How Long Until You Adjust to Meds? | ADHD Information

I am on week 2 taking Adderall XR 20mg.  It is helping with my add, but I sort of feel like a different person.  I am thinking about everything.  (way too much)  Have become more analytical, not as creative and a little bit less social. 

I am in a Sales position and have depended on my personality (all over the place) to sort of help build relationships.  I really am benefiting from my new organizational approach to things, but wish a little of the old creative "Me" would come back.

Will this pass?

I know nothing about aderrall.  With concerta it took me a few weeks to adjust to the first couple of doses and I was quite and pensive for some of that time until the medication would wear off in the evening - then I was a lunatic as far as being way hyper!!!

I moved up a dose and my body took less time to adjust to the increase and my fun loving, joking humor came back!!!!   

I still have moments in the early AM and sometimes late in the PM where I get so hyper I am an idiot, but they are way less now!!!!

Thanks sooo much!  Good to know.  Because I really like the benefit of having focus, but enjoy my lunatic side!  I'm not adhd hyperactive, but inattentive.  I enjoy the sarcasm and less serious side of life!  Hope I can keep my personality and still take the medication!  Thanks for your input!

I agree in that you must give it a couple weeks at least to kick in properly.  Adderall is similar to dexedrine (which I use) and it took about 3 months at 10mg daily before I noticed that it honestly wasn't as effective.  It took 3 months to get past the side effects which though mild were hard to get used to (excess energy and sexual side effects).  Then I went up to 20 mg and have been there for a year and a half.

To keep the dose down try to take med holidays.  About every 2 to 3 months try taking a week off (with MD's help and advice of course).  I find it keeps the dose low yet it works just as good as the first day.

Don't be afraid to put an idea out to your doctor.  If the doc feels it's not good for you they'll say so - and they may not!

 

Are you just starting week 2 or have you been taking the med for 2 weeks? If you have already taken it for two weeks, you may want to experiment with a slightly lower dose. This way, you may still get some benefit, but you may also keep some of your "old self." If you're just starting week 2, then I'd give it another week or so and then reassess your experience.

However, many people do experience a decline in their creativity, etc. when taking medication for AD/HD, so it is possible that you will experience these side effects regardless of the dose you take.

 

Is the Adderall 20 xr the first adhd medication you've ever taken, or are you transitioning from some other adhd med? 

If this is your first adhd med, then patience seems advisable.  It took me over 2 weeks to acclimate to my dose (same as yours, 20 mg xr) which is not a lot, considering it's supposed to be released so as to be the same as 10 mg, just spread over a longer period.   I too seemed unusually quiet and reserved at first, for the first month or so...but each day is a bit different for the first month or so and I suspect that the "creative you" will regain it's rightfull place before too long.

Thanks so much to everyone for the input on this topic.  My personality is who I am and would never want anything to change it COMPLETELY!  I actually met with some customers today and found my old self creeping in, communication-wise.

I think when you first start taking these meds you are suddenly aware of things that you were unable to focus on before, which is a bit startling at first.  You notice things undone, etc.  I know one thing for sure, the pros of the medication outweigh the side effects even at this point. 

What I like most about treating the ADD is that I am making the most of my time to become more efficient, which allows more quality time for me to spend with my children and husband.  And, THAT is what's most important to me. 

So, this is how other people get things done?????????  Hmm, pretty interesting. 

The decline in craetivity and my old self comes in moments throughout the day, but it never is gone always!!!! 

I was kinda freaked out the first month or so that I took the meds for the reasons you all are talking about - I was more inner thinking and it was really way out of character for me - enough that people who know me made comments. 

Now it is like a balance for me.  Here is the best way I can describe it.  Without meds I was way to the hyper impulsive side of my emotions and brain.  When I first started meds I went way to the opposite side - quite, complient, focused too much.  Now at a workable dose of meds and my body adjusting - it seems like I don't swing too far to either end.  Well - not til I am home at night or the meds wear off and I have those old moments!!!

Hope I explained this clearly for you - I feel like it is important for you to know.