I don't even know for 100% sure I have it but the last time I tried to talk to a professional they basically just wrote me off because my grades were good as a kid, I understand part of the diagnostic criteria is symptoms presenting themselves in childhood but to be honest I got by just fine without studying or paying very much attention.

Does anyone have experience with this

  • sovietknuckles [they/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    The best ADHD med for me by far has been Strattera, and providers don't have much hesitation at all prescribing it because it's not even a stimulant.

    Also, Adderall/Vyvanse and Focalin made me feel drained and unfocused at nighttime and on weekends, but Strattera is supposed to be taken every day (and has a 24-hour half-life) so it doesn't have that issue.

    Edit: Although taking Strattera without an antidepressent is probably not a good idea

    • crime [she/her, any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Note that Strattera can take up to 6 months after you start taking it to have any effect and can have some really shitty side effects like suicidal thoughts

      I'm glad strattera works for you and for some other people, I have a huge grudge against it because when I needed to get a new psych after my insurance changed, the first one that would see me was some quack who told me I didn't have ADHD despite being diagnosed with it bc I graduated college and held a steady job, but offered to prescribe it to me instead of continuing my existing treatment that worked well with practically no side effects (adderall) and also implied I was a junkie. "Yeah how bout let's stop what had been working and now that you're distressed that you've lost access to having a functional brain, give you something that may take 6 months to work and will make you want to kill yourself on the meantime. Sound good you big faker?"

      • sovietknuckles [they/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Note that Strattera can take up to 6 months after you start taking it to have any effect

        That sounds about right. In my case, I was taking Vyvanse and Strattera at the same time and stopped Vyvanse cold turkey (which I def don't recommend, I was very depressed)

        and can have some really shitty side effects like suicidal thoughts

        Good point. It probably only works so well for me because I take Wellbutrin with it, and my experience taking Strattera without an antidepressant was not nearly as positive (focus was okay but I was depressed).

        I’m glad strattera works for you and for some other people, I have a huge grudge against it because when I needed to get a new psych after my insurance changed, the first one that would see me was some quack who told me I didn’t have ADHD despite being diagnosed with it bc I graduated college and held a steady job, but offered to prescribe it to me instead of continuing my existing treatment that worked well with practically no side effects (adderall) and also implied I was a junkie. “Yeah how bout let’s stop what had been working and now that you’re distressed that you’ve lost access to having a functional brain, give you something that may take 6 months to work and will make you want to kill yourself on the meantime. Sound good you big faker?”

        Wow that's shitty, a provider discontinuing a med that you already know works for you. I'm def not saying that everyone should take Strattera, I mainly brought it up because it's so accessible compared to most other ADHD meds. But, as you point out, that's not a good reason to push it on people for whom a different ADHD med already works.

        • crime [she/her, any]
          ·
          2 years ago

          I’m def not saying that everyone should take Strattera, I mainly brought it up because it’s so accessible compared to most other ADHD meds. But, as you point out, that’s not a good reason to push it on people for whom a different ADHD med already works.

          Yeah, didn't mean to imply that I thought you did — it's a good option for people who can't take stimulants or don't like their effects and I'm glad it exists for those people. IMO unless there's a reason why someone can't take stimulants they should not start with it, and some shitty providers will use it to perpetuate the stigma against stimulants. Which isn't a problem with the drug itself, just with society.