Hi all, I only discovered that I have ADHD a little more than a year ago after hearing a man on TV talking about his life with ADHD. The shock that went through me was probably what I would experience seeing my double. I told my psychiatrist about this when I next saw him but he did not dwell on it and I needed time to process this discovery and to make certain I wasn’t delusional. I picked up the book “Scattered Minds” and practically fell apart realizing that the living hell I have called my life was not just “me”, that there were others out there. My life does read like a list of ADHD symptoms/behaviours with all boxes checked.  A couple of months ago my psychiatrist asked me if I wanted to try a drug to help with my inability to focus and concentrate due to the multiplied multiplex cinema of the absurd that is my brain. I have been on Wellbutrin for about five years and that has enabled me to continue to struggle through every day and it did stop my anxiety attacks. So, I went on Adderall RX.
Within an hour or so of taking the first 5mg. pill I felt something I had never felt before. Normal. Or, what I believed normal would feel like from watching how other people behave. Suddenly I was no longer in despair, my mind seemed to click into a different mode and I sat down at my computer in my office at home and started working away, without my mind wandering all over the place and so far away that I would end up in an state of anxiety that would freeze me so that I would end up doing nothing but worrying about how much I have to do. .It really changed everything and over the next three weeks I went to 10 mg. and learned what it was like just to DO THINGS without despairing over everything and everyday life tasks being a major struggle.
Then, the Canadian government banned Adderall. Back to the living hell.
We have been trying other drugs, the Concerta seemed to do nothing but I was on 18mg. Then I tried Dexetrine which had some effect but the dosage thing and the ups and downs needed to be worked out. I then tried Dexetrine Spansule, 10mg but didn’t notice much so tried taking Dexetrine in addition to it (5mg. whole or split in half). I am not sure how that went because I thought I was having nausea but it turns out I probably have some sort of stomach flu. Can anyone advise as to dosages for the Spansule and Dexetrine combo or the Dexetrine alone? By the way, while I am a proponent of not relying on prescription drugs, I believe I deserve to take these drugs now as I have spent the last 25 years changing my lifestyle in an attempt to improve my state and keep me from going under. I workout at a gym, bike (uphill) to work everyday and I am vegetarian (no meat for 20 years) who does not eat wheat or dairy. Any meds info regarding dosages would be appreciated. Thanks, Shell

I feel for you - I am in a similar situation, also living in Canada.  Adderall XR has been the only drug to work for me.  I have tried all the others you mention at various doses but none are as good as Adderall XR.  Forget the Dexedrine SP - it doesn't work.  You are better off taking regular Dexedrine.  Try every 4 hours (use a timer to make sure you take it on time).  Also try staggered doses - I take 4 tablets at 7am, 4 tablets at 11am and 3 tablets at 3pm.  If I take too much in the afternoon, or any later than 5pm, I can't get to sleep.  The results are OK - but again, nothing like Adderall.  I am planning to go to see a doctor in the U.S. to obtain Adderall there - Canadians are allowed to bring in a 3-month supply at a time - of course it is very expensive - but to be productive and to feel good about yourself is worth it.  Also, you should write a letter to your MP and MPP (or have your doctor write a letter) asking that they pressure Health Canada to allow Adderall XR back on the market.  There is currently a review of the decision so any comments we can provide could make a difference.

I know, isn't it such a relief to actually pinpoint the reasons WHY you were the way you were all your life.  I'm kinda going through a little depression right now...I think mainly because I don't want to accept the fact that there is clinically "something" wrong with me. Another reason is because I had my heart set on being a nurse and I'm screwing up, and I'm trying my best!   Time will tell if medication is what I need.  But I also have to count my blessings, and thank (God, whoever) that I'm physically healthy. 

About the medication for you....uhmmm, I would say to ask your doctor about possibly increasing the concerta to the 54mg(I think it's 54).  Ritalin has been out for years and is fairly safe(concerta and ritalin are the same just concerta is long lastin) and has had many positve therapeutic responses. I'm on Ritalin 3x a day 10mg and notice a slight change.  I think it may take more time, unless I should notice dramatic results already.  I guess I do(I know I'm confusing, I'm actually confusing myself), but I'm still forgetful and misplace items(I guess not as much)and I"m trying to work on that.

These days, buying medication on line is a thriving channel, enabling people to get medication, when otherwise they would not be able to obtain them. 

Are you unable to purchase them on line as well?

Mr. B

i'm in the US and have been prescribed the generic form of adderall.  why did the Canadian government ban it?

Hi there, thanks for the replies. I can’t believe I can actually discuss these things with other people. As for the ban, who really knows? I think they are all so busy playing politics that you can never figure out why they do anything (except that everything they do is to help keep them in office or to assist in securing them lucrative positions post office). Below is a link to the CBC article on the "ban".  What I want to know is why are we still selling cigarettes (along with many other dangerous prescription drugs)? How many people die every year from those? And, if they are concerned about children talking Adderall then don't let children take it...but of course the pharmaceutical companies don't want that. That seems to be their customer base. My doctor says he will write me a prescription so I can go down to Blaine. As the princess commented, it is worth the $150.00 a month if the med has such a positive impact on your life. I will write my MP about this. I am trying to be grateful that I got a chance to take the drug before it was banned or I would have never known how differently I could behave and feel.

These days, buying medication on line is a thriving channel, enabling people to get medication, when otherwise they would not be able to obtain them. 

Are you unable to purchase them on line as well?

Mr. B

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Mr. B - I have been trying since the Canadian ban to find a reputable pharmacy to purchase Adderall XR online.  I would be forever grateful if you could please suggest one or more to me.  I could even have the medication shipped to a U.S. address.  Thanks.

My doctor says he will write me a prescription so I can go down to Blaine. As the princess commented, it is worth the $150.00 a month if the med has such a positive impact on your life. 

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Where is Blaine?  How can they fill a prescription from a Canadian doctor?

Mr. B - I have been trying since the Canadian ban to find a reputable pharmacy to purchase Adderall XR online.  I would be forever grateful if you could please suggest one or more to me.  I could even have the medication shipped to a U.S. address.  Thanks.

Shellr: Where is Blaine?  U.S.? How can they fill a prescription from a Canadian doctor?

Hi Princess, my doctor says he will write me a prescription for Adderall and I can go to Blaine to have it filled.  I will do that if just to take the three weeks worth to compare with what I am doing now.  Nothing has come close to Adderall. I wanted to ask you about dosage. My doctor had me trying 2 x 5mg a day (I was taking 10mg. of Adderall and I had been on it for a month). I then upped that to 3  x 5mg. splitting up at least one. The times I tend to take them vary depending on the day. I go off for a day every week and I see the sense in trying not to take too many when you are new to it but I also want to take enough so I get full benefit.  Have you experienced any nausea or stomach problems with Dexedrine? I am writing a letter to my MP and I hope others are doing the same. Shell

These days, buying medication on line is a thriving channel, enabling people to get medication, when otherwise they would not be able to obtain them. 

Are you unable to purchase them on line as well?

Mr. B

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Mr. B - I have been trying since the Canadian ban to find a reputable pharmacy to purchase Adderall XR online.  I would be forever grateful if you could please suggest one or more to me.  I could even have the medication shipped to a U.S. address.  Thanks.

My doctor says he will write me a prescription so I can go down to Blaine. As the princess commented, it is worth the $150.00 a month if the med has such a positive impact on your life. 

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Where is Blaine?  How can they fill a prescription from a Canadian doctor?

Try http://www.bestonlineforeignpharmacies.com/mental-health/add erall-xr.shtml.  I don't know how dependable they are as I have never ordered from them, but it seems to come to a total of $210 dollars for a 30 month supply of 20mg XR.

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Mr. B - I have been trying since the Canadian ban to find a reputable pharmacy to purchase Adderall XR online.  I would be forever grateful if you could please suggest one or more to me.  I could even have the medication shipped to a U.S. address.  Thanks.

Please let me know what your doctor says about filling a prescription in the U.S.  My doctor says it can't be done unless you are licensed in the U.S. or you are dealing with a sleazy pharmacy that agrees to fill it.  My doctor would definitely write a prescription for me to take to the U.S.  Thanks.

I wanted to ask you about dosage. My doctor had me trying 2 x 5mg a day (I was taking 10mg. of Adderall and I had been on it for a month). I then upped that to 3  x 5mg. splitting up at least one.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ADDERALL OR ADDERALL XR?  I THOUGHT ONLY ADDERALL XR (THE LONG-ACTING ONE) HAD BEEN AVAILABLE IN CANADA.  THAT'S THE ONLY ONE I EVER TOOK.  ONCE A DAY IN THE MORNING, SOMETIMES A BOOST AFTER 8 HOURS WITH SHORT-ACTING DEXEDRINE.

Have you experienced any nausea or stomach problems with Dexedrine?

A LITTLE NAUSEA WITH DEXEDRINE BUT NOT A BIG DEAL.  THE BIG DEAL IS THAT IT JUST DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS ADDERALL.  WITH DEXEDRINE, I DON'T HAVE THE SAME HIGH MOTIVATION IN THE MORNING AND I AM WIRED LATE AT NIGHT, EVEN TAKING MY LAST MEDS IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON.

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Hi Shell - please see my comments IN CAPS. Rhonda