[Simcha]

Hello my fellow ADHD peeps!!!!

I want to try out a different medication than what I am currently prescribed for ADHD. I have had some issues with the Dexedrine XR Spansules (30 mg twice daily). I want to have your guys direction when I talk to my doctor.

I would appreciate your input if you would tell me what medication you take for your ADHD, and what your response is to it.

I'd appreciate your help!

[sunrise]

Simcha, well, you know my situation by now. I take Wellbutrin and Vyvanse.

Vyvanse is the first stimulant I have ever taken. It is a pro-drug that is metabolized in the body to the same active ingredient as Adderall: d-amphetamine. Because it isn't active until metabolized, it doesn't give one the immediate jolt or buzz that some stimulants do, and is therefore less appealing as a street drug and less prone to abuse. It is very "smooth" as you go onto it each day, gradually exerting its stimulant effects. I am very happy with its positive effects. For me, it has no negative side effects at all, except for some insomnia when I first started on it, or if I take it too late in the day. I take one 30 mg capsule in the morning and it lasts all day due to its gradual metabolism to active form. I have a feeling you would be at a higher dose based on how much of the dexedrine you take.

Why don't you like the dexedrine?

Only bad thing about Vyvanse: it is relatively new so not in generics yet. With insurance, it costs me about $35/month. Without insurance, it is closer to $150/month. If you go to the Vyvanse website, you can get a coupon for $50 off your first prescription.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by sunrise

Simcha, well, you know my situation by now. I take Wellbutrin and Vyvanse.

Vyvanse is the first stimulant I have ever taken. It is a pro-drug that is metabolized in the body to the same active ingredient as Adderall: d-amphetamine. Because it isn't active until metabolized, it doesn't give one the immediate jolt or buzz that some stimulants do, and is therefore less appealing as a street drug and less prone to abuse. It is very "smooth" as you go onto it each day, gradually exerting its stimulant effects. I am very happy with its positive effects. For me, it has no negative side effects at all, except for some insomnia when I first started on it, or if I take it too late in the day. I take one 30 mg capsule in the morning and it lasts all day due to its gradual metabolism to active form. I have a feeling you would be at a higher dose based on how much of the dexedrine you take.

Why don't you like the dexedrine?

Only bad thing about Vyvanse: it is relatively new so not in generics yet. With insurance, it costs me about $35/month. Without insurance, it is closer to $150/month. If you go to the Vyvanse website, you can get a coupon for $50 off your first prescription.

((((((((((((((sunrise))))))))))))))))

Vyvanse does sound good. I like the smoothness of it you describe.
Believe it--- Dextroamphetamine SR (generic of Dexedrine XR Spansules) costs $200 or more if no insurance!! Vyvanse if the cheaper option, oddly.

I generally do well on the Dexedrine, but with situational depression and anxiety, I have found it helps me to focus on all the wrong things--- like whatever is depressing me in life. Ironically it did not affect my anxiety.

Since most of the situations that were depressing me have calmed down or passed now, I think I might do better. I have been off of the Dexedrine for about a month now.

I am going to try the Dexedrine again at one dose a day instead of two before I think of switching. I don't find Dexedrine XR very smooth when it wears off for the day. That is one of the things I don't like. I also don't like that it doesn't last very long even for an extended release. If I start to notice what I did before (including other symptoms I can't describe well in words so I won't try), I will stop taking the Dexedrine before the prescription runs out and see if my doctor will prescribe Vyvanse instead.

I am impressed with the results you report of Vyvanse, and I have heard/read good things about it before. I think if it doesn't work out this time, I will see if my doc will let me give Vyvanse a go instead.

[Graham77]

Hey there,
I took strattera for a while but had a really averse reaction to in (super rare, but averse). Now I am on concerta, which is great. Just went up to 36 mg. I like it because it is a slow release stimulant so you don't get the let down I've heard other stimulants give you when they go out of your system.
Good luck!

[Mandocello]

My Rx is for 108mg of Concerta each day. How I take it, though, is what gives me the control of both effectivity and side effects I need. I use 18mg tablets and vary the amount and timing depending on the day of the week and the tasks necessary. I do not have a static 9-5 work schedule and I can take 6 at once, or 3 later in the day, or 2 then 4 to extend the effective time, etc. I have been doing this for several years and as long as I remember to take it at all, it works well.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by Mandocello

My Rx is for 108mg of Concerta each day. How I take it, though, is what gives me the control of both effectivity and side effects I need. I use 18mg tablets and vary the amount and timing depending on the day of the week and the tasks necessary. I do not have a static 9-5 work schedule and I can take 6 at once, or 3 later in the day, or 2 then 4 to extend the effective time, etc. I have been doing this for several years and as long as I remember to take it at all, it works well.

I have learned recently to vary the times and total dosage that I take in a day--but I can't do more than 60 mg/day (my max dosage prescription) because I take the extended time release version of Dexedrine. Everyone responds differently. Sometimes I even take at night, without any fear of insomnia, a paradoxical effect of making my mind more calm, enabling me to initiate sleep better and have better sleep quality sometimes. I don't recommend that approach for everyone because in some people it can create insomnia instead (although a lot of us with ADHD have insomnia due to the ADHD).

I need to think about trying out a dosing formula similar to the way you do, as that strategy works well with my allergy meds. I need to get a doctor who doesn't just try to rush me out the door as fast as he can so he can get to the next patient.