Comments on: Can I chew away my ADHD?

Question: Can I chew away my ADHD?

sixcolors — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:50:20 -0800

Should I take nicorette gum for my ADHD?

Has anyone tried nicorette to control ADHD? What are the side effects? What are the risks?

I am having a really hard time focusing. I had to discontinue my medication two years ago because I lost my health insurance. Without health insurance, Adderall would cost me almost $300. I know I could get generic Ritalin a lot cheaper, but I'm not crazy about Ritalin's side effects.

I tried alternative stuff like omega 3 and choline supplements, removing sugar from my diet, and gettting extra exercise. None of those things really help me, in fact, exercise sometimes make my ADHD worse.

I used to drink caffeinated beverages, it helped somewhat, but it caused me to have longer/painful periods. I don't want that!

By: mkb

mkb — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:30 -0800

I have no idea if it helps one focus because I only used it to try and quit smoking. It didn't work very well because that stuff burns the inside of your mouth. I couldn't handle my throat stinging constantly and went back to smoking.

By: changeling

changeling — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:04:48 -0800

I'm not a doctor, but this sounds like a baaaaad idea. Do you smoke? If so, you're not supposed to chew Nicorette due to potential nicotine overdose. If not... do you really want to become addicted to nicotine? "This medication should not be used by anyone who is a non-smoker or occasional smoker." There are lots of drug interactions and possible side effects as well... not to mention Nicroette is GROSS.

By: Metroid Baby

Metroid Baby — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:05:12 -0800

Couldn't you smoke cigarettes instead? Or get some Adderall from that friend of yours? I mean, this sounds like an even worse idea than that question where you wanted to spraypaint a rabbit to liven up your living room.

There are some basic health insurance plans that are cheaper per month than a box of Nicorette. I don't know if they cover part of the price of Adderall, or if you qualify for them, but you really should have health insurance.

Do the side effects of generic Ritalin outweigh the benefits? Maybe there's another cheaper-than-Adderall prescription med out there that is actually intended for ADHD that you could try? Have you talked to a doctor about your inability to afford your meds? In my experience doctors are pretty understanding about the cost of prescription drugs and will try to work with you when they can.

By: harperpitt

harperpitt — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:05:28 -0800

The nicotine in Nicorette will probably give you worse cramps - smoking always makes my cramps worse. And plus it's gross and burny and if you don't smoke now it will make you all dizzy and spacey and completely unable to focus at all. Not good.

There are programs for people who can't afford their prescription drugs - through the drug companies themselves and, it looks like, places like http://www.needymeds.org/. I haven't tried these places, but maybe someone else has and can offer recommendations.

By: sixcolors

sixcolors — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:08:01 -0800

I know I am not supposed to take nicorette if I am a non-smoker. I'm just desperate. I do know that nicotine influences dopamine levels like the ADD medications.

I am open to any other suggestions besides nicotine.

By: jeather

jeather — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:10:45 -0800

Can you afford other generics? Dexedrine is now available as a generic. If not, perhaps a doctor can suggest to you effective and affordables alternatives, especially ones that are more suitable for long-term use.

By: StrikeTheViol

StrikeTheViol — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:12:17 -0800

It's nicotine, sixcolors. An addictive substance that might make you FEEL better, but doesn't do anything for ADHD in itself. You're asking the equivalent of "fifth of bourbon for sleep: yes or no?". Go to a clinic and try to find a caring doctor or social worker who'll help you get the medicine you need.

By: clerestory

clerestory — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:15:38 -0800

There is a generic Adderall, just not a generic Adderall XR.

By: sixcolors

sixcolors — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:16:38 -0800

clerestory, I thought it was the other way around. I will look into that.

By: Houstonian

Houstonian — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:17:29 -0800

Besides nicotine, there's always your friend and coffee table.

Seriously, if you have a medical need, you need the medicine. I'm surprised you aren't on your parents' insurance, but... you can get insurance from your school sometimes, or independently, or you can get on public services (Medicaid).

Or, why not ask a doctor about dexedrine? It's close to a generic for Adderall, and I've read that it is $4 at WalMart, but unadvertised because these are controlled substances.

By: lia

lia — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:21:17 -0800

I had to discontinue my medication two years ago because I lost my health insurance. Without health insurance, Adderall would cost me almost $300.

uh, aren't you in grad school? your school insurance should be covering your medication.

By: sixcolors

sixcolors — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:21:43 -0800

Re: dexedrine. I never tried it before, and I didn't even know it was still around. I will look into this!

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:29:12 -0800

[few comments removed. This needs to stay pretty narrowly on topic -- OP and responders -- please stick to that]

By: dunkadunc

dunkadunc — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:10 -0800

I think you guys, particularly shownomercy, are being overly harsh on sixcolors.
That said, chewing nicotine gum sounds like a terrible idea. Not only will it make you sick, nicotine gum tastes awful and BURNS. Ask your doctor about generics.

By: Juliet Banana

Juliet Banana — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:53:06 -0800

I don't take medication for my Tourette Syndrome. I self-medicate by smoking. Really, I smoke because I am totally addicted, but I started when I was 14 when I read a study showing that nicotine helps regular TS (a disorder rooted in dopamine irregularities like ADHD), and kept smoking when I found out it works.

Anyway, the concept isn't as completely retarded as it seems at first glance, but as someone who's done the same thing, it's a terrible idea. Really. It might help a little, but it's not going to make it go away, and the amount of money you're going to spend on nicotine gum over a lifetime of nicotine addiction isn't a sweet bargain compared to the generic medications others have pointed out.

By: adipocere

adipocere — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:07:20 -0800

Ah, nicotine usage is very common in ADHD patients who are self-medicating. It's right up there with caffeine. I have seen a lot of the teens I helped go through that as a cycle. So, yes, it will help. It just won't help much.

Is it advisable? Not particularly. It's nowhere near as good as a targeted medication for ADHD. I am told that it is not particularly tasty, either.

I would follow the advice of the previous posters: look for generics. I know you are self-employed and, if I am correct, no longer a student. However, it might be worth casting about for social support in your area; there may be agencies willing to take you on for a reduced fee, just long enough for you to get a script.

By: cmyr

cmyr — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:07:33 -0800

avoid dexedrine if you can, it's also really nasty in lots of ways. Look into generic aderall first, I think. Obviously all solutions are "less of possible evils" solutions. Best of luck.

By: hal_c_on

hal_c_on — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:20:36 -0800

You've already tried conventional stuff, or you can't afford conventional stuff, so I have 2 suggestions for you, and they work.

None are toxic, although they may have some adverse effects. I don't want to write them on here cuz there will be a 15 yr old who starts abusing it. Contact me via memail, and I'll explain them to you.

Either will FUCK the hell out of ADHD. You'll be in the zone while writing 25 page papers on boring ass topics in no time.

By: brenton

brenton — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:27:40 -0800

I think some other people here don't realize that stimulants have the opposite effect on people with ADHD. Nicotine stimulates most people, but it's the opposite for people with ADHD. If I've got my science straight. :)

Nonetheless, I would highly recommend against taking nicotine. It is extremely addictive. Studies show that one dose can make you crave it for your whole life. I have a friend who smoked 1 pack of cigarettes over the course of 1 summer 9 years ago. He has not smoked since. To this day, when he gets nervous or bored, the first thing he thinks of doing is lighting up a cigarette. Find something less chemically addictive. Probably caffeine is a better solution, despite the side effects. Anything else will have worse side effects, if caffeine does that to you. IANAD

By: xetere

xetere — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:37:46 -0800

hal_c_on, may I memail you about your suggestions.

I am in a luckier position, but jeez, I hate, and loathe the fact that I cannot do a damned thing at work unless I use Adderall.

Sorry to pile on, but it is like a possible bit of advice meant for someone else is tailor-made for me, well I want in!

By: Juffo-Wup

Juffo-Wup — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:35:37 -0800

Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine salts and is available in a generic form. I have not looked up the price for the this medicine, but I think it is likely to be fairly inexpensive. If it was helping you when you had health insurance, why not look into the generic now? It will probably be safer and more effective than nicotine and you can obtain it under medical supervision which is probably not the case for this use of nicotine.

By: gjc

gjc — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:59 -0800

I've found that nicotine doesn't do much for ADHD. But pseudoephedrine does. It's not the safest thing in the world, but it's safer than nicotine.