Question about stimulant medication efficacy

[search4]

Question about stimulant medication efficacy.

Hello,

I was diagnosed with ADHD within the past year. I've taken Ritalin and Dexamphetamine during that period. When it came time to report back to my psychiatrist, I always felt that there was no noticeable difference in my ability to accomplish the tasks I wanted to, and told him the meds seemed to have no effect.

I went up to 60mg a day of Ritalin. At that dosage I had shaky hands and felt wired but wasn't achieving any more than without meds. The physiological effects on my body seem to indicate that the meds are working right?. I thought the meds would help my mind stay focussed on one thing at a time but I feel I'm just as prone to distraction.

My psychiatrist has now prescribed me Atomoxetine which I'm reluctant to take as it takes a long time to work and hangs around in your system for a long time.

If you've taken stimulant meds, do you feel they make an obvious difference?, or is it something you may not even notice if you're not keeping a med diary or something?. Do you try to aim yourself toward work immediately after taking the medication so your temporary focus doesn't get squandered down a youtube rabbit hole or some other undesirable activity?.

[BlessedLady]

Have you tried keeping a diary? Sometimes we accomplish more than we think we do. You have to be realistic about your expectation of the medication. It may or may not help for you to see a psychologist or counselor that can give you techniques that might help.

[search4 in reply to BlessedLady]

Thanks, I think I will try the med diary. I've heard a number of people say they didn't have a clear idea of the effect of the medication until they started keeping a journal

[SCR4MBLES]

Some days I literally feel like colours are brighter. I tend to achieve alot on these days.

Some days I feel like nothing is different at all.

So to answer your question, for me it's very noticeable most days but sometimes I don't notice the effects at all.

I think everyone reacts differently though based on posts I've seen on this website.

I take 5mg Dexamfetamine twice a day.

[SCR4MBLES in reply to SCR4MBLES]

Also to answer your 2nd question I definitely try to allign my doses things I want to get done.I take one in the morning and usually once I feel it I write out a small list of things I want to focus on after work.

Then I know it takes about 40mins to start working so I'll take one about 20 mins before I finish work so that my focus goes to the places I want it to.

[search4 in reply to SCR4MBLES]

Thanks for the advice!, writing a list sounds like a good idea.

[coffeeandweed in reply to SCR4MBLES]

I'm on 18mg Concerta per day, but I have to supplement it with coffee. It's supposed to give 12 hours, but I get about 7. I wake in the morning and get caffeine in me, tapering down to decaf to prevent a crash then drop a capsule in late morning to get me through to evening.

Now I'm also on Effexor and Tegretol and I had to back off on those just to get out of my fog and make the Concerta effects noticeable. I was having some interactions and needed to clear up my mind.

And as for two days being the same in a row, forget about it. I have everything from days that go smooth and days where I'm impervious to external stimuli with my brain spinning and ready to crawl out of my skin. For those days, a bit of weed goes a long way to relaxing the body. But that being said, I'm in Canada and I can go out town to the store and pick up a couple prerolls.

And don't forget to engage in a good hobby. I do a whole lot of carving to keep my mind and hands working. Got to keep hands moving the entire day. Hope you find relief.

Wicca board.