Just started on Adderal Please Respond | ADHD Information

I have been on many different ADHD stimulants, and Adderall is the one that made me feel speediest (highest).  If you don't like that feeling, you might consider a switch to Focalin or Concerta.  I find they work behind the scenes -- I get the focus without the change in consciousness.  That's just me, though -- these meds affect everyone differently.  You may find that you adjust to the Adderall after you've been taking it a while longer, but if not, there are other alternatives. Wordwoman38821.9219791667I started on a low dose (10mg xr) and moved up to 20mg xr.  i am still there.  It works well for me and I have no desire to increase as long as it is working.  I also desire to skip it somedays.  I hate taking SO MUCH medicine.  (Adderall is just one of my meds)   the addiction thing?  I seriously have my doubts.  I think most unmedicated ADHDers self medicate in someway.   On proper meds, you don't need to self medicate.  Takes a little time to adjust.  Guess I have been very fortunate taking meds, I have never had any bad side effects on any of them. 
Ritalin was a little harsh and speedy to me in the beginning which my Doc said was to be expected but it went away. Keep trying unless it is unbearable.

How much are you taking to start off with?  Is it extended or regular release?  Did you take it on an empty stomach?

Stimulant meds are not addictive when taken at the proper dosage.  Your doctor may have neglected to start small and gradually bump up the mg.  Starting out at the full dosage may be too much for your system. 

When I started taking it, I noticed a tingly feeling on my scalp and had a mild feeling of "wow, great!"  It only lasted for a couple of days.  Also, the relief from the "noise" of adhd can be really wonderful, don't confuse it with the medication. 

There are a few days of rebound when the meds wear off.  Make sure you take good care of your body.  Drink lots of water, force yourself to eat (appetite non-existent).  Make sure you get enough sleep.  It sounds basic, the side effects can make it difficult to stick to the basics.  If you feel a bit tired, that is normal.  If you feel like you got hit by a truck, chances are you left out one too many meals or hours of sleep somewhere.

Once I adjusted to my meds, the only thing I feel is the ability to concentrate and organize.  I have mild tiredness at night when it wears off, and I still have to be careful that I don't skip meals.  I love my brain now. 

Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

Michele,

I felt like super woman the first day, after that, things settled down and I noticed how much it helped me.

I am not taking meds now.  I am trying the crawling exercises in the book Stopping ADHD. They have helped me more than medication did.

Good luck to you.

Hi, I just started on Adderal XR. Just wanted to ask a few questions to those already taking it. I took it just about 2 hours ago. I feel like a high feeling. Is this normal. I seem to be able to concentrate easier, but I feel high then down every once in awhile. One of the reasons I didn't want to take a stimulant was because of the addictiveness. I don't want to depend on the high feeling, and everytime it goes away I feel a let down. Is this normal, and will it go away after my body ajust so I just feel normal, but be able to focus?

 

thanks,

Michele

Michele,
Adderall XR worked wonders for me! Yes, the first couple weeks I did get that "high" feeling but it goes away. As for the addictiveness of the med, I don't know if there really is any HOWEVER you will be on the med the rest of your life. My psych said that meds are kinda like glasses, you will have them the rest of your life and they just make life better. I also read where meds are not a situation of life or death, it's a situtation of life or LIVING life.


I think it IS addictive and do not care...much.

I've had to quit for a week at a time two times. I became terribly depressed - maybe another issue altogether but depression is a known side affect of quitting Ritalin.

It helps me out a lot, and I can now easily afford it (new insurance). I assume my Doc would help me reduce my dose slowly to quit - I could handle it if need be. A week of depression and withdrawal versus years of enjoyable productivity is no contest with me.

i've been taking adderall since january, i used to take 20 xr but it startes to wear-off in five hours so my psych, has me on a 30mg tablet i slice it four ways and take them every  four hours. this seems to work better than the xr.