Recently realized I needed to go back on Methylphenidate for my new responsibilities at work that require long meetings and periods of intense focus. Doctor wrote script, but it's been pending at CVS for a week, and today I went in to ask about it, and they said they have no idea when they will get any. It is on "backorder" indefinitely apparently.
It has been a while since I took ADHD meds, so I am not sure how to maneuver the shortage issue. It really has been discouraging to finally get the nerve to ask for meds again, and then have this huge obstacle keep me from actually getting them.
Any tips on actually getting my RX filled this time and going forward?
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MrsPeel
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Try other pharmacys. You can also talk with your doctor about prescribing another milligram or another stimulant. Ask your pharmacy which stimulants they have and the milligram. If they do not want to share this information with you. Ask your doctor to call them
After calling around, apparently it is on backorder everywhere nearby. I guess I'll just keep upping my caffeine intake for now. Anyone know how long this shortage is going to last?
I can sympathize with your feeling of need. I just wish the methylphenidate helped me. I have narcolepsy plus ADHD plus a genetic muscle disorder that leaves me fatigued most of the time. I currently take Nuvigil and also methylphenidate, Concerta, etc., 'as needed'.There's no feeling like that of 'it has kicked in' anymore nor a sudden jolt of energy. When I was a teenager--some 60 years ago--I began taking stimulates like NoDoz just to try to stay awake during the day. Now, I can take my Nuvigil, the methylphenidate AND drink a cup of coffee and then settle down for a long nap. I truly hope you can find something that works for you.
I found some caffeine pills that allegedly release slowly, and it did somewhat help for about 5 hours. My brain gets overwhelmed by too many tasks flying around in there at once, so the caffeine was just enough to get me settle down, make a to do list and start checking off items. Seriously though, some actual ADHD meds would work so much better, but I'll take what I can get at the moment. I should never have given up on the meds before. I forget how much easier work is with some help slowing down my brain and without my constant need to move around. Very hopeful someone out there is working on this shortage.
My RX is not for the extended release, so they did not check those. I take it as needed. But still nothing from CVS. I have no idea if they will just fill it at some point in the far future, or if it just goes dormant in their system. It just says "out of stock" in my online prescriptions list. I assume at some point the RX expires. What a confusing mess. I do not hear anything about this in the news, as if no one is working on it. I know there is still stigma and misunderstanding about ADHD, but surely there are experts who have sounded the alarm?
I used to take Adderall 30 mg XR and came up against this exact problem. I had to call around to different pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, Kroger - everything I could think of) and find out what they have in stock. Have you tried finding it outside of CVS? My psychiatrist gave me the names and equivalent dosages for different meds that would equal what I was taking in Adderall, and I would ask each pharmacy about all of them until I finally found one that carries the 70 mg Vyvanse (mgs are NOT the same across the different meds). My doctor promptly called me in a script for that and I've been taking it ever since. Your best bet is going to be to slightly modify your meds in some way (i.e. 2 x 15 mg instead of 30 mg, or the equivalent to your med in another type - like switching from Adderall to Vyvanse). Even though you're taking it as needed, I can't see XR being a problem - it's just more of a sustained release throughout the day as opposed to the instant release, which doesn't last as long. Might be worth a shot looking into the XR.
Wishing you ALL the best as you try to find meds. This shortage is ridiculous and unnecessary, if what I'm reading is the cause is true.
Perhaps you can consider speaking with your doctor about the extended release formulation. There is enough scientific data to suggest that it works better than the instant release formulation. Also, it would be prudent to consider daily therapy instead of 'as needed' basis - even if it's only as a trial - butfor the trial to be meaningful, it has to be at least 6 months. Yeah, I know - some trial (6 months!) But that's at least how long it takes for the brain to start making real amends.
I am an internist (physician) and I was diagnosed at age 48 - have lived with it at least since the age of 10 (I distinctly remember a cliff-pattern drop in scholastic performance in grade 6, that never quite improved thereafter). Several calamities along the way - long story.
After the first dose, the 'unhelpful' continuous mental noise stopped. The constant worrying is, therefore, better too. It's been 7 months on meds now, and I am still learning how my 'survival' skills (which were perhaps necessary without the meds), can be improved upon.
I'll share this skill, though: make your distractibility your tool: as a medical student, I used to switch subjects, topics, tasks every 15 minutes (and I realized I was very good if I did that!). Of course, since we tend to 'zone out' and 'hyperfocus' we need a reminder to actually make the switch every 15 minutes. Keeping a log book of activity (a little OC, I know, but whatever works!) and alarms helped a lot.
Journaling also is very helpful: keep it objective, though.
Whoever reads this, my sincere, and humble request: please try this 'skill' ('hack' if you will) - perhaps we can generate evidence that it helps. Perhaps collectively, we can tweak the plan slowly, and come up with something that is really beneficial.
Michael Phelps (the Olympic Swimming champion) divides his day into 15-minute slots: seems to be working quite well for him, too.
I’m in the US. Both my kids take methylphenidate. One is on generic Concerta 27 mg which we have been able to get at a grocery store pharmacy. We have Kaiser Permanente and they are unable to get it, so we are paying $35 cash with grocery store discount program. Other child is on intermediate release (supposed to last 6 hours) methylphenidate (brand name is Metadate CD) 20 mg every morning and we also have gotten it through Kaiser. I hope this helps!
Thanks, everyone. I called CVS again today and they said they have some, and will try to get my RX filled later today. Cross your fingers they don't run out before they get to me!
On the extended release, I do feel like I use my ADHD to my benefit in my job a lot, so I was worried about using it all the time, but there are definitely days when I'm in meetings or grading and need the "normal" brain functions to organize my thoughts and stay focused for a few hours at a time. I will definitely consider the extended release when I talk to my doctor next time, but am just glad I *might* get to pick this up today.
Most of my anxieties caused by the ADHD are social, not work related for some reason. I was always an overachiever in school, but I have been blowing social events (blurting out, zoning out, etc.) since elementary school, so I just don't even want to try sometimes. Might be worth taking some Ritalin for social events to see if it helps. That's something I have not tried much in the past. I have some major social events coming up next week, so if I can get my RX I will give it a try.
Every month I have to call the pharmacy, find out how many pills they have, then message our son’s doctor on the patient portal and hold my breath that the prescription goes through before those pills get dispensed to someone else. And for him, these are NOT optional. He is a wreck without them. It’s very stressful. So I won’t miss doing this. Best wishes.
Still pending in process, so not sure I will get them. I will call again tomorrow. I cannot imagine what this is like for kids and others who need them all the time. I get myself in enough trouble and over my head without them, and I've had years to figure out coping mechanisms.
My RX is filled, and ready for pick up when the pharmacy opens today. Hopefully it really is there, and I will definitely know to be on top of this. I need to find out how far in advance I can request the new script from the doctor to get it in the queue at CVS since it seems it is taking at least a week to fill them.
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