Posted by alohashirt on May 2, 2006, at 22:27:52
In reply to ADD med question, posted by yesac on May 1, 2006, at 19:38:55
> Do stimulants and other ADD drugs work for almost everyone diagnosed with ADD? Or are there some people who do not respond?
>
> Reason I ask: I have not responded to most stimulants or Strattera, and today a therapist (not a psychiatrist) told me that must mean that I do not have ADD. Seems like a little bit of twisted logic to me.It depends what you mean by respond.
Studies on children suggest that 70% show substantive improvement with an initial dose of ritalin rising to more like 90% with larger doses. The right dose does not appear to depend on body size and is very variable - in some cases no effect means simply insufficient dose / overcautious physician.
Many people finds amphetamines more effective or more tolerable than ritalin/focalin/concerta. In some cases side effects
can preclude taking an effective dose. Strattera is clearly less effective than the stimulants. Many patients do well on as combination of meds, say ritalin+desipramine or buspar. Also some find Wellbutrin useful. My belief is that the meds are less effective in adults.My personal experience is that my distractibility and impulsiveness are reduced by medication, but not my procrastination or need for stimulus. Fish oil, exercise and
coaching all help. At least 15 herbal remedies / nootropics
did nothing.What are you currently taking? What effects do you see?
> I know that I'm depressed but I have yet to respond to any so-called antidepressant, so I don't see how ADD would be different in terms of diagnosis. I'm not sure you can use a positive response or a negative response diagnostically. And, by the way, I have been diagnosed with ADD.
poster:alohashirt
thread:638976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060429/msgs/639468.html