ADDERALL for ADD

Purple_roses · Jan 1, 2016

I take Ritalin, and so can only tell you my experiences with Ritalin. It's an extended release. Though it is not a miracle pill, it certainly has helped me focus. I still struggle with focusing at times. I've found that it's helped me to keep better track of things outside of school, like finances. It has also helped with depression--and I would say this was the biggest benefit that I was not at all expecting. I had been dealing with depression on a daily basis, and the first day I started taking Ritalin actually did feel like a miracle as it was the first day in months I did not experience the heaviness I had been feeling. I have lost my appetite, which is not good. I eat even though I'm not hungry sometimes because I know my body needs it.

Everyone's experiences are different. The best person to speak to would be your doctor.

mrsboots87 · Jan 1, 2016

If you truly have ADHD then the Ritalin should help with focus. If it does not work, then you can also try aderall. They are both stimulant drugs, but work slightly differently some they each work for different people.

There re are quite a few side effects, but the most prevalent is appetite suppression and insomnia. There are cardiac risks as well, but a good doc will have you do an EKG after a few months to see how you are doing.

The he way it wears off will be different for each person as well and will vary between the drugs. My daughter takes methylphenidate (generic concerta) and when she gets the pills from one manufacturer it works great. Helps with her emotional instability, focus, behavior. But we got one bottle from a different manufacturer and while it still helped her focus better in school, she was moodier then usual, and once it wore off for the day she woul literally melt down and be upset all night. Needless to say we specifically get the one brand manufacturer pull that worked better.

You our might have to change things a few times to get it right or you may get lucky right away and find the drug that works best right away.

wooten3955 · Jan 1, 2016

I was also diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive type) as an adult. I have always struggled with focus, memory, and organization and felt like I slipped through the cracks when I was a kid in school since I wasn't a behavior problem. I take Adderall 15 mg extended release, and it has helped me greatly with focus and finishing tasks. If Adderall will work for you, you will know it the very first day. I also agree with Purple_roses about it boosting my mood. I have suffered with mild depression most of my life, and Adderall did more to improve my moods than any SSRI I have tried.

I started on 20 mg a day, but experienced decreased appetite, dry mouth, and irritability. So the dr. decreased it to 15 mg, and this has been the sweet spot for me. I still have a bit of dry mouth, esp. in the morning, and I take Elavil to help with sleep, but I struggled with insomnia even before I started taking Adderall. It certainly hasn't made it any worse, because it usually wears off by 6 or 7 p.m. I do not take it on days I don't need to get anything accomplished.

As one of the other posters said, it's not a magic pill by any means. You still have to work hard, put in your study time, and stay on top of everything. But Adderall helps me to stick to my study plans and get things done. Good luck to you.

GaybrealBee · Jan 1, 2016

Thank you ladies for your reply and all of your advice, I definitely know it isn't a miracle pill! My only issue is focusing. I struggled my entire life with school because of this issue, my parents didn't believe in Medication. I never did either, I just kinda avoided school after high school graduation just thinking it wasn't for me. I accomplished getting my Cna although it was a struggle. I'm attempting to get into nursing soon, studying for just the basic Tease test to get into LPN school now and just with that I feel myself in Lah Lah land getting nothing accomplished. I will most definitely observe any side affects and see what best suites me.