Ritalin vs. Straterra -- Information | ADHD Information

I have previously taken Ritalin (regular and long-acting).  I "crashed" big-time every time I was on it.   I would feel fantastic for about four to five months and then it would stop "working" and I'd become depressed and anxious so I would stop taking it "cold turkey" which is why I probably went into a deep depression and became suicidal (?).  Ended up in a psych hospital twice with suicidal ideations due to this. 

Is it true that Ritalin in pharmacologic cocaine?  Someone told me this.  Does anyone know if this is true or has had bad experiences with Ritalin?

I have an appointment with my new psych next Wednesday.  I'm going to ask him about Straterra.  My last psych does not believe "Adult ADD" exists, hence the change in psychs.  Even though I was an ADD child.

Thank you for your input.  I could use some good advice/info.

Noreen

 

             i asked my doctor for concerta. well he said no i dont know why so i am left with ritalin as it was but i feel the same symptoms returning. what is adderal like?

I've been taking ritalin 20mg long-lasting once a day for 6 months and am noticing my ADD returning.  Should a ask for a higher dose or to change this medication?

 I just started taking Adderal XR, dose 10XR and .5 not time released in the afternoon.  I also take Zoloft 75's.  Been taking Zoloft for a while now.  Did'nt start being able to focus on one thing at a time until I started taking Adderal and at the right dosage.  Things just keep going smoother all the time, because at 48 years old I finally get diagnosed with ADHD.  Now I know, life can be good, and it can, and will, just keep getting better!          ;           ;           ;    robin

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with ADD (not hyper) last November.  I still believe a big part of his problems with math are a personality conflict with his teacher, but ater many long nights researching alternatives on the interner, I decided to try medication as a test.  His pediatrician prescribed Adderal XR, which made a remarkable improvement in many aspects of his life, including getting very good grades.  Then my Mom called with news that Adderall XR has been recalled in Canada due to several cases of 'sudden unexplained death' in patients.  Well, that was enough!  I immediately stopped the prescription and called his pediatrician.  She insisted that the results were not 'statistically significant', but I could not live with the option of death!  So now, he is on Concerta (long acting ritalin) which does not seem to be doing the job.

I have been reading every book I can get my hands on to try to find a remedy that he and I can live with. I have explored diet, megavitamins, Omeg3 etc., with no perceptable results. What's a mother to do?!?!?

I've been on straterra for about 2 weeks and i love it.  but i'm not suffering from depression, but since i have before, my doctor has asked me if i wanted some zoloft also. Straterra has really helped me.  Good luck! Take on ful stomach only. Take with depakote.6 weeks on correct dosge weight based. our son does both. doing well.

There is no weaning process for stimulant medication as they flush right out of the system but what you see after stopping the medication is the return of ADHD symptoms which can indeed cause depression. If it stopped working I would revisit the diagnosis as you could have a co esiting condition which is not uncommon for those that are diagnosed with ADHD. Ritilan is not pharmorcologic cocaine. In fact, the moleclar structures dont look much like each other at all. They have different pharmacokinetics and different affinities for various targets. If your last psych didnt even beleive that ADHD existed you were wise to get a new one and please let us know how that goes. Good luck

Take Adderall instead.  It helps with depression too and has barely any side effects in terms of crashing.
I am taking Strattera, but don't like the side effects.  It might be a good choice for you since it acts like an anti-depressant, also.  I would break into it very slowly, though. Like other anti-depressants, your mood can be affected when you have excess neurotransmitters before your brain can adapt and build more receptors. It can take about a month to notice significant improvement.vitamins and diet do help. You are what you put in your body also.[QUOTE=MamaCyn]

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with ADD (not hyper) last November.  I still believe a big part of his problems with math are a personality conflict with his teacher, but ater many long nights researching alternatives on the interner, I decided to try medication as a test.  His pediatrician prescribed Adderal XR, which made a remarkable improvement in many aspects of his life, including getting very good grades.  Then my Mom called with news that Adderall XR has been recalled in Canada due to several cases of 'sudden unexplained death' in patients.  Well, that was enough!  I immediately stopped the prescription and called his pediatrician.  She insisted that the results were not 'statistically significant', but I could not live with the option of death!  So now, he is on Concerta (long acting ritalin) which does not seem to be doing the job.

I have been reading every book I can get my hands on to try to find a remedy that he and I can live with. I have explored diet, megavitamins, Omeg3 etc., with no perceptable results. What's a mother to do?!?!?

[/QUOTE] Ritalin is the same thing as Concerta why would your doc give you one and not the other. I would find out if I was you.

Has anyone checked out all of the side effects of these drugs?

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