ADHD medication (Dose and expectation)

Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ] 

LogiXYZ
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 24 May 2012
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Posts: 71

07 Jun 2013, 5:51 pm

I've been given the diagnosis of ADHD ontop of my diagnosis of Aspergers.

My doctor has put me on a product similar to Ritalin (ie. Same product, different name). I've been taking it for about a week (starting at 5 mg x 3 times a day), which the doctor increased to 10 mg a couple of days after I started taking them.

The thing is I don't really feel any different when I'm taking them. I did notice once that my memory was improved, when the GF asked me to remember something for her. Normally she tells me to help herself, she knows that I'm not one to rely on. But when the time came I did actual remember :) - But for the rest of the time, my memory has seem unaffected.

Besides side-effects, primarily constant stomach acid reflux and some loss of patience. I fail to notice any changes, perhaps because I'm unsure of what to look for.

So I'd like to hear from other adults with Aspergers who is taking Ritalin (or similar product), what benefit they have from it and if possible what dose they have been prescribed


_________________
Nothing escapes the event horizon!


NEtikiman
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 6 Apr 2013
Gender: Male
Posts: 546
Location: Massachusetts, USA

07 Jun 2013, 6:02 pm

Sounds like you might be on Focalin... there is a possibility the doc needs to adjust/increase the dose. The immediate improvement to memory suggests it works and the fact that it went away makes me think that your body may have adjusted quickly...
With Focalin, the changes will be mostly internal presentation (e.g. quality/speed of thoughts). Do you find yourself more able to think about one topic at a time? Do you feel less "scattered" in your thoughts? How about anxious rumination?


_________________
Don't want the truth? Don't come to the park!


auntblabby
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 12 Feb 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 114,795
Location: the island of defective toy santas

07 Jun 2013, 6:22 pm

frontal lobe stimulants in general [with the possible exception of Strattera] seem to have actions outside of the frontal lobes as well, in terms of blunted appetite, increased irritability/less patience, weight loss et al. I was on a few of the stimulants such as norpramin [a tricyclic with stimulating properties] and concerta [a timed-release methylphenidate], but both of those made me cross and hot all the time, so I was switched to Strattera which was almost perfect for me [except for making my GERD worse]. unfortunately, for those lacking caddilac-plan health insurance [like bluecross/shield that pays for everything] Strattera is unaffordable, at $30 per pill.



Noetic
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 18 Jan 2005
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,277
Location: UK

08 Jun 2013, 2:13 am

Have others noticed a difference?



LogiXYZ
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 24 May 2012
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Posts: 71

08 Jun 2013, 6:18 pm

NEtikiman wrote:
Do you find yourself more able to think about one topic at a time? Do you feel less "scattered" in your thoughts? How about anxious rumination?

Pretty much no to all points, with the exception that I don't understand what "anxious rumination" means?


_________________
Nothing escapes the event horizon!


Nikkt
Pileated woodpecker
Pileated woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 1 Mar 2012
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Posts: 196

08 Jun 2013, 6:36 pm

I'm on 3 x 5mg dexamphetamine daily and oh yes, it's definitely made a difference. The best way I can describe it is that everything becomes more boring. Normally I'm distracted by every little noise or movement or train of thought, and these automatically become the most interesting thing in the universe and must be paid attention to, and it's almost impossible to remain focused on what I'm supposed to be doing.

But when everything becomes more boring, it's a lot easier to go and do something useful, like study or the washing.

It's also helped with impulse control - I can now walk into a shop and not buy anything, because I finally have the ability to ask myself if I really need something.

It doesn't do my work for me, but it does seem to quieten down my inner two-year-old so that I can get on with the business of doing something constructive.


_________________
Frustrated polymath; Current status: dilettante...I'm working on it.


http://linguisticautistic.tumblr.com/