6th July 2008
Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. I'm sure that has to be adding a lot of stress to your life right now. I've learned stress can really mess you up.
I myself don't take Ritalin but my daughter does. It took the Dr's 11 years to finally find the right meds for her. She has chronic depression and ADHD. She was even wrongly diagnosed by a Family Dr. with bipolar disorder. He put her on Risperdal and it about drove her over the edge an made her gain weight she did not need. She finally went to a real Psychiatric Dr. at Laureate Psychiatric Hospital in Tulsa, OK. She is the first who really seemed to know what she was doing. She took her off that immediately and said she wasn't bipolar. So first I think finding the right Doc is the most important! At least that was our experience.
The meds that finally works for her are (all generic brands if available), Ritalin, Straterra, and Prozac. I know it is different for everyone but she is a new person with these meds. BUT if she goes off any of them (Sometimes she can't afford to buy them) she knows almost immediately and is deeply depressed and angry. I can sure tell. She does not get a stimulant effect, but they calm her down. I don't know too much about Adderall, except a lot of kids around here use it as a speed and to lose weight. I'm sure almost any stimulant will have that effect on you unless you do have ADHD. At least that is what we were told.
I wish you all the best with your Mom and your meds. I am so sorry you are having to deal with so much. Good Luck.
I myself don't take Ritalin but my daughter does. It took the Dr's 11 years to finally find the right meds for her. She has chronic depression and ADHD. She was even wrongly diagnosed by a Family Dr. with bipolar disorder. He put her on Risperdal and it about drove her over the edge an made her gain weight she did not need. She finally went to a real Psychiatric Dr. at Laureate Psychiatric Hospital in Tulsa, OK. She is the first who really seemed to know what she was doing. She took her off that immediately and said she wasn't bipolar. So first I think finding the right Doc is the most important! At least that was our experience.
The meds that finally works for her are (all generic brands if available), Ritalin, Straterra, and Prozac. I know it is different for everyone but she is a new person with these meds. BUT if she goes off any of them (Sometimes she can't afford to buy them) she knows almost immediately and is deeply depressed and angry. I can sure tell. She does not get a stimulant effect, but they calm her down. I don't know too much about Adderall, except a lot of kids around here use it as a speed and to lose weight. I'm sure almost any stimulant will have that effect on you unless you do have ADHD. At least that is what we were told.
I wish you all the best with your Mom and your meds. I am so sorry you are having to deal with so much. Good Luck.