Anybody has taken for long time Concerta o Ritalin or any kind of methylphenidates?
459816
its like taking cocaine
557813
stimulant medications have been used successfully for years to treat accurate diagnoses of attention defecit disorder with or without hyperactivity, in children as young as 5. however it is unusual and discouraged to diagnose the disorder or medicate children under the age of 8. medication is overprescribed for children who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder, and underprescribed and misdiagnosed for children and adults with higher intellectual functioning. for children and adults who meet the criteria for diagnosis, brain imaging technology has shown decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, specifically decreased relative levels of dopamine and decreased dopaminergic exposure at post- synaptic neurotransmitter sites. stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (ritalin) and amphetamine derivatives (dextrostat, adderal) are used to correct this condition, at doses too low to cause inebriation or intoxification. other medications chemically similar to atypical antidepressants (strattera)act on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, and have proven effective with adult patients. stimulant treatment is prescribed at doses too low for physisiological or behavioral addiction, however many adolescent patients with the disorder are significantly more likely to engage in polysubstance abuse, and they may misuse their medication. abuse of ritalin, dextrostat, or adderal is relatively infrequent and generally is seen in late elementary through mid to late high school populations; abuse of amphetamine derivatives is addressed by titrating ritalin, and abuse of ritalin or amphetamine medications is addressed by titrating dosage, limiting quantity prescribed, and concurrent low dosage atypical tricyclic antidepressants. tegretal (carbamazepine) has also shown limited effectiveness at treating the abuse of medications for attention defecit disorders while not aggrevating attention or concentration problems.\njust because the medication is prescribed and reduces a SYMPTOM does not mean the patient meets criteria for diagnosis, and many patients that do meet diagnostic criteria are untreated or misdiagnosed as mood disorders or impule control disorders.
200161
www.chadd.org has a lot of info on ADD/ADHD and the positive effects of Ritilan (and other medications) when used appropriately\n\nGood luck on your report!
856290
What is Adderall / Adderall XR?: Adderall is a stimulant specifically a cocktail of amphetamine salts.\n  \nOther Forms: Extended Release (XR)\n\nWhat are the FDA Approved Uses of Adderall / Aderall XR: \n\nAdderall was approved in February 1996 to treat Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.  \n\nImmediate-release Adderall is also approved for narcolepsy and exogenous obesity.  \n\nAdderall XR was approved in August of 2004 to treat ADHD in adults.\n\nOff-Label Uses of Adderall: Depression.  Probably others, stay tuned for studies and more potential off-label uses.\n\nAdderall's pros and cons:\n\nPros: A tried and true way to treat ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy.  \nLike most amphetamines it doesn't have much in the way of side effects, fewer than the methylphenidates (Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta).\n\n \n\nCons: Those triplicate prescriptions are a pain in the ass to deal with.  If you have any history of drug abuse, the odds are you'll never get an Adderall prescription no matter how much you've cleaned up your act and how helpful it will be to you.  \nBecause it's an amphetamine it might be a little too much fun to use for some people. \n\nAdderall's Typical Side Effects: The usual for stimulants -  headache, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, insomnia, constipation, weight loss, heart palpitations, raised blood pressure, dizziness, horniness.  Generally everything clears up up after a couple weeks except the constipation, weight loss, increased blood pressure and increased libido.  So unless you have blood pressure issues and/or real problems with being too thin and/or too horny already I'm sure you can live with the typical side effects.\n\nFor tips on how to cope with these side effects, please see our side effects page.\nThese aren't all the side effects possible, just the most popular ones.\n\n \n\nAdderall's Not So Common Side Effects:  Triggering a manic reaction.  More often than not this happens when someone is misdiagnosed as only having ADD/ADHD when they are also bipolar.  Although you won't find "manic reaction" as a side effect anywhere in the PI sheet, you'll find every symptom of mania listed instead.  This is a great CYA (Cover Your Ass) move by Shire for the doctors prescribing it.  Hey, it doesn't trigger mania, it just causes a bunch of symptoms that are like mania!  I had one person write me  about her  bipolar disorder that was in complete remission for 14 years getting completely hosed by an Adderall prescription from a doctor who must have been convinced she only had ADD/ADHD.  Other not-so-common side effects are tics, twitches and exacerbation or unmasking of Tourette's or similar syndromes, depression and screwing with your menstrual cycle.      \nThese may or may not happen to you don't, so don't be surprised one way or the other.\n\nAdderall's Freaky Rare Side Effects: Amphetamines don't have much in the way of freaky rare side effects.  I may dig up something on PubMed later.  The closest thing I can find is the combination of increased libido and impotence.  \nYou aren't going to get these. I promise.\n\nAdderall's Suicide Risk:  All psychiatric and neurological meds have a potential suicide risk.  I'll get back to you on the specifics with Adderall.\n\nInteresting Stuff Your Doctor Probably Won't Tell You: Since ADD/ADHD is pretty much part of being bipolar, in some cases there really isn't anything wrong in taking Adderall if you're bipolar and taking a good mood stabilizer of some kind.  The problem is if you're taking lithium don't expect to lose any weight.  Or stay awake for that matter.  In fact, Adderall may not work at all when combined with lithium.  So if lithium is the mood stabilizer that works for you, you're stuck with your ADD/ADHD symptoms if Strattera (atomoxetine) and/or Provigil (modafinil) didn't cut it for you.\n\nMixing booze and Adderall, or any stimula
724681
My daughter was on Adderall for years.  When she was in 1st grade she was found to be ADHD. When we got her on the correct medicine and dosage, she went to flunking to straight a's.  \n\nWhen she visited her dads house he would say the same thing.  He thought i was doing it to make it easier on me.  I offered for him to talk to her doctor and read her assessment.  He refused but just kept accusing me of giving her the meds because i was lazy.  Well, now she is 15 and the hyperactivity is gone.  We are now just dealing the the attention deficite part and he can finally see that what i did, was for her own good.  \n\nMaybe you just need to ask to talk to the doctor that diagnosed the boy.  Ask to see the diagnostic tests that were used and the results.  Also the schools do an evaluation if they are aware of a problem with the child.  The parents should get a copy of that.  I would ask for any documentation that is available and then work with the other parent to adjust the dosage or meds so that they work with the boy to help him get good grades in school.
186608
currently depakote, lamictal, and risperdal.  I'm extremely happy with my current "blend" -- I've previously (since my diagnosis 15 months ago) tried zyprexa, tegretol and so many combos and dosages.\n\n[I'm BP1 w/ rapid cycling]
658496
It depends on the ADD/ADHD and the person. There is never a better drug, cause we're all different
911364
I have been searching and all the literature and the side effects listed are all short term, there is no mention of long term effects.  I would think that the experts know very little about this as Ritalin is a relatively new drug.\nYou have been on some pretty serious drugs in a short time frame, maybe its the combination rather than just one drug which has caused your problems.\nI feel for you, its rotten on top of the problems you have already had.  I hope you find a satisfactory answer to your question...good luck x
1110270
I took Wellbutrin XL.  It took about 3 or 4 weeks, but worked very well.
1159666
With the many new treatment options that have been approved by the FDA you have many options in regards to ADD/ADHD. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/604_adhd.html  http://add.about.com/cs/othertreatment/\n\nYou will need to find a good mental health professional, preferably one who is trained in geriatric issues and who is qualified and experienced at diagnosing and treating this "umbrella" disorder we call ADD/ADHD.  You may have to contact your Area Agency on Aging to find professionals specialized to the needs of senior adults. http://www.n4a.org/\n\nAfter that, you should be in a good position to discover how this disorder is adversely affecting your life and learn to effect positive change.  I would like to note, though, I do not believe that people find themself unsuccessful in life based one suspected diagnosis.  In any event, this disorder does affect lives and should be addressed.\n\nIf you do find that you have this disorder, seek out the best mental health care provider available to you.  Not all ADD/ADHD treatments work for everyone.  I am a big believer in the least invasive treatments (non-stimulant), especially for someone within your age range.   Over time I have come to prefer and appreciate the treatments found under the category of "Complementary and alternative medicine (Cam)." Here is a goverment website for CAM info:  http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/\n\nA note of caution:  There are herbs and supplements that have been shown to help treat the symptoms of ADD.  Because herbs, vitamins and supplements are not regulated by the FDA it will require research on your part to find the recommended dosages, contraindications, and adverse side effects etc etc etc before taking them.  Check the library at your hospital's Holistic Healing Center, they should have a copy of the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) equivalent for herbs, vitamins, and supplements. Here is one example of a hospital's HH Center: http://www.deaconess.com/body.cfm?id=435\n\nI hope you remember to treasure and embrace in this your sixth decade of life.  Cheers to the many adventures ahead of you.
793242
DAVID HERE ARE SOME, CONCERTA, STRATTERA, METADATE AND FOCALIN. MY SON TAKES ADDERALL EX B/C HE IS ADHD.
43309
There are many different medications for ADD. My little brother tried Adderal XR, but it had WAY TOO MANY EMOTIONAL SIDE EFFECTS. (But keep in mind that everyone is different!) He is currently taking Concerta and the emotional side effects have disappeared!
343076
well, my brother and i both had epilepsy when we were born due to a DPT shot that we were allergic to. I stopped having seizures when i was about 3 years old,I'm 22now and haven'thad one since. My brother was on several medications over the years, and he finally GOT ON ONE THAT WORKED!!I'm not sure how to spell it, but I think it's Zorontin! It is a liquid medicine He took it when he was fifteen for a little while and hasn't had a seizureorany signs of epilepsy ever since the medication, he is now 23 years old! I hope this helps you!!
391240
My son has ADHD and so does my husband.  My son was on Ritalin and we didn't have any luck, He is 18 now and hasn't been on meds sice age 13. he has a lot of anger and frustration issues but he self medicates with Skateboarding. He says it helps him to escape and slow his brain down. And get rid of his aggression. My husband is on Strattera and Except for having a daily throw up session he says it helps him to concentrate and focus on his job.
1152187
Contact your doctor about it. Depending on your doctor you may need proof that you have ADHD. If that is the case you will need to contact who ever first diagnosed you with ADHD and/ or who first prescribed it for you.\nAlso, just because the amount you took as a kid worked, does not mean it will work the same as an adult.\nI was diagnosed at 16 took ritalin until I was 21 and stopped. I too recently realized that being on it again would benefit me greatly. I spoke to my doctor and he prescribed me some. It was that simple.\nBut it may not be that simple for you. And the ONLY legal way to obtain a prescritption medication, particularly a controlled one like ritalin is with a dr. prescription. It may be annoying but it is the safer, legal way to go about. There are more options availble out now and you may find one that works better.\nGood luck
740872
my son was promoted to the second grade barely knowing his alphabet and numbers. i also decided not to medicated during second grade. towards the end of the school year it would break my heart to hear my son say that he was stupid because he didn't know what his classmates did. i finally put him on ritalin. OMG!! what a change. he went from getting 20's and 30's (even with 501 modifications) to getting 70's and 80's. he has been taking the meds ever since. he is now a sophomore in hs taking regular classes and thinking of going to college. i highly recommend medicating IF the need is there. you need to take your child to a child psychologist who specializes in add/adhd. they cannot prescribe meds but can recommend. best of luck and tell your daughter to hang in there.
290734
ADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.  It is a chronic developmental disorder which is genetically based.  It is not a learning disability, but can co?exist with learning disabilities in approximately 25 to 33 percent of those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.\n\nI am taking concerta.  It is fine for this problem.  There are side effects however.\n\nI never heard of anyone who is taking or is told to take two different kinds of this medication together.  I am not positive but I don't think it is a good idea.