[bob549]

Ok, so I am ADD and I have been on methylphenidate for about 4 months now. It's just stopped working. I've tried strattera before the methylphenidate and it made me barf a lot all the time. I don't know what to do, but I can't focus or get anything done and I am a single parent w/ a full time job. I think my doctor would be very reluctant about switching me to adderall because I have substance abuse issues on my medical history even though they have not been an issue for awhile and I'm in counseling. I really feel like I am going to go insane and life was great when my ADD was under control. Does anybody have any suggestions for other medication or how to approach this subject w/ my physician w/o him being like "oh, this is an ex-junkie showing drug seeking behavior?" HELP PLEASE!!!

[mpvt]

Any chance you can raise the dose of the ritalin??? Adderall would be the next logical choice.Since you don't think he'll order it then there has to be an alternative drug that he can order.Good luck........Dave

[bob549]

I'm not really sure, but I am already taking so many prescription drugs every day that it is hard for me to remember them all. I'll just talk to him and keep my fingers crossed. What is usually an effective dose of ritalin? I know it's different for different people, but I takes 20 mgs 2x a day.

[oldbroad]

This is a two week old thread, but I'll reply on the off chance you get back here.

It's summer. Ritalin is extremely sensitive to heat. If you keep your meds in a place where the temp gets over about 75 degrees F (like in the car, or in your purse sitting in the sun), they're probably losing potency or maybe even becoming inert. Next time you get the Rx filled, make sure they aren't exposed to heat and I betcha they'll work better.

Quoted:
>>I am already taking so many prescription drugs every day that it is hard for me to remember them all.<<

Here's my ADD coping tip of the day: Grab your duffle bag of meds and put every one of them on a list in your word processing program. Mine is titled "Med List and Physician Contacts" and is organized by Physician, with my Primary Care doc at the top. I put the Dr's name and phone number, then list the meds that doc prescribes, the dose of each and how many times per day I take them (or approximately how many I use per week or month in the case of "as needed" meds.)

If I'm seeing a new doctor, I'll add the reason I take each med, if it isn't obvious (several of my meds are used both for their approved use and off-label, for instance, I take Dexedrine for ADD, but also because it decreases FMS pain and depression.) I also list every vitamin, supplement and OTC med I take, even the ones I only take a couple times per year.

This is updated before every Dr. appt and given to the person who puts me in a room and takes my blood pressure. For the one Dr. I see monthly, I give it to her at least twice per year or after any major change in meds. I also carry a copy in my purse and one in my med bag.

It has saved me soooo much time and trouble. For instance, y'know how any new Dr. has a line or two for "prescription meds taken"? I simply write "see attached list" and give them a copy of the current Med List. Especially if I'm sick, its a lot easier to pull this out of my purse than to try to remember all the meds I take.