Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2010 23:23:02 GMT
I'm still in the referal stage of being diagnosed. What I wanted was some first hand accounts of the medication that may be available and how it's helped people with there ADHD? Is there any side effects for the medication you taked? Does it take away your sparkle?
Any answers at all would be great
thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2010 10:39:41 GMT
The meds all seem to make a significant difference to attention and irritability.
The downside is that a lot of people have difficulty with tolerance of the side effects.
I'm on methylphenidate hydrochloride (most famous as Ritalin) and I can take it pretty much as I like (have holidays from it, reduce the dosage, increase it for a short time) according to my situation. The standard stimulants are pretty flexible; atomoxetine (Strattera) needs a more considered approach to dosage and requires a careful introduction and weaning strategy.
As for effect - I liken it to the difference between looking through a dirty window and then opening the window. I'm more sensitive to others and can take more abuse without exploding.
If part of your sparkle is being insular enough to ignore others then you may lose out. Otherwise you never lose that 'I'm different' feeling - that 'chemical cosh' propaganda touted by the anti-meds brigade is a lot of tosh in my opinion.
I heartily recommend taking the meds till they are at maximum - then you've seen both sides of the coin and can decide for yourself whether they work for you, not trying them will always leave you not knowing what you are missing (good or bad).
I've stuck with mine for nearly four years now. It's not perfect but my family is grateful that the sulky, irritable and explosive old me has an easier going and more capable replacement.
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jeff
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2010 15:21:26 GMT
I'm on methylphenidate hydrochloride (most famous as Ritalin) and I can take it pretty much as I like (have holidays from it, reduce the dosage, increase it for a short time) according to my situation. How does that work with your prescriptions? Does your psychiatrist pretty much ask you how much you'd like each time? Also, I've been wondering if people build up a tolerance to Ritalin?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2010 17:12:02 GMT
Yeah, kinda.
My psych has given me freedom to ask my GP to increase my dosage (or change to atomoxetine) by a small amount (5mg) if I feel I need it.
I wouldn't say I've got a tolerance to MPH - I'm just so used to it that I don't notice it like I used to. I do notice that it's not there though (the swirly, confused, thoughts/noise havn't gone away).
Being medicated has become 'normal' for me.
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jeff
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2010 17:59:27 GMT
Yeah, kinda. My psych has given me freedom to ask my GP to increase my dosage (or change to atomoxetine) by a small amount (5mg) if I feel I need it. I wouldn't say I've got a tolerance to MPH - I'm just so used to it that I don't notice it like I used to. I do notice that it's not there though (the swirly, confused, thoughts/noise havn't gone away). Being medicated has become 'normal' for me. Okay. Out of interest, what is your dosage at the moment?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2010 18:27:52 GMT
15mg 3/day
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Lame44
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Post by Lame44 on Apr 2, 2010 22:34:15 GMT
I'm now on Methylphenidate 20mg Twice a day as I was on 10mg til I got used to it n to make sure I had no nasty side effects. The only one I can think of is that I get a dry mouth with it, thats all. Oh, n dont go taking it in the morning then drinking a red bull right after else you'll ahve the farty bum squirts, lmao! I found this out just this morning, hehehe. Ooops, just remembered summat else, dunno if others get it as I'm still quite new on my meds, but my GF said it does make me fidgit alot more, n my head thing, where it goes to the side on it's own happens a bit more, along with my abdomen twitching at times, but think thats summat else going on, so I doubt you'' get that on any meds! Apart from the above I find them great, they 'wake' my mind up, I can't explain it any better than that! There is not loads of stuff rushing about inside my head like there usually is, and there are no 'holes' in my mind so to speak. It helps me with my fibro and M.E too as it wakes me up better and I am not so tired all day everyday. It feels good to be honest, and doesn't make you run round like a loon as some people think it does, althought because of my fibro etc, it does give me a little more life as I dont get so worn out. My GF also says she can tell when I've taken it because I don't lose my temper as much when I'm trying to do tricky, fidly things which is also good
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Post by twix on Apr 3, 2010 14:05:51 GMT
I have 54mg of Concerta XL and 5mg Equasym a day. They are both Methylphenidate the Concerta XL releases slowly and the other one fast to get me going in the morning or if I need a bit extra late on for something. They work really well for me and I was worried that they would take away my sparkle but I am still very much me, just better at sitting still and getting places on time and organising myself and so on. I wouldn't want to be without them, the difference is so positive, but I do have a low appetite on them, food doesn't seem so appealing which is a shame but not the end of the world. Sometimes I forget to drink because I don't seem to get as thirsty as well, and I got a dry mouth when I first started. They are not magic, but they do make an enormous difference to me. I need to exercise as well to feel right in myself and that hasn't really changed.
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Post by twix on Apr 3, 2010 14:07:37 GMT
Oh, Dave is so right about the seeing things clearly, it was like having a fuzziness removed. I can remember things better too.
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