Posted by Alejandro on April 3, 2005, at 15:59:02
In reply to Re: Adderall vs Ritalin » Alejandro, posted by CareBear04 on April 2, 2005, at 13:43:01
Thanks, tendency, paulbwell, alohashirt, CareBear04, Maxime for your answers.
I should have explained that I am talking about IR Ritalin. I´ve tried Ritalin LA and it made non sense for me: since I am quite hypersomniac and ritalin lost its awakening proppperties when taken in XR. Also, crashing (perhaps the main disadvantage of methylphenidate)
was not smoother. Finally, plasma peaks were not less pronounced (as we may think) but were unpreditable: ritalin LA kicked in suddenly 4 hours after taking it, then faded out quickly, then appeared again "magically" 2 hours later and finally crashed. So, XR forms of methylphenidate are poor for me if i compare it with IR Ritalin.
I agree with paulbwell about the lack of SE of Ritalin IR and its great effectiveness for co-morbid depression in ADHD. Yes, PROZAC + AMPHETAMINE-LIKE STIMs are a great combo, carebear! At least for ADHD co-morbid depression. I´ve tried MANY ADs (including: venlafaxine, desipramine, bupropion, sertraline, even PARNATE) and prozac was the best for me because: 1) it doesn´t impare congnitive functions; 2) it has an impressive sinergy when combined with Ritalin; 3) helps controlling some ADHD symptoms.
So, it seems that Adderall advantage may be its lack of crashing; and a neutral aspèct are its euphoric effects (for some, more pronounced that those of ritalin); these may be a problem also since: 1) dose escalation is more likely to occur; 2) poop out may be potentially devastating; 3) it may cause the false impression that thing are being made better, while it is self-confidence which sustains this feeling. I´ve found that ADHDs tends to admit that ritalin or adderall are very similar in their effectiveness on executive tasks, being ritalin even better for many, but self-perception is more benign in adderall. those are neutral attributes, because a higher self-steem is important to face life for an ADHD and here adderall could help much more. Do you agree about this preliminary conclusions? Certainly, I hope to make a decision about that soon, so your opinion is much appreciated.Alejandro
> hey alejandro--
> i think prozac plus either ritalin or adderall is good and powerful. i currently take 20mg of prozac + 30mg of adderall xr in the morning. early in the afternoon, i take a second dose of adderall xr 20mg. the prozac is a new addition, but in the past month or so, i've felt better than i have in years. i have inattention and hyperactivity, too, and adderall helps me focus and gives me energy enough to be more alert.
>
> i've never taken generic ritalin, but i take concerta, extended release ritalin. i like it quite a bit, too. before i compare it, i should say that i took adderall immediate release for over six months, and i wasn't very satisfied. to me, it feels weak compared to adderall xr, and i don't like having to take it often. i used to take XR in the morning and one or two doses of IR later in the day, but i just started taking two doses of XR and like that better. i think concerta is a little smoother even than adderall xr. i like that it can be taken with or without food, and it may start working a little sooner than adderall xr. it also lasts an hour or two longer fo rme than adderall xr. i'm not sure what the conversion is between adderall and ritalin, but i have to take considerably more ritalin to feel a comparable result-- 81mg of ritalin compared to 30mg of adderall.
> hope this helps.
poster:Alejandro
thread:478480
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050330/msgs/479362.html