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Suggest Treatment For Dyslexia
Question: Hi, I use to take 20mg of adderall (about 4 years ago). Got off of it to see how well I could do not taking it and it has been a struggle ever since. I was diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school, but never took anything for it. My struggle, and it's a huge struggle, is focus and tasking. The one thing I disliked about adderrall was the coming off of it, but I've heard good things about vyvanse. I don't have a physician currently so I wasn't sure who I needed to talk to?
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Some information about Vyvanse
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I'm sorry it's been a struggle for you off of the Adderall.
You ask who you should talk with about treatment. If you have insurance, you can start by talking with the insurance company to see who they will pay for. If you can go to anyone, a psychiatrist can help you with this. Some internists and family practice physicians are comfortable with treating people with attention deficit problems. You may be able to find out before going to see one by calling the office and asking the receptionist specifically if the doctor treats adults with ADD. Or perhaps you can get through to talk with the doctor's nurse on the phone so that you can find out if this particular doc has experience with it.
You already know about Adderall, so I'll tell you about Vyvanse and how the two medications compare.
Both meds are stimulants. They have similar side effects although Adderall is reported to have more interactions with antihistamines, blood pressure meds, and antidepressants than Vyvanse.
There aren't a lot of studies comparing the effectiveness of the two. They are presumed to be equally effective, but one may be more effective for a given person than the other.
If cost is a consideration, Adderall now comes in generic. This may also be a question to put to your insurance company as some will pay for one but not the other.
The main difference in the two is the dosing and how they are metabolized/broken down by the body. Vyvanse is taken just once a day in the morning. And it enters your body in an inactive form and is slowly converted to it's active form. Because it isn't suddenly available to your body in an active form, it is not preferred by people who are looking for a sudden hit or high, whereas Adderrall has drug abuse potential. So doctors who don't know a patient well may be more cautious prescribing Adderrall because of it's street marketability and abuse potential.
I hope this information will help you. Please let me know if you have further questions on the subject.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Some information about Vyvanse
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I'm sorry it's been a struggle for you off of the Adderall.
You ask who you should talk with about treatment. If you have insurance, you can start by talking with the insurance company to see who they will pay for. If you can go to anyone, a psychiatrist can help you with this. Some internists and family practice physicians are comfortable with treating people with attention deficit problems. You may be able to find out before going to see one by calling the office and asking the receptionist specifically if the doctor treats adults with ADD. Or perhaps you can get through to talk with the doctor's nurse on the phone so that you can find out if this particular doc has experience with it.
You already know about Adderall, so I'll tell you about Vyvanse and how the two medications compare.
Both meds are stimulants. They have similar side effects although Adderall is reported to have more interactions with antihistamines, blood pressure meds, and antidepressants than Vyvanse.
There aren't a lot of studies comparing the effectiveness of the two. They are presumed to be equally effective, but one may be more effective for a given person than the other.
If cost is a consideration, Adderall now comes in generic. This may also be a question to put to your insurance company as some will pay for one but not the other.
The main difference in the two is the dosing and how they are metabolized/broken down by the body. Vyvanse is taken just once a day in the morning. And it enters your body in an inactive form and is slowly converted to it's active form. Because it isn't suddenly available to your body in an active form, it is not preferred by people who are looking for a sudden hit or high, whereas Adderrall has drug abuse potential. So doctors who don't know a patient well may be more cautious prescribing Adderrall because of it's street marketability and abuse potential.
I hope this information will help you. Please let me know if you have further questions on the subject.
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
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