Anyone getting treatment for AD/HD in Thailand?

[Mister Fixit]

I first discovered I had AD/HD in 1992 when I was 43, by a series of astonishing coincidences.  It took a long time to get treatment and it wasn't very successful.  I was one of the 30% who don't really respond to Ritalin.

 

When I came to Thailand in 2004 I didn't bother with meds until about 10 years ago when I felt I needed to try again.   I got some Ritalin from Sritanya in Nonthaburi but again, didn't respond well.  They tried a few different SSRIs and tricyclics, but they had too many side effects for me so I stopped.

 

I have a big project I want to complete this year but the AD/HD symptoms are interfering again, so last month I returned to Sritanya and was given Concerta, extended release methylphenidate (same as Ritalin but longer lasting) and it's sort of working but I will need the dose titrating.  Unfortunately, it costs 3,630  baht for 30 tablets!  

 

I will be going back on 18 March for a review and will ask to switch to the cheaper Ritalin and see what that does for a month.  Unfortunately, the only medication that worked effectively for me was Dexedrine, which is dextroamphetamine and a serious no-no here, even for people with AD/HD.  Hence, my options are limited to Ritalin, Concerta or Strattera (atomoxetine), which is not a central nervous system stimulant like the other two, but a norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor.  

 

Thailand doesn't have much knowledge of AD/HD and there are limited meds.  Also, there don't seem to be many places dealing with it and where there are, it seems to take a long time to get help.  I went to Ramathibodi last month and the nearest appointment they could give was in mid-May!

 

Is anyone else suffering from AD/HD in Bangkok or indeed Thailand and if so, are you getting treatment and where do you get it?

 

Edited March 8, 2021 by Mister Fixit