Generic Ritalin and adderall for idiopathic hypersomnia

Posted by mamabear3 @mamabear3, Nov 5, 2019

I am wondering if anyone can give me suggestions. I was diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia and my doctor I had told me I had three options. Provigil-which did nothing, even at max dose. Ritalin which made me sick. And adderall which worked. I basically can sleep constantly non stop but I have a full time jobs and two young kiddos, so sleeping a lot isn’t an option. I was taking adderall last because it worked for me but asked for an extended release so it would work all day and not just until work was over because I am wanting to be awake and alert for my kids when I get home. My doctor no longer is with mayo and someone I haven’t spoke to decided adderall was something he wasn’t comfortable with and switched me to concerta. It makes me spacy and tired by 2pm. He refuses to let me go back to what worked. Are there any suggestions for what I should do?

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Nov 7, 2019

Hi, @mamabear3 - that is a tricky situation to have your doctor leave the practice and then have a doctor you've not met take you off of a medication that was previously successful — the amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) — in addressing your situation.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on idiopathic hypersomnia that may be useful https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypersomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20362332.

I'd like to introduce you to some Connect members who have mentioned hypersomnia and may have some thoughts for you on their experiences with it and what has worked for them other than amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall), like @notaround @manda304 @comtesse @sutter14 @bren1985. @tomgrinley @jimhd also may have some thoughts for you.

Is getting a second opinion from another sleep specialist an option for you?

mamabear3 | @mamabear3 | Nov 7, 2019

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @mamabear3 - that is a tricky situation to have your doctor leave the practice and..." + (show)

Thank you!! And they would want me to go to Minnesota for it, which I will if I absolutely have too, but I’m a single mom of two that are in school and I work full time so it’s hard to get off for appointments constantly. I will definitely read that link and hope others have suggestions!