Need Help Trying To Get Ritalin Prescription Changed To Adderall

[jms494]

I was wondering if somebody could give me some info on how I could get my doc to change my prescription from Ritalin to Adderall. Before anyone starts to flame me for not doing a search, I looked, but I couldn’t find anything that would seem to work.
I am 23, so my doctor seemed hesitant to prescribe me anything in the first place. When he finally prescribed me something it was Concerta, which as everybody knows is crap. He told me that he would only prescribe me extended release Ritalin because he said that he was worried about someone stealing them from me and abusing them. Anyway after 6 months of putting up with Concerta, I told them that they weren’t working well for me anymore, so he changed my prescription to Metadate, which are much better J. So I was just wondering if anybody had any ideas to help me out. My doc is pretty cool and if I had some good reason to switch I think he would, but I haven’t been able to come up with something good to tell him. Also does anybody know if time-release Adderall is any good anyway because that’s what he would most likely put me on?

 

[twigburst]

Tell him ritalin is making you depressed and you also have been having tics, you just noticed it now cause its getting worse, and you want to try other ADD/ADHD drugs. Thats why I got Adderall when I was a kid.

 

[End_User]

But you will seriously have to convince this doctor that you NEED adderall, because ritalin just doesn't cut it. Someone your (my) age is going to have quite a tough time getting prescribed amphetamines. But if you are lucky enough to get to the Extended Release adderall, try it out because it might not "get you off" or give you a euphoric speedy feeling, but it sure as hell gets the job done. Use it for a couple months before tryng to upgrade to extended release dexedrine or immediate release adderall.

 

[NoriegA]

I wouldn't even try. Your doctor seems like he is not a croaker, and actually wants to prescribe you worthwhile medicine. Your far to old to get prescribed adderall. So I wouldn't even chance losing your ritalin script...

 

[aliengrrl]

23 is not "far to old" to be prescribed adderall. i have a good friend who is 23 and is prescribed immediate release adderall, 90 20mg pills a month.

 

[AbraMontague]

They give scripts for Adderall away like they they do AOL Free Trial Membership CD's nowadays, so you are never too old to get it. Obviously, some people will have to work harder to get it scripted. But if you think your current doctor won't consider anything besides ritalin, why not visit a more liberal doctor or psychiatrist? You have your medical records to back up your condition and you can explain that your previous doctor was uncomfortable with anything besides ritalin, which isn't doing all that much for your ADHD. Still, you need to do some research and come up with credible reasons as to why ritalin isn't getting it done anymore while something else would. You are almost guaranteed a script for AD since your ADHD is documented as well as the ritalin scripts, but you still gotta use a little common sense in the process.

 

[NESSxix]

a real excuse to change from ritalin to adderall is that ritalin is known to be the most harsh amphetamine on the stomach for many people. Say that ritalin makes you feel sick and gives you stomach problems, also say that ritalin is too short acting, you need something longer acting.
So now instead of switching to long acting ritalin (concerta), he'll probably put you on adderall XR.
To get both adderall XR and regular adderall, just say somedays you need something that will work for 12 hours, and other days you need something that will work just 4-6 hours.
Im on dexedrine for ADD now. So if you wanna switch to that, say that the adderall is making you depressed. (adderall is sometimes known to have the worst comedown.)

 

[GentlemanLoser]

A Warning:
Starting in September, there will be a new, non-stimulant ADD medication on the market. I'm not even sure wtf it is, but soon you could be put on that instead. It's no more difficult to perscribe than any antidepresant, and could be the downfall of speedfreaks everywhere.
My doctor mentioned it to me, so if she knows others know... btw anyone know what it's called/heard anything about it?

 

[yaesutom]

My doctor first gave me Concerta also. I was 21 (22 now) when i opened up the yellow pages, and just called psychiatrists at random (mainly looking at the "smaller" ad's in the book), found one that had appointments after 4-5pm (after work).
I played the game, acted like I knew nothing about drugs, but he did give me a book, some "ADHD" book which listed all the stim meds, and internet web sites. I basically told him that I was tested for ADD as a kid, but never put on anything, i've always had problems daydreaming in school, and that other family members were diagnosed with it (which happens to be all true).
The first thing i told him was (the second appt.), that the Concerta is too expensive, and I want to stick to generic only drugs. So he put me on regular ritalin. Every appt. I would just say, "it seems to work a little but very weak". I was at 20mg 2x/day, then the next appt. I just said that the ritalin works, but it only lasts 2 hours, and thats not even long enough to get through a class. I told him i've been reading on the internet, about Adderall, and that I read that there is a generic for it (he didn't even know this), and that I would like to try that instead. Out the door in 5 mins with the script..10mg 2x/day.
One month later, "refill time", I called and told the receptionist I would like to ask the doctor about increasing the dosage, because its "too weak". He called me back, told him it definitely is helping, but seems a little weak. So then my refill was 30mg/day, "20mg in a.m. and 10mg in p.m.". Next month I will tell him, "I get much more improvement from the 20mg in the morning, I think 20mg twice a day would be better". I don't think i'll have a problem. Then maybe after that, i'll ask for 15mg 3x/day, since the 30mg pills are the same price as 20's and 10's.
Maybe I have a liberal doctor.. Seems to trust me.
I'd say, tell him you only want generic drugs, that your insurance doesn't cover it all (at least my doctor doesn't seem to ...care/know if i'm right or not, doesn't check on anything). Tell him about some side effects, read up on typical ritalin side effects and mention a couple.
I know other people who have gotten Adderall scripts faster, with other doctors, without any problem.
-- Oh and about the new non-stim drug for ADHD (atomoxetine, maybe? I'm not really sure.), if a doctor takes you off a stim to put you on that..I would think all you would have to say is, its not working at all, and *whatever stim* worked fine.
Thread about getting ADHD meds
^^^ I'm not sure if thats the most updated one, I thought there was another more recent one?
[ 26 July 2002: Message edited by: yaesutom ]