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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 5, 2003, at 18:08:48
I've just been diagnosed with ADHD and have been taking dextroamphetamine for a few days. I'm reading a book on ADHD so I know why I'm taking speed, but I'm getting jumpy as hell and so far I don't feel any more "focused" than usual. I just wondered if anyone had an idea how long it takes for the stuff to kick in and for the jitters to go away. Thanks-
Gracie
Posted by monkeypaw on June 5, 2003, at 22:23:46
In reply to Any experience with stimulants for adult ADHD?, posted by whiterabbit on June 5, 2003, at 18:08:48
really all depends on the dose you are taking. You should not drink anything with caffeine. The results of the drug should become very evident within the first few days. The maximum dose is 40mg and should be taken as early in the morning as possible. These are many side effects to the drug and it is not routinely precribed for ADD. Food effects the absorbtion of the drug and thereforeshould be taken 30-45 minutes before or after eating. Amphetamines are generally avoided becausse they have a high potential for abuse, tolerance. Sounds like from you questions and comments that you are either on to high of a dose or you are drinking to much caffeine. Good Luck, There are other meds that are just as effective with a whole lot less side effects. I hated not be able to drink caffeine, Adderaal, stratara(SP) are really effective meds. I also hope that the doctor did test on you before he/she prescribed this med. Best of luck
Posted by monkeypaw on June 5, 2003, at 22:29:16
In reply to Re: Any experience with stimulants for adult ADHD?, posted by monkeypaw on June 5, 2003, at 22:23:46
Sometimes it takes trying several meds to find the one that works best for you. I have seen many people who have been diagnosed and received no relief what so ever from meds. Sometimes recieved a diagnosis is a relief, You feel oh it finally all makes sense, however there are many other things that it could be. Don't give up keep trying, but also remember that it may not be ADD.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 10:46:09
In reply to Re: Any experience with stimulants for adult ADHD?, posted by monkeypaw on June 5, 2003, at 22:23:46
I'm reading a great book called "Healing ADD-The
Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD" by Dr. Daniel Amen. From the detailed description of symptoms, I have no doubt that ADHD has been a serious problem for me as long as I can remember, and I'm just as perplexed as the psychiatrist that none of my doctors or teachers ever picked up on this before.
I'm also sure that my son has it, and I KNOW my mother has it even worse than me - she's terrible. As for myself, I simply didn't know that my symptoms WERE symptoms...they were just personal quirks, or failings if you prefer. The disorganization, the bounced checks, the entire house full of half-finished projects, the things broken from misuse, the people irritated at me because I never listen, my dislike for board games and cards, my habit of reading 2 or 3 books at the same time (I rotate books when I get bored with the storyline), my inability to sit through a 2-hour movie, and worst of all, the wasted potential. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "You have so much artistic talent, why aren't you an artist?" "You're such a gifted writer, why don't you write?" "You're so smart, why don't you go back to school for a degree?"
The answer is, basically, I could just never get it together. Just...couldn't...focus.So, I'm feeling hopeful about treatment. You did hit the nail on the head when you brought up caffeine. I don't care for soda or tea, but I'm a serious coffee hound. I drink the hard stuff all day long ("a triple venti mocha with an extra shot of espresso please") and the thought of giving it up is somewhat depressing. But obviously I have to work on cutting back. I'm supposed to take 3 pills of dextroamphetamine during the day, 10 mg each, and yesterday I couldn't even take the third pill because I was too wound up.
Well that's a whole lot more than you ever wanted to know about me! Thanks for answering-
Gracie
Posted by monkeypaw on June 6, 2003, at 14:22:26
In reply to Overstimulated » monkeypaw, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 10:46:09
I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was in my late 30's. It was such a relief to finally have an answer to the things I did or did not do. I tried many differents types of meds. But really got no relief from them. WHich is why I questioned the diagnosis. It was explained to me that puberty, hormones things of that sort all have to do with how we act or react to meds. I had to get help to figure out How I could get things done and quite running in circles. I would love to finsih the doll house I started 5 years ago. I am now in a really good place. No medication. I have learned how to get myself to do things and follow through with theem. Yeah there are still things I fight myself about. Like getting gas. I tell myself yeah you need to do it now, Then I telll myself no do it tomorrow and I find myself arguing with myself as too when I will do it. But..............the fact is that now I know whats wrong I can make it better, I am. I have it together for the first time in my life. Guess what, I really do. So hang in there, medication doesn't always work. But be willing to try different ones. Thanks for sharing
Posted by monkeypaw on June 6, 2003, at 14:25:38
In reply to Overstimulated » monkeypaw, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 10:46:09
Don't be hard yourself, I have three kids and two of them have it. Talk about Hard.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 6, 2003, at 18:16:24
In reply to Overstimulated » monkeypaw, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 10:46:09
> I'm reading a great book called "Healing ADD-The
> Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD" by Dr. Daniel Amen.I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 18:26:09
In reply to Re: double double quotes » whiterabbit, posted by Dr. Bob on June 6, 2003, at 18:16:24
Actually, I could have sworn that I DID use double double quotes, but apparently not. I'll be more careful...
-Gracie
P.S. Hope this medication kicks in pretty quick!
Posted by JohnDoenut on June 7, 2003, at 0:44:49
In reply to I can't help it, I have ADD 8-), posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 18:26:09
Anther good book is the classic,
"Driven To Distraction"Also you can get a neuropsychological test to see whats up.
Posted by Oddipus Rex on June 7, 2003, at 15:18:46
In reply to Overstimulated » monkeypaw, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 10:46:09
You might want to consider changing to an extended release stimulant. Or just decreasing the dosage.
A book I like is "You Mean I'm Not Stupid Lazy or Crazy?" Great title :) It has some practical non-drug suggestions for managing ADD in adults as well as medical info.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 7, 2003, at 18:19:48
In reply to Re: Overstimulated » whiterabbit, posted by Oddipus Rex on June 7, 2003, at 15:18:46
I did cut the dosage in half and mixed some decaff in with my regular coffee, so I'm better today. I might not be able to keep taking this stuff if my blood pressure is as high as I think...I've got an appointment with my GP in a few days so I'll see what he says. I did tell the psychiatrist that I take hypertension medication.
-Gracie
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 9, 2003, at 2:32:44
In reply to I can't help it, I have ADD 8-), posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 18:26:09
This is the end of the thread.
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