IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT ADDERALL | ADHD Information

I just recently got diagnosed with ADHD, I'm 21 years old... I just got perscribed Adderall yesterday, and I took it for the first time at 9AM yesterday morning.  I felt like the happiest person in the world, I was productive, it does help me concentrate and I did have dry mouth and loss of appetite, but I expected that.  The thing is though, when I came down from it at about 6PM, I felt absolutely miserable.  I was depressed and sad, and it lasted until today.  I took one this morning and I'm not as happy as yesterday either, but I do feel a bit better.  Is this normal? I'm hoping that it's just my body and mind getting used to the meds and that my body and brain will adapt better to it over time.  I was just wondering if anybody else experienced this, PLEASE HELP!!I am not much help, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I am 24 and just took Adderall for the first time yesterday, and I felt the exact same way as you did and now today I feel drained and depressed, so I started back on my zoloft to see if that will help. But what really sucks I did not sleep one minute last night!! I wonder if this is common if it is I don't think I will take it anymore. Chat back sometime it is nice to talk to someone who is going through the same thing.Is it ok to skip days that you don't really "need" it, or should you really just take it everyday?I know that that is a rare thing but it is scary to think that maybe I might have been the "rare" one. I have already felt a difference from day 1 to day 2, my body handled yesterday much better. I switched from ritalin to adderall, and I like this alot more. I don't really mind the no appetite thing, I could lose about 10lbs or so. Thank you for your words of encouragement.Yeah tonight is way better than last night, in terms of not coming down so hard, it is easier to deal with. I know huh? I have absolutely no appetite, I had to force 4 chicken nuggets down my throat just a little while ago, so all I've had to eat today was 2 slices of pineapple and 4 chicken nuggets not even fries nothing sounds good to me. I think we will be fine once our bodies get the hang of this stuff. Did you read that blog of the womans son who died 45 min after taking his first dose ever! Talk about freaking me out, that was not a good thing to read when I was having all these side effects yesterday

I wouldn't worry very much about the tales you hear of people dying after the first dose.  That is so rare that it would be likelier to have a reaction to your chicken nuggets.  Very rare (if it was true at all you'll hear a lot of lies about ADHD meds on the web).

The highs and lows typically level out in the first month.  Same with the lack of appetite.  Pretty soon your body becomes accustomed to the level of meds you are taking.  Try and fight beyond the little things.  Sounds like both of you are doing ok with that.

Don't forget too that there are many other meds that work on the same things slightly differently.  If one doesn't do the trick - ask your caregiver to try another!

 

Yes def! I just hope this feeling goes away.  Unlike you, im not on antidepressants, I'm actually on the adderall now and i feel ok i just hope i don't crash again.  Please tell me how you're doing too :)

Well my doc. said she wanted to start me out on a minimum dose.  So i take 20mg of AdderalXR just once a day.  I'm dehydrated and i have NO appetite, but other than that, i feel pretty good physically.  It's just mentally that I'm worried about, but hopefully since I dont feel as "high" as yesterday, the crash won't be as badYeah I am on it too, I feel ok (except for the lack of sleep) but I am nervous when it wheres off. Plus it makes me really nauseas, does it make you fell kind of sick? I think that will go away when my body gets used to it. How many mg are you taking? I am taking 40-60mg of the adderall XR. Are you also on the extended release verision too? 

Although you CAN skip a day or weekend when you wish - you should allow it time to work in your system, at least a couple of months before that can happen.  Then it's like coasting after you stop.  Mind you - some have mentioned getting sad or angry when not taking their meds regularly so you may want to give it a one day test when you aren't busy.

I don't take it every weekend.  Only when I feel I need all my attention.  I like to keep my dosages low and I want to be in control of my treatment not having to use it.  All about control I guess.

Also - it's usually a good idea to check in with your caregiver before changing meds - even if it's just not taking it now and then.