Amphetamine-based vs. Methylphenidate-based ADD treatment and anxiety. Experiences?

Does anyone have any experience reports on the efficacy and especially affects on anxiety levels with these two families?
I was on Adderall IR 30mg 2x a day,then Adderall XR 60mg, then vyvanse 140mg, and I've tried (without a scrip, yes, abuse, I was ignorant at the time), Concerta twice, which I know to be Methylphenidate-based. I want to try Focalin XR, as I've read a lot of good things over Concerta. Reason being, Vyvanse maybe lasts a little too long in the keeping-me-awake department, so yeah. Main thing I want to know, though, is ANXIETY LEVELS with these meds comparitively, as Amphs do very little to make my anxiety worse, and Concerta nearly made me have a panic attack and made the anxiety much worse (worry, fear of death, racing heart, chest pain, all true signs of anxiety attack), and I'm on 1mg Klonopin 2x a day for panic/anxiety(started before any stimulant ADD meds) already, and had taken my morning dose that day.
I'm wondering if focalin XR, since it's a different type of Methylphenidate, may have a more positive effect in terms of anxiety, and maybe even on better focus and impulse-control over Amphs (I didn't have a good way to record such info with concerta, as when I focused, it was either on school, or my anxiety).

For a reason I won't discuss, Adderall IR or XR are forever, or at least until I leave the area (6m-1y), out of the picture, or I'd be on Adderall XR 60mg right now, since with it I've never felt, happier, socialable, easier to get along with, more concentrated, and in control of my actions, in my entire life. Saddenning I cannot get this, in my opinion, miricle drug, any longer. Not to mention it's the only medication that's help my pretty severe depression. No SSRI depression med ever worked, and without it I just feel hopeless and down all the time. Call me a sissy, but I probably cry every day.

Oh well. Concerta DID improve my mood, aside from the extreme anxiety it caused so I'm not worried about that about the other class of drug.

Enough with my Vyvanse-induced rambling. Haha

Thanks for all the help. Looking forward to detailed and helpful responses

-Cavin

Excuse some moronic grammatical errors. I switched effect with affect, at least once. I also typed this considerably quickly. Do forgive, do forgive. Hahaha
That's so irritating, though. Wanting to be a writer and linguist doesn't allow grammar errors, in my opinion. haha XD OCD boy over here.

Has a doctor mentioned Wellbutrin to you? It is an anti depressant that is basically an amphetamine salt. I find it to be very effective for ADHD and about 75% decent for depression. It's one pill you take in the morning and I stay even, sharp and sociable all day long. It can cause anxiety in some, so I would hang on to that Klonopin for a bit if you try this. But I experienced none. I'm almost more calm than before. On the traditional ADHD meds, I was like up, down, upside down and flapping my gums the whole time, lol!
I got started on this because I lived in Asia at the time of my diagnosis and they gave me the Wellbutrin. I was like "huh?!" but it worked. Doctors in the US are starting to catch on, so maybe you can do some web research on it and take it to your doctor. It worked a miracle for me.
Good luck, I hope you get what you need!!

No, try Valium.

There is an article on the medications commonly used for treatment at http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhdbehavi... and general advice for both child and adult sufferers. Some are: Adderall, Attend, Concerta, and Strattera. There is a great deal of concern that Ritalin (see Methylphenidate, below) is being overprescribed by doctors, who sometimes misdiagnose various visual defects, or hearing problems, as ADD/ADHD. I strongly suggest keeping it, other powerful stimulant and other amphetamine related medications in the arsenal, as a last resort. See the ADD/ADHD REFERENCES pages in this section. Adderall is another of the amphetamine related products in the above category, although it is reputed to have low side effects, (note the posts below, though); check any of them out at http://www.drugs.com/ and possibly http://www.crazymeds.us/ first! Also view http://www.theroadback.org/workbook.htm I checked out every medication for AD(H)D at the above websites, and they are all amphetamine related. Check out the following medication in the Google and http://www.drugs.com/ websites: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. Its effects are similar to those of caffeine, but it is less potent than amphetamines. Children with ADHD are calmed, and better able to focus. (Chem mart, Genepharm, GenRx, Terry White) NOTE, HOWEVER; FROM: http://www.familymanagement.com/facts/en... Stimulant Medications: Stimulant medications are often useful as part of the treatment for attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Examples include: Dextroamphet- amine (Dexedrine, Adderal), Methylphenidate (Ritalin), and Pemoline (Cylert). An increased incidence of abuse of cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal meth, and other amphetamines has been reported among users of Ritalin, and other amphetamine related medications, which may well predispose them to later abuse those street drugs. Studies are being conducted at present. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (6.) are safe to use with medication, but not St. John's wort, because of interactions, and it's sensible to check out anything else first with your doctor.

(1.) Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it.

(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes minutes of exercise, daily, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn't wanted when dealing with depression. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it.

(3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain).

(4.) Use daily, one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 2.c, 2.i, or 11, and/or yoga, Tai Chi, and/or the EFT, in sections 2.q, 2.o, and section 53, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris whichever works best for you.

(5.) Initially, at least, some form of counselling, preferably either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy.

(6.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, or supplements, such as SAMe, taken with a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin, or Inositol (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets, or mail order: view section 55).

Also, 80% of people in the Western world have low magnesium levels, and these are known to cause depression & anxiety. Try the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/ Some of these will be available in pharmacies, or supermarkets.

An improvement can be noticed in as little as a week, if a deficiency is the cause. Also, iodised salt is preferable to regular salt. This is a shortened version of the much more comprehensive post, which may be viewed on page Z.12, in section 2 of ezy build, above, but to gain full appreciation, section 2 really is best if viewed in its entirety, and ADHD is addressed in sections 22 - 25.