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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Lasagne on August 5, 2003, at 22:26:16
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by readyforchange on August 5, 2003, at 18:23:29
If you have any other tips on how to manage the use of drugs, like just taking them( I have a hard time remembering to)that would be great.
RESPONSE:
Hi: I have a household full of ADDers. Somethings that have worked for us are setting up a routine and using check-lists and timers. Prior to using these tools I often forgot to take my medication or I would forgot if I already had taken it and then would sometimes double dose everything. Neither situation was good. If I forgot my medicine then I would get a headache, if I doubled up on my medicine I felt wired.
At any rate, get yourself a white board that you can hang up in a place that you first see when you get up in the morning or in a highly visible place in your house. Write down on the board what order you will do your routine and check the items off as you do them. You may want to use a different color marker for each day for your checkmarks, in case you forget to erase from a previous day and then confuse yourself as to whether or not you took your medicine today. After establishing this routine, you will no longer need to do the checking. It will become habit.
Another thing that is helpful in conjunction to setting a routine is preparing ahead of time. If you know you are going to have a very hectic morning then set all your medicine out the night before. You may want to have a nightime routine written on your board to get you in the habit of doing certain tasks each night before going to bed. Also, set your car keys or wallet/purse near your ready to go medicine. You know each day that you cannot leave without your keys or your wallet, so by strategically placing your medicine near them will also minimize the forgetfulness.
If you are on the go alot this is another thing you can do. Each night before bed you get your medicine ready for the next day and place it your bag/purse/whatever. If you have a cell phone or watch alarm you can figure out how to set it at whatever intervals you need to take your medicine. When it rings/beeps then you will know it's time to take your medicine.
My oldest son has severe ADHD and he will always forget to take his medicine at a certain time if I am not home to monitor him. So what I started doing was getting his medicine out and ready for him and then I set our kitchen timer to go off at a certain time. Before I leave I get his attention and point out where I sat his medicine and that when the timer goes off he needs to take his medicine. The timer will not stop beeping unless he gets up to turn it off, in which case he is now in the kitchen where his medicine is waiting, so it minimizes the forgetfulness.
Also, setting your medicine up into pill organizers by each day of the week is very helpful. They sell these at all pharmacy's/drug stores. If you pick up the Tuesday pill container
and you see that your medicine is gone, then you know that you already took it for that day. I had to use this method for quite a while until I established a good routine of taking my medicine.
My husband also has ADHD and he has certain items set up in his laptop computer to give him daily reminders. There are various scheduling software programs available to help you if you are the type of person who is tied to your computer the majority of the work day.
Well, I think I have exhausted all my ideas on how to remember to take medication. Hopefully one of these ideas will work for you. It's not easy for us ADDers to be so organized, but it is possible through retraining through the use of charts and various other systems.
Good luck!
Posted by readyforchange on August 5, 2003, at 23:03:04
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » readyforchange, posted by Lasagne on August 5, 2003, at 22:26:16
Thank you house full of ADD'ers :) I would love to get those into play... i will definetly use them and see if they work for me, i appreciate your concern. I hope I can be successful in my efforts!
Posted by readyforchange on August 5, 2003, at 23:11:04
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by worrier on August 5, 2003, at 21:20:47
Hi "worrier," I am "readyfor change" thanks for saying that... with this problem you are consistanly having doubts about your condition.. am I crazy? am I just lazy? what is my problem... we don't need the negative reinforcements ever - let alone when we are just beginning our healing proccesses. I feel validated by your response, to the response of mr. schwartz to my emails. i don't want to go back and forth on my stance, I see both sides - I have compassion for both - but I need to be strong in myself to grow right now, and you have had a positive effect, and I appreciate it. Thanks!
Posted by worrier on August 5, 2003, at 23:45:19
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by readyforchange on August 5, 2003, at 23:11:04
> Hi "worrier," I am "readyfor change" thanks for saying that... with this problem you are consistanly having doubts about your condition.. am I crazy? am I just lazy? what is my problem... we don't need the negative reinforcements ever - let alone when we are just beginning our healing proccesses. I feel validated by your response, to the response of mr. schwartz to my emails. i don't want to go back and forth on my stance, I see both sides - I have compassion for both - but I need to be strong in myself to grow right now, and you have had a positive effect, and I appreciate it. Thanks!
>Glad my babbling had some positive effect...even though my problems are different than yours I have all the same doubts and worries you do (am I crazy,am I lazy,etc.). Then you get the people who just don't get it and tell you to just get a grip and stop "acting" like you do. I've found it's very important to find someone who understands that there are some things you just can't control by sheer will and desire (we'd have already done that if we could,right?). I respect whatever decision people make for themselves.One size does not fit all, do what helps you....that's all any of us can do. Hang in there, Worrier.
Posted by Viridis on August 6, 2003, at 1:39:55
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by readyforchange on August 5, 2003, at 18:23:29
Hi Reba,
I've found this site quite helpful -- it gives me good ideas, and more insight into my condition. I've discussed various meds etc. that come up here with my pdoc, and on my last visit he asked for the website so he could check it out. He essentially lets me decide the meds I take (within reason, and he is pretty cautious), although with some that I ask about he says "I really don't think you'd respond well to that (but you can try it if you like)".
I'm not sure how to manage the drugs -- I just take them at set times, and am pretty good about it. Maybe lists would help? I make lists for each day re: my work activities; they don't involve my meds, but perhaps making a daily list and adding a time to take meds would work for you.
Since getting on Strattera (in addition to Adderall) I hardly seem to eat at all. It's actually a bit worrisome, since I'm very diet conscious and normally eat well (my wife is a trained chef). The plus is that I've lost about 20 lbs (I was very slightly overweight before) but the negative is that I have to remind myself to eat healthy things. I'm not fond of most junk food, but normally I eat lots of vegetables etc., and now I have to make myself do it. It's not that I don't like eating; I just don't think about it much any more.
One tip for healthy eating: make a big salad with lots of different vegetables that you can store in the fridge, then just add a bit of cheese, fish, chicken etc. when you need a meal. No cooking, and only a few minutes of preparation. And, get lots of the right fats/oils -- don't be afraid of olive oil and nuts, especially. I take fish oil supplements too, and none of these fats cause any weight increase for me.
Come to think of it, I'm going to have some salad now!
Best,
Viridis
Posted by Viridis on August 6, 2003, at 2:32:45
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » readyforchange, posted by Viridis on August 6, 2003, at 1:39:55
Sorry, meant to respond to readyforchange (n/m)
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 6, 2003, at 9:44:50
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by reba on August 5, 2003, at 17:40:31
Reba,
My son is 14 and extremely mature for his age. I would NEVER switch him during the school year, and I wouldn't switch him unless *he* wanted to try the Straterra. He takes Ritilin as a necessary evil. He doesn't much like it but hates even more how his grades slipped last year when he tried going without it.I have the best son in the world, my world at least. :) I wouldn't mess with his meds on a whim. I appreciate your insight on concerns from his point of view.
KDi in Texas
> Kimberly Di:
>
> If youre satisfied with the results that you get from stims, then why change the meds just because of a label??! I recently went from taking strattera to taking Adderall, and the Adderall for me is soooo much better, but thats just me! The thing with strattera is it can take up to a few months to really see results, thats so hard for a student to deal with!!!!! I am also a student and the stress from waiting and not seeing great results really can throw a student, especially a student doing so well already!! Plus if your childs main problem is attention then stims are probably the best thing for him. (Ive done alot of research) The one thing that apealed to my about strattera was that it stabolized my moods and helped me not be so anxous, but the adderall ended up taking those away too!! All im saying is really think about it cause switching meds is SUCH a big deal for the person taking them, so if there is no problem why switch. Stimulants statistically have shown to be the best type of ADD treatment. If stims arent working, then DEF try something else. Just thought I'd put my two cents in, cause I am a college student and just went through all the stress of switching.
Posted by Kacy on August 6, 2003, at 19:45:34
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » reba, posted by KimberlyDi on August 6, 2003, at 9:44:50
This is the first Add book I bought. I suggest you go the Amazon (which this link will take you to, anyway) and then look at the books that are also recommended there. I read through all the reviews. I learn a lot from them; sometimes you get so much from reviewers that you don't even need the book. I think, considering what you were posting, that if you didn't know about this book, you'll laugh at the title.
"You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!" A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo.
I didn't finish the book because it is mostly for Add, not Adhd, but it has still been helpful. Of course, there are other reasons I didn't finish the book, but you know that.
My favorite is book right now is "Messie No More" Understanding and Overcoming the Roadblocks to Being Organized by Sandra Felton. (Okay, it got reviewed like crap at Amazon, but it was only two people.) I went to the bookstore and went through a huge stack for a couple of hours and I liked this one. I believe it is aimed at Add and Adhd. She has chapters titled 'ADD adds to the problem' … 'Compulsive or just messy?' … 'Fatigue' … 'Depression'.
This book is about 'why' some people have problems. I need to understand 'why' to believe and feel optimism for changing. She makes more sense than anyone else I have read. Right now I'm on these chapters 'More discipline doesn't work' and 'Working harder doesn't work'. We all know it, don't we? Problems are a massive amount of work. Her approach is aimed at both organization and the mindset, but this book, unlike some of her others, is mostly on the latter.
Readyforchange: I have a lot of problems remembering to take pills. I don't always get the seven-day pill boxes ready every Sunday, but I mostly do now. It was a year or more into starting to try medicines for this before I started using them. I had to count through my pills so many times to figure out if I had taken them already that I finally got the pill boxes out of disgust. After using them for a long time, I need them less; I still need to keep them up or I start backsliding and taking my pills later.
Posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:16:16
In reply to To Worrier and Readyforchange, et al., posted by Kacy on August 6, 2003, at 19:45:34
Ok I know this is a strattera website, but I did the Strattera thing and it wasnt for me. But I figured that most of you have tried enough different meds to be able to give me advise!
So I just wanted some info on Adderal. It was perscribed to me a couple weeks ago and I'm still trying to straighten it out. I TOTALLY understand the whole reason for the controlled substance thing, but I'm getting frustrated, cause I feel like my doctor doesn't give me enough info on adderall, like how much do other people take? What is the highest ok dose? How do I feel if im not taking enough? and more importantly how do I feel if I'm taking too much?! Please anyone who knows give me some answers!! My doc happens to be on vaca this week, and I go back to school soooo soon and want this to be fixed before hand! any Adderall advise would be seriosuly appreciated!!
THANKS!
Posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:30:49
In reply to Adderall advise!, posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:16:16
Ok one more question. How long should someone wait, when increasing their dose of adderall, before deciding if it is working better or not? And also I know that I feel better when I take it, but will that change in the first few weeks of taking it? or will I know with in a day or 2 weather it is workign to its full potential?
Posted by Lasagne on August 6, 2003, at 23:16:03
In reply to Adderall advise!, posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:16:16
>REPLY TO BELOW POST::::::
Hi:
I have had a lot of experience with my sons taking Adderall. My oldest son is almost 11 years old and weights 85 lbs. The doctor started him on 20 mgs. and then we increased by 20 mgs. until we got the best effectiveness. The highest dose the doctor allowed him to go to was 60 mgs. This upper limit may be different for adults. From talking to other adults with ADD I have heard of some going as high as 100 mgs. daily. I think this all depends on your specific situation. My husband has ADHD and takes the slow release Ritalin and he needs a higher dose because he is a big man 6'1" and 240 lbs.
As for how do you know which is the right dose. It's probably a good idea to ask those who are around you alot to observe your behavior on the lowest dose/start dose. If you don't show any or significant improvement with your ADD/ADHD symptoms or the medication wears off too soon, then that is an indication that your dose isn't high enough. I can always tell when my son's medication isn't at the right dose. He becomes more hyperactive and he doesn't stick to any task. When he is in school I can tell by the quality of his handwriting and whether or not he can finish his homework within a reasonable amount of time. When he got to the point where he didn't get anything done then I knew it was time to go back and see the doctor and make some adjustments. We typically go in to see our doctor every month to two months.
Another note about Adderall: This medication has a powerful effect on appetite. So make sure to monitor your weight. When my sons were on the Adderall they would hardly eat anything, but I could get them to drink those nutritional drinks (Boost, Ensure, etc)or Carnation instant breakfast mixed with whole milk. This was the only way to get good nutrients into them and give them extra calories to maintain their weight. When you are busy at school you may want to get in a habit of carrying these type of drinks with you so you don't skip meals.
Well, I hope that helps you out. Sometimes it is hard getting all the answers out of your doctor because they are so busy and you don't always remember to ask your questions during the appointment. The Internet is a good resource for information. You can probably type Adderall into your search engine and pull up a pharmaceutical web-site that tells you the nitty gritty details about the medication.
Good Luck!
Ok I know this is a strattera website, but I did the Strattera thing and it wasnt for me. But I figured that most of you have tried enough different meds to be able to give me advise!
>
> So I just wanted some info on Adderal. It was perscribed to me a couple weeks ago and I'm still trying to straighten it out. I TOTALLY understand the whole reason for the controlled substance thing, but I'm getting frustrated, cause I feel like my doctor doesn't give me enough info on adderall, like how much do other people take? What is the highest ok dose? How do I feel if im not taking enough? and more importantly how do I feel if I'm taking too much?! Please anyone who knows give me some answers!! My doc happens to be on vaca this week, and I go back to school soooo soon and want this to be fixed before hand! any Adderall advise would be seriosuly appreciated!!
> THANKS!
Posted by Lasagne on August 6, 2003, at 23:22:40
In reply to one more thing, posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:30:49
> Ok one more question. How long should someone wait, when increasing their dose of adderall, before deciding if it is working better or not? And also I know that I feel better when I take it, but will that change in the first few weeks of taking it? or will I know with in a day or 2 weather it is workign to its full potential?
>REPLY: You will usually know within to 3-4 days whether or not a particular dose is right. Sometimes doctors will put a two week spread between dose changes, but when you are in school and getting behind because you are on the wrong dose then waiting two weeks could be detrimental. Alot of times when something isn't working right with a dose my son is on, I will call my doctor's office and ask if it's okay to increase. Usually he has no problem with any of the requests I have made and tells me to go ahead and try the higher dose on my son and make a follow-up appt with him for a week later or sometimes he just wants me to e-mail him with a progress report until the next scheduled appointment.
Lasanga
Posted by blondegirl47 on August 7, 2003, at 14:49:14
In reply to Adderall advise!, posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:16:16
Adderall xr or regular adderall? What milligram? Food and adderall don't mix. Take on an empty stomach, wait atleast an hour before eating. No Orange Juice. Take vitamin c at night before bed.
Blondegirl
Posted by blondegirl47 on August 7, 2003, at 14:52:03
In reply to one more thing, posted by reba on August 6, 2003, at 21:30:49
I knew in a couple days. Depends how tired you are when you take it. If I am very tired from staying up too late it barely works.
Blondegirl
Posted by reba on August 7, 2003, at 18:16:46
In reply to Re: one more thing » reba, posted by Lasagne on August 6, 2003, at 23:22:40
Lasagne:
Thanks a ton for the advise!! Yes I have noticed the no appitite, I'll def have to watch that because I'm kind of a skinny gal as is!. lol I never thought of drinking those nutrition drinks, thats a great idea! I'm totally buying some tonight! thanks!
Posted by reba on August 8, 2003, at 6:53:14
In reply to Re: Adderall advise! » reba, posted by blondegirl47 on August 7, 2003, at 14:49:14
Blondegirl:
I'm taking 60 mg a day, im still trying diff doses at different times to see what works for me best. How come its not good to take adderall right after you eat? And what is the vitamin c for? thanks for answering back!> Adderall xr or regular adderall? What milligram? Food and adderall don't mix. Take on an empty stomach, wait atleast an hour before eating. No Orange Juice. Take vitamin c at night before bed.
> Blondegirl
Posted by reba on August 8, 2003, at 6:57:44
In reply to Re: one more thing » reba, posted by blondegirl47 on August 7, 2003, at 14:52:03
Thanks for this advise!!! I'll def keep it in mind! I think this is one of the reasons it frustrated me; I started taking it and after the first few days of getting used to it, it worked so well!! But then for a coupld days it didnt feel like it was working!! this was probably was because I was haveing trouble sleeping and randomly didnt go to bed at all a couple nights. It seems to be doing more again now that I'm getting back into my sleeping schedule. Thanks soooo much!! keep the advise coming! any advise on taking different doses throughout the day?? thanks
> I knew in a couple days. Depends how tired you are when you take it. If I am very tired from staying up too late it barely works.
> Blondegirl
Posted by blondegirl47 on August 8, 2003, at 9:46:55
In reply to Re: one more thing, posted by reba on August 8, 2003, at 6:57:44
besure you take it on an empty stomach...forgive me if I am repeating myself. Menopause and ADD is kicking my butt these days :)
Blondegirl
Posted by blondegirl47 on August 8, 2003, at 9:53:47
In reply to Re: Adderall advise!, posted by reba on August 8, 2003, at 6:53:14
For some reason if you eat before or too soon after you take it, it delays the onset of medication. For me it doesn't kick in as well...if at all sometimes. Last night I took it too soon after eating. I was sleepy all night until bed time then I tossed and turned.
Any acidic food will lower your absorption of your medication. My pdoc said not to take my vitamin c with my medication...wait until bed time. Caffiene and Pop will also lower your absorption of your medication. Hope this helps :)
Don't let yourself get too warn down by not sleeping...I have gotten sick several times doing that.
Blondegirl
Posted by Mike Oxsbig on August 8, 2003, at 11:08:38
In reply to promises, promises, posted by Lis on August 5, 2003, at 20:41:12
Just wanted to share my experience, because I just got off the phone with my doctor in order to switch back to Concerta. I have been taking Strattera for 2 1/2 months. I started off at 40mg and quickly ramped up to 80mg. I stayed at 80 for about a month with little results. I didn't have many side effects other than the dreaded sexual function problem, which if it wasn't for Viagra I would have stopped taking Strattera immediately. I decided, on my own to go to 120mg, and have been there for over a month with very little side effects or improvement. In fact, I don't think I have done anything for the past 2 months. The deciding factor was on Wednesday when I went home early, never checking my calandar to see that I had clients coming in for an appointment at 5:30. I don't think they showed up because I didn't take the time to call them to remind them about the appointment.
Life wasn't great on Concerta, but I had much more drive and energy. I had more focus maybe too much at times, but I would rather have that than none.
> I've read that some people had positive experiences on Strattera and some people had absolutely no effects. When I started Strattera, I definitely felt it. I wrote about negative side effects on this site a while back, and I think that with each increase in dosage I’d get a surprise ‘adverse effect’ accompanying it. At the same time, I could get through a day at my summer job with enough energy and clarity (sigh.) to start to avoid those god awful, embarrassing social moments. Now I’m at my target dose, I’m ‘foggy’ all over again. It started off as something so promising! Is this (the here today, gone tomorrow thing) a common experience for people on most psych meds? Is it common for Strattera?
>
Posted by Lis on August 8, 2003, at 22:23:56
In reply to Re: promises, promises, posted by Mike Oxsbig on August 8, 2003, at 11:08:38
Thanks for your response Mike. I'm moving to another state and need to find another psychiatrist. I'll ask about Concerta.
Lots of people are telling me to be patient with Strattera, and it's probably good advise. I'm worried about struggling through school when I start in September, though. There's quite a bit of pressure to find a medicine that works ASAP.
If there's anyone out there who has the inattentive type of ADD - feeling spacey, disorganized, and tired all the time. I'd like to hear what medicine, if any, is working for you.
Posted by kbrewed4u on August 9, 2003, at 9:47:10
In reply to Re: new to Strattera what to expect yeltom, posted by Gale Fox on May 4, 2003, at 6:36:49
I am taking Strattera 40 mg a day and Paxil CR 25 mg, once a day. I drink a few beers a day (I know bad idea), but the meds have been effective till this week. A few days ago, I started to have some kind of reaction, where I started to really be out of it, with hot flashes, shakes, loss of cognitive thinking. This lasted for 3 days, and landed me in the emergency room twice. I am scared, has anyone else out there had anything like this.
scared
Kbrewed4u
Posted by Lasagne on August 9, 2003, at 12:12:03
In reply to Re: promises, promises, posted by Mike Oxsbig on August 8, 2003, at 11:08:38
Hey Mike:
My husband had the same sexual side effect when taking the Strattera. The doctor then switched him to Concerta. He also takes Wellbutrin. The combo seems to really help him. He was having depression problems with his ADHD. The Wellbutrin is also used to help the impulsiveness that ADHDers experience.
What dose of Concerta are you taking? Do you feel like your over-focusing is of the compulsive nature? Do you feel like your brain gets stuck and you feel anxiety if you don't continue?
If so, then you need to talk to your doctor and see if he can prescribe you something to take along side the Concerta. There may be a co-existing anxiety problem. A lot of times there is more going on than just simple ADD/ADHD. I am in that category and so is my oldest son. I take Strattera, Prozac, and Buspar. My son takes Strattera, Celexa, and Zyprexa, and Adderall XR when he is in school. Also, you might want to consider switching your stimulant medication to Adderall XR to see if you experience the same feelings that you have on the Concerta.
Lasagna
Posted by Lasagne on August 9, 2003, at 14:27:30
In reply to Stattera and Paxil, posted by kbrewed4u on August 9, 2003, at 9:47:10
> I am taking Strattera 40 mg a day and Paxil CR 25 mg, once a day. I drink a few beers a day (I know bad idea), but the meds have been effective till this week. A few days ago, I started to have some kind of reaction, where I started to really be out of it, with hot flashes, shakes, loss of cognitive thinking. This lasted for 3 days, and landed me in the emergency room twice. I am scared, has anyone else out there had anything like this.
*****reply::::
Hi:
Which medication did you take first or did you begin them both at the same time? Maybe the combination isn't a good idea for you. I did experience the hot flashes and slow thinking when I was first on the Strattera, but after about 5-6 weeks on it, that all went away and now I feel better than ever.
Definitely drinking alcohol is a bad idea when taking these type of medications. It's almost like taking two things that cancel each other out. The alcohol depresses your nervous system and the Paxil and Strattera try to get your nervous system moving better. The combo could also be causing extreme dehydration, which could be why you landed in the hospital. Both Paxil and Strattera cause dry mouth and then to add alcohol to your system would get your fluids all out of whack.
I take Prozac, Buspar, and Strattera and haven't had any severe reactions that would land me in the hospital. I did have some extreme side effects when I was first on the Strattera, but like I said those all improved with time. Prior to the Strattera I took the Prozac and Buspar for years with no problems. If Strattera was started second to the Paxil then you might want to consider switching to a time release stimulant instead (such as Concerta, Metadate, or Adderall XR).
Good luck!
Lasagna
>Lasagne
>
Posted by Festus on August 9, 2003, at 23:38:43
In reply to Re: Adderall advise! » reba, posted by blondegirl47 on August 8, 2003, at 9:53:47
Just a few other Adderrall facts FYI,taking it on an empty stomach helps it to break down and begin it,s action.It is best to eat fairly soon afterwards because of it,s appetite suppressing nature.Afterall,that,s what it is,it is simply a diet drug known as Obetrol remarketed as an ADHD med.I had to get off it and go to Dexedrine cause it just stayed in my system too long and it dries you out pretty bad,too.It does a good job for most,some have a bit of a rougher time with it on their systems.Festus
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