Medication Frustration | ADHD Information

Update, Bri has been on the Ritalin since Thursday. I am impressed with how it is working at least at home. One thing we noticed with the Focalin was that she seemed neither happy nor sad. Like she had a flat affect. My husband, an LPC, said she was depressed but she didn't appear to be sad and denied being sad. With the Ritalin she seems her normal cheerful self. She is much happier. I just hope she is doing well at school and is completing her assingments. I am going to email the teacher tomorrow and let her know that I am sending another teacher assessment since after this week is spring break and she goes to the doctor while out of school.
Hi I have a question and am new to this site. I was taking adderall xr
30mg in the am and 10mg at lunchtime, however my insurance got
canceled due to an increase in my income. I found out about the
vyvanse patient assistant program and applied. My dr comleted the
forms and wrote me a script for vyvanse 70 mg once a day. He stated
that vyvanse cannot be taken twice a day? Is this true? And also
should I be taking a 50 mg vyvanse in the am and a 30 mg at lunch?
dose anyone have any opinions or similar stories to share, any info
would be helpful. Thanks alot
The medication game can be SO frustrating! My two ADHD boys have been on 11 different meds in total.  After trying so many different meds we discovered that the methylphenidate family of drugs (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana) works really well for them, but the amphetamine family (Adderall, Vyvanse)  made my kids extremely irritable and other unpleasant side effects.  I guess my point is to not be afraid of trying something new.  I know it's scary...and as a parent it sucks that we have to make these serious decisions about medications...it's a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. If your insurance will cover it, Concerta is a good one.  Because it's a long-acting ritalin, my son doesn't have to take more than one a day.  I think there is also a Ritalin XR or something like that, but I'm not sure if it is considered a brand name.  Both my boys take Intuniv also, and it is WAY freakin' expensive, and I can't say that it has helped tremendously.  If you think Intuniv would work for your daughter then you could also try Tenex (guanfacine is the generic), that is pretty much the same thing as Intuniv just shorter-acting (and A LOT less expensive)


mmcnatt....   I agree with scolie:  don't be afraid to try the different meds that you CAN afford.   A lot of the old "generics" are the same or very similar to the new meds that get all the hype and tons of marketing by the makers.   Vyvanse is "repackaged" d-amphetamine...same thing as the long-acting dextroamphetamine spansules that are a fraction of the cost of Vyvanse.

Same with some of the newer Ritilan (methylphenidate) concoctions--they're all variations of the original which is available as a generic.  Not that all these variations (or the same formula just made by a different manufacturer) work the same for someone.   But that's where an open mind, patience, and a willingness to try different meds comes in!   Just don't forget to remind yourself that medication is but one part to the puzzle of finding out what helps your daughter the most.
To get around this lovely insurance trick, your doctor needs to send a Prior
Authorization to the insurance company. If he is unable or unwilling to deal
with these insurance games, then you might consider going to a psychiatrist,
most of whom know what to do. Also, you can try the Ritalin. It works for
some. Why not give it a shot. If it does not work, back to the Prior
Authorization.Hi, I am new here. I am into different and alternative ways of dealing with add and adhd.This forum is an excellent place to learn and help one another. Thanks  guys for a great informative site. I had a look around and already found some useful and valuable information.wow... I'm so happy we've NEVER had any problems with prescriptions and
getting JUST WHAT our kids needed ....


I'm sorry you're going through this and the best of luck getting it figured out
:)

Just got to vent somewhere. My dd has been on Focalin since Jan of last year. She did great at first but the last few months have been a trial even with it being increased to 20mg.

Friday we went to the dr and he saw that her teacher's Vandebilt assessment and what I was saying indicated time to change meds. He rxed Adderall XR. Well found out Saturday that my insurance will not cover Adderal xr not even the generic. According to my options for medicene to treat ADHD, I am limited to what I can get for my DD. I wish I could afford the name brand stuff like Vyvanse or Intuniv. I have heard great things about them. But I can't afford it. I was only able to afford the Focalin because we had a coupon for 60 dollors off the out of pocket cost.

So now we are going to try generic Ritalin. Not necessarily what I wanted to put my child on but I feel like I have no other choice at this time.

I agree with Jessica N about the Prior Authorization. I just changed insurance companies this year and had to fight them for my Anxiety medication but they finally allowed it.