attention deficit disorder (ADD): what if Ritalin doesn't work?

Question

Hello,

I'm 24 years old and I have ADD (inattentive type). The doctor prescribed me Ritalin but it doesn't work; it makes me very sleepy, I don't wanna take it anymore.
Is there a chance that Adderall will work for me? It's a stimulant that is pretty similar to Ritalin, so I'm afraid it will not work either :-/
Maybe I have a better chance with Strattera...

Did any of you take Ritalin, didn't work for you so you took another drug for ADD and it worked well?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi, I use Ritalin (20 mgs) too but I have found that it works better for me in conjunction with Extended-Release Wellbutrin (150 mgs). It took a while for my Dr. & I to find the right combination of meds for me. I'd say just talk to your Dr and be willing to do some trial and error to find that balance & combination of meds that work for you. Hopefully it won't be too much a roller-coaster ride to get there. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hiya there,
I'm Rebecca and I'm 27. I started taking Adderall in March.
I kind of have the same question but mine is with Adderall. So maybe we could help each other out. But since everybody is different, you never know. The affects of the Adderall depends on the time of the month, it seems like that my hormones effect it. The closer I come to my period the more restless the medication makes me and my thoughts are more everywhere than without the meds. It is completely impossible for me to even sit down and watch TV during this time. The only thing I have found to work during this time is meditation and a lot of exercise. I only have about 2 weeks out of a month where the Adderall works great. So, the other time I usually try to take a break or cut down the dose. If I stop taking it say for a week or more I become very tired sometimes, sometimes I don't. BUT if I start back up I'm wired for a couple weeks and I really don't eat much. I was wondering the same thing, as if Ritalin would work better for me. I'm going to call a specialist and see if they will let me try something different. If you want to contact me, you can and we'll see if our body's are similar so maybe it can save us some time (and some mental rollarcoaster rides) in the future.

Answer 3

I am in my 30s and also have ADD (primarily inattentive type). I have tried Ritalin, Adderall, and a drug for depression (resulted in depression) to compensate for my neurological disability. None of them worked, and the first two caused negetive physical side effects. The Adderall got flushed after 6 months of ineffectiveness and a life-threatenting side effect.

I would aggree that everyone's body is different. How ADD effects us varies as well. You never know how something will affect you unless you try it. However . . .

I will graduate a year from now with a degree, licensure and certification to teach special education. I did my homework on the drugs I was taking. I knew what I was taking and what the possible side-effects were so I was aware of what might happen. I know FDA approved doesn't necessarily mean safe.

Natural or homeopathic doesn't either. Drinking hemlock will kill you. I did my homework. For now, I have chosen to go with the Native Remedies company to compensate for my son's allergies and my ADD. The drugs have done well in both cases over the last couple of years. I never stop looking for issues that may compound over time before showing up. I also try to regulate our diets to the the healthiest version possible (in addition to regular exercise).

I will leave you with this. Symptoms of ADD are not all negative. I love my creativity, the ability to spin on a dime when needed, the ability to hyperfocus, and the list goes on. I wish you the best in your journey.

Answer 4

I take concerta now, since adderall didn't work. I tried ritalin too, but kept missing doses and it would keep me awake. My son has taken adderall for the past 8 years.

Concerta gives me focus. At first it gave me energy too, but not so much now. My mind is thinking about 100 different things, esp in the morning, and I can't keep it still long enough to read a couple of pages. After concerta has kicked in, that's not a problem (not as bad, anyway). It works until about 4-5pm, and I have no trouble sleeping.

My son has ADD and was unable to control what he was thinking or saying. He gets a high when he's off of ADD, and is very embarrassed by his behavior later. He won't let his friends see him unmedicated. He can focus when it kicks in, and hyperfocus if he wants to. It runs out at about 3pm (he refuses a lunch-time dose) and math class is a wash because he can't stay awake and he can't think. He has trouble sleeping, but he takes serequel for other reasons and it tends to help with that, but not always.

Strattera is in a whole different ball park and doesn't work the same way as the others. We tried that for my son and it was completely ineffective.

Hope the info helps!

debbie

Answer 5

The easy answer is this. If one pill fails, try a different drug.

Did Ritalin not work on the symptoms, or did it cause major side effects. There is a big difference.

Strattera is not a strong as the stimulants and it takes weeks to work.

Concerta or Adderall are not a bad choice. Provigil is another drug to try. Tell you doctor and try something else.

Each drug affects each person differently. The side effect profile for each drug differs for each person that is taking it.

Answer 6

I have two children and they both have adhd and odd.
both of my kids are on a wonderfull drug call catapress otherwise nown as clonadine. There are no adverse side afects and is not addictive. all the drug does is lower your blood pressure. if you take too much this will make you sleepy. but at the right does this drug sloes you down so that you can think and concentrate. this drug greatly helps my boys and they take it morning, noon and a larger dose at night to help them sleep. without catapreess my boys will not sleep at all. you can take catapress on its own or as well as dexanphetamine or ritalin. my youngest also takes an anti depresent called endep and this is also great for helping you to sleep and if endep or catapress are used with a stimulent medication it counteracts the sleeping problems that stimulent meds cause. I am in australia and I do not no if these drugs are available in other countries but do see your docter about alternative medications. catapress and endep are just examples. dexamphetamine and ritalin are not the be all and end all of meds for adhd. there are many others, see your docter and ask about alternatives. Violet.

Answer 7

You really need to get together with your doc. and tell him you are not happy with the side effects of the Ritalin. Everyone has a different response to the different drugs out there for ADD. You need to try the different ones and see what works best for you personally. Communicating with you health care professional is paramount to your success with whatever drug you decide to stay with. Good Luck.

Answer 8

Hi hun,
My son was diagnosed ADHD when he was about eighteen months old, the first thing they suggested was put him on Rittalin & for years I refused because all I heard was negative responses & I really dont believe giving kids drugs like them do any good, when he was about 10 they diagnosed Aspergers Syndrome, I relented & accepted Rittalin for him on a trial basis & my son wanted to see if they helped him, they turned him into something similar to a zombie, he went from a fearless, effervesent streak of pure energy to this little person sitting on the sofa staring into space & crying at anything because he said he was 'sad' but didnt know why so they went right in the bin. We are in the process of changing Gps so will see what other routes we can take, maybe we could let each other know what works for who? either way Good Luck to you hun