[Striton]

Hi:
First time poster....lifetime adhd...

I'm an almost 60 y/o female who has been on various dosages of generic Adderall & other ADD meds since being clinically diagnosed with ADHD almost 11 years ago. Six years ago, I've went off all meds for 6 months due to mouth dryness, to find I have an auto-immune disorder called Sjogrens Syndrome which causes dryness throughout one's body. In the past, I've tried concerta and strattera, even wellbutrin. None agreed with me.

Since 2004's diagnosis of Sjogrens,I returned to my adderall, but reduced the dosage to 30 mg. My therapist moved out of state and I haven't looked for another one since summer of 08. The past year has been very stressful: unemployment 2 times, child going to school WAY out of state, and my adderall just doesn't seem to have much effect on me any more.

I've always worked and miss it, although my husband received a promotion and the increase has helped a great deal. But a friend who has adhd in her family also, was brutally honest with me today and said that since my 2nd employer closed last year, I've been responding to some things from a place of fear (I have to agree). All the symptoms are more pronounced, etc. no matter how hard I try through bio-feedback to control them. Should I go back to the original dosage of 40mg? I take no other meds (except as prescribed for infections). Dealing with the dryness has become much less important than having control over my life again. Ideas?

Thanks,SST

[Moreta]

Welcome!

Don't do anything without first talking to a doctor. The adderall just might not work for you anymore. I took 60mg of adderall for 2 years, and then it stopped working. Now I'm on 45mg of Dexedrine.

[theotterone]

I agree. Talk to your doctor about the side effects. They may have suggestions to make them bearable.

Granted I've only been on Adderall since August. Since then I have had two increases (obviously working with a pdoc) and I am now at 70-80 mg a day (no one panic, it is not a weight based dosage!) I have the dry thing too. What is really odd is it has effected my "womanly" cycles. I am meeting with an OBGYN next week to go over options to reduce flow, as it is incredibly heavy at the beginning and lasting longer than normal. I had an ultrasound and the doctor who looked at it said I was "Text Book Normal" (three words I NEVER thought I would hear describing me!) I can't go on BCP since they mess with my triglycerides and can cause a pancrentitis attack (and I don't even DRINK!) So since I am done having children, I am looking into other options that would not be available to me if I were still planning on more. I don't want to quit taking the Adderall as the benefits are too good!

The reason I share my story here is this: My pdoc (who I have been with for a decade now), my primary care doctor AND the OBGYN who read my ultrasound hadn't heard of this as an issue at all. Though other women I know have had some type of menstrual change on Adderall. According to my pdoc (in a different, unrealted conversation), the medical community didn't realize until the mid to late 1990s that ADULTS still suffered from ADHD. They also didn't know until "recently" there was an "Inattentive Type" (doesn't show the hyperactivity part) which is what most women with ADHD. Because it is so subtle, it is hard to spot in women.

So cut technology some slack, talk to your doctor. The dryness is common enough they should have some good suggestions. Also, talk to your pharmacist. There are products out there (gums, toothpaste, mouthwash and mouth spray) specifically for dry mouth. I found some spray I really should pick up again (I can't remember the brand off hand) since I talk for a living and dry mouth/throat causes me to loose my voice!

Good luck!

[phoenix47baby]

You definitely deserve to talk with a professional regarding medication changes. Maybe there is another med which you maybe more responsive to. Phone your doc and make an appointment and go armed with a list of questions and concerns for him/her. good luck.

[sunrise]

Hi Striton and welcome to PC.

Have you tried any other stimulant ADHD meds besides Adderall and Concerta? Maybe others would not give you the dry mouth problem. I take Vyvanse, a stimulant, and do not have dry mouth.

Six years ago, I've went off all meds for 6 months due to mouth dryness

Why did you stop all meds? Not all meds cause dry mouth. It sounds like Adderall did for you, but did other prescriptions you take also cause dry mouth? I don't think I'm understanding the connection between the Sjogren's Syndrome and stopping all your meds.

Since 2004's diagnosis of Sjogrens,I returned to my adderall, but reduced the dosage to 30 mg.

Did a reduced dose of Adderall result in less dry mouth?

All the symptoms are more pronounced, etc. no matter how hard I try through bio-feedback to control them.

Do you mean symptoms of ADHD? I have not heard of bio-feedback for controlling ADHD symptoms. Could you tell more about that?

Should I go back to the original dosage of 40mg?

Can you ask your pdoc? Is there a reason not to take 40 mg besides the dry mouth? Would dry mouth taking 40 mg be much different from dry mouth taking 30 mg?