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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 KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 2:17:40
My pdoc said today that he has found in his practice that females tend to respond better to Adderall (they're more ADD) and men tend to respond better to Dexedrine (they're more ADHD).
Does this make sense to anyone?
Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2006, at 12:25:40
In reply to Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 2:17:40
I dont know man. A lot of times I think gender and racial and socio-economic disparities in diagnosis have more to do with the doc doing the diagnosis than with the symptoms of the patients. Plus, dex and adderall are pretty similar--both were originally diet drugs (Adderall was the Obetrol of the 60s) and both are amphetamine products, so I think any differences would be "shades of grey".
Posted by ed_uk on July 9, 2006, at 12:40:20
In reply to Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 2:17:40
Hi Kara!
Hope you are well :)
I've never heard of women responding better to Adderall before, it could be true though.
Ed x
Posted by Jost on July 9, 2006, at 13:37:20
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men? » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on July 9, 2006, at 12:40:20
That sounds like a personal clinical experience. Anecdotal observation like that isn't by itself necessarily valid. S/he might have been impressed with individual instances--or not know how s/he got to that idea.
One reason experiments are double blind etc is that investigator bias is a very powerful influence on observations, and experimental process. So unless there are studies to that effect, it's impossible to know much (and hard even then).
Jost
Posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 16:32:27
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2006, at 12:25:40
> I dont know man. A lot of times I think gender and racial and socio-economic disparities in diagnosis have more to do with the doc doing the diagnosis than with the symptoms of the patients. Plus, dex and adderall are pretty similar--both were originally diet drugs (Adderall was the Obetrol of the 60s) and both are amphetamine products, so I think any differences would be "shades of grey".
>
>Yeah, that was my first impression but I do have a lot of respect for this doctor. I'm hoping other Babblers will tell me of their experiences so I can see if any pattern emerges.
Posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 16:37:43
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men? » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on July 9, 2006, at 12:40:20
> Hi Kara!
>
> Hope you are well :)
>
> I've never heard of women responding better to Adderall before, it could be true though.
>
> Ed x
Hi Ed!I'm doing well. Too busy though. Working and chores take up most of my energy and time. I put medications on the back burner for a while but I still really do need to address this at some point because I don't have the energy, drive or focus that I should have.
How are you doing? I haven't had much time to post but once in a while I come here and read a bit. It's been reassuring to still see your name posted.
Take care,
K
xxx
Posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 16:41:50
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by Jost on July 9, 2006, at 13:37:20
> That sounds like a personal clinical experience. Anecdotal observation like that isn't by itself necessarily valid. S/he might have been impressed with individual instances--or not know how s/he got to that idea.
>
> One reason experiments are double blind etc is that investigator bias is a very powerful influence on observations, and experimental process. So unless there are studies to that effect, it's impossible to know much (and hard even then).
>
> Jost
I agree. That's why I was hoping to see if many Babblers fit his observation. But really, I need to try both and see what (if either of them) works for me. Thanks for your response.K
Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2006, at 21:58:54
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men? » Jost, posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 16:41:50
I think if you're going the amphetamine route, you may as well give both a whirl (or try one and if you like it, stick with it).
If you're in the US, I would think getting an Adderall RX might actually be better, anyway--you probably won't have as many problems with pharmacies having to order some for you (although around here, pharmacies sometimes have to order it b/c they run out of it). Adderall is way more popular than dexedrine or desoxyn, so that'll probably making filling RXs more convenient.
Posted by KaraS on July 12, 2006, at 22:50:00
In reply to Try it and see, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2006, at 21:58:54
> I think if you're going the amphetamine route, you may as well give both a whirl (or try one and if you like it, stick with it).
>
> If you're in the US, I would think getting an Adderall RX might actually be better, anyway--you probably won't have as many problems with pharmacies having to order some for you (although around here, pharmacies sometimes have to order it b/c they run out of it). Adderall is way more popular than dexedrine or desoxyn, so that'll probably making filling RXs more convenient.Thanks. I've tried Dexedrine. I live in a big city so I didn't have any trouble finding it. I haven't tried Adderall yet though. That's on my short list.
Posted by KayeBaby on July 14, 2006, at 16:42:28
In reply to Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by KaraS on July 9, 2006, at 2:17:40
> My pdoc said today that he has found in his practice that females tend to respond better to Adderall (they're more ADD) and men tend to respond better to Dexedrine (they're more ADHD).
>
> Does this make sense to anyone?
>
>
>I am female and adderall is worthless for me. I tried it before Dexedrine. Gave it a solid month at dosages ranging from 10mg to 60mg. Now this was the XR not instant release. I felt tired, unfocused, cranky with occasional spikes in libido. (go figure?) I was expecting that 60 mg would have me cleaning the house at the very least. Nope.
I even tried it higher and nothing.Dex worked the way it should. Focused, calm. Not much effect on physical energy unfortunately.
It is a good med for me and consistantly works. No problem with apetite (at all) sleep, BP etc. from Dex.
I have found that lower dosages of the spansules work just as well as the higher dosages and I have to take other meds to address my other issues with fatigue, and mood.I know many males and females who have been through the ADD/ADHD med maze and have noticed that Adderall seems to be preferred by females and has a bouncy, euphoric effect on them. While Dexedrine seems to be well liked by people who are more studious/head types-not necessarily male but maybe male-brained if that makes any sense.
That is just off the top of my head on the subject so take it for what it is worth.
Dexedrine seems less utilized and more stigmatized than Adderall. I live in the southwest and it's pretty hard for adults esp. women to find a dr. to prescribe for ADD at all.
I am the wrong person to ask about Adderall. It cost me $$ and did jack. I thought it was a placebo until my husband tried 1 (30mg 1/2 my dose) when he had to drive a long trip. He was wired for sound for about almost 24 hrs.
He now has great respect for my unique neurology.
:)Peace,
Kaye
Posted by KaraS on July 16, 2006, at 18:29:28
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men?, posted by KayeBaby on July 14, 2006, at 16:42:28
> > My pdoc said today that he has found in his practice that females tend to respond better to Adderall (they're more ADD) and men tend to respond better to Dexedrine (they're more ADHD).
> >
> > Does this make sense to anyone?
> >
> >
> >
>
> I am female and adderall is worthless for me. I tried it before Dexedrine. Gave it a solid month at dosages ranging from 10mg to 60mg. Now this was the XR not instant release. I felt tired, unfocused, cranky with occasional spikes in libido. (go figure?) I was expecting that 60 mg would have me cleaning the house at the very least. Nope.
> I even tried it higher and nothing.
>
> Dex worked the way it should. Focused, calm. Not much effect on physical energy unfortunately.
> It is a good med for me and consistantly works. No problem with apetite (at all) sleep, BP etc. from Dex.
>
> I have found that lower dosages of the spansules work just as well as the higher dosages and I have to take other meds to address my other issues with fatigue, and mood.
>
> I know many males and females who have been through the ADD/ADHD med maze and have noticed that Adderall seems to be preferred by females and has a bouncy, euphoric effect on them. While Dexedrine seems to be well liked by people who are more studious/head types-not necessarily male but maybe male-brained if that makes any sense.
>
> That is just off the top of my head on the subject so take it for what it is worth.
>
> Dexedrine seems less utilized and more stigmatized than Adderall. I live in the southwest and it's pretty hard for adults esp. women to find a dr. to prescribe for ADD at all.
>
> I am the wrong person to ask about Adderall. It cost me $$ and did jack. I thought it was a placebo until my husband tried 1 (30mg 1/2 my dose) when he had to drive a long trip. He was wired for sound for about almost 24 hrs.
> He now has great respect for my unique neurology.
> :)
>
> Peace,
> Kaye
>
Hi Kaye,Thanks so much for all of the information! I find it fascinating how people can respond so differently to the same medication. Also, I really appreciate your observation about the way you've noticed a lot of women react to Adderall: "bouncy, eurphoric" - now I'm definitely going to try it!
Since stimulants don't give you drive or energy, what other medications do you take for that? So far nothing has given me that effect.
K
Posted by KayeBaby on July 17, 2006, at 5:22:45
In reply to Re: Adderall for women and Dexedrine for men? » KayeBaby, posted by KaraS on July 16, 2006, at 18:29:28
It's so crazy-none of the 'good stuff' helps with energy/motivation but the crappy stuff does much better. I take Didrex (old III sched. diet med by Upjohn) alternate or combine with no-doze when needed. I do have a post viral/cfs type physical problem so I just need something to get my but up and moving. I have always had this problem so can't say how much is due to neurology and how much to biology
But it sure does bite.
How can you do anything with no vitality? It is like being half dead and I hate it!Peace,
Kaye
> Hi Kaye,
>
> Thanks so much for all of the information! I find it fascinating how people can respond so differently to the same medication. Also, I really appreciate your observation about the way you've noticed a lot of women react to Adderall: "bouncy, eurphoric" - now I'm definitely going to try it!
>
> Since stimulants don't give you drive or energy, what other medications do you take for that? So far nothing has given me that effect.
>
> K
This is the end of the thread.
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