I have to choose which Med to try....How to know?

[Snowsunli]

First time posting...

Hi wonderful community! I am an undiagnosed 45 yr old woman. I believe I have ADD Inattentive. After much personal research, I have coordinated with my MD to try some medication. MD gave me the list of med’s available in my province which is ONtario. I am really at a loss, as it seems I will be making this choice. I have had a bad experience with anxiety med’s that were really hard to get off of.....8months i will never get back. Any suggestions on where to start? I am thinking of something i can start at a low dose. My doctor said he only had 2 adults on ADHD med’s and it’s stratera non stimulant. My gut tells me that I should try a stimulant...I am not hyper on the outside at all-but can my mind go!!!! It took me 40 minuted to get to this after sitting at the iPad 🙃

*Concerta *Ritalin -short and long release *Vyvanse *Biphentin *Adderol *Stratera

Apparently there is no access to anyone to diagnose me, no specialists, and no Add/HD clinics or coaching available through free health care-not sure if this was because of pandemic.... I spoke to MD in June, lost my list of med’s, finished high school online, got too embarassed to call back to book another phone appointment plus organizing myself to call.... just found the list in the Sari Solden book!!!!

I always had trouble finishing work, remembering things on time, energy zaps, last minute cancellations because it was sooo much work just to get ready to go out....

I have been a list person and a calendar person, but in the last two years, i hit my coping wall. It has been really hard..... i am thankful that I happened apon the Women with attention deficit book- the link to Chadd was in the back....

Thanks 💗

[Rollyfingers]

Adderall is number 1 ritalin Concerta, and one more I will get the name of it

[Snowsunli]

Thanks, just to clarify-do you mean adderol would be your number one recommendation? Why?

[F_RN_Dx_at_39]

It's my understanding that Adderall is the most effective for the highest number of people. It should be the first drug that they try you on. You probably want the short acting where you could take it twice a day, and to start with a lower dose like 5 or 10 mg, and you can always go up from there.

I've tried a lot of meds. I started with Adderall, but stopped because I had terrible migraines with it. It was the most effective for me. Ritalin did nothing, Vivance helped me a little, but at higher doses made me manic. I tried a couple others as well and wanted returning to Adderall and was able to get past the migraines after a week and I've been on it now and titrated it up for almost there.

Good luck. Also, there are a ton of doctors doing video calls. You should check around in your state/district and see if there is a specialist that you could see by video call.

Good luck.

[Snowsunli in reply to F_RN_Dx_at_39]

Very helpful! I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I will look into a video call, I know that t won’t be free here, but if it’s not too much, it would be good to talk to an expert!

[Savicat]

Welcome to the group! I only recently joined myself. I was diagnosed 10 years ago at age 50 through a questionaire (for adults). I bought Sari Soldens book and also Driven to Distraction, but did not ask for medication at that point. Fast forward, it has become more difficult to manage as I get older and life has thrown a lot at me recently. I got diagnosed again and with a qb test (computer).

I also am primarily inattentive ADD. They started me on Adderall and I am amazed at the difference! What is even more surprising is the the effect it's had on my anxiety/depression. I've had low level depression for most of my life. within a day of starting the medication I felt more confident and generally positive. I also realized looking back that I was living with a constant sense of overwhelm and anxiety which has also largely disappeared with the medication.

I have also been seeing a wonderful therapist for a couple years and believe this is an important part of my journey: I have a lot to learn and probably more to unlearn.

I think it would be worthwhile for you to get properly diagnosed even if you have to travel initially to do so. Adderall was the first thing they've tried with me. I worried that I would feel jittery or overstimulated, but true to ADD, It had a calming affect instead. I really was surprised at how it address my symptoms of anxiety/depression. I didn't realize they are common with AD/HD.

Welcome again!

[Snowsunli in reply to Savicat]

Thanks, I really relate to this! I have had low level depression and anxiety my whole life too! I have been medicated for both... I think I have tried about 5 different medications...none really worked.

I hadn’t realized these were secondary symptoms of add. I also get energy zapped at least once a day...often around 4pm where I have to push myself to carry on with the day.

I am really hopeful that Adderall could help-actually I have imagined your description of your relief many times!!!! I have been trying not to put too much hope on this, but I can’t help it! I have tried pretty much every self help for the last 20 yrs.

I am lucky to have found a really good councillor to talk to. And she is encouraging me to keep on this path.

I would love any links to where you did your test on the computer...

I would like to be diagnosed, but both my doctor and councillor said it would lead to the same process of trying medication...so not necessary.

Is there anything that I could gain from the diagnosis?

Thanks again for your insight and sharing your experiences.

[Savicat]

I went to an ADD clinic and they wouldn't give me med without a clear diagnosis. AD/HD is complex and dif things work for dif people. The qb test I referenced cost abt $150. Not sure if my insurance covers it; I haven't received the bill yet. There is another test you can take for free at addtypetest.com. It is from Dr. Amen who has delineated 7 types of add. I came out with overfocused and limbic ADD. My son took it and came out with the same. My husband took it (skeptical) and came out with nothing... Bec he clearly doesn't have ADD! Lol I think it just validated the test!

So, if you can try some medication with out paying for the qb test, I would say go for it!

Thank God for wonderful therapists! Medication is only part of the answer.

And practice kindness and self - compassion, always! 😘

[Snowsunli]

I actually bought Dr. Amen’s "therapy in a box" from PBS last year! That’s a great tip!

There’s a video in there called "healing add", I haven’t watched yet....I will let you know how it.

Thanks for all the encouragement! I really needed that!💗✨🌺

[Savicat]

I am curious, Ive heard of his "Healing ADD in 30 days." I'm not sure if they really mean healing... I don't think there's a cure. However, medication combined with other things (behavior modification/strategies, therapy, etc), can go a long way towards management of symptoms and personal growth. I just want to be the best I can be! Or at least significantly better! Lol

[ThisADHDmaze]

Pick one and try it. Adderall has helped me. They are easy to get off of and once you find the right one, you’ll know. Two days after taking adderall for the first time I was able to hold a conversation in a loud, busy restaurant for the first time in my life. People around me, friends and family noticed the difference before I did.

Think of trying meds and speed dating, if you don’t like how you feel with one, then you move on to the next. Be aware of side effects such as appetite suppression and find a med with little to no side effects or side effects you can tolerate.

My biggest advice is research and read as much as you can, and advocate for yourself!

[Snowsunli in reply to ThisADHDmaze]

Thanks! I recently listened to an hour long podcast about how to get the right Medication....done by a doctor who specializes in helping people get properly medicated for ADD.

There were three main points...

1) Are you can n the right Medication

2) Are you on the right dose

3) Are you taking it at the right time of day

With each Med you need to try a lower dose, if it’s not working, try it at a different time of day...it was more complicated eg: like if it is wearing off before you need it or making you tired etc... then once you have tried different doses and times, if it’s not working then move on to the next one....

Based on all my research and the helpful feedback here, I am trying 5mg of slow release Adderall today for the first time.... I feel so hopeful! So far I feel more able to concentrate and less multi thoughts going on....

💗🙋‍♀️🙏🤞

[ThisADHDmaze]

That’s a very low dose. Don’t be afraid to ask for more. At the peak of my ADHD, while I was still learning how to cope, I was taking 20mg in the morning and then 10mg at 3pm. And I know people who were taking 30mg in the morning and 20mg in the afternoon so I guess we are all wired differently!! Good luck

[Snowsunli in reply to ThisADHDmaze]

So far so good! Thanks for all the support 😺