Trying to convince doctor to switch med | ADHD Information

Hey Everyone,
So I have posted a bunch of questions pertaining to Ritalin, and now I have..yes, one more. I have been on it now for about 2 months and at first it worked really well, but there are some side effects I don't like... headaches, clammy hands, cold, jittery, etc. and I am very tired when it starts to wear off. I have heard from a lot of people that Adderrall works better for them, but for some reason my doctor doesn't seem to want to try it. I have panic attacks once in a while and she believes that there is more of a risk of triggering them with Adderrall. Is that true? Also, I am sick of getting a different kind of generic Ritalin every time I get a new script.
Anyone have any reactions after switching to Adderrall? Any ideas how I can convince my doctor to let me try it?

Supposedly Adderall does have a higher risk of increasing anxiety. I would be careful if you have an anxiety disorder.

Why do you want to do this? You dont want to try another methyphedinate family of drug?

Citygirl,

There is also a new med - Vyvanse - that you can discuss with your doctor.  In the amphetamine family, but designed to be unabusable.  Long lasting and smooth seems to be the GOOD feedback I have heard.  You could also try Concerta, which is another methylphenidate.  It seems like the different forms and brands all work differently.  In other words, not all methylphenidates work alike....

Good luck.  I have panic disorder so my doc was hesitant, but willing if needed, to try stimulants.  I am starting with generic Ritalin, but may have to try Adderall.  My doc is also concerned about triggering anxiety.

From my personal experience with Adderall instant release, it will trigger anxiety.  Even if your anxiety levels are on the low side.  At first, everything may seem alright, but it doesn't take long before you notice the increase in anxiety.  It also makes you really tired when it wears off, and substituting an afternoon dose, only makes the second crash so much worse.

[QUOTE=Johnnyboi]

From my personal experience with Adderall instant release, it will trigger anxiety.  Even if your anxiety levels are on the low side.  At first, everything may seem alright, but it doesn't take long before you notice the increase in anxiety.  It also makes you really tired when it wears off, and substituting an afternoon dose, only makes the second crash so much worse.

Great.  Yeah, hopefully some form of methylphenidate will do the trick.  I started taking it today and even though it was a teeny weenie dose, I could feel some effect and I was calm.  I am slowly increasing the dose over 3 weeks to try and find an effective level....

[/QUOTE] Thanks for everyone's response. I guess my only purpose in wanting to try Adderrall specifically is because that's what I've heard the most about. Perhaps Concerta might be better....I don't have an abusive tendency, so I'm not worried about that...but it's the side effects of Ritalin I don't like so much. I have also tried Straterra and that did nothing at all other than make my stomach upset :(