This isn’t as exciting as Tom Cruise but | ADHD Information
Could you guys reply to this? I know its long but I'd like to know your answers. That's why we all came here right? So lets get this done. No one else is looking into this in any meaningful way and it could make a huge difference for the new people here at the very least. So how about it? Stop, read and please reply.
We all seem pretty much to have the same core symptoms (lack of focus, memory and concentration) and these combined make us "disorganised", often "late", etc. But there are 3 additional distinctions that also separate us and perhaps, maybe even the way each group is effected by the same medication? For example, (simplisticly put), it is said the most commonly used stimulant type meds work better for the Hyperactive (ADHD), by actually slowing thier movements down and make them feel calmer. If you are Inattentive or Combined ADD, it could make you appear hyper and fidgity when you never have been before plus make you feel more agitated and irratible than normal.
So why are we all started with similar stimulant meds when first diagnosed? Because Doctors have no other way to prescribe these meds right now other than trial and error. I'd like to get each of our information sorted based on the 4 considerations I make below. I have never found meds listed in this way anywhere and it can be, from us here, first. I'd be grateful if you could take a moment and summarize briefly your experience and add it to my own. I really need alternatives in meds to try right now. Will you help?
No one has tried to make this list. It may not show any significant differences but then again.... it might. We could all at least search for meds to try by the type of ADHD we each have and by the symptoms each medication seems to alleviate within that group. I think its better than the trail and error approach. I am hoping to find alot of commonalities...the more people add to this, the more reliable it will be. Hopefully everyone will continuosly update thier origional posts here and in that way this will become an even more useful source for us all.
1) ADHD(ADD) type: The groups supposedly are: ADHD: Hyperactive type, ADD: Inattentive type and Combined type: a combination of both types. I only know Combined type: more towards ADD... fatigued, generally a slow mover, never fidgits much and may be unmotivated, BUT talks quickly/alot and thinks in a hyper way. Feel free to help clear this last one up. I'm only describing myself here.
2) Medications: one's you've tried before and meds you're currently taking for ADHD, the symptoms they improved and the ones they did not or perhaps made worse. Mention any combination of meds that you've taken together, to tackle more than one ADHD symptom.
3) Side effects: the ones you could tolerate ok, how long they lasted and those that were just too much even if the med worked otherwise. Hopefully you can just put "no side effects".
Only do 4) if you feel it may be relevant in terms of known or possible drug interactions with your other ADHD meds. You may have found a side effect of taking that med, created an ADHD like symptom or makes a real one worse.
4)Co morbidity: another factor beside ADHD like depression, anxiety, mood disorder etc. and the drug you took while also on your ADHD meds.
(This always seemed like a "chicken and the egg" thing to me. Was a person depressed and also had ADHD or did they become depressed because of coping with ADHD? A good point to ponder for each of us before taking meds for a co morbid diagnosis. Either statement could be true, its what you think that counts.)
ME: Karen N, 38 yrs old
Type:
Combined type: more ADD. I have been depressed but for me, I feel it arises "out of" my type of ADD. I have never been restless and fidgety outwardly. My mind and mouth however are another story.
Meds previously tried:
Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft (SSRI's) All years ago for "Depression/Anxiety. I was not diagnosed for ADD until 2005. None helped. Prozac was like "Speed" to me in the first 4 days, Zoloft made me muddled, depressed, confused. Effexor worked OK in 2 weeks for a happier mood but waned there after into a deeper depression. I just did psychotherapy instead. That actually worked pretty good over time and got me through somewhat til 2005. Side effects: Prozac cut my sleep from 12hrs to 4hrs in a few days. I was just pinned all day long! Effexor or Zoloft created havock in withdrawl symptoms from them, even after a short use of a month or less.
Dexedrine (top dose 30 mg) Dex seemed to help me focus better and I felt more "awake" than my usual fatigued state. However, I was still very forgetful, concentration did not improve and I was actually still unmotivated...I was just a more awake lard ass! I gave it over month but decided focus was no good without motivation and a reliable memory. Side effects: I found I could tolerate it well over all but it made me feel irritable and "speedy" coming down. For the first week or so I got a terrible pressure sensation around my brain.
Current med:
Wellbutrin SR 150 mg X 2 a day. After about the first 12 days, I can honestly say the fatigue was pretty much gone, I feel happy and laugh easier.. its been over a month and I just feel great! I'm much more motivated BUT my focus (distractability) is only slightly improved, concentration is still hard (being able to think and do my task without confusion) and my memory (being forgetful and trouble recalling knowledge) still sucks. This med is not like an SSRI and not like any other stimulant either. Side effects: None. I've never "felt the drug" in my body like with the Dex and I sleep just fine. Warnings* SR type cannot be taken closer than 8 hours between each dose of 150 mg maximum for a daily total of 300mg or there is a possibility of stroke. Otherwise pretty safe compared to most other meds. Apparently withdrawl from this will be "yucky in the head" if I forget a day.
Additional meds:
Clonidine (Catapress ) 1 x 0.25 mg a day at nite. Its only day 2 on this. It's supposed to slow my mind and so help with focus, concentration and perhaps recall. Side effects:I feel kind of sedated on it and I get sharp multiple pin pricks of pain in my head within a 1/2 hour of taking it and it will last for a long while. It doesn't seem to negate the happy, awake and motivated effects of the Wellbutrin...yet, but I think I seriously need another alternative med to help with the remaining symptoms AND that can be taken with the Wellbutrin. Any suggestions?
Karen N38535.4983564815Hi, Karen...
Click on this http://www.aqeta.qc.ca/english/general/types/20.htm
It's Dr. Daniel Amen's taxonomy...the "6 Types of ADD"...the first type "Classic ADD" is the one that has become fashionable to call ADHD is the very common "with-Hyperactivity" variation of ADD. the remaining 6 types are five variations on the "without-hyperactivity" theme.
this site is basically the table on page 274 (paperback, June 2002) of Dr. Amen's book "Healing ADD". It's a great start on the issue you raise. It is my current bible and I wish more professionals (and the patients they treat--which often includes themselves) used this taxonomy/treatment matrix so we'd all start out from square one...rather than start scrambling around from square zero which as you note unfortunately seems to be the case.
Amen has at least tried to systematize "what works where".
Karen, actually the concern about OD'ing Wellbutrin is seizure not stroke. If your you or your family has any history of seizure you may want to tell your pdoc about it. Hope Wellbutrin continues to work well for you.Karen,
I don't know why but it was difficult to read through your email. I haven't taken my Kava Kava yet today so my ADD is acting up.
Anyway - I am the Combined type - my symptoms are very similar to yours. Most people wouldn't classify me as hyperactive, to know me but I see why I'm classified that way. My therapist also says that I have Anxiety too. I'm in denial about that.
I'm not taking any medications yet. So far I'm taking the herb Kava Kava. I love it. It takes about an hour for me to feel it working. Then I'm not tired anymore, I'm more alert, I'm calmer, I can concentrate and remember things better. If I know I'm going to be busy in the afternoon or evening, I can take another one later in the day. It does not prevent me from getting a good night sleep.
Karen
Wow lots of food for thought!
First thing is that there are almost always comorbidities in this. Years ago (pre diagnosis) I was on Prozac for depression - when I was validly depressed from suffering the ADHD! I don't think more seratonin is of much help in our illness anyway.
I am diagnosed inattentive (never was a busy kid after around 7). Couldn't focus on topics if it would take more than 5 minutes or if it sounded boring.
From what I understand if you have ADHD (any kind), the amphetamines act differently for you as they bring the dopamine up to a normal level. If it's a proper dosing you should feel "up" but not jittery. I felt the "false sense of well being" but never overly hyper. By the way I loved the false well being way better than the real sense of feeling crappy!! lol
I was put on 10 mg - then up to 30 mg dexedrine sulfide spansules. It took away the drifting I felt and quickly gave me the sense of being "one" with the reality around me. It was like waking up for the first time in 31 years!
Sometimes on my job - if I am working hard physically I'll feel the amphetamine "rush" as I burn the excess off. I'll talk a lot to co-workers (just a steady dialogue not babble thank goodness!), and I'll feel an energy increase I don't feel on my no-so busy days when the amphetamines are seemingly redirected elsewhere.
My side effects were mostly short lived - 2 weeks or so. I still get a few cramps now and then as the dexedrine effects the smooth muscles in the body. I'm on Zelnorm now and the cramps go away fast.
I used to fidget and tap my leg. I found it gone completely without my even noticing it - others had to tell me the difference.
I used to chew my nails, plastic, rubber bands (often called "pica" - eating/chewing normally inedible things), and now I must remember often to clip my nails! I really am fascinated with it as I NEVER had to clip them in my life!
I find the depression was gone as soon as I gained the control of my life that was never there before. Once most are on a good plan COMBINED with therapy (it's essential), that the depression and feelings of doom that go with it are soon gone away.
A good psychiatrist who has dealt with ADHD (you have to try to find one!!!) will rule out serious comorbidities so you don't end up getting meds that can do more harm than good. A family history is essential too (a childhood trauma can look just like ADHD and needs serious help not pills). Something as simple as a hormone imbalance, bad thyroid, even poisoning can seem just like ADHD if they don't know better. Get good help please!!!!
I read up on ADHD once I began to realize what might be wrong. My last uncle passed away and I began to see an ADHD trend in my father's family. I went to my MD and asked to be referred to a specialist in ADHD. Blood was drawn, questions were asked (lots of them) and I explored my history so we would know with some degree of accuracy that it was the right thing. Believe me, I didn't want to be on amphetamines without a good reason. I don't drink or do drugs and remain a skeptical person who needs proof before I take anything.
Hopefully this is less prattle and more assisting for you. I've spent the last 8 months trying to know all I can on this and help others just coming into terms with their own problem. I just wish I'd known all this even 10 years ago and could have saved my common-law marriage, my relationship with my stepchildren and my beloved friends.
Hope you can get a grip on your troubles too. If you ever need to chat just email me! I love to talk as you may have noticed! lol
I have been to Amen and it said I was temperal lobe adhd. I do best on stimulants. But with other problems I need a second, third and a fourth. AdHd definatly comes first. then the comorbids pop up. Think about it. Constant reactions of others to adhd is less than positive.
Took me almost 30 years to be medicated because professionals didn't know what they were looking at. 
As a teenager I knew something was wrong but couldn't find any help. I am feeling much better now. I am at a level of functioning that is remarkable with the challenges I have had. I don't mean to seem immodest but I can say I am proud of the progress I made.I have been to Dr. Amen's site and taken the test. I have the inattentive, ADD non hyper type. I have low blood pressure (last time it was taken I was 90 something over 57) and I take my time to do things. My dad would say I was as slow as molasses in January. I always wondered why I seemed slow. But I know now, I was just distracted with my thoughts. My mind traps me. I daydream. I will find myself in the bathroom for a long time, just thinking while in the bath, etc. I get lost in thought. I sort of come out of it and then wonder what I was planning on doing next. It is like coming out of a dream, a day dream.
Anyway, on medication I don't daydream, I get things done. I "see" the organized way to do things. I actually "see" things out of place and can quickly clean up things that I usually just don't notice. It is like putting on glasses for me. I can see things that I never saw before. I have tried Adderall and now Concerta. I have also tried herbal supplements. Usually they work for about 6 months, then I need a higher dose. I just have now started Concerta, so we will see if it "wears off." The motice that came with the medication said that it's affectiveness may diminish over time and a vacation might be required.
Good luck.