I put a call in this morning so hopefully I will hear something later today. I skipped today, but I did read somewhere online that just because a lower dose has some negative side effects that does not mean you shouldn't increase. I wish there was a stimulant that didn't give me that "high" feeling. To me it feels like that muddles things up and causes me to expect the meds to do things they're not intended to do. Then I get disappointed and discouraged, but I'm doing my best to stay positive and know that I will come through this if I don't give up. It's my life, and if I want it I've got to fight for myself.
Good for you!
Are you skipping today to see about the irritability?
I'm skipping today because of the irritability, yes. I've been feeling discouraged and a little depressed as well, but I'm attributing that mostly to the fact that I'm continuing to struggle with my meds. I've struggled with emotional and mental issues most of my adult life, and I thought I'd found the answer with Adderall. The first few days were amazing until the headaches came on. Since then it's been an up and down roller coaster with bouts of wondering if I have ADD or if I'm just kidding myself. I've self-diagnosed myself with so many things before. I just want to feel normal. I can't imagine that's too much to ask.
Just got a call from my neurologist's nurse and I'm going to 20 mg a day starting tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.
I just did some reading on the web about over-focused ADD as described by Dr. Amen. I relate to that a lot, and stimulant medications actually make it worse according to one web page I read. I need to read Dr. Amen's book about the different types of ADD. Please hold while I see if I can find this book at the library...
I just reserved it! I'm excited to read about over-focused ADD. It sounds a lot like me. I hope it is me because that could explain why stimulant medication alone doesn't seem to help after the initial euphoria effects wear off. Fingers crossed.
Quick prediction before bedtime: I get back on Focalin tomorrow at 20 mg a day, and it works for a 2-3 days before I start feeling irritable again. I call my neurologist to let him know this and he says he's like me to give Wellbutrin a try. (On my first visit he mentioned Wellbutrin as a possibility if Focalin didn't work.) This is my prediction because after doing some web surfing today I'm feeling pretty confident that I have over-focused ADD which generally requires an antidepressant to take care of the irritability and a stimulant to take care of the focus. We'll see how it goes and how good of a fortune teller I am.
You just might have it there Aaron! All Wellbutrin did for me was to give me insomnia. And I take meds that help me sleep, because now I know that I am the "hyperactive" in ADHD.
I looked into the non-stimulant meds, but they seem to have exactly the same side effects as the stimulants.
I'm really hoping that this is good news for you Aaron and that you're able to get a good result with Wellbutrin.
For ADD, none. For depression I've taken quite a few over the years: Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, and Lexapro are the ones I remember. I have not tried Wellbutrin, however.
I took 20 mg of Focalin this morning, and I can tell you that I'm in a not very good mood since around lunchtime. For overfocused ADD the stimulants are said to make things even worse according to Dr. Amen because they cause you to focus even more on (negative) things. I feel like Mr. Grumpy now though earlier I felt pretty good. My wife can see it, too. She asked me a few minutes ago if I had stuff on my mind so I must have that "I have things on my mind" look that she knows so well. She has asked me that question often since I've been taking stimulants so this is not just a Focalin thing for me. The good news is still no headache! Of course the day is not over yet. I usually get them in the afternoon and evening hours.
I'll definitely keep my progress updated here. Now it's time for me to go check out your thread.
Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor,
(in the book)
are mentioned as being paired with a stimulant
thats why I asked...
Wellbutrin could be stimulating enough?
I have tried nortryptiline ...it made me not care about doing anything!
I was suppose to be taking it for my chronic headaches...
I would sleep great, have sweet dreams and
would wake up happy but with a bad headache!
But...I could smile about it!! lol
oh the irony
it didn't help that I had gained 10 lbs,
(after 2 months) didn't care about a thing
finally my headaches went away
my doc was like, "the med is working"
but I'm like "I'm now depressed"
I stopped showering and exercising
because I was getting depressed??...ugh
I got away from that and got on topamax...(antiseizue med)
Anyway, I wouldn't mind trying Wellbutrin because it is not a tricyclic.
How's your productivity today?
Hang in there...you are getting closer to getting this figured out!
Last edited by LessStress38; 12-22-2011 at 11:35 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to LessStress38 For This Useful Post: addventurous (12-22-2011)
You stopped exercising?! That's a bad sign for sure!
I decided to take a last-minute vacation day today since I didn't take any time off work for the holidays. Productivity was good this morning, but I started feeling very irritable around lunchtime. The second hit of Focalin is about to kick in so that should help a bit until I come down off of it again.
You stopped exercising?! That's a bad sign for sure!
I decided to take a last-minute vacation day today since I didn't take any time off work for the holidays. Productivity was good this morning, but I started feeling very irritable around lunchtime. The second hit of Focalin is about to kick in so that should help a bit until I come down off of it again.
Gotta go. Wife just got home.
That makes sense...you get irritable when the med wears off
that could go away...better than a headache
make sure you are keeping up your nutrition and hydration so it won't add to your crankiness around that time maybe...
I think I'm just about done with the current medication path I'm following. Just as I predicted, even with an increased dosage of Focalin nothing seems any different. I get a boost of productivity for an hour or so and then I feel like I'm dropped off a cliff and become irritable and even a little depressed, which is exactly what I've read happens for someone with overfocused ADD. Adderall gave me the most boost and it lasted longer than Ritalin and Focalin, but even it eventually had the same effect on me. I don't think stimulant medications by themselves are the way for me. I'm going to stick out Focalin for a few more days and see if anything changes, but I'm moody enough already without meds adding to it. Just ask my wife.
Sometimes I think when I take meds I start to rely on them too much, and when I don't take them I begin to take more responsibility for my life, but at the same time I become a walking hyperactive to-do-list maniac for a few days before I crash from exhaustion. I need to find a middle path. That's where an ADD therapist comes in. I have an appointment to see mine again on 1/3. It's been a while.
Thanks for listening. I needed to get that out.
The following user gives a hug of support to addventurous: LessStress38 (12-24-2011)
How's it going?
Did you stop your med?
Are you still exercising?
Making a list and checking it twice? hahaha
thought I would make a joke...sometimes I try
Anyways, just checking in!
Hi lessstress,
I'm doing well thanks. Not perfect but well. Yes, I stopped the Focalin. Since then I've been trying to keep my mind busy/occupied with things and reading more in Amen's "6 types of ADD" book. I know I said I thought I had overfocused ADD before, but I think it's a combination of overfocused and limbic. Amen recommends Effexor for this. My neurologist last mentioned Wellbutrin. I'm not sure if he's a "Amen-ite", but I'm going to mention Effexor as see what he thinks. To me it's worth a shot.
I've been exercising quite regularly lately. Knowing the functioning of my brain depends on it has given me some motivation. I still need to do some more reading about diet and other practices to help my ADD. Now that I know in which categories I fit I feel I can focus more on that.
She has asked me that question often since I've been taking stimulants so this is not just a Focalin thing for me. The good news is still no headache! 
Of course the day is not over yet. I usually get them in the afternoon and evening hours.
