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Stimulants Stopped Working... What Now?
Hello! I'm 34, but was only diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I realized I had ADHD only after I gave up caffeine in 2002 - apparently I'd been self-medicating for years!
When I was first diagnosed, I tried Ritalin, which worked like a charm for some time. Then I started having trouble remembering to take it, even when I set an alarm. Since then I've tried extended-release forms of Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and now Focalin. Nothing's working. Even my old regular-release Ritalin pills aren't helping. I even tried going back on caffeine (diet soda, never developed a taste for coffee), but I just get queasy and shaky.
My doc seems a bit confused that I've developed such a tolerance to stimulants - she said it's common to develop a tolerance to where the side effects cease to bother you, but not to build up a tolerance to the primary effects of the meds. Well, common or not, that's what seems to have happened with me.
So my question is, what now? Should I try Strattera or another non-stimulant med? Alternative therapies? I'm currently a college student, so I'm OK for meds (covered by insurance) but anything not covered by insurance could be a financial problem.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Thanks!
Kaiti
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