Diagnosed with ADHD (as well as depression and binge eating disorder) in Oct 2018. Dealt with it my whole life, but never medicated because it wasn't disruptive until recently. Oct 2018 I was Rx'd Vyvanse 30mg (as well as Wellbutrin 150mg, currently on 300mg). Vyvanse increased to 40mg in November. In December, I told my doc that the Vyvanse had done very well with curbing my eating (resulting in 20+lbs weight loss since Oct) but it wore off in the early afternoon (I would find myself "hunting" for food when not at all hungry) and it had done NOTHING from the beginning for my focus at all. She suggested increase Vyvanse to 60mg and adding 10mg Adderall in the afternoon. I was uncomfortable with the idea of 2 stimulants, so we simply increased the Vyvanse. After this appointment, my doc left the practice to open her own, and insurance has kept me from seeing her since (although I will see her next week!) January 2019, I give Doc #2 the quick history, including Doc #1's suggestion of adding Adderall. He wanted me to stay on the same dosage, no changes, another month to "give it more time." I agreed. February, Doc #2 is out of the country, and the fill-in Doc #3 is not at all interested in hearing the history or making any changes, and he's just rude. So same dosage again. March Doc #2 is back, but says he'd rather me switch to Adderall altogether and try that before we go to 2 stimulants. Makes sense, so we change to Adderall IR 20mg in the AM and 10mg in the early afternoon. It does NOTHING. No difference whatsoever, no side effects, nothing. It was as if I'd taken no medicine at all. My eating ramped up a bit too, but I was more able to be in control, so no big deal there. April Doc#3 is back, apparently he's in charge now, so he listens (barely) to a quick rundown of the history, and I tell him of Doc #1's suggestion of using both medications and ask to try that. He immediately tells me it is not an option, starts asking questions about whether I am taking my Rx as directed and if I get euphoria from it, treating my like an addict. Then he asks what I do for a living. I tell him I am a SAHM of 3 boys, and he literally says, "Then what are you taking this for?" and proceeds to tell me that these types of medicines are for professionals and students in high pressure academics, and that I should not taking it as a SAHM "just to make your day easier." I ask him to at least switch me back to the Vyvanse, since it helped the eating better, and he agreed. While I was waiting for the Rx to be printed, he tells the nurse to check the date of my last Rx and "make sure you put Do Not fill before 30 days" on it (again, treating me like an addict). So, back on Vyvanse 60mg. I will see my original doc next week in time for my next round of refills. I would love any suggestions you all may have for something else that might help. I have so much trouble focusing and am so absent minded that it hinders every aspect of my life, from parenting, to housekeeping, to my marriage. I'll go to get my husband a drink from the fridge, and find my toddler taking all the condiments out and lining them up on the floor, and in the 30 seconds it takes me to put the condiments back in the fridge, the reason I went into the kitchen in the first place, to get a drink out of the fridge that I'm standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF is completely gone from my brain. And that kind of thing happens all day long. I have read about Modafinil offlable for ADHD, but not sure about it, and I'm not really wanting to try the doctor's original suggestion of combining Vyvanse and Adderall because neither of them worked on their own. ----Sorry so long of a post!! TIA for any input!----
Adult ADHD - Vyvanse/Adderall do NOTH... - CHADD's Adult ADH...
Adult ADHD - Vyvanse/Adderall do NOTHING - Not sure where to go from here...
When you were taking the Adderall, were you eating/drinking anything acidic an hour before or after taking it? Citric acid (orange/grapefruit juice), and the acids in soda/coffee can make it so the body can't absorb it. I forgot about that the other day and drank some ginger ale about 15 minutes after I took my pill, and it was like I never took it. Dr #3 sounds like a royal jerk, hopefully you can get rid of him soon. Drs like that make me so mad!
I don't think I was, I'm not a big fan of citrus juices, and I rarely drink sodas anymore. I'm starting to think I'm "immune" to stimulants. I've never had any of the classic stimulant side effects from either medicine, and I've never had any from any kind of caffeine or energy drinks. I know it's bad for you, but I can drink Red Bull all day long and it would have no effect. I think it's probably time to try the non-stimulant route.
I hope the non stimulant works for you!
What do you mean about the acids making it not effective? I have never herd of that. My doctor just switched me from Ridellan today to Adderall due to a full hysterectomy and no hormones. I’ve had ADHD since I was a kid and since the hysterectomy it seemed like my meds stoped working. The Adderall and the acid and like to know more because In stead of coffee in the morning and drink a small can of soda. I have been taking the Adderall 1 Day not and it totally makes me want to sleep
additudemag.com/adderall-ad...
About halfway down in the article, 2nd paragraph after "Can I develop a tolerance" it talks about how acidic foods/drinks and vitamin c prevent adderall from properly absorbing into your system.
I would honestly start thinking about Straterra. It's a nonstimulant and it takes longer to start working but oh man it is amazing for all of the things you listed up above.
It does have some nasty side effects at first but there are ways to work around that.
I would take it at night for the first couple of weeks and then once I wouldn't be so tired from it I would switch to the morning. For the nausea I always had a protein shake and a piece of toast or hard boiled egg at the same time as I took it.
oooo that doc #3 makes me so mad, he sounds like a complete arsehole!! My adult daughter was recently diagnosed ADHD and is taking Adzenys XR, she is thrilled with the results. But if you feel that stimulants really don't work for you, yeah maybe straterra.
Yes, he is! I was so angry. And apparently, he's like that with everyone. I had a situation where my youngest son (2 yo) had gotten stitches in his chin after losing a battle with the TV stand, and he needed them out. This doc was also my son's doc, though he'd never seen him as he hadn't needed an appointment for anything since docs were changed. So I called and asked the nurse who else could take stitches out because I was NOT letting that man put his hands on my child. The nurse very knowingly said she completely understood and could do it herself. I'm so thankful though that my original doctor finally got her insurance status worked out. I will see her on Monday!
Have you tried having a complete blood panel work up? You could have nutritional/ hormonal imbalances that could be causing what you are experiencing. ADD medications, weight loss and pregnancy can deplete your body and brain of nutrients and minerals. Do you eat an ADD clean diet? Do you take any vitamins? Have they checked your thyroid? Do you have regular sleep habits? Do you avoid sugar and caffeine? Kudos to you for all that you do every day! You have a very full plate with taking care of three boys, a husband and your home every day!
To me, forgetfulness was not a symptom of my ADD. Concentration, focus, inability to find a starting point, jumping from task to task and follow through to completion are the things I struggled with before I was diagnosed.
You also mentioned that you’ve lost weight lately, do any of your other medications need to be adjusted down due to your weight loss? Personally, I would not even attempt to add another stimulate RX to what you already take especially since you’ve had binge eating issues in the past.
I understand how you feel about your doctor’s attitude however please try to remember that it is their license and career on the line when they prescribe controlled substances; they absolutely have look at everyone with a jaundiced eye. It’s not just you; I think most of us have experienced the same attitude with doctors and pharmacists at least once!!
I had bloodwork done in October when I first started on medications, and the only thing that came back low was Vitamin D, which I take now as well. I do take a daily vitamin, but I do still have caffeine most days. I have never really looked into an "ADD diet" but I'll do that now. I do want to have more tests run, because I have suspected a thyroid issue for more than a year, due to other symptoms as well, but the numbers never seem to be outside of normal range.
I've been going through pretty much the same things, nothing ever seemed to actually work for me. Ritalin did in the beginning, I have just started Focalin 10mg 1x daily in the am, nothing yet. Provigil generic did absolutely nothing for me either. I tried many combos as well. Best of luck to you - stay in prayer! singlecare.com/blog/focalin...
When I was on Vyvanse, I absolutely loved it... doc gave me 25mg tablets and said I could take up to 3 x's per day as needed... brought me clarity, energy, and weight loss... but I ended up having a Stress Cardiomyopathy episode on one of the calmest days of my life... taken from work by ambulance and in ICU for 3 days then cardiac ward for two more - it's serious business... now, they won't let me take it - nor-epinephrine is bad for me apparently with my already heightened state of "fight or flight" 24/7... I really, really miss it... now I'm going to try Wellbutrin SR 100 mg... and see... did that help you at all?
The Wellbutrin has helped with the depression. I have a bit more motivation, more gumption. It's not a drastic change, but enough to notice. I started at 150mg and went to 300mg the next month, and have been on that since.
I been on Adderral XR for 16 years and regardless of the dosage change it's not as beneficial as it used to be. Looking to change medications but before I do, I did a genesite test find out which ADHD and anxiety medications work and which to avoid. Should find out in a few days.
Tell me more about this. I'm not familiar with tests that will tell you, I just figured it was a trial and error sort of thing to find what works best. I'd love to know more.
Click on the link included and read all the information and call the number on the site so they can locate a provider that does this test or have your current doctor register. On the test form the doctor fills out, there are three options to test for medicine
1. Depression 2. Anxiety and 3. ADHD
You can choose all three if you like depends on what is needed. The results take 10 days
genesight.com/endtrialander...
Ha! I just clicked the link and the homepage says, "Replace trial and error with triumph." Pretty cool. I am definitely going to look into this.
Thank you Jim for the tip. I just had my first appt with a new Psychiatrist and asked about this. He's going to order it. I've tried and failed so many meds, he say's I've basically done it already.
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Why isn't Vyvanse working?
