Comments on: ADHD Medication: Is Nicotine Next?

By: tisha kay

tisha kay — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:57:49 +0000

OH, yeh, and by the way, i made it through LPN(licensed practical nurse) school while on focalin XR about 5 years ago, and currently working on my last 2 Rn (registered nursing) courses, and taking a break from it tho while getting stabilized on a med that is showing me so much hope. I could never have got this far without the right medication to help.

By: tisha kay

tisha kay — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:54:23 +0000

I have to comment, as one who participated in some research for this non stimulant medication, not sure it was the one above listed, it was last year in the summertime. I quit smoking over 24 years ago. I went undiagnosed like most. I was put in “special ed classes” all through high school also. I quit high school, went back and finished my ged somehow and started college, prenursing, and found myself not finishing some clases, and got diagnosed luckily by a psychiatric counselfor at one of the colleges i attended. I have found it challenging finding the right med. I didnt get much help on the trial med non stimulant. Currently started on ritilin LA doing another study, and its working great! the LA (long acting) seems to help with the ups and downs that the takeing one every so many hours does, (as i had to with adderall).

By: Veleda Lorakeet

Veleda Lorakeet — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:29:35 +0000

My ADHD seemed to explode everytime I tried to quit smoking.

A couple of years ago I was finally able to stop smoking using Champix, which is VArenicline. After years of heavy battle with ADD with therapie and medicins, I decided to get back to smoking.

I was hoping to find some stuff on the possible use of CHampix to fight ADD aas it ia to me experience, way more efffective than stimulants. Just unsure about the effects of prolonged use.

I wold prefer using CHampix to smoking. But I prefer smoking to Other medicins, as wel.. despite the medicines, my house is a complete and utter mess after 3 or 4 years of not smoking…

And realy, I had no urge to smoke whatsoever. But Out of despeartion I recommenced smoking today. I really want to see where this is going, the research into Varenicline

By: Aric

Aric — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:54:21 +0000

Hi,

I currently am “self-medicating” my attention deficit disorder with snus. It is a finely ground-up tobacco, which contains far fewer tobacco nitrosamines than cigarettes or snuff. You can also swallow the “juices”, though, it is a discouraging action – I try not to salivate on the pouches.

Anyways, I digress. I find nicotine is a far superior stimulant, than say – adderall or methlyphenidate. I feel calm, focused on multiple things (* rather than on one thing *), my thoughts seem to flow easily, and my anxiety is lowered to a manageable level.

I cannot afford nicotine gum, nor the patch. Though, I am contemplating in the future – when my finances can afford it, going on the patch in the long run. Nicotine is the only substance I have found, that allows me to break my hyperfocus – and see what’s going on around me.. It also helps me manage any depressing feelings I may have going on.

I wouldn’t be able to write this comment, constructively, without going on long tangents – digressing from the topic.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating nicotine, I’m just stating what it did for me. If something helps you, weigh out the benefits between the negatives, and decide what is in your best interest.

Regards,

Aric

By: Chuck Bevitt

Chuck Bevitt — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:19:21 +0000

Just a quick caution to any non smokers that might want to try nicotine patch or gum for ADD – be careful. Nicotine can make you very sick until you build up a tolerance to it. If a non smoker put on a 21mg patch, they would get very sick very fast! Start with the 7mg and take if off at the first feeling of illness.

I’m using the patch to try to quit nicotine, but I can feel my ADD kicking up. The 21mg was great, the 14 is leaving me a bit foggy, and I hate to think of what the 7 will be like. I may have to seek other medication.

By: Jennifer lucas

Jennifer lucas — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:13:09 +0000

I too have ADD and smoked for thirty years.I cannot take the traditional ADD meds as i am a recovering addict(meth,go figure) I found for me using an eletronic cigerette Just nicotine sans the 4000+ chemicals that make smoking so very dangerous.It is available at many sites online,I use ecig unlimted.It has hepled me greatly and it is cost effective depending on how much you smoke.I’m not saying to use this if you have never smoked. but in my humble opion if you want a smoking alturnitve this might be worth looking into.
best of luck and love to all,J

By: Peter Raimondi

Peter Raimondi — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:53:06 +0000

Smoking is an addiction not a habit just read a book by Allan Carr called quiting smoking is simple and you wont smoke anymore its just that easy!

By: Deborah Lippitt

Deborah Lippitt — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:07:58 +0000

I smoke about 6 or 7 cigs a day and diagnosed myself at 55 with ADD…ok maybe ADHD! ( It runs in the family) The combination of Menopause and moving to a ranch where there is no schedule to speak of threw me for a loop and that is how I figured it out that I had ADD…plus a counselor. I made it thru grad school too…not smoking either! Good idea not smoking when at the computer( a form of crack for ADDers!!) I find exercise is very important and yes Dragon Bone and Buplureum is excelent as it pulls you down out of your head and calms you. ( I’m an Acupuncturist) And my gandfather was diagnosed with RA at 19 and lived well into his 80′s also.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:40:03 +0000

Please help. When i take my ADHD medication (adderall, concert or ritalin), i chain smoke like a chimney.

When i don’t take my meds, then i have NO desire to smoke. When i don’t take my meds, i can’t function and my life becomes a living hell.

I’ve tried straterra as a non-stimulant. While I don’t smoke while on it, it does NOT work.

I’ve tried the stimulant meds with wellbutrin but it doesn’t work.

Does anyone know of another medication I can take or supplement to the adhd meds i currently take.

I’m desperate at this point. I’m an attorney and cannot handle my work and personal life without the meds but can’t keep chain smoking. I also noticed that I am more likely to drink more alcohol while on the stimulant meds.

Any suggestions are welcome. All my doctors deny a link between stimulant meds and smoking. I feel so relieved to find that there are others that are experiencing the same thing.

By: Deborah Lippitt

Deborah Lippitt — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:15:55 +0000

I smoke about 6 cigaretes a day. I don’t allow myself to smoke while driving or talking on the phone or computer( my weakness)…well most of the time any way. I try to only smoke when I can really stop and enjoy it. No impulsive stuff. I think I will try the patch…need to quit. Also the Chinese Herbal formula “Dragon Bone and Buplureum”calms tremendously. ( I’ve taken it and people noticed the difference in me.)Guess I need to practice what I preach!! Any how this is a comment to the guy who’s girlfriend has RA. My grandfather had it and lived to 86!He was diagnosed at 18.