Inattentive Adult ADHD- No Meds Working

After my roomates discovered my stash of "yellow jacket" caffeine pills earlier this school year, they realized something was wrong.  When they questioned me, I confessed that I had to use them because 1. I fell asleep in class constantly, and also while studying and 2. since my mind uncontrollably wandered (sometimes for 8 hours at a time, without getting any work done) I had to keep horrible hours.  I then realized that I had ADHD.  It was time for me to go to the college psych services, where two psychologists said that in their entire careers, they didn't see a more obvious case of undiagnosed Adult ADHD.  I suppose the disorder was covered up by the fact that I was an excellent student in high school (because I could devote lots of time to my studies) and because my family is very supportive and kind of shelters me- there could be nothing wrong with their baby.

I have also been diagnosed with clinical depression.

Without going into much detail, I soon acquired medication from various physicians.  Below is a description of those experiences:

1. Ritalin (10 mg, 3 times per day)- Wore off very quickly, and when it wore off, my ADHD symptoms worsened and I became extremely irratible- I theatened suicide a few times during these "valleys." The ritulin, when in action, was effective the first few days, but my brain soon found a way around it, and I went back to daydreaming and getting songs stuck in my head- it is nearly impossible for me to stop these recurring thoughts.

I spoke to my general doctor at home and she put me on....

2. Concerta (28 mg, 1 per day)- It really didn't do a bloody thing. It was like taking sugar pills...or at least I didn't really "feel" it working.  It also gave me horrible headaches. 

I was on Concerta for a week, when I met with the college psychiatrist, who put me on...

3. Adderall (10 mg, 3 times a day)- They worked alright at first...but they caused alot of side effects. First, it caused my heart walls to inflame.  Also, I had alot of flatulence and stomach pain.  Furthermore, the Adderrall caused some strange thinking- I would have unmentionably disturbing thoughts randomly just "pop" into my head, and sometimes even random, vile pornographic images would play in my mind, or play when I closed my eyes.  Also, I had the feeling I was being constantly followed.  The medicine eventually stopped my mind from running constantly, but then again, it really didn't cause me to focus on my work, even when I tried.  I would just blank out and go into my "trance" of hair pulling.  Pulling on and out my hair has been a pathological problem since I was a child, and has been associated with my depression.  I also have this weird habit of rubbing my wrist right under my nose.  The Adderall exacerbated these habits to a level that was so intense that I was unable to concentrate on anything but my hair pulling and wrist-sniffing- I would sit for hours just doing thes habits.  It negated anything that would have caused me to concentrate.

Meanwhile, I had been officially diagnosed with depression. I spoke to my psychiatrist about the problems with the Adderall and my depression. He then switched me to....

4. Wellbutrin (150 mg, 3 times per day)- Insofar as the hair pulling and other habits, Wellbutrin seems to have worked WONDERS.  I have never been able to go for so long without tugging on my hair.  It also seems to be giving me more social energy.  Thus, I definitely would like to stay on it to treat the depression/hair pulling.

However, in terms of the ADHD, Well. has done NOTHING. I've been on it for a week and a half now- does it take awhile to "kick in" in order to treat ADHD? My mind has gone back to uncontrollably wandering, I interrupt everyone, and I am back to being very impulsive. 

I need to have the depression taken care of, but also have to treat my severe ADHD.  Any medication reccomendations from here, given that nothing has really worked thus far?

Your advice would be much appreciated.

Have you considered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a possiblility? or Narcolepsy

Rae-

Yes, I had an EEG and alot of other tests done, and they came out "fine." A common characteristic of Inattentive ADHD is to fall asleep in situations such as lectures, while doing difficult study, watching a movie in a dark room, etc.  It's strange, because during these situations, I have an unusual urge to sleep, and usually do suddenly fall asleep. However, the second I step out of class, I am fully awake and "back to normal."

Evita sorry for the .  But my point was - that it is not always the Meds causing the problems or the lack thereof.

Sometimes, our ADHD probs have to be sorted out with counselling or some other way.

I acknowledge that you would know yourself best and therefore come to the conclusion that it is the meds etc.  But just trying to give a bit of lateral thinking on the subject.

Sometimes, people can be on so much medication that they find it is not working, they may go off one - which may help, or go on another which may help.

But tiredness, in my case is caused by my excessive thinking and mental and emotional exhaustion regarding my thought processing.

I get exhausted in shopping centres and class room settings, because I am constantly distracted and feeling claustrophobic and feel like I am being enclosed in other peoples germs, all that makes me tired, because i stress myself out.

If I could afford it I would get some hypnotism or counselling or something.

Basically - just saying - do what you are doing etc - but also there are alternative ideas that you could ponder

  Yeah. It's pretty much the ADHD that is causing the falling asleep part.  That's only part of the problem- my hyperactive speech, uncontrollable daydreaming, inability to concentrate on anything, speech habits, all line up with the symptoms of ADHD, especially for females. 

So given the info. on the past meds in my original post, does anyone have any reccomendations for something new? Any particular meds really good for the inattentive strain of ADHD?

Have you been talking with a pdoc or a therapist?  The intruding thoughts you mentioned could be an indication of OCD and the adderall might of aggrevated it.  If so that might make a difference in what medication would be effective for you.

I am on adderall and take an anti depressant because without that the adderall aggrevates impulsiveness in me.  Its worth mentioning to your doctor.  I also think GP docs aren't always able to keep up with the right meds. etc.  so it helps to take with people who are more familar with ADD and other underlying conditions. 

OK, the main problem is the dosage....

Maybe you should try another doctor? I don't know of any that would discontinue a medication just trying 10mg ritalin and 10mg adderall. Those are low doses. I myself have to take 40mg twice a day, just depends on the body.

Its pretty obvious what the problem is here, talk to your doctor about raising the dosage. Its kind of ridiculous that they didn't try that in the first place. It takes some time to find the right dosage of a medication, especially the ones mentioned.