Treatment options for adult ADD

[425runner]

What are some of the treatment options for adult ADD-inattentive?  My doc put me on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg once a day but it's not really helping.  I still get very distracted and can't focus on just one thing.  

Are there any adults that have experienced success with other medications?

I already take Omega-3 fish oils, B-complex, etc. and exercise 30 min./day

Thanks!

[misty1477]

Ooooops.....next appointment is JUNE 21st ... not May 21st.

[misty1477]

Hi Sandman2 ...I actually weaned myself of paxil by myself....too many stupid meds already.  Focus is not any better without paxil.  Actually, I feel like crying alot ... don't know if it is because of not being on paxil or if it because of the other new meds they have me on.

On May 30th, they upped the lamotrigine from 25mg to 50mg once a day + prescribed risperidone 1mg at bedtime.  Said the resperidone is to stop the "...manic part of bi-polar..." !!!!!  I have no clue where this bi-polar crap came from.  Neither of these 2 meds are doing anything for me ... I do not feel any different.  The risperidone is nasty stuff ... the other evening I had such bad heart palpitations I thought my chest was going to burst...I am not exagerating!!!  

I must point out that they told me that my insurance does not cover Adderall/Concerta/etc. for adults unless you are grandfathered into the plan from childhood.  I think that is why they are trying all of these other useless meds.  Meds that are not doing anything to fix the problem !!

I have another appointment on May 21st.  I am going to request that they give me the 'computer-type' test to actually see if I have ADD.  If the results are positive for ADD and since my insurance won't pay for ADD meds, I am going to ask for a script and will pay the extreme $$$$ for them myself.....even if I have to cancel my cable and landline phone/cut back on food/etc.  I cannot deal with how these meds are not doing anything and I have to keep going back for appointments which result in more useless meds.

I do wish these people would lay out a plan and tell me what they are actually trying to do.....ohhhh.....I think they are....READ MY RELY TO specialmom.

All I want is for someone to fix the problem !!!!!

[misty1477]

specialmom:  Each of the shrinks I have seen so far have been from India.  Jeepers Cats !!!  As I indicated, they did NOT even want to look at the online test result sheets I had. The first shrinky-dink actually tossed it back across his desk to me and proceeded to give me a 6-question ADD quiz sheet that I had actually saw online myself.  Is this crazy or what?!?!?  I feel that these 'professionals' are misinterpreting what I mean when I respond YES to their questions .... Do you have anxiety? ... Do you have racing thoughts?.  Sure I have anxiety ... I feel it when at the end of the day I find that the daily tasks I planned to do with my "racing thoughts" are half started/half done/not started at all.  Wouldn't you have feelings of ANXIETY if you could not focus on getting things completed?  Good grief...I am about to go out and mow the lawn ... sure hope I don't have to come into the house for anything ... lawnmower will be left outside in the middle of the yard while I DO SOMETHING else in the house!!!!  

Read my other posts ... this is not the way I want to be.  And all of these appointments just result in different meds that seem to be for other 'illnesses'.  I am sooooo frustrated.

[Sandman2]

    Interesting!  Never heard of Modafini Or provigil till now.  I can see how that might be working for you.  I need to do some more research on it, but it seems to work via increasing the dropamine levels (which means it could be addictive to certain individuals).  How that would affect someone with ADHD I have no clue.

[helplogan]

Hi, I just saw this post and i thought I'd add my my treatment to things. Because I have rapid cycling bi-polar disorder my ADHD symptoms went unnoticed until recently.I am obviously on a combination of medications but I am prescribed Modafinil for my ADHD symptoms, they won't even try usual ADHD medication as in my case the repercussions could be dangerous.
I find this medication has really helped with my attention and concentration, as bi-polar and ADHD symptoms can overlap I'm realistic with what the medication can do in my case but it has certainly helped.

[Sandman2]

   Sounds like the doctor now has you off paxil completely and on risperidone in its place?  Is this true?  Hopefully, they took you off paxil slowly.  
   You have been on the lamotrigine now for over two weeks (?).  How does it seem to be working?   Now that you are off the paxil, has your focus gotten any better?
    It would be nice if these professionals would kind of lay out what they are planning for you and how this all fits together.