http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/add/ Latest NetWellness content for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder en-us Copyright 2007 NetWellness.org Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:12:01 PST http://www.netwellness.org/images/logo/nwlogosmall.gif http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/add/ <b>Question</b>: I`m a 37 year old female and have been taking regular Adderall 20 mg 2x day for over 10 years for ADHD. Up until a couple of years ago I lost weight as one of the side effects of Adderall which for once was a good thing. I`ve noticed within the past couple of years that I just can`t seem to keep my . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: People with ADHD tend to be bigger (taller and heavier) than age and sex norms. There is a high rate of bulimia in ADHD because of the impulsiveness that is one of the core symptoms of ADHD. The Adderall probably suppressed the natural tendency to overweight. You might want to consider an eating dis . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77245.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77245.htm <b>Question</b>: Hi - I take 200mg Topamax and it makes me stupid. :-( I`ve tried Adderall and Ritalin, thinking maybe ADHD meds would counteract the affect - but no such luck. What exactly does Topamax do to the brain to cause this affect? Are there any medications or vitamins that would help? I used to be so much . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: Topamax (topiramate) is an antiepileptic drug (AED). Like other anticonvulsants, it is often used off label as a mood stabilizer. Each of the AEDs has its own side effect profile in addition to such common side effects as incoordination and sedation. Many of them cause appetite increase, but topiram . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77181.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77181.htm <b>Question</b>: I am a boxer/ Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and I have been on and off Adderall XR 30mg for the past four years. Lately, I have been getting nauseas almost every time I am pushed to the limits of my cardio, and more importantly, when I spar or fight. I have noticed a connection with Adderall and the t . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: Gastrointestinal upset is a known side effect of stimulants like Adderall, but rarely to the extent of nausea. More importantly, it usually occurs (if at all) when first taking a stimulant, not after years. Also, it should wear off after overnight off the drug. One possibility is that you no longer . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76601.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:12:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76601.htm <b>Question</b>: When I was in first grade I was diagnosed with a minor case of ADD. My parents chose not to medicate me and all through school I struggled with reading because I couldn`t focus. In high school I brought up the possibility and my mom suggested looking into getting medication and extra time for tests . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: What you are calling ADD is officially now called ADHD, inattentive type, but the terminology may change again with DSM-V, which is currently being planned. ADHD-inattentive often has co-occurring reading disorder. If you have a reading disorder, you might benefit more from directly addressing that . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76507.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:12:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76507.htm <b>Question</b>: But I am worried. I am 40 and just prescribed methylphenidate at 10mg in the morning and at noon. I took the morning one and noticed nothing. After the noon dose I realized it was working. I indeed felt more focused, motivated and able to get things done unlike before. My worry is this though: When . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: You are not alone in this worry. Methylphenidate and cocaine (and also amphetamine, the other major stimulant medicine) do work on the same receptors with somewhat similar effects, and this issue is the target of much research, including at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. For years many expert . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76210.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:11:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76210.htm <b>Question</b>: Hello, <p>I am struggling with my inability to concentrate on one thing at a time and complete it. I feel unable to take a decision and stick to it- i always drift between different options. This happens from the most simple things (what to cook) to more important things in my life (like where to . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: You are absolutely right, and you should follow your instincts to seek help. The first step might be to get a complete physical evaluation from your regular physician because the symptoms could be caused by an endocrine or other medical condition. Your regular doctor can also refer you to a psychiat . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76121.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:11:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76121.htm <b>Question</b>: If a women has ADD, what are the probabilities of her children having ADD if she becomes pregnant? <p><b>Answer</b>: ADD is a popular term for ADHD inattentive type. Girls and adults with ADHD are more likely than boys to have inattentive type (as compared to hyperactive-impulsive type or combined type). ADHD is highly but not completely heritable. First-degree relatives (sibs, parents, children) of people with AD . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75066.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:09:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75066.htm <b>Question</b>: With the known differences between ADD and ADHD, why are they treated with the same medication. Some of the differences are extreme opposite. Not only in medical terms but also with day to day experiences. As a child I was diagnosed with ADD and my 2 brothers where ADHD. The differences in how we ac . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: You have highlighted a diagnostic problem that ADHD experts are struggling with, but you used obsolete terminology. ADD is not currently a separate diagnosis, but is now a subtype of ADHD. ADHD is diagnosed as predominantly inattentive (which you refer to as ADD), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/65166.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:08:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/65166.htm <b>Question</b>: My 6 year old&nbsp;urinates in his pants and blames other people. He also says his brother who is 3 is distracting him. He has been diagnosed with&nbsp;ADHD and is on medication. He was fine during school but now that school is out it is getting worse. What should&nbsp;I do next? <p><b>Answer</b>: If he has not had an evaluation by a child psychiatrist or behavioral pediatrician, he should. The ADHD diagnosis should be reviewed and physical causes of the pantswetting (such as urinary infection or diabetes) should be ruled out. Many disorders can mimic ADHD. The choice of ADHD medication shoul . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/64027.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:07:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/64027.htm <b>Question</b>: After a little online research, I have learned that the so-called paradoxical effect of stimulants does not exist. <p>What I don`t understand is why, if this effect does not exist, my child`s anxiety is relieved by the use of Adderall. He tells he feels calmer and less irritable when using this me . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: Many things can relieve anxiety, including reassurance, being taken care of, and placebo effect. The multimodal treatment study of children with ADHD (the MTA) found a significant benefit on anxiety as rated by parents but not as rated by the child. It may be that what parents perceive as child anxi . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: L. Arnold MD, MEd, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/63684.htm L. Arnold MD, MEd Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:06:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/63684.htm