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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by B2chica on October 17, 2008, at 8:54:41
my pharmacy switched generic for my Ritalin and it was making my very nauseas, not to mention it wasn't working on focus or energy.
so my pdoc wrote me a Rx for adderall (generic). is there a big difference between the two?
i start today, i'm about to take my first pill.was mostly wondering if it lasts as long (or longer)
...it's not XR or anything.
10mg
where as i was at 20mg with the ritalin.
Posted by azalea on October 17, 2008, at 12:35:23
In reply to Adderall vs Ritalin, posted by B2chica on October 17, 2008, at 8:54:41
Addedall and Ritalin are different chemical compounds, but are both stimulants used to treat ADHD. Some people do well on either; some people do better on one. It's a trial and error process.
> my pharmacy switched generic for my Ritalin and it was making my very nauseas, not to mention it wasn't working on focus or energy.
> so my pdoc wrote me a Rx for adderall (generic). is there a big difference between the two?
> i start today, i'm about to take my first pill.
>
> was mostly wondering if it lasts as long (or longer)
> ...it's not XR or anything.
> 10mg
> where as i was at 20mg with the ritalin.
>
>
Posted by utopizen on October 23, 2008, at 21:34:25
In reply to Re: Adderall vs Ritalin » B2chica, posted by azalea on October 17, 2008, at 12:35:23
had a doc who was cool about notion of every few months, rotating meds, from Adderall, to Dexedrine, to Desoxyn, to Ritalin, and back again.
Don't see that M.D. anymore (he was cool about that, but not about kpins). I dunno, I think it was better to do it that way... the brain gets a vague tolerance to things...
although at times, Ritalin would cause dysphoria, and did seem to be more irritable/less social... but at other times, the opposite. So I have no idea.
Looking back, all I know is, I did my best GPA wise on Ritalin. I felt like a dork, but I did work while on it. Desoxyn, Adderall-- it's a bit -too- casual...
I think it's just, such long-term tolerance of the amphetamine molecule.... oh well.
Posted by B2chica on October 24, 2008, at 7:56:24
In reply to Re: Adderall vs Ritalin, posted by utopizen on October 23, 2008, at 21:34:25
i notice my "energy" is different on adderall than ritalin, ritalin i was a little more ...jittery energy, like i had too much coffee.
now i just feel like i always need to be doing something.
but it might be part that my mood has shifted up as well, i think the adderall kick started that.
Thank GOD i finally am out of my depressive state. i haven't had a suicidal thought in two weeks since i've started it.i think the ritalin was just worn out...i like your idea of rotation. i wonder if my pdoc would go for it.
thanks U.b2c.
Posted by lucie lu on October 24, 2008, at 17:47:57
In reply to Re: Adderall vs Ritalin, posted by B2chica on October 24, 2008, at 7:56:24
Hi b2chica!
I'm so happy for you that the depression has lifted. Did you ever get a full-spectrum lamp and if so, did it help?
I've been on both adderall and ritalin, prescribed for attentional and memory issues. Adderall is the classic dexamphetamine and ritalin is another, similar stimulant used as azalea said for ADHD. Both drugs come in a variety of forms, some longer-lasting and some shorter. In general, I find that the longer lasting ones (e.g. concerta, which is a long-acting form of ritalin) stay in my system too long; even when I take them in the morning they still disturb my sleep. That could be just my body. I like the shorter acting ones but when they wear off, you feel abnormally sleepy! This can be a dilemma if it wears off, say, early or mid afternoon. You're at work, you can't take a nap but you feel really dozy, should you take another? That sort of thing. It really is a try and see which drug and which formulation you prefer and which side effects you can tolerate (metadate made me feel crazy - hated it!). The best ones for me have been the shorter-acting adderall (good for about 6 hrs, so I take them 2x daily) or focalin, a more "purified" form of ritalin. Focalin is more expensive than the others. Just really have to try a range if your pdoc is cool with that. Sometimes generics are even better and sometimes not.
Also effectiveness does wear off but usually not on the order of weeks, maybe more like months. Like A/Ds, you can get a stronger reaction for the first couple of weeks before your body gets used to it, maybe that's what you were feeling?
One more thing - if you have to go off, do it VERY SLOWLY or you will get a nasty depressive reaction, something I know you don't need! Actually I find that true for almost all the psych meds I've been on, maybe it's just my metabolism or a susceptibility to depression. So I go off things slowly and gradually even if they tell me you can just stop. They have been wrong too many times for me.
It's great to hear your feeling better, b2c!
Take care,
Lucie
> but it might be part that my mood has shifted up as well, i think the adderall kick started that.
> Thank GOD i finally am out of my depressive state. i haven't had a suicidal thought in two weeks since i've started it.
>
>
Posted by B2chica on October 30, 2008, at 8:39:25
In reply to Re: Adderall vs Ritalin » B2chica, posted by lucie lu on October 24, 2008, at 17:47:57
haven't got the light yet...still waiting to see if my ins. will cover any of it.
Adderall seems to last longer than my ritalin did. i have been on ritalinLA but i didn't like it as well as the short acting.
but adderall gives me the focus and some energy without the jitteryness (like too much coffee) when it initially kicks in.thanks, and i'm glad too. not 100% but d@mn near.
i think i found a good mix of meds..hoping anyway.
b2c.
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