Opinions on meds? | ADHD Information
I'm supposed to sit down with my ADHD guy next week to discuss medication & I'm feeling a bit anxious about it.I'm wondering if any of you would be willing to share your experiences - pros & cons - with different meds. I know different people respond differently, but I'd like to have some sort of input from people who have experience with different meds going into it.
Thanks much...
I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and was started on 18 mg of Concerta...they really really hurt my tummy!!!Strattera had a few side effects, but they went away after a couple of weeks.
I thought Strattera worked great for me, until doc. changed me to Adderall XR -
Today my boss told me she noticed that I am not talking as impulsively as I used to and that I am not wandering around the building as much as I did. I have had no side effects on Adderall at all. Something is better. Maybe I will be able to keep my job!
MEGGIE,
Please do your homework.
Most Adhd meds are addictive.
Strattera and Adderall both carry warnings about "increased suicidal thoughts".
Strattera also causes liver damage.
Well.......first off......Love the avatar
My son is 8 and has been on Strattera for 6 mos now.....It's been working really well for him.
Are the meds for your child or a spouse?.......
I was very anxious about starting my son on meds, but I feel it was definitely the best decision I ever made. He's much calmer, more focused, is making and keeping friends, and is an overall better student.
What if any meds has your doctor recommended?...If you have the name I would suggest researching any possible side effects. Its always best to go into it knowing what to expect and what to watch out for.
My son had some mild stomach aches and some drowsiness when he first started on Strattera....but it went away after the first few weeks....
Whatever you choose....good luck
WOW !!!
Ive been doing alot of reading on all the different drugs that are uses for ADD ADHD and its begining to scare the begesus out of me. Im not sure 
what to do being new to this, not so new to ADD but to being diagnosed and having to deal with it ....imagine I just thought I was stupid. But now im kinda scared 
of what to take!!!
I like your avatar, too. I have to find a better one - this image is too small, so it gets blurry when I use it as an avatar.
The meds are actually for me. I've been doing a lot of behavioural therapy-type things, trying to unlearn the bad habits I've developed over the past 30 years or so, but I'm leaning toward medicating in conjunction with the therapy as my research indicates that combination is most successful. The calmer, more focused, etc. is what I'm hoping to get from the meds - so I can better implement the behavioural therapy.
We haven't discussed specific meds yet, although I know he actually doesn't favour Strattera. Other than that, I don't know what he'll recommend. I've done a bit of research on some of the other meds - side effects & whatnot, so I'm clear on what I'm getting into - but I thought hearing the experiences of others who've taken the different meds would be helpful, too.
Thanks for the good wishes.
I'm feeling
really good in the last few months since I worked up the courage to get
help - like I can see a light at the end of the tunnel & I don't
have to struggle to live this way forever.Countrygirl-
I've heard good things about Adderall XR, although I was alarmed that Health Canada banned it earlier this year. It's been reinstated, and what I've read indicates banning it was an overreaction.
Talking impulsively & wandering around are definitely two things I'm quite familiar with.
I'm glad the meds are working for you.[QUOTE=shellyj1_02]
WOW !!!
Ive been doing alot of reading on all
the different drugs that are uses for ADD ADHD and its begining
to scare the begesus out of me. Im not sure what
to do being new to this, not so new to ADD but to being diagnosed and
having to deal with it ....imagine I just thought I was stupid. But now
im kinda scared of what to take!!!
There are a lot of people out there who don't believe ADHD is a "real" problem and that the only reason people are medicated for it is that the pharmaceutical industry has designed it that way.
I'm relatively new to ADHD as far as being diagnosed, but I've struggled with it my whole life. If medication can help clear my head so I can learn to function a little closer to normal, I'm all for it. I don't think it's a magic bullet, but it's not an evil to be avoided at all costs, either.
Do your research & be aware of the side effects - the common, minor ones as well as the rare catastrophic ones - of any medication your doctor recommends. Make sure you understand the statistical likelihood that you'll be affected by a serious side effect, and determine for yourself whether the risk is worth the potential benefit. Don't let the scaremongers frighten you away with broad statements about the dangers of medications - make an informed decision on your own. Whether you decide to take medication or not, whatever your decision is needs to be what is best for you.
[QUOTE=reality]
MEGGIE,
Please do your homework.
Most Adhd meds are addictive.
Strattera and Adderall both carry warnings about "increased suicidal thoughts".
Strattera also causes liver damage.
[/QUOTE]I've done quite a bit of research already, actually, and I'm afraid I'm too well informed to be frightened by your scare tactics.
I know most ADHD meds *can be* addictive. They are controlled substances. It is important to begin at a low dose & medicate at the lowest possible dose that achieves the desired therapeutic effect.
Ditto the "increased suicidal thoughts" and other side effects.
And I plan to avoid Strattera. My Dr. doesn't favour it for that very reason, and in any case, my insurance company won't cover it unless a stimulant trial fails.
I'd thank you for your input, but that would be disingenuous. People come to this forum looking for help and advice and support, and only a truly pathetic individual would use it as a platform to push a personal agenda on people who may not yet be very well educated about the risks and benefits of medication. You should be ashamed of yourself for resorting to such scare tactics, but in my experience people like you rarely are.
[QUOTE=shellyj1_02]I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and was started on 18 mg of Concerta...they really really hurt my tummy!!!
[/QUOTE]Thanks for sharing - that's part of what I want to know. :)
Are you still taking Concerta & are you doing better with it, or are you trying something else?
[QUOTE=shellyj1_02]
WOW !!!
Ive been doing alot of reading on all the different drugs that are uses for ADD ADHD and its begining to scare the begesus out of me. Im not sure what to do being new to this, not so new to ADD but to being diagnosed and having to deal with it ....imagine I just thought I was stupid. But now im kinda scared of what to take!!!
[/QUOTE]
*Medications is a hard choice to make I am not on meds but we had to make the decision for my 6 year old daughter. She is moderate to severe and doing poorly in school and has no friends and when the diagnosis and idea of meds were presented to me I reacted the way you did. I was told to give them a try and if there are problems I can stop them so that is a thought for you. My daughter is going to start 10mg Ritalin extended tommorow, was on 5mg to start but wore off by noon. I was told she is doing a lot better so there you have it. Good luck on your decision and let us know. Jill
Thanks Jill