ADHD... Adderall, alternative maybe?

Question

I have ADHD. I have been on Adderall during college. The doctor that Dx is no longer practicing... I don't have insurance. I am a graduate student that has been given by the school psychoanalyst Rx Wellbutrin to treat lack of focus and spaciness. The campus doesn't do ADHD testing anymore... I can't get in to her... there twice a week... ran out of WB. My delima is that I need more Adderall. I got some from my cousin who is ADD. It brings me to normal. I have an appointment to see a medical doctor next Thurs. He was willing to give me more WB last time I was there... although he wasn't the one who started the treatment.. I turned him down since: I have to take it daily, causes insomnia, high BP, irritability... and I can't afford it at all. When I talk to him I don't want to sound like a druggie. My campus did not diagnose me with ADHD but I need treatment. Any suggestions? Any alternatives I can ask him for? I am thinking of going to MEX, but not wanting to. :-(

I've tried to get copies of medical records. I was diagnosed as a kid. I am 30y now. i didn't take meds for it really, because I was able to just deal with it... and have the ADHD behavior be part of my "personality". The docotor's office doesn't keep records more than 7-10 years, and this was way before paper.

I need and am willing to take new tests... but can't afford to out side of school, and school stopped doing them.

I am willing to try alternatives as well. I just need to stop my brian so I can focus.

I don't get a "kick" from adderall. Someone with ADHD doesn't get that effect. I am willing not to take it, if there is something else out there. I had no choice to stop the WB... I couldnt get in to her... she had no appointments available...

I don't care if anyone thinks I sound liek a druggie... I know I am not. If you don't have ADHD then you don't know what it is like. I don't want to take Adderall either. I don't want to take ANYTHING... I am not priveldged to have this type of life. I was able to not need something more powerful because I foudn ways around it... I put all my lecture/study material on flash cards, and walked in circles studying. Now I am studying for a comprehensive exam and a boards exam... i can't put the material on flash cards, and I can't walk in circles while highlighting a book. I can't sit and read... never been able to. Studying has always taken more time than normal.

Any ideas besides drugs is welcome too. I don't want to fail.

Clarify... the doctor that diagnosed was when I was a kid. I have tried Adderall... never had a perscription. I know not good... brought me to "normal". I have no records of being perscribed that in particular... and the ADHD is just "common" knowledge with my docs... no direct documentation since I was a kid...

blah blah... i am trying not to freak out. I am willing to buy homeopathic products too. I don't like taking meds or drugs. I just knwo I worked tooooo hard to get where I am... and the method of studying is requiring me to sit and focus... something I never have been able to do... I have always been able to avoid it... I can't now.

Any help/ideas is helpful. I am not just trying to get drugs. The other perscription meds for ADHD I have been on have helped, but the side effects and costs make it not worth it to me.

Maybe I can get the medical doctor to call the psychoanalyst.

Answer 1

i used to take adderall but now i take concerta... i feel it works better

Answer 2

Hello,
Myself and my son have adhd. in the last year we have gone through allot of changes. I took my son off his concerta and began takeing the natural journey. We are today on a liquid multi vitamin (Intramax is the best one i found) and a product called neu be calmed. I have also purchased and ebook detailing why the body develops adhd.
Remember adhd is only a list of behaviors. ADHD/ADD is a psychiatric diagnosis with no valid test to prove it exisists. there are no brain scans,no blood tests or xrays or ekgs to prove ADHD/ADD.
There are over 50 condidtions that mimic the symptoms ADHD/ADD. Examples are hypoglycemia and allergies.
I have found that directly addressing the sympotoms individually has been the best help i could have ever asked for. My son and I have more focus more clarity we are calmer the symptoms of anxiety have been greatly alliveiated. We have tried several other products but these two are the ones that have realy worked for us.
I wold reccomend getting a blood analysis done by a NP and see what vitmins your body is lacking. the key is to get to know your body.

If you are intrested in more information the book is called three step to conquering ADD-ADHD by jon bennet.

Stayign away from presciption meds is the best way to go if you want to fix the problem. Prescription drugs only put a band aid on the problem.

Answer 3

Forget about the Psychoanalyst and talk to a psychiatrist or other medical doctor. If the psychoanalyst is not a medical doctor, he or she can't legally prescribe medication as far as I know, unless your state has some unusual law that I don't know about.

I don't mean to slam an entire profession, but I read psychiatric and psychological reports as part of my job, and I have a lot more faith in psychiatrists than psychologists when it comes to diagnosing mental illness. Psychologists are more reliable when it comes to diagnosing mental retardation and learning disorders.

Answer 4

You are in a tough spot. The person who prescribed you the Wellbutrin should be able to prescribe you Adderall.

One thing that might help you is to obtain your old records from your former Doctor. Even though he is not practicing, he should be required by law to keep his patient's records and provide copies to whomever your new physician is... your prior workup and proof of good compliance with your treatment may help convince your new physician that you need an Adderall prescription.

Due to problems of abuse and continuing stigma and misunderstanding about adults with ADD, you may have difficulty finding someone to prescribe you Adderall, but you also may be surprised how easy it is if you have those old records as proof of a prior diagnosis and successful treatment.

Also, in terms of medication assistance, many graduate students I know who don't have insurance are able to qualify for their local county "indigent care" healthcare. You might look into that, if your student health center cannot help you and you don't get health insurance from your graduate school stipend package.

When you eventually get health insurance, I recommend trying once-a-day Adderall XR vs Adderall, it has a much smoother release profile for a more consistent effect through the day. Unfortunately, it is not available in generic like regular Adderall.

Answer 5

Try to get your medical records, also explain to your doctor that you don't like the side-effects of wellbutrin, and you'd want to be back on your adderall medication that you've taken since you were younger. explain that it has been very bennificial to you and you haven't been able to perform normally in your routine since you lost your previous doctor who prescribed it.
I know you don't want to sound like a "druggie" and unfortunately with these type of drugs doctors are on an instant alert, but have an open honest conversation with him, don't act like your freaking out because he might say no. if he does then say I'd be willing to try other treatments but I'd like to know why you feel I shouldn't be taking adderall any longer when its worked for me for so long. Listen to his response objectively, and agree to try other things, but that if they aren't effective or they cost to much you'd like him to consider prescribing it later.
Also I don't know what state you live in, but alot of places have free clinics or clinics based on your income so check into those for a doctor.

Answer 6

You should be able to get copies of your medical records even though your Dr. is no longer practicing. If you take them to the campus Dr. or whoever they will show you were diagnosed and were given Adderall and might prescribe it then.

Answer 7

concerta what is this the 3rd grade

Answer 8

see if you can be switched to ritalyn with I believe is the base med of adderall. It comes in generic and is not that expensive to buy (month supply is less than $20 ) Also try of all things caffine. Most ADHD or ADD people react to stimulants as a depressant so coffe or tea may calm you down

Answer 9

The FDA has approved a new prescription drug, called Vyvanse, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Vyvanse, a stimulant, will bear the same warnings as all other ADHD drugs. Those warnings include reports of heart-related problems -- including sudden death -- and new or worsening psychiatric problems.

plus where you located?

Answer 10

Well first of all it can be very dangerous to just stop taking Wellburtin, you need to wean off of it rather than just quiting it. I think you are enjoying the adderall and Im glad the doctor didnt give it to you, especially since you turned down the wellbutrin. You just want the kick from the adderall. Your not ADHD!

Answer 11

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