4 ms·

I've also just been diagnosed at age 30 (constantly been labeled "lazy" / "dreaming" when I was younger - you believe it after a while - ADHD diagnosis still se

by hoggle 12y ago

I've also just been diagnosed at age 30 (constantly been labeled "lazy" / "dreaming" when I was younger - you believe it after a while - ADHD diagnosis still seems to be something novel here in Austria as well). What you write really gives me hope, for now my neurologist put me on Wellbutrin mainly to treat my depression but he said he really wants me to try Ritalin soon. I'm one of those people who rather meditates and works out regularly than to take any drugs - I don't like to mess with my brain - but I'm so fed up with my ADHD and the Wellbutrin alone already helps not only with overcoming my fail(ed-potential) derived neurosis but also a little with focus. Do you feel as if Ritalin might help with getting to where the ADHD recovery group managed to get themselves even when not on Ritalin? "Plasticity of the brain" yadda yadda...

atemerev 12y ago
It would be better to ask your doctor. If he's willing to try, I think it worth a shot. Ritalin is not a panacea, it makes miracles for some people and brings nothing but side effects for others. For me, it was something in between. ADHD is a recognized neurological condition, and I believe it's better to remedy it with drugs than try to live with unadjusted brain. It's not our fault.
- hoggle 12y ago
  I guess one really has to try it to know for sure, thanks.
JohnBooty 12y ago
I'm on Adderall, which is very similar to Ritalin - they're both stimulants. I have tried Ritalin in the past and it worked decently; I went with Adderall because it was cheaper. > I'm one of those people who rather meditates and > works out regularly than to take any drugs - I > don't like to mess with my brain I wasn't diagnosed until my 30s. Like you, I didn't like the thought of messing with my brain but eventually got fed up. Meditation, exercise, diet, getting lots of sleep... these help me more than Adderall. BUT, the Adderall does help too. So I think you are a very good candidate. It sounds like you are thinking of the big picture and not just relying on Ritalin to be a "magic pill." Probably the best thing about trying Ritalin/Adderall is that you can always stop them if they're not helping you. Just reduce your dose slowly over the course of 3-4 days. Good luck!!
- hoggle 12y ago
  Moderate to heavy sessions of running and swimming (minimum 40 minutes for me) really help with focusing but that doesn't last very long. Maybe an hour or so? That's still much longer than when trying to ride the caffeine waves, exercise also doesn't come with the risk of "wiping out" my focus (getting unproductively hyper-active) because of borderline coffee-abuse (not good for the stomach either...). So regular exercise and meditation? Check. Discipline with my diet? Check. Proper sleep hygiene? Check. Still fed up? Check. Thanks for your always-uplifting comments, they are very much appreciated.
  - JohnBooty 12y ago
    That's interesting to hear. I don't really get a stretch of "focus time" after exercise. It's cool that you do! Exercise feels like it helps my ADHD in indirect (but important) ways. Exercise boosts my energy level, and reduces my stress level in general a bit. I also sleep much better at night if I get exercise during the day. The sleep, of course, helps with everything else as well. I salute you for having discipline with your diet! That's the hardest for me!
    - hoggle 12y ago
      Yes, the exercise-sleep connection is important for me as well. I mustn't exercise in the evening though because it gets me in that "thrill" mode where I'm wide awake (it feels like the only time actually when I feel awake..) morning or noon sessions work best for me. I'm self-employed so that is one of the benefits of having an unstructured work day, which apart from that I guess is dangerous for someone having ADHD like myself... I've been on a vegetarian diet for about 10 years and it helps me with attaining more of an "inner calm" / reducing my constant inner agitation but that wasn't the reason why I picked it up originally - it's just a very welcome side effect for me. I could definitely improve on the health side especially when I get the blues, like I've been having for the last couple of months - I tend to binge excessively on sweets (which for me is worse than being on too much coffee in terms of ADHD symptoms) and processed junk food. I feel really great on low GI foods, so usually I eat lots of beans, fruits and vegetables. I also try to take my vitamin b12 supplements as well as my ground flax seeds regularly (omega 3) and have some organic eggs or cheese now and then. I've been on half-year long, strictly vegan diets twice over the years but ran into health issues (iron, vitamin b12 deficiencies -> anemic) each time probably because my discipline and knowledge were limited then. I feel there is so much chance involved with picking up the right habits - e.g. if it weren't for Vibram's Five Fingers (I know they are not as healthy as they were advertised but I simply love the feeling of running "barefoot") and all the quantified self apps on smartphones I probably wouldn't be running today. It's all the little things that keep me motivated.
Quequau 12y ago
I was diagnosed with ADD in the early '70s and, after moving to Austria, it took me way, way too long to find a doctor who even acted like he was interested in understanding anything to do with ADHD. I briefly tried Wellbutrin as an alternative to Ritalin a couple of decades ago and I did not find it helpful then. On the other hand I find Ritalin really does work for me and in ways that meditation and exercise simply do not. I'm not saying that meditation and exercise aren't helpful. They're important parts of my life (/ coping strategy). It just that Ritalin is also part of that strategy. In fact, at this point in my life I view using Ritalin much in the same way as wearing my glasses and hearing-aids.
- hoggle 12y ago
  In fact, at this point in my life I view using Ritalin much in the same way as wearing my glasses and hearing-aids. That feels like an apt analogy, I'm looking forward to see how Ritalin works for me.
jamesbritt 12y ago
I was on Wellbutrin as part of my treatment for depression. What's interesting is that Wellburtrin is dopamine reuptake inhibitor while Ritalin and Adderall stimulate (or mimic; I can't find a decent reference right now) the production of dopamine. I'm one of those people who rather meditates and works out regularly than to take any drugs - I don't like to mess with my brain Something to consider is that your brain is already messed with, so the use of drugs might be needed to un-mess it. But it's kind of a black art. You need to try things and see what works for you. I had been on assorted antidepressants and stimulants for a number of years and it really helped to a) read up on neuropharmacology and b) have doctors who would listen to my suggestions about what drugs to try and why I wanted to try them. For example, it's handy to know if you respond better to drugs that focus more on dopamine than, say, serotonin. (The reality is that no mind-altering drug is so cut-and-dry and completely understood, so you end up being a lab rat in your own life experiment.)
- hoggle 12y ago
  But it's kind of a black art. Yes, it's truly interesting to read up on all the "wetware" aspects while trying to introspect on how the medication affects you accordingly. The whole thing feels like finding hacks to make your mind work properly.
- mikevm 12y ago
  > What's interesting is that Wellburtrin is dopamine reuptake inhibitor while Ritalin and Adderall stimulate (or mimic; I can't find a decent reference right now) the production of dopamine. Both Ritalin and Adderall are dopamine reuptake inhibitors. I believe that Adderall also stimulates the production of dopamine, in addition to the reuptake inhibition.
  - neurostract 12y ago
    > Both Ritalin and Adderall are dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Methylphendiate (Ritalin) is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, to be certain: it binds to and blocks both dopamine and norepinephrine reputake inhibitors. It's thought to increase neuron firing rate, but that mechanism of action is unknown. Adderal, however, is a mixture of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine salts. They stop reuptake of the two monoamines not by blocking the transports, but by reversing their action. Instead of taking up dopamine and norepinephrine, they pump it out. It also stimulates the release of the monoamines from the synaptic vesicles into the intracellular membrane. Ritalin causes dopamine and norepinephrine to stick around longer, making their action last longer. It's like closing a drain half way with the faucet on medium: the water level rises more than typical, but no higher. Adderal causes them to flood the intracellular fluid. It's like turning the faucet on while flood waters are coming up the drain pipe.

by hoggle 12y ago

atemerev 12y ago

It would be better to ask your doctor. If he's willing to try, I think it worth a shot. Ritalin is not a panacea, it makes miracles for some people and brings nothing but side effects for others. For me, it was something in between. ADHD is a recognized neurological condition, and I believe it's better to remedy it with drugs than try to live with unadjusted brain. It's not our fault.

hoggle 12y ago
I guess one really has to try it to know for sure, thanks.

JohnBooty 12y ago

I'm on Adderall, which is very similar to Ritalin - they're both stimulants. I have tried Ritalin in the past and it worked decently; I went with Adderall because it was cheaper. > I'm one of those people who rather meditates and > works out regularly than to take any drugs - I > don't like to mess with my brain I wasn't diagnosed until my 30s. Like you, I didn't like the thought of messing with my brain but eventually got fed up. Meditation, exercise, diet, getting lots of sleep... these help me more than Adderall. BUT, the Adderall does help too. So I think you are a very good candidate. It sounds like you are thinking of the big picture and not just relying on Ritalin to be a "magic pill." Probably the best thing about trying Ritalin/Adderall is that you can always stop them if they're not helping you. Just reduce your dose slowly over the course of 3-4 days. Good luck!!

hoggle 12y ago
Moderate to heavy sessions of running and swimming (minimum 40 minutes for me) really help with focusing but that doesn't last very long. Maybe an hour or so? That's still much longer than when trying to ride the caffeine waves, exercise also doesn't come with the risk of "wiping out" my focus (getting unproductively hyper-active) because of borderline coffee-abuse (not good for the stomach either...). So regular exercise and meditation? Check. Discipline with my diet? Check. Proper sleep hygiene? Check. Still fed up? Check. Thanks for your always-uplifting comments, they are very much appreciated.
- JohnBooty 12y ago
  That's interesting to hear. I don't really get a stretch of "focus time" after exercise. It's cool that you do! Exercise feels like it helps my ADHD in indirect (but important) ways. Exercise boosts my energy level, and reduces my stress level in general a bit. I also sleep much better at night if I get exercise during the day. The sleep, of course, helps with everything else as well. I salute you for having discipline with your diet! That's the hardest for me!
  - hoggle 12y ago
    Yes, the exercise-sleep connection is important for me as well. I mustn't exercise in the evening though because it gets me in that "thrill" mode where I'm wide awake (it feels like the only time actually when I feel awake..) morning or noon sessions work best for me. I'm self-employed so that is one of the benefits of having an unstructured work day, which apart from that I guess is dangerous for someone having ADHD like myself... I've been on a vegetarian diet for about 10 years and it helps me with attaining more of an "inner calm" / reducing my constant inner agitation but that wasn't the reason why I picked it up originally - it's just a very welcome side effect for me. I could definitely improve on the health side especially when I get the blues, like I've been having for the last couple of months - I tend to binge excessively on sweets (which for me is worse than being on too much coffee in terms of ADHD symptoms) and processed junk food. I feel really great on low GI foods, so usually I eat lots of beans, fruits and vegetables. I also try to take my vitamin b12 supplements as well as my ground flax seeds regularly (omega 3) and have some organic eggs or cheese now and then. I've been on half-year long, strictly vegan diets twice over the years but ran into health issues (iron, vitamin b12 deficiencies -> anemic) each time probably because my discipline and knowledge were limited then. I feel there is so much chance involved with picking up the right habits - e.g. if it weren't for Vibram's Five Fingers (I know they are not as healthy as they were advertised but I simply love the feeling of running "barefoot") and all the quantified self apps on smartphones I probably wouldn't be running today. It's all the little things that keep me motivated.

Quequau 12y ago

I was diagnosed with ADD in the early '70s and, after moving to Austria, it took me way, way too long to find a doctor who even acted like he was interested in understanding anything to do with ADHD. I briefly tried Wellbutrin as an alternative to Ritalin a couple of decades ago and I did not find it helpful then. On the other hand I find Ritalin really does work for me and in ways that meditation and exercise simply do not. I'm not saying that meditation and exercise aren't helpful. They're important parts of my life (/ coping strategy). It just that Ritalin is also part of that strategy. In fact, at this point in my life I view using Ritalin much in the same way as wearing my glasses and hearing-aids.

hoggle 12y ago
In fact, at this point in my life I view using Ritalin much in the same way as wearing my glasses and hearing-aids. That feels like an apt analogy, I'm looking forward to see how Ritalin works for me.

jamesbritt 12y ago

I was on Wellbutrin as part of my treatment for depression. What's interesting is that Wellburtrin is dopamine reuptake inhibitor while Ritalin and Adderall stimulate (or mimic; I can't find a decent reference right now) the production of dopamine. I'm one of those people who rather meditates and works out regularly than to take any drugs - I don't like to mess with my brain Something to consider is that your brain is already messed with, so the use of drugs might be needed to un-mess it. But it's kind of a black art. You need to try things and see what works for you. I had been on assorted antidepressants and stimulants for a number of years and it really helped to a) read up on neuropharmacology and b) have doctors who would listen to my suggestions about what drugs to try and why I wanted to try them. For example, it's handy to know if you respond better to drugs that focus more on dopamine than, say, serotonin. (The reality is that no mind-altering drug is so cut-and-dry and completely understood, so you end up being a lab rat in your own life experiment.)

hoggle 12y ago
But it's kind of a black art. Yes, it's truly interesting to read up on all the "wetware" aspects while trying to introspect on how the medication affects you accordingly. The whole thing feels like finding hacks to make your mind work properly.
mikevm 12y ago
> What's interesting is that Wellburtrin is dopamine reuptake inhibitor while Ritalin and Adderall stimulate (or mimic; I can't find a decent reference right now) the production of dopamine. Both Ritalin and Adderall are dopamine reuptake inhibitors. I believe that Adderall also stimulates the production of dopamine, in addition to the reuptake inhibition.
- neurostract 12y ago
  > Both Ritalin and Adderall are dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Methylphendiate (Ritalin) is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, to be certain: it binds to and blocks both dopamine and norepinephrine reputake inhibitors. It's thought to increase neuron firing rate, but that mechanism of action is unknown. Adderal, however, is a mixture of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine salts. They stop reuptake of the two monoamines not by blocking the transports, but by reversing their action. Instead of taking up dopamine and norepinephrine, they pump it out. It also stimulates the release of the monoamines from the synaptic vesicles into the intracellular membrane. Ritalin causes dopamine and norepinephrine to stick around longer, making their action last longer. It's like closing a drain half way with the faucet on medium: the water level rises more than typical, but no higher. Adderal causes them to flood the intracellular fluid. It's like turning the faucet on while flood waters are coming up the drain pipe.