Adult with ADD, Huge problem with generic med - ADD / ADHD Message Board

CaryWhit · 03-25-2002, 02:51 PM

Hi all, I will try to make this short but I have a big problem. I have taken a small dose of Cylert, 37.5 daily for the last 8 years. In December I switched to generic Pemoline. In the middle of Feb, my whole world came crashing down. Fist I had visual problems, then it was thought I had a TIA, mini stroke, then after every neuro test known to man, except for an MRI< metal in me> a doctor, one of the six I have seen, asked if I had changed my meds. I said I had changed to generic. After 3 days off of any med I was 80% better but I still forget words, have visual disturbances and lots of spasms. My question, are generics that different? Is there an independant lab that can test to see if the meds were correct? No one will even consider letting me back on meds, not really sure I want to be but I need something. The drug reference for symptoms of overdose are exactly what I had. We know Cylert is bad for the liver, but we monitored liver panel yearly, all is ok there.

Anyway, now instead of just being unable to pay attention my body has decided to do whatever it wants. I was very dissapointed in the neurologist I saw, he stated there was no such thing as adult ADD, and I just wanted that extra little "kick" of the stimulant.

I just really want ideas advice and to vent.

Cary

mlgable · 03-25-2002, 11:10 PM

Generic drugs are not always as good as the name brand. Darvocet is one such drug that the generic version propoxyphene/acetominophen does not work as well. Who originally prescribed the cylert for you? I would go in or call and ask to get that script written again by the original doctor but ask the doctor to be sure to put NS on the prescription which stands for No Substitute. This way the cannot fill it with generic even if the pharmamcist would like to. Good Luck.

Colleen McFarland · 04-19-2002, 12:38 PM

I know for a fact that there is a difference between the name brand and generic forms of dexedrine. I was very ill after taking the generic form of dexedrine but had no problems with the name brand for many years. I would like to say in regards to the doctor who claims that you are just looking for a high from a stimulant med is so very ill informed! Adult ADD/ADHD is very real! I have never taken a stimulant which left me feeling like I wanted to scrub my house etc... I have even used the stimulants to help me sleep. I hear from your post that you are not too happy with this doctor nor should you be. Time to move on or even go back to your original doctor. To ensure that you are always getting name brand medications always remind the perscribing doc that he must physically write on the actual perscription Name Brand Only for Medical Purposes. This will ensure that even if your insurance is medicaid it will be covered. Good luck!

James_A · 04-25-2002, 04:24 AM

Sounds like you need a new neurologist. Sounds like he's bit behind in the times. The DSM-IV, the de jure standard for neurological disorders, identifies Adult ADD as an actual real life, legally aknowledged disorder. Who would have figured?? ::sardonic tone::
The DSM IV, i believe was the first of the specific publication to fully aknowledge adult ADD, and i believe it was published prior to 1997. The newest version, the DSM-IV-(TR?) was published within the last few weeks, and i'm still trying to get my hands on a copy