin. It was given to me when I was young and I didn't like the side effects. There are other drugs out there you can take. If you've tried it for a month and still don't like it, I'd talk to your doctor about a switch.

Cheekydeeky

Welcome Jessie,

Your English is great!

I am no doctor but I have researched this condition enough to learn that therapy is generally proscribed BEFORE meds are or at the very least, in conjuction with meds.  I know of no one who recommends meds INSTEAD of therapy "to see if they work".  Check some of your sources.  You will find that much of the ADDer's impaired life comes as a result of her inability to focus or to pay attention.  Note that focus and inattention are, not in and of themselves, the problem though these would be bad enough.  The problems RESULT from ADD.

These problems include; low self-esteem, forgetfulness, poor social skills, lack of followthrough on tasks, emotional immaturity,inability to maintain intimate relationships, etc.  This list may be familiar to you, but does any of this look like problems that can be addressed outside of therapy?

One more thing.  If you check this forum, you will find only one or two adults who are taking ritalin for ADD and I believe that at last count there were over 1300 members posting here.  That sure tells ME something...

 

 

ChiefB38158.6940393519

Thank you Chief B & Pammila for your responses! Great to meet you! Couldn't reply right away because of the time difference, I guess you were writing this while I was in bed already......we are probably 7-9 hours (depends on the state you live in of course) ahead.

Anyhow, I'm surprised so little of you take medication, that DOES say something! Well, I will call the doctor today because somehow I'm getting "scared" for that feeling at the end of the day, that isn't normal!? That makes me nevous, like I call my hubby at work everyday to be SURE he'll be home in time, because if I'm alone with the kids (a 5 & 7 year old) and I become so apathic (not sure if I spell that right?) I only want to LAY DOWN !! Doesn't sound very good, does it!?

Well, I know the doctor will be at his office during the evening, so once I've called I'll post his answer here, okay?

Again thanks for being there when I need to vent! Maybe I should start something like this in my own country!?

Greetings fom a rainy (what's new ) Holland! Jessie

Hello everyone,

I am Jessie, and I'm new here. I'm a 39 year old woman from the Netherlands (Or Holland as you wish) a small country in Europe. Most of you will know it when I mention Amsterdam being our Capitol City.

Reason I'm here is because I can't find a message board like this (or anything else related!?) in my own country..... And I'm anxious to meet other adults with ADHD. I only got the diagnose last month, but have been studying it for quite a while already since my seven year old son was diagnosed with PDDNOS (autistic disorder) & ADHD symptons at age 3.

Anyhow, for 10 days now I'm on Ritalin; I am seeing a psychiatrist who prescribed it, and I will also get therapy, but first he wants to see if the medication works. Well, I have no idea what to think of it!? I take 3 x 10 mg a day and as soon as the last dose wears of I feel awful! Depressed, confused.......like I have no emotions!? Sorry, don't know the right English word for that feeling, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say?? Maybe "numb" is a good word for it? Not sure though.

I started with 3 x 5 mg, but the doctor wanted to raise it......so 3 days ago I started with taking 3 x 10 mg, and I have to call him at his office again next Friday, but I really wonder if I can wait that long???

I don't know if this is the right medication for me, although during the day I feel alright, in the morning I get hyper though (nervous, jittery)bit that slowly dissapears, but it's the feeling I get like 2 or 3 hours after the last dose (which is around 7 pm) THAT IS AWFUL! Like I want to crawl in bed and hide!

But I have a family with 2 small children, and I can't hide, know what I mean??? Any suggestions/ exsperiences??? Please share them with me! That would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much.

Greetings from Jessie

 

Hello Jessie,

Welcome to the board, I am not familiar with the various medications myself, but if you feel as you do now, I would not wait until your appointment to let the doctor know. I would suggest calling them sooner to let them know what is happening and your distress over this side affect with the medication.

Myself I am not on medication, but here to get support and research the various options for medication before try to hook back up with doctor again for help.

I am new here myself, but this is just a great board, to finally find people that we can connect with on couping with this condition.

And yes your explination was just perfect, no problems there understanding you.

Take care,

Pammila