Advice about meds? | ADHD Information

your mother clearly fears what she does not understand. From what I have read I feel much safer on any of the stimulent medications than Stratera.

There are many amphetamines other than adderall, I had good luck with dexedrine time-release (was on 15mg for about 5 yrs and I am a 180lb male).

Your insurance might just not cover the time-release version because there are TONS of generic non-time release amphetamines.

Let me enlighten you on some chemistry, when you take say a 20mg adderall XR or 15mg dexedrine extended-release this is all that is happening; half the dose is released immediatley (10 & 7.5 mg respectively) and then ~ 4hrs later the rest is released. So taking 10mg in the morning and 10mg more several hours later your essentially doing the same thing. Not only is doing it the later way cheaper but you may find you can go a long time on one pill and some days may not need both, or may need 3 during times such as finals etc. That being said I do not recomend you take more than your Dr. tells you to.

Hope that helps.

Call 1-866-325-8229.  This is the patient assistance for adderall XR.  It is normally for ppl w/o insurance coverage, but I believe it may apply to ppl whose coverage does not allow adderall XR.  It is a free call and worth a try.  There is also a website where you can print a coupon for a free month of the drug.  That way you can see if it will work for you before you have to buy it.  If it does, then you can begin the process for patient assistance (if the ppl at the # say it is feasible).

Hope this helps....

I found the website for the coupon and am going to try it at the pharmacy today. If they accept it, I'll atleast be able to try it.

My only concern with the patient assistance is that my family can afford to pay for it, but refuses to...

Well I think that since your coverage does not allow for adderall, the income may not come into play?  You may have to send a copy of the denial from your insurance or something?  I am not sure, just call the number and quiz them.  And if you find out that it does work, would it be worth it to you to gat a part time job and pay for it yourself? Or offer to pay half to your parents?  If you show them that you are willing to help pay they may realize that you mean business and come around.  Unless you already work or need to pay for part of your education.  I know that my 19 year old works part time at 2 jobs to pay for her books and half her rent and for food while she is away at college.  She pays her own doctor visits and prescriptions as well, but she has no drugs of that cost, or that she has to take every day such as this.

Good luck and do keep us posted!

Hi, I'm new to the board. I'm a 19 year old (female), and I'm in my sophomore year of college. I've struggled with ADHD symptoms for most of my life, but didn't get tested until I was 17. At first, my mom was opposed to me taking stimulants of any kind. Sooo, the psychiatrist we saw had me work my way up to a 120mg dosage of Strattera. It was AWFUL. It didn't work for me at all. The meds made me feel really out of it. The psychiatrist refused to lower the dosage, claiming "any less won't work for someone your age." We stopped seeing him.

The pediatrician I was seeing at the time advised that I try Concerta. We worked up to a 54mg dosage which made me feel extremely jittery, so she put me on a low dosage of Strattera again. She, of course, made me feel bad that I was on a "child's dosage," and even told me that "with a child's dosage, it makes it hard for me to believe you even have ADHD." The Strattera still made me feel awful, so I stopped taking it all together.

After a year of struggling at college, I decided to go back on meds. She insisted on either Strattera or Concerta again. I hated the Strattera, so I decided to give Concerta another try. I was on a 36mg dosage, which helped originally, but has since stopped working. I also don't like how Concerta makes me feel. Friends have told me that I'm acting different, and I agree. I'm more moody.

My current doctor told me to give Adderall XR a try, and prescribed it for me. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover it! My parent's refuse to pay 8 a month for it.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, since Strattera and Concerta don't work, and Adderall seems to be out of the question.
My 7yo dd has had really good luck with Dexedrine (the time released capsules). I do believe this medication is a bit cheaper than the others but don't quote me on that, I have very good insurance so I only pay per prescription.   She is currently taking 10mg a day.  The only big side effect we have noticed has been her appetite suppression.  She started taking the med (this is the 1st one we have tried) on 11/10.  She was 45 lbs & is now only 39 lbs . 

John D,

Hallowell sounds like the author she referred to. And the funny thing is that she mentioned the library too. I have a card and keep saying I am never going back. I always check out a dozen books and forget to return them. My last bill was over for my books and my daughter's.

I use Outlook and a board by the kitchen to remind me of things and as long as I remember to write it down I can do it. I will go check them out and remember to write down the due date with the reminders.

Thanks again!

 

There are lots of good books out there...taken together, it seems like 50% of every one of them covers the same stuff (e.g. what add is, screening for, medications for, etc....).   I like all of the Hallowell/Ratey books..."Delivered from Distraction" may be their most recent; also "Out of the Fog" by Murphy has lots of helpful insights into ADD traits, plus some tips for managing/coping that are more insightful than some of the other books I've looked at.  I found lots of good books in the library...cheaper than buying (just have to remember to keep track of them and return them)!

I have never heard of the sudafed angle, but if it helps you, even subconsiously go for it! 

And by all means join us.  Having a sympathetic ear can work wonders!

Is there no other psyciatrists office that your insurance will cover?  This seems very unprofessional to have cancelled two appointments on you and one at the last moment!  After all, you called them for help, and then waited a long time to get in!  What would they do if the shoe was on the other foot, and YOU cancelled those appointments?  My guess is that you would have been dropped as a patient, or at least had to pay their fee....

 

emg987...welcome and thanks for sharing your situation.  Hopefully your folks will be more supportive over time...in the meantime, you sound to me like you're doing an outstanding job searching out what you need and how to go about getting help.   I agree with BioChem's suggestion--if you can't afford the XR, try the cheaper IR variety of Adderall if your doc. will prescribe it.  I found "rebound" much more noticable with the IR, but you might be able to mitigate that by tapering your last dose of the day over several hours (take 3/4 tablet, leaving the remainder to take a couple hours later).  Hopefully your college has a good mental health staff who can provide you help and support.

Richochet... welcome aboard!  Juggling three businesses is amazing to me!  I know I have the (ADD?) tendency to go "great guns" on something for a day or a year or whatever, then gradually lose interest and, ultimately neglect or abandon it, not matter what the consequences!  Meds help, but don't eliminate, this tendency...  If you've no other choices but the psychiatrist who twice cancelled the appt., why not check with them (if you haven't already) about fitting you in their schedule sooner than later (they really should make special accommodations for you since it was they who cancelled twice!).  Also, I believe that the CHAAD website has a place indicating where you can get professional help in your area.

Hi,

I am very happy to have found this forum. I went through some of the posts in the archives and I am grateful to have found such a group.

I had been diagnosed with Hyperactivity when I was a young child. I was put on something, but my Mom took me off. I grew up dealing with my problems and partially denying I couldn't deal with it. I have lost so many jobs and finally decided to start my own business. Anyhow...to make this short, I had time to reflect on what my faults were and are. I have realized I never out grew my problems and cannot afford to be embarrassed that I have this problem. It's not because I am a bad person with bad habits. And the symptoms are driving me "crazy" now. I am in control of my time, which means I have started three companies. ONE I really have to focus on, because people are depending on me. I feel bad when I begin to leave it and I can't focus on it. I am a single mom and I really need to be responsible. Okay...I said I would make it short...sorry.

So, I finally made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. They cancelled the first appointment on me. Today was the second appointment. I have been waiting for a month, by the way. They cancelled as I was driving to their office. I was so mad that I called my insurance. I was emabarrassed to go to the ER. I still feel bad about doing that. They told me I should but, c'mon. It's just ADHD. But I waited anxiously, I hate waiting! Almost five hours later I was seen. It was a relief to speak with someone (a psychologist with ADD) who understood.

She suggested that I at least "self-medicate" being very careful. They took my BP and all that, and I am in great health. But she said to get pseudoephedrine and take a low dose to help me until I get to the psychiatrist and begin treatment. I felt like I was buying cocaine at the drugstore. That was a very odd experience with this controlled substance that was actually sudafed.

I took it and I feel better. But of course, the relief of talking with someone who understood was such a relief. I must say, that this forum is fantastic. Can I join you? Finally people who I can share with. So, did anyone else try Sudafed before the real thing? I can't believe I sat in the ER for so many hours about this. I feel like such a Dork about that. But, then again, I do dorky things all the time.

THANK YOU!!!

P.S. It will be about a month or so before I can re-schedule...that was the frustration that pushed me to the ER as was suggested.

ricochet39095.0867361111

Thank you for your comments!

I cheked the CHADD website that someone posted on this forum. I am in San Diego, and they don't have a chapter here. I was very upset with the psychiatrist. I suppose I could give them another chance. The counselor suggested I read books, rather than websites, and she suggested an author...which she wrote on a little post it note. I am currently going crazy looking for it. Aaargh!!!

I do remember that she said to try The Learning Center. She said to ask them for referrals to psychiatrists that work with kids and adults. She said regular psychiatrists are not experienced with ADHD/ADD.

And about the Sudafed, it is a little bit better than nothing for now. I had been on a movie set working in November and drinking quadruple shot mochas and B12. Trying to stay focused and concentrate and remember things. It's crazy. I never had a problem sleeping, though. Slept like a baby every night, since it was 15 hours almost everyday.

Thank you guys for your welcome. Hugs to all!!!