i hate the dry mouth but its a small price to pay. both wellbutrin and adderall have this side effect...i do drink water constantly now. but i always have so this just makes kissing a bit less pleasurable.

my appetite has decreased a bit. not tremendously. but hey, i am a woman..and we always like something that might make you lose a tiny bit of weight.

did you know that adderall was originally developed for weight loss? i think mainly as an appetite suppresant i believe.

crazy huh?

insomnia i only get sporadically..(no pun intended) but i don't know if it would be directly attributable to the adderall. but to think of it - it probably is! i just wake reallly early. and can't go back to sleep like four am or whatever.

or i toss and i turn.

but again as i've said in another post..i take zyrtec, an antihistamine, so it counteracts the stimulants ..

sumi

Getting the daily update on your Adderall progression is great!  Please keep'm coming.  I intend to finish out the last 15 doses of welbutrin and then make a decision on adderall based upon what you guys find. 

I guess that makes you guys my little white mice.

Chief - personally I think the Wellbutrin 300 mg combined with Adderall is an awesome combination!  Based on what I read in the forums about this combo I asked my doctor if I could add a bit of Adderall to the Wellbutrin.  She agreed to a small dose.  Again, she was concerned about my past drug abuse in high school and was afraid I might become addicted or something. 

But I think that the 10 mg XR is just the right dose for me.  Now I don't know if I will eventually need 20 mg or not.  That seems to be the common dosage.  But so far 10 is working quite well. 

I also hope to stay at a low dose cause of my heart problems.  But so far, no palpitations (in fact I'm having less this week than I normally do), and my BP was okay today at 122/84.  And that was immediately after walking over to the clinic at work.  She didn't have time to let me sit a bit before taking my BP.  And my pulse is good too. 

And what is interesting is that seeing how it is "that time of the month" and I'm not totally craving chocolate and potatoe chips and all those other healthy things I usually crave at this time.   Not to mention I'm not too grouchy either. 

I have been on welbutrin for the third month now and have experienced no dry mouth.

I think that what I am interested in mainly is whether or not anyone has found that their ability to stay on task is in anyway inhanced since they began taking adderall.  This is particularly important to me where reading is concerned.  I have a terrible tendency to wander whenever I am reading something that I have to learn, but do not find particularly interesting.   Also, is there improvement in impulsivity?  In my case, if it pops into my head, I tend to do it.  Here is an example of what I mean.  This morning I needed to cook breakfast, dress my granddaughter, read a few chapters for school and call my wife.  So I started breakfast and thought, "You know, I should check my email.  I left breakfast and checked my mail.  While I was on the computer, I figured since I'm sitting here, I might as well play a game.  I did that.  Meanwhile, no one is cooking breakfast.  My days tend to go like that and as a result, I am usually late getting where ever it is I am supposed to be.  I could go on, but you all get the picture.  Anyway, is there any adderall hope for me along those lines?

Chief - yes there is hope!  The last couple nights I have been reading before going to bed . . . and I have not had to read one single paragraph more than once!! 

And . . . I've actually been getting to work on time this week.  Heck, one morning I was even a bit early! 

I have been able to pretty much stay on task (I had a couple hiccups over the week, but not too many!), concentrate and focus. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't make my boring tasks at work anymore pleasant, but I'm getting them done faster! 

Oh, and here is something . . . long story short, there was a possibilty that something I sent out to a vendor may have been the wrong product.  He needed to do something to the material for us.  Anyways, I actually did all the running around, research, etc to make sure that what we shipped him was the right product.  In all honesty, last week I probably would have said, screw it, if it's wrong will deal with it later.  But nope.  I went the extra mile to make sure it was cool.  This is huge for me - trust me! 

Kimo,

You wrote, "In all honesty, last week I probably would have said, screw it, if it's wrong I will deal with it later."

I know exactly what you mean!  I do that quite often with respect to my finances.  I can't tell you how many times my phone has been shut off.  Not because I didn't have the money to pay the bill.  I just decided that "I'll deal with it later" and later adds up to reconnection fees and late charges.

I don't think I'm even going to wait 2 more weeks to get adderall.  I'll be calling for some samples on Monday morning!  Thanks again.

Saw my PCP today,

He said I could not use adderall due to my hypertentsion.  Damn!!  Instead he prescribed straterra saying that it was better for adults and that it did not produce a "high" like ritalin or adderall.  I told him what you guys had been saying about the straterra side effects but he wouldn't hear it.  He said it didn't matter, because adderall was off limits for me.  Anyway, he's weaning me off of wellbutrin which was doing absolutely nothing for me anyway and I am debating whether or not to see another MD. 

Hey Chief - find a new MD!

First off, my BP went sky high on Strattera along with my heart rate.  It was terrible.  I'm on 10 mg XP and my blood pressure and heart rate are both just fine.  Plus I have Mitral Valve Prolapse which really should make me a "non" candidate for Adderall . . . but I have less palpitations now!  In fact, the Strattera gave me worse palpitations and much worse anxiety. 

I don't know what to tell you but your doc may be "afraid" to prescribe the Adderall since it's such a controlled substance.  I really think your best bet is to see a psychiatrist who can presribe you what you need and understand you. 

Just my humble opinion. 

Oh, and also, I've seen some folks over at addforms.com who are taking Adderall with BP meds because of BP issues. 

HI everyone, I appreciate the posts and the votes. Keep them coming!

Chief, I too shared Kimo's experience with Strattera. My heartrate at one point became dangerously high. Still, some people have had good experiences with Strattera. You may be one of them. How many mg's were you given?

Kimo, it's good to hear you're doing okay on Adderall. How long has it been since you went on it?

-Cheekydeeky

I've been on it for 1 week now.  Today seemed to be the first day I did not really feel it actually "kick in" like last week.  But I got a lot done today, so I guess it's still working.    But I was soooooooo tired when I got up this morning.  I really felt out of it.  So maybe that was why. 

But even so, no complaints.  I'm still messing around with the best time to take it, with or without food, etc.  If I take it as soon as I get up, I actually make it to work on time.  If I wait till I get to work, I get there late as usual but then I have a chance of it still being in effect when I get home.  Seems to last 8 to 10 hours.  But right now, at 6:30, I feel like it's not doing anything for me.  But when I got home an hour ago I got quite a bit done.  But now I'm fizzling out. 

I really wished it would last longer so I could have some benefits at home too.  Ah well, guess I'll take what I can get and not complain! 

Don't know if this helps or not: my 12 yr old son has been on Adderall XR for quite a while now, over 2 yrs. He has the decreased appetite, but not really any of the other symptoms listed on that poll. One thing I did notice him doing was CONSTANT throat clearing, it would drive me NUTS!! He hasn't done it in a while, but man, was it nervewracking!

He also went through a phase of pulling his eye lashes out. Has anyone else experienced this? He got so frustrated one evening because he thought he had an eyelash or something in his eye, and just went nuts! He was obsessed with just pulling and tugging at his eyelashes, that his entire eye got all red and swollen! It was crazy! He hasn't done that in a while either, but it hasn't been all that long ago that he did it....

I know I used to bite my fingernails as a child, heck, I did it straight into adulthood till one day I just decided not to do it anymore...my 12 yr old started when he was about 4, and now my 3 yr old (will be 4 next month) has started too....and it's real bad with him, as I'll catch him chewing on his toe nails, as well! Gross! I try to discourage him, but he'll actually sneak off into another room and hide and continue to do it!!! What the?!???

Anyone else have finger/toe biters in their household? The 3 yr old isn't on Adderall, just the 12 yr old.

PJ

Thanks for the input regarding the straterra.  I SO hate having to get a second opinion.  It feels as if I'm doctor shopping.  But I was really suprised by his response to my asking for adderall.  He said that you guys were probably partial to adderall because you like the "high".  My PCP is NOT an ADDer and I get the impression that he is not sympathetic to those of us who are.  My straterra is starting to wear off and I'm not feeling very well right now.  I feel exhausted for some reason.  It's as if I could go to sleep right now and finally rest through the night.  That hasn't happend in quite awhile.

Is Adderall basically the same drug as Ritalin?

You know Chief, this is how I explain it to others:

Ok, so say you have a headache, right? And how many headache medicines are on the market today? Holy cow! Dozens, right? They will all get rid of a headache, just some will use different combinations of ingredients, some may have caffeine (a stimulant...for example, like in Excedrin), some won't, some people may be able to take any of them, some may have reactions to some of them (like some people can't tolerate aspirin), but in the end, they all pretty much do the same job. Make sense?

PJ

Adderal is amphetamine mixed salts, Ritalin is methylphenidate, related but not the same chemical as adderall.

Chief, I don't understand why your doctor said what he did. I've never been on adderall and I really DID have those side effects with Strattera. I've never had a drug problem, never even tried a joint! I don't like the fact that ADHD is often linked with drug abuse because of the stimulant meds. The two are definitely NOT synonymous.

Thanks again for all of the input people,

I have been posting my straterra experiences on the straterra thread.  No sense tying up two  threads with the same info and it is just against my constitution to look for another MD especially since my side effects have all but disappeared and I have had no adverse cardiovascular issues from using straterra.  I have a 2 month supply, so I'll stick it out and see what happens.  I have lived like this for over 40 years.  What's another 2 months, right?

Cheeky, you never even tried a joint!!??  No wonder you're ADD.

Rie- there's lab tests your MD can do and calculations to see of you are under weight. I am in the sme situation, I was a size 12 too and now I'm a 6. Not complaining though! I weigh 130lbs and for a female who is 65 inches tall and under 30 y/o the books say my "ideal weight" is 115 lbs! I hope I never get that small, I'm already pretty tiny! The worst part is haeing to buy all new clothes... they're expensive!

Chief, all the stims work differently for different people because of different metabolization of the drug and distributition into the person't system. I would agree that you should find another MD though. My best friend is on concerta and she has a patent FO and a rare clotting disorder and I think a tendenty to have dysrythmias too! Her MD was very careful to monitor each dose carefuly for a week or so and increase in 5mg incriments slowly. So far she has had no difficulties! Although she isn't up to a dose high enough to help her . Talk to some of the doc's in the ER you work at. They're often great resources! That is, if you're comfotable letting people know at work! Good luck with everything!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lizzy,

I hadn't considered asking the ER docs what they thought.  Also, what you say about the drug working diferently for different people makes a lot of sense.  It just seems to me that my MD could put me on the drug and monitor my reactions over some period of time.  If my BP starts to climb, he can just put me on something else.  As a matter of fact, that is exactly what he does when he changes my BP meds.   Why should this be any different?  And besides, if there is an immediate problem, it can be immediately addressed.  I work in an ER! 

He is, of course, concerned by all of the abuse that surrounds Adderall.  But my history of drug experimentation ended 25 years ago and I don't recall telling him about that anyway.

Question:  What takes priority, my consternation over the few who abuse a drug that helps so many, or the needs of the patient in front of me?

As I said, it goes against my constitution to look for another MD.  Maybe it's time to ammend my constitution.

I really appreciate all the response I've been given on this topic. Thanks everybody, this makes me feel better about a drug I might possibly go on.

Wellbutrin is actually prescribed as an anti-depressant.  It is prescribed off label for ADHD.  Something to do with Wellbutrin has a stimulating affect so it can help with some of the symptoms.  I found that the Wellbutrin helped only slightly for the ADD but it did wonders for my mood!   The one symptom, though, that it addressed was my organization (or lack thereof). 

The Adderall with the Wellbutrin, I think, is a great combination.  Adderall covers most bases and the Wellbutrin picks up the slack.  There are quite a number of people I have run across in ADD Forums that use this combination with great success.

WOHA! Sumi... remind me to never ever get on your bad side.... or inturupt you!  You're usually poetic and articulate, today you remind me of a cross between Yosemite Sam and the Tazmanian Devil!!!!  (Mind you I'm thoroughly amused, as I have days like this too) I just moved to get away from the neighborhood that was quickly closing in on us. We lived on a quiet little lake that is now a hot tourist spot with a resort less than a mile down the road. And fortunately my honey's a cop and I can live vicariously through his stories of taking the bad guy down!

I sympathize with your soap boxing.

Hope things get better for you.

I also know how you feel about getting off Adderall. I was miserable. I couldn't find simple words, I was bored all the time, I couldn't quit fidgiting, I couldn't do an ounce of homework. It was like I KNEW what I SHOULD feel like. What normal people can do... I just couldn't. But I knew I needed a break for a bit. I don't think I'm addicted. I just enjoy the peace of mind and organization it brings to my life.

thanks lizzy

i have grouchy spells as it seems all of us do..

but it is unusual for me to be so out of control that it burns down to my bone a quintessential misanthropic essence.

i have to repeat to myself very calmly and slowly in my head as if saying 'i think i can' like the little train , my own version and refrain " i do not hate people. i do not hate people. people are in those other vehicles and they are not just idiots, my customers are regular people, not baby birds with maws wide open and helpless to feed themselves, i really am rude b/c i cannot get enough patience to let anyone else finish a sentence and i must i must try not to open my mouth when i hear something so detestable as a republican thought....AHH!

normally i'm relatively upbeat if not sensitive and vulnerable to pain...

i think ill have to reconsider the lexepro thing as it would encourage further issues with my spouse..

is there anything good out there to calm one down???

valium anybody? where can i get some valium?

sumi

what about Adderall XR and Celexa????

Celexa is a great mood regulator for me.

Thanks to everyone who responded. This was a big help.

Cheekydeeky

I'm not sure if I have responded to this thread or not.  Guess the meds don't help a bad memory! 

I really don't have any side effects from the Adderall.  But I'm on a low dose.  10 mg of XR (which equates to a 5mg release right away and then a 5 mg release 4 hours later) and then a booster dose of 5 mg regular release at 4 pm.  I still eat just fine at mealtime.  It has pretty much stopped my in between meal snacking, which is just fine with me!  I sleep like a rock. 

The occasional heart palpitation does happen.  However, even when I'm not on meds the Mitral Valve Prolapse has always given me occasional heart palpitations so it may not be caused by the meds. 

I don't have dry mouth.  Although I always drink lots of water during the day so that may be why. 

Personally, I think this is the perfect ADHD med!  I also take Wellbutrin XL 300mg and Lexapro 10 mg. 

Side effects with me are

(40mg a day... severe ADD)

Grinding teeth, chew cheeks, chew tongue, loss of appetite (bonus: I'm nice and thin now), and some impotence. Don't drink alcohol with adderall. You'll turn into a nut bar!

I smoke. Didn't know until reading this forum that smoking inhibits adderall effectiveness.

That's about it.

Hello-

I have been talking Addrall for 2 years now.

The side effects that I have experience it

             -Dry mouth (try Aqua Drops they work the best)

-         Loss of appetite (I have lost almost 100 lbs.)

-         Sex drive it is harder to get interested in it, but when I am I have fun and I am more focused on sex.

-         Dizziness

-         Headaches when I forget to take meds

-         Sleepiness when off meds

The other things to look out for are because of the lack of appetite that I am now pronged to Kidney infections because I do not drink enough. So water it good. That will help with the dry mouth also. Caffeine makes dry mouth worse but get ride of headaches. Also avoid grapefruits juice it makes your meds not absorb correctly. That is also true with sulfurs based meds and also antihistamines. Your doctor or you PCP might not know all the different interactions because people react differently. I was one of those people who ended up in the ER with overdoes on Addrall because I took benadral. I was itching and started having hallucinations.  It was not very much fun.

But the flip side is that Addrall has made me a very different person. I remember things and I have fallow through. I would not go off of it. It is worth the side effects.

I also take celxra with Addrall I just started that. So I will let you know how that goes.

Kristin

I have been on Adderall now for almost 7 years.  I take 20mg 3 times a day.  I also take Celexa 20mg a day.  Adderall has made me focus on all of my tasks, and generally helps me get through the day.  I have tried all of the other meds, and they did not give me the "kick" that Adderall gives.  Although I have been on it for 7 years, the side effects are still there. 

1. Dry mouth, definitely is a pain in the butt, so I drink water or chew gum all day. 

2. Insomnia, this was a frustrating side effect that I went through for years, and I tried a lot of natural meds to help, and none worked.  I now take Sonata to get to sleep at night.  It only takes 10 minutes to kick in, and it only lasts 4 hours (but you still sleep good until you decide to wake up).

3. Tics/Spasms, this is the most aggrivating side effect that I go through on a daily basis.  I constantly feel like I have to crack my back, toes, fingers, and neck.  I bend my wrist (like if you were to flex your forearm).  I also have muscle spasms in my hamstring, and calf muscles. 

If anybody knows of something I can take or do to make these side effects go away or help with them, please let me know.  Another bad thing is that I work shift work (12-hr. days and nights), so sometimes I take my medication at 3 am when I wakeup for working days, and sometimes I take it at 2-3 pm when I wake up from working nights.

The side effects do seem to get worse when the Adderall wears off, and my MD told me that too much caffeine is not good while on Adderall b/c caff. is also a stimulant, and it offsets the effects of the med, and I like to drink coffee at work b/c I work shiftwork (days and nights).   I also smoke, which nicotine is also a stimulant.  I read in a previous post that smoking inhibits Adderall's effects.  I'm not sure if that is true or not, but I don't feel any difference. 

I also take Zyrtec for allergies, and I read in a previous post that Zyrtec (antihistamine) counteracts with stimulants.  Does anyone else know or heard anything about this?

I am still anxiously waiting for a break-through in technology, so they can pin point ADD/ADHD's causes/effects and come up with a specfic medication to fix/cure the disorder.  But I guess that is wishfull thinking.