3/24/14. Top 3 ADHD Medication Pitfalls: How to Know if Your ADHD Medication is Working for You

Transcription

1 Minimize the Madness- Taking the Mystery Out of ADHD Medications Class 4 Top 3 ADHD Medication Pitfalls: How to Know if Your ADHD Medication is Working for You Presented by Laurie Dupar, Certified ADHD Coach and Nurse Practitioner 1

2 Executive Functions Impulse Control Filter environmental stimuli Emotional regulation Plan Organize Prioritize Problem solving Process incoming information Ability to switch focus Maintain focus Memory Awareness of Time Incentive/motivation The goal with ADHD Medications is to have the maximum positive effects balanced with limited negative effects How will you know when your medications are working effectively??? You are able to sustain focus on things normally less interesting You will be able to get things done Curb/minimize impulsivity Action, thoughts, emotion, verbal Feel calmer, peaceful, brain quiet Have more energy Notice details Filter out distractions Internal, thoughts, emotions, external Notice increased memory Sleep well Feel more motivated Less dopamine seeking behavior 2

3 Self-Medication or Dopamine Seeking Behaviors Cigarettes/Chew Caffeine Energy Drinks Chocolate Junk food Non-prescription amphetamines Diet pills Risky behavior Alcohol, Marijuana Arguing Procrastination Excessive Video gaming, exercise, reading Day dreaming Ruminating/worrying Sales/bargains/spending Emotional drama Pornography/sex Gambling The Top 3 Medication Pitfalls 1. Wrong Medication 2.Wrong Time 3. Wrong Dose ADHD Medication Pitfall 1: Wrong Medication Stimulants Methylphenidates o Ritalin o Focalin o Concerta o Daytrana Amphetamines o Dexedrine o Adderall o Vyvanse Non-Stimulants o Strattera o Wellbutrin o Effexor o Imiprimine o Tenex/Intuniv o Clonidine/Kapvey 3

4 YES Right Medication Wrong Category Medication NO Wrong Medication Wrong Category Category YES NO (Not likely to happen) Right Category Right Medication * BINGO * You do not experience any benefit and possibly have significant side effects Right Category Wrong Medication * Another medication in that category, LA vs SA, might work Starting at too low a dose Starting at too high a dose Staying on the same dose too long Interference of effective dose due to other influences Generic Staying on too small a dose due to misunderstanding of side effects Medication Pitfall 2: Wrong Dose skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue breathing problems changes in hearing changes in vision, blurred vision increased blood chest pain fast, irregular heartbeat seizures diarrhea flushing headache indigestion stuffy or runny nose allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue breathing problems diarrhea with headache or nausea flushing or redness of skin pain in lower back, side, or stomach bad taste in the mouth stomach upset skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue anxiety chest pain fast, irregular pulse fever increased blood unusual limb movement unusual bleeding bruising headache stomach upset weight loss 4

5 skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue breathing problems changes in hearing changes in vision, blurred vision increased blood chest pain fast, irregular heartbeat seizures diarrhea flushing headache indigestion stuffy or runny nose Viagra allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue breathing problems diarrhea with headache or nausea flushing or redness of skin pain in lower back, side, or stomach bad taste in the mouth stomach upset Vitamin C skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue anxiety chest pain fast, irregular pulse fever increased blood unusual limb movement unusual bleeding bruising headache stomach upset weight loss Ritalin Medication Pitfall Reason 3: Wrong time Taking it too early Taking it too late Taking it only once a day Inconsistency Forgetting Not frequently enough Running out PMS Medication Vacations Discontinuing too soon What Every Person Taking ADHD Meds Ought to Know " Sleep " Appetite " Dopamine = Brain Action " Rebound " Inconsistent effects " Common time limited side effects: " Agitation/anxiety " Headache/Dry mouth " The HARDEST part of taking medication for ADHD??? 5

6 3/24/14 " Irregular heartbeat " High Blood Pressure or taking high blood medication " Kidney or Liver disease " Increase of Tics How to Avoid the Pitfalls " Be your own advocate " Medication log " Eliminate variables " Medication Reminder System " Have an ADHD medication specialist on your team Be your own advocate Classes WEBinars Teleclasses Support Groups Conferences CHADD ADDA 6

7 Medication Log " Rating Scale 1-10 " Keep track of dosages " How it works for your body " Gage/Rate key symptoms such as " Memory " Energy " Motivation " Appetites " Ability to complete tasks " Other books Eliminate Variables $ Consider changing one variable or medication at a time. $ Consider doing a blind test $ Try and minimize placebo effects Medication Reminder System Pill case Alarms Calendars Backpacks Wallets Pillows Other. 7

8 ADHD Specialist Psychiatrist Pediatrician General Practitioner Nurse Practitioner So how do you know if your ADHD medications are working effectively? They are able to sustain focus on things normally less interesting They will be able to get things done Impulsive behavior is lessened They feel calmer They have more energy They notice details They are able to filter out distractions Notice increased memory Sleep better and Feel more motivated Less dopamine seeking behavior Questions & Answers Next Class: 13 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor: Tools and Strategies for Making Sure Your ADHD Medication is Right for You 8