dexdedrine (dextroamphetamine sulphate) is the one med I can speak on directly in a lot of detail. I've been on the spansules (XR caps) for over 14 months now. It's been great for me!
Every person is different but I find that as a guy with inattentive ADHD in a severe way it was a life saver. Very literally.
Very few side effects and most went away within a couple months. Very similar in affect to adderall as it's nearly the same (one is salts and other a one-formula chemistry). The only real difference is the carrier chemical they use to get the dex into your system. I can tell you it's cheap either with or without insurance. I pay 20 a month for 2x20mg daily doses. Mine comes in 10mg time-release capsules and they work 6 to 9 hours quite well. With med holidays I can keep my 20mg dose for extended times - maybe indefinitely!
If you have specific questions ask here or message me. There was some sexual side effects (no desire at first) but if anything it swung WAY back the other way LOL!!
whats "inattentive" adhd?
i just spoke with my doc about the difference between the 2. he said when he puts people on the regular dex he usually has to add adderall towards the end of the day...because the dex doesnt last long enough. (but then they have ir and xr in both) i dont get it. i guess its a trial and error thing.
i dont think he really knows. especially since he doesnt take either.
With med holidays I can keep my 20mg dose for extended times - maybe indefinitely!<---what did u mean by that?
Ok - sounds like your doc isn't up on it all actually there.
Inattentive - aka strictly non Hyper ADHD is when the trouble isn't the hyper - "guy on crack" feeling where you are scattered and need to release adrenaline all the time. I find that my problem is focus and attention coupled with urge control. That's what inattentive is mostly about. They usually group into large H hyper (there's another name that's what we here call it), small h hyper (more mellow middle-road between the two) and inattentive (or non-H ADHD)
Dexedrine comes in regular instant release and the spansules. The spansules (aka XR) give around 6 hours for most days of relief. Then they give you an Rx for up to 2 x a day which gives about as much coverage as the average joe needs. One time I worked a very long day and nearly went to 3 x (MD said could do but didn't recommend it) but on average even when I work overtime it's more than adequate. I've never in 14 months ever had that "down" that some describe. Maybe it's just me but I don't know. It works for me that's all I can say.
I mean by the indefinitely is that my ultimate goal is to be on this forum 10 years from now and be able to say I'm still on 20mg twice a day of my original med. I take the holidays and come back to the same dose working just as if it was day 1 instead of day 400 or whatever. It is a good feeling as many need to keep upping until there is no extra place to go!
Do check into the spansules/XR as I find they are great for my ADHD.
My 8 year old is on Dexedrine for the mornings on school days. Grade 3 is getting hard though, and he is having some "bad days" where he gets in trouble for not paying attention or for impulsive behaviour. (sounds like the Innattentive ADHD). He is squirmy, but not overly "hyper".
So, I think he needs an afternoon dose, but he doesn't want it. Should I press the issue? The Dexedrine does seem to do "something" because the teachers simply can't handle him if I forget to give it to him in the morning.
loves - I'd ask your son why he's adamant he doesn't want the second dose. Perhaps he doesn't like some side effect that he either doesn't want to tell you because he doesn't want to disagree with you about it or he doesn't have the words to describe it.
Believe me I am pro-med where it's merited but I'd be looking into any problems your son may be having but trying to handle by himself.
If he seems to not be having side-effects perhaps try an XR dosage with him. It should last throughout the day and if you are already using XR with him maybe a couple of instant release pills a day could be easier on him.
Also maybe consult with your caregiver and see if there's some combination that is to your son's liking. There are many combos to look at.