Are you medicated?

topic posted Tue, August 21, 2007 - 7:56 PM by  offlinePixieKelly
I take concerta and I love it..... just wondering if all of you are medicated. What are you on? Feel it helps?
posted by:
PixieKelly
New Jersey
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Tue, August 21, 2007 - 8:34 PM
    YES!!! happily. adderall. my circles of thought are more tightly bound.
    i get more fixated on details that i normally would ignore.
    i make lists that tend to get done (by me).
    and i don't give up as easily.
    woo hoo!
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Thu, August 23, 2007 - 3:04 PM
      Hahaha, yes, the lists! My wife laughs at all the little lists she pulls out of my pockets before they hit the laundry.
      I usually use my PDA (i call it my periphrial brain) but jotting down stuff then prioritizing them is the easiest way to nail down my life. And yes adderall helps me cross off everything on the lists, then they can get washed with out further complication.
      Before I was officially diagnosed, i used to drink 10 shots of espresso a day, yes thats right 10!
      Now Ive completely kick caffine, and my stomach is happier.
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Wed, August 22, 2007 - 5:02 PM
    I've tried just about everything for ADD and although some where helpful they all had side-effects that were worse then the ADD.
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Thu, August 23, 2007 - 3:25 AM
    Adderall XR, and yes.
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Thu, August 23, 2007 - 3:09 PM
      I optioned for the generic, that doesnt come in XR because:
      1. I dont always like being on it (I like being a little spacey sometimes)
      2. If i forget to take it early in the day, I can still take it, and have it out of my system so I can sleep that night.
      3. Its cheaper
      4. My insurece only pays for generic, and XR is only brand name.
      5. It comes in a peach flavor (reminds me of flintstones vitamines, hahah)

      But ya XR does take the guess work on when to take your next dose, you dont have to, you just take it once!
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Wed, September 19, 2007 - 10:28 PM
    yes! in my drawer i have:
    ritalin (fast acting)
    dexadrine (slow release spansules)
    wellbutrin
    strattera



    i have a recipe/direction list..................... i think my doctor is crazy.
    but i don't really have to pay for them, so what the hell.
    it's supposed to make a 'custom made' cocktail... tailored exactly to my needs. following a protracted period of experimentation.
    yes. i also double as a guinea pig.
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Thu, September 20, 2007 - 3:44 PM
      I think you maybe right about your doctor. That combo hits norepinepherine very hard (everything on that list effects it), dopamine (ritalin and dexdrine) and seritonin (wellbutrin and strattera).
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Fri, September 21, 2007 - 2:02 PM
    I'm seeking a diagnosis as we speak, have an assessment scheduled.
    Am 100% sure I have it.
    Friend of mine who has it is also convinced.
    My mother reports me being this way as a child also .

    I currently take Wellbutrin for depression but it doesn't help much at all I dont think .
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Wed, September 26, 2007 - 11:13 PM
    Nope, I just rotate my tasks every 5-15 min and it works well for me. Fortunately I work for myself so no problem with my boss not understanding me. It's a little hard on my beloved, but I just remind her that I'm still getting a lot of things accomplished. Once I learned to cycle back around until I finished a project things work a better for me.
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Thu, November 1, 2007 - 7:00 PM
      Yeh, just started on Ritalin and I hate it. Makes me anxious, light headed, stomache ache-y with a bad crash that makes me feel depressed and tearful and my sleep habits are shot. My doctor said we'll try different things and I may just stop taking this crap until I see her again. It's worse (for me) than the ADD itself.
      • Re: Are you medicated?

        Fri, November 2, 2007 - 6:29 PM
        The extended release from of many ADD mediations (ritaliin, amphetamine (adderall and dexedrine), exficor (sp) etc) have less problems with physical side-effects (stomach aches, light headness, etc). If you are having problems with anxiety from ritalin, I think you will likely have anxiety problems with most ADD medications as they all hit norepinephrine to some degree. Dexedrine will probably be better but still an issue. Strattera is likely to be the worst as it major target is to increase norepinephrine levels.
        • Re: Are you medicated?

          Fri, November 2, 2007 - 8:16 PM
          Thanks, Troy. this is all becoming an unpleasant trip. My shrink does not return calls about my meds so I have just stopped taking them.
          • Re: Are you medicated?

            Sat, November 3, 2007 - 10:17 AM
            Time to find a new shrink - it is their job to return calls about medications.

            If a patient under their care called about a sever side-effect where the doctor did not respond and later the patient was hospitalized or died from the side-effects then the doctor would be criminally liable. In a less sever case, they would still be civilly liable.

            You don't want a doctor who blows you off.
        • Re: Are you medicated?

          Sat, November 3, 2007 - 3:12 AM
          adderall is a more complex 'cocktail' of amphetamine constituents than ritalin, so it's smoother on purpose ... ritalin is old science/old chemistry ...
          • Re: Are you medicated?

            Sat, November 3, 2007 - 10:11 AM
            Actually adderall is the cruder and older of the two. Adderall is just a racemic (50:50) mixture of the D and L forms of amphetamine and was developed in the 50's. Rilatin is a single stereoisomer and was developed in the late 60's early 70's.

            For those who experience no benfit from or have severr side-effects to either ritalin or amphetamine the other often works better. There are, of course, many who can take neither.
        • Re: Are you medicated?

          Mon, March 31, 2008 - 11:28 PM
          <If you are having problems with anxiety from ritalin, I think you will likely have anxiety problems with most ADD medications >

          ritalin sucks the big one. it's worse than all the rest.

          both adderall and strattera incapacitated me... so i couldn't leave the house, i just wanted to hide under a blanket.

          i've been taking wellbutrin though, and that seems to work pretty well. i don't think it hits the same neurotransmitters.
          • Re: Are you medicated?

            Tue, April 1, 2008 - 4:07 AM
            "i've been taking wellbutrin though, and that seems to work pretty well. i don't think it hits the same neurotransmitters. "

            Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an atypical antidepressant and is, chemically, sorta halfway between an SSRI and an amphetamine. It does hit both norepinephrine and dopamine receptors, like adderall and ritalin, but also blocks the nicotine receptors.
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Fri, December 21, 2007 - 6:07 AM
      How do you remember to switch tasks (serious question)? I work for myself also, and am struggling at the moment to manage my life and my work -- I overfocus on things I'm into and forget to do a lot of important things. I get so frustrated with myself.

      I tried the meds and I couldn't handle it, my body is pretty sensitive. I improved from making some changes in my diet, but I need some other strategies. I really don't want to get a "real" job, but sometimes I think about it -- because that would at least simplify that part of my life, so far as managing myself.
      • Re: Are you medicated?

        Fri, December 21, 2007 - 7:00 AM
        "I really don't want to get a "real" job, but sometimes I think about it -- because that would at least simplify that part of my life, so far as managing myself. "

        No it wouldn't, trust me. All you would be doing is adding more stress to your life as you try to explain ADD to your manager.

        As for medication, have you tried any anti-anxiety meds? They help with the hyperfocused form of ADD.

        Also get someone to help you to do the importants things that you aren't currently getting done.
        • Re: Are you medicated?

          Fri, December 21, 2007 - 8:10 AM
          Hi Troy, Thanks for your suggestions.

          Actually, it's not a clear cut generalization as to which is better. Of course it depends on the job. I've not had problems with managers per se, just with managing. And when you're self-employed, there are far more things to manage than just the work. I've had many jobs that were OK, and far less stressful than being self-employed. The issue for me is more about desiring to assert my creativity in all aspects of my life, making more $ (theoretically) and being flexible with my time, so that my life isn't entirely about earning money (there are *lots* of things I like to do that don't earn my any $). The flexible time element however, can be a liability if I am unable to manage my time and all the various things I'm attempting to do.

          Meds help in the short run, but in the long run it is not a good thing for me. I'm more focused on a nutritional approach and natural remedies -- another project to manage though, I "forget" to follow through with things like that which help me. I could remember to take only one pill, but still, that just isn't a viable option for me.

          And likewise, getting someone to help me isn't something I have resources for (i.e. a coach) -- currently. It would be great to do that, but at the moment I'm more interested in helping myself to help myself, if you will :-)

          I just downloaded the DaVinci Book that was recommended in another post in this tribe. That is the kind of inspiration I'm looking for right now, to help me focus on the fact that I need to focus! -- on specific things, and not just over-focus on a few :-) I'd like to have "systems" in place to manage my life -- and this has been a challenge previously because I've moved so many times -- now I'm more settled and looking to create some structure. So having a reference like this gives me a reason to put some attention there. Haven't started reading yet, but I'll let you all know if it is a help to me.

          Thanks again.
          Az
          • Re: Are you medicated?

            Fri, December 21, 2007 - 9:33 AM
            Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. When I suggested getting someone to help you, I was talking about an assistant or office manager not a coach.
            • Re: Are you medicated?

              Fri, December 21, 2007 - 4:14 PM
              Azura, Buspar really helped me a lot. It is for anxiety but it has helped my ADD tremendously. I am not hyperfocused on every tiny thing, I don't take every thing personally and I am more relaxed, leading to better concentration.
              • Re: Are you medicated?

                Fri, December 21, 2007 - 5:57 PM
                Thanks Junowoman... As I said though, I really am not able to do pharmaceuticals - even if I had insurance or whatever to pay for any of it, I still would not choose that, I've found the side-effects to be not worth the short-term benefits, given my particular body and health concerns. One of those projects I'd like to manage better is my health regimens. There are a number of herbal remedies and nutritional approaches that I've found to be effective, that don't have the side-effects, but rather are more holistic in terms of a benefit to my overall well-being. That requires a little bit of planning and extra funding as well, more than I have readily available, but I'm moving forward little by little. Awareness of my attention lapses and having a strategy to deal with that is another step along the way. Just happy to have a stable living situation after not having that for a long time :-)
                • Re: Are you medicated?

                  Fri, December 21, 2007 - 6:57 PM
                  You need to do what what works for you and is long lasting, so I wish you the best and hope you find the right combo of things to make your life productive and wonderful.
            • Re: Are you medicated?

              Fri, December 21, 2007 - 5:44 PM
              Yes, I've thought about this as well, and it some point I would love to be able to hire help -- which would be a help to me in focusing, as well as simply taking some of the load off -- but it's not even remotely within my means at the moment.
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Sat, December 1, 2007 - 8:38 AM
    my chest hurts when i take it and i cant wait until it is out of my system
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Sat, December 1, 2007 - 8:37 PM
      Buspar is helping me a lot. I know it's not an ADD drug per se, but I feel less anxious and can concentrate now that I am not running on the fumes of anxiety.
      • Re: Are you medicated?

        Sun, December 2, 2007 - 1:34 AM
        "Buspar is helping me a lot. I know it's not an ADD drug per se, but I feel less anxious and can concentrate now that I am not running on the fumes of anxiety."

        Then it is the right medicine for you. I might have said this before but there is a form of ADD that is especially common in women that has a strong anxiety component to it. I wish you luck.
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Mon, December 10, 2007 - 5:30 PM
    I am no longer on Concerta, i need something which helps short term memory tho..When I was on meds and visited the shrink I thought of this song:

    www.metrolyrics.com/candy-ma...s-jr.html

    Sammy Davis Jr. Candy man Lyrics

    *** Complimentary Candy man Ringtone ***
    Alright everybody gather 'round
    The Candy Man is here
    What kind of candy do you want
    Sweet choc'late
    Choc'late malted candy
    Gum drops
    Anything you want
    You've come to the right man
    'Cause I'm the Candy Man

    Who can take a sunrise
    Sprinkle it with dew
    Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two
    The Candy Man
    Oh, the Candy Man can
    The Candy Man can
    'Cause he mixes it with love
    And makes the world taste good

    Who can take a rainbow
    Wrap it in a sigh
    Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie
    The Candy Man
    The Candy Man can
    The Candy Man can
    'Cause he mixes it with love
    And makes the world taste good

    The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
    Satisfying and delicious
    Now you talk about your childhood wishes
    You can even eat the dishes
    [Candy man lyrics on www.metrolyrics.com]


    Oh, who can take tomorrow
    Dip it in a dream
    Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
    The Candy Man
    Oh, the Candy Man can
    The Candy Man can
    'Cause he mixes it with love
    And makes the world taste good

    The Candy Man makes everything he bakes
    Satisfying and delicious
    Talk about your childhood wishes
    You can even eat the dishes
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    Who can take tomorrow
    Dip it in a dream
    Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
    The Candy Man

    The Candy Man can
    The Candy Man can
    'Cause he mixes it with love
    And makes the world taste good

    Yes, the Candy Man can
    'Cause he mixes it with love
    And makes the world taste good
    A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
    A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
    A-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Thu, December 20, 2007 - 8:58 AM
    I just got Rx'd adderall XR ... doctor says i'm textbook case of adult a.d.d.

    when I was a kid I was labeled 'disruptive in class' constantly

  • Re: Are you medicated?

    Thu, March 6, 2008 - 4:51 PM
    To those who take the regular instant release form of ADDERALL ----

    do you get irritable in the evening after your dosage has worn away ???
    I recently switched from XR to IR and am feeling this way every other night or so ...
    Just curious what other people's experiences are ...... and how do you deal with it ???
    • Re: Are you medicated?

      Mon, March 10, 2008 - 6:33 PM
      hey, even if the situation has been resolved, i gotta chime in.
      it's not withdrawal. it's that the medication wore out. the next day when you're all blah-frickin-blah and can't get started, that's withdrawal.

      once the shit stops working, it's really too tempting to take half a tab and keep going. fucks up your sleep from what i've experienced.
      this is why i drink a soda (limited to a can) just to not "crash"
      otherwise, i just consider it downtime, and try to establish some relax time before hitting the hay, per se.

      if i get too caught up in being mentally on the ball ALL the time i end up suffering with sleep or just stressing too much piddly shit.
      i generally find an activity that occupies my mind without the need for speed. whether it's this BS on tribe, or pulling weeds, it doesn't require medication to do something you're in to. lifestyle. that's the simple word. just find your groove that meshes with the meds, and it'll be okay. peace.