Adderall | ADHD Information

Hello to everyone,

I was diagnosed with ADD and Dyslexia when I was a child. I was taken off Ritalin 1 year after I started, by my mother who did not want me on any type of medication. I survived, did mediocre in school and now still in college trying to finish my BA.

Anyway.. my reason for posting is I am 31 almost 32, and have noticed issues with my thinking/behavior over the last few years. I could give you a list of annoyances. One major one is overthinking issue, not being able to turn of the thinking even in the middle of the night if I wake up.

Well I finally talke to my Doc today and he is starting me on Adderall 10mg twice a day. I asked him a million questions, because I do not want to depend on medication the rest of my life.

If you have been taking Adderall please tell me your stories... good and bad. I need to see both sides.

Thank you very much in advance for your posts.

MW

Wow ... a fellow over-thinker. Welcome. My over-thinking is so bad that my therapist added OCD to the mix of disorders I'm blessed with.

If you browse back through this board and the men’s board and women’s board you will find a ton of content related to Adderall. However, here are some things to consider.

If you're truly ADD (it appears that you've not been tested and diagnosed) then it's not something that can be cured or will go away. I've reconciled to that fact that I will be taking Adderall for the rest of my life -- but considering the hell I was experiencing before treatment, then it's worth the few minutes a day to take my meds. If Adderall is taken as prescribed it’s an incredibly safe med.

Also consider getting a true diagnosis. A family doc who prescribes an ADD med during the appt when you brought up the subject has absolutely no f__king idea what he/she is doing. If you had a heart condition your doc would pass you along to a cardiologist or specialty clinic. There are diagnosis guidelines and tests that can help a clinician make a diagnosis --- but you won't get that expertise with a family doc. See a psychiatrist or therapist who is experienced with ADD. Also check the hospitals in your area. Larger hospitals and teaching hospitals occasionally have ADD clinics.

This is critical because there are other conditions and disorders with symptoms similar to ADD. For example one of the primary symptoms of bi-polar disorder is rapid thinking and over-thinking. If you’re really BP and not ADD, and only taking an ADD med, then the risk for suicidal thoughts and possibly suicide go way up.

See someone else who can competently diagnose and treat you.

MaxDad

Thank you for the info.

I was tested when I was a child, lots and lots of tests. I dont know what they were called. I know there was an IQ test. A test that involved taking a sleeping draft and then having probes attached to my head. Falling asleep to flashing lights. But not a deep sleep. Seeing flashing lights and then looking over to see a machine marking on a paper what looked like waves.

My over thinking is when I have nothing else going on... like trying to fall asleep. I think over my day, analyze, try to solve problems, barrate my self for forgetting things. Often I analyze my relationship with my BF, thinking thinks like what is taking him so long to pop the question...etc.

I have learned copping skills for much of my behavior but when Im overwhelmed the copping skills fly out the window. And Im all over the place.

I have read some things about Adderall, I took my first dose this morning.

The best advice I can give you about Adderall is to learn to understand when it is benefiting you. Because it is a amphetamine you may get some level of euphoria when you first take it in the day -- or at least a very happy feeling that is more than you would normally feel.

This is a temp side-effect and will go away in a few months. But more important, don't confuse this as efficacy. This does not mean it's working for you. What you have to do is monitor how well you are completing tasks, maintaining attention longer, over-thinking less, etc.

Not understanding how to understand when the benefit is working is the biggest mistake I see people having on this board.

MaxDad
First, Adderall is not addicitive if used as directed. The research is clear on this. Dependancy can develop -- but it's the kind of dependancy related to the benefits of the med. I know that I'm much better off with it than without so I make sure to stay on my med schedule.

Second, and this is important, remember that the med does not manage or change your behaviors for you. It gives YOU the opportunity to ... being aware of the behavior is an important aspect of living with ADD.

LOL. Don't worry about being able to multi-task. As long as you are able to get done what you need to get done then that's great. However, watch yourself if you think you're slipping into old behaviors.

Also consider finding a therapist familar with ADD. What has made this work for me is 33.3% the meds, 33.3% me, and 33.3% a superb therapist.

I hope that helps. And feel free to keep the questions coming! :-)

MaxDad

3 Hours later..

I do feel the euphoria your talking about. I feel strong and more self confident. I noticed about an hour after I took it, that I could hear silence. I could hear my shoes on the carpet. Seems things are more in focus. I took the time this morning to put away some dishes, and clean up my kitchen. This I would normaly NOT do.. because Im rushing around.

I also noticed that I am more conscious of the tasks Im doing. Like this may sound silly but, hanging up the phone. I can see my self gently placing the reciver on the hook. WIERD.

I do feel like Im in a bubble, or like some one is hugging me.

[QUOTE=mw1975]

3 Hours later..

I do feel the euphoria your talking about. I feel strong and more self confident. [/QUOTE]

Yep, that sound more like the side-effect.

[QUOTE]I also noticed that I am more conscious of the tasks Im doing. Like this may sound silly but, hanging up the phone. I can see my self gently placing the reciver on the hook. WIERD. [/QUOTE]

This sounds more like the real benefit. I've always felt that what the med does is gives us that brief momentary pause which helps us make the right decision. When not on meds I have to fight with myself not to compulsively interupt others. When on meds it never even occurs to me and I'm able to be patient without having a huge internal mental struggle to be so.

I am still able to multi task... is this a bad thing?

I am controlling the inturuptions.. and much more aware of when Im doing it.

However, I am still doing more than one thing at a time. But I am able to finish each task. Remembering that I need to go back and finish something.

I just took the second pill. I had a headach before. I think I was hungry. So Im eatting right now.

I just spoke to my boss, and had to appologize a few times for inturuping.. but this was an hour after I was supose to take the pill. Im kinda testing it to see what the effects are when Im off it.

I dont want to be addicted to it.

Great to see this back and forth between you two. I am considering going back on Adderall so I look forward to future reports on your experience with the drug. They are helpful.

I took it for a while and it was great and I don't know why I don't take it anymore- some kind of irrational fear that is hard to articulate... maybe a combination of fear of cardio problems, loss of appetite, sleeping problmes, and a general anti-med bias. But the stuff really works!!!

I guess its working, allthough I can tell when its wearing off. How do you know if your dose is too low? And Im getting a headach again. I could be hungry, not sure.

Co-worker said I seemed calm today. LOL :)

[QUOTE=mw1975]

I guess its working, allthough I can tell when its wearing off. How do you know if your dose is too low? And Im getting a headach again. I could be hungry, not sure.

Co-worker said I seemed calm today. LOL :)[/QUOTE]

Understanding when it is wearing off is good. It help you how to figure out the best timing for yourself. During the workday I have a specific med routine depending on the flow of my day and when I need to be the most attentive (e.g. in meetings, etc).

In terms of dose amount you really need to keep track of your days. I suggest keeping a daily journal for the first three months. It doesn't have to be extensive, but record the following:
Hrs of sleep the night before and quality (you will find that the efficacy of the meds is directly related to how much quality sleep you're getting)Dose amt and times of day when takenSymptom review (for your top symptoms) for each symptomInteraction with co-workersBehaviors to improve uponTimes of meals and amts of carbs and protein (too many carbs reduce efficacy, more protein helps)
For example, here's my day today:
Hrs of sleep the night before and quality3.5 hrs, stayed up late to work on an important work deadline
Dose amt and times of day when takenXmg at 9am & Xmg at 1:30 and Xmg at 5pm
Symptom review for main symptomsAttentiveness - Poor, too tired, med basically kept me awake during workday but I totally lost train of thought twice in a mtgInteruptions - noneForgetfullness - okay (barely)Task focus - okay considering sleep, was able to maintain progress on projectMood - really, really bad
Interaction with co-workers - poor, made some slip-ups by wasting others time by talking more than I needed and bringing up personal topics while others were busy
Behaviors to improve uponsleep, sleep, sleep
Times of meals and amts of carbs and proteinMcD brkfast sandwich, 8am, turkey sandwich, 1pm, mid-afternoon protein snack, totally crappy dinner at 9pm (burrito), Turkey sandwich and protein snacks helped keep me going today

If you can keep up with this you will be able to understand what is working and not. I see so many on this board whine about med dose no longer working. I am convinced that the vast majority of those have let other factors get away from them and the real issue is something other than their meds.

There is a strategy that some experts advocate which is to tirate the dose up until their is no longer an increased benefit. Then they bring the patient down a dose level and the patient stays at that for a few months to gauge benefit. That is what my doctor had me do and it really helped narrow down to the best dose.

MaxDad
Dan

This are no reported incidents of stim meds causing an adult with a normal heart developing a heart condition. The times when cardio problems occur is with those with a pre-existing heart condition. Over the last 5-7 years or so about 25 children died of sudden deaths due to stim meds and unknown pre-existing heart conditions.

In fact, if any parents see this thread, get your childs heart tested if it has not been.

As for the anti-med bias, I sincerely understand the concern. One way to think about this is having an anti-dysfunctional life bias mindset.

MaxDad

Thanks you guys for your support and posts. I will continue to update as this goes on.

I will updat in the am about the sleep. I hope its good.

I have no headach.. and I think it started to wear off around 5:45pm.

Its 11:24pm and Im on the phone, and typing at the same time... Hmm. Trying to pay attention.

Dan-

Are you thinking about starting again? Why did you stop? How long were you on it?

I took it on and off for a few months. It was really helpful. On the XR I lost a
lot of weight but I could have been more vigilant about eating. My life since
going off it is way too chaotic. I am going to start again on Adderall IR once
or twice a week starting this Sunday. My life is just way too out of control
without it.
maxdad said it best: a healthy anti-med skepticism is great, but an anti-
dysfunctional life bias is more important. My life is unfortunately a bit
dysfunctional. I need a little stimulant medication to help out.

Well its been 2hours since I have taken my 3rd dose, 1st for today.

Im not feeling the calm I did yesterday. However, I do feel tingly (is that even a word). And I had to move some major pieces product around. So I do feel energized. I did get really hot, which I know Ive heard is a side effect. But I am concious of the tasks Im trying to complete. Im not leaving things unfinished. And my memory for short term seems a little better.

Like I remember that I was working on something and need to go back and finish it. Processes seem easier to grasp. However, I have always been able to take a new task on and figure it out with out much help.

I am feeling hungry. Does adderall increase or decrease appetite. Yesterday I didnt seem too hungry, and now this morning I feel a little hungry.

This is the first time I have sat still this morning. Ive been running around since I got in to work, so maybe the calm hasnt taken effect because of that.

Im a few hours into my second daily dose. I think its not lasting long enough. I know when its wearing off, and I can tell when it kicks in. Take about an hour to hit my system... or at least for me to notice it.

Any suggestions?

[QUOTE=mw1975]

Im wondering if the weightloss tappers off. Or will this continue. I can tell that when it wears off Im hungry. But nothing sounds good.

[/QUOTE]

The weigh loss tapered off for me after 3 months. But it was nice while it lasted! :-)

MaxDad

mw1975 and maxdad:

Pls continue your conversation. I am getting alot out of maxdad's sage advise. And I am in similiar situation as mw1975. I am going to see my doc today to talk to him about meds. I do have a pre-existing heart condition - Rapid heart beat. I hope I will be able to find the right meds for my ADHD. I do need help!

A quick update, I have lost 5 lbs. Still taking 10mg in the am and 10 in the pm.

The feeling of calm is amazing. Im still thinking alot and multi tasking. Once in a while my heart beats hard, not racing but beats hard. I do get hot easly. Im really not able to sweat, never have been able to. Even when Im working out hard, I just get a little slick on my neck... Anyway.

Im wondering if the weightloss tappers off. Or will this continue. I can tell that when it wears off Im hungry. But nothing sounds good.

[QUOTE=Sleepdog]I am in similiar situation as mw1975. I am going to see my doc today to talk to him about meds. I do have a pre-existing heart condition - Rapid heart beat. I hope I will be able to find the right meds for my ADHD. I do need help![/QUOTE]

Sleep

I think the rapid HB is what my wife has occasionally. In her case it was just an annoyance, but certainly ask your doctor about what complications could occur if you take a stimulant med. And whatever you do, double-check what he tells you with (preferably) another doctor -- you just never know.

If it turns out that you cannot use a stim med, then the only med alternative is Strattera (which is a non-stim). While Straterra is a break-through med (due to no stimulant properties), it works for a smaller % of folks than meds like Adderall and Ritalin/Concerta.

Another route are some of the anti-depression and mood disorder meds. For example, Wellbutrin is sometimes prescribed. However, you really need to see a Pysch before going this route. A GP is not going to know any of the nuances of how to prescribe an AD med for ADD.

Best of luck to you.

MaxDad

Anyone not take their Adderall on the weekends? Im really wondering if I should stop the meds on the weekends to give myself a break.

My doc says not to.. but I dont see how it could be bad. Does it build up in your system? It seems he thinks that if I stop sat and sun.. that it will take up to Tues for me to feel the effects again.

Last weekend I didnt take it sat afternoon and sun. By monday morning after my first dose I felt great again. Not that I felt bad on the weekend, maybe a little sensative, but I am usually a little over sensative. Im use to ignoring my first responce and count to 20 (not 10!!).

But other than that I felt fine.

Sleepdog,

I have to say that the Adderall is making me more aware of my heart beat, esp when I work out. I feel a little out of breath quicker. I live on the 3rd floor and walking up the stairs is kicking my butt, when ususally Im running up them. Even my BF noticed the other night. I have not told him yet that Im taking Adderall, not hidding it, just want to see if he see's a difference.

But I was walking slowly up the stairs and he kept bouncing beside me like... move it. :)

[QUOTE=mw1975]I have to say that the Adderall is making me more aware of my heart beat, esp when I work out. I feel a little out of breath quicker. [/QUOTE]

I had the same for the first 6 weeks or so. Then it evened out.

MaxDad
[QUOTE=mw1975]Anyone not take their Adderall on the weekends? Im really wondering if I should stop the meds on the weekends to give myself a break.[/QUOTE]

It doesn't hurt you in any way, except that you will not have the focus benefit.

[QUOTE]My doc says not to.. but I dont see how it could be bad. Does it build up in your system? It seems he thinks that if I stop sat and sun.. that it will take up to Tues for me to feel the effects again.[/QUOTE]

A dose of Adderall is completely out of your system about 18 hrs after taking it. There's no build up in your system.

But there's something else you absolutely need to realize. I suspect that the "effects" that you feel are a temporary euphoric side-effect. Please notice that I said "side-effect." This happens early on when starting Adderall, but is not an indicator that it's working. The only way you know if it's working is to understand what sort of attentional benefit you're realizing.

The biggest mistake made by new stim med patients is linking the euphoria to a medical benefit. It's simply a side-effect that will go away in time. Instead, pay attention to how well you are able to manage your life on a day-to-day basis and to stay focused on tasks.

MaxDad

Hmm. I am much calmer when Im taking it. Able to listen with our inturupting, and remember after the conversation what I wanted to tell the person.

Often Im quick to inturup and not able to let someone continue talking.

I have noticed that I can go from one task to another and remember that I need to finish one. I feel motivated to complete boring tasks, and often able to start a mundane task.

Sorry about the misspellings.

MW, sounds like all-in-all, it has been a positive experience thus far, correct?

yes it has very much so.

I did not take weekend breaks at the start... I wanted things to stay on a more or less "even keel" for the first half-year or so (I did take a couple week long "holidays" with no meds during that time). But now I will take a weekend off now and then--when conditions are right. If I skip a dose Saturday a.m. and get overcome with a dopey, sleepy sensation by afternoon, I sometimes take a "mini" dose--other times I'll not experience the sleepiness.

Hi Maxdad and mw1975:

Saw my doc this afternoon. He is prescribing Strattera 40 mg for me. He doesn't want to take a chance with my rapid heart beat. He thinks Adderall and Ritalin are both excellent meds for ADHD and they do wonders. But for my pre existing condition, he wants me to use something without stimulant. I will take my first pill tomorrow. I know this med doesn't work right away. Give it 10 days to 2 weeks my doctor said. I am looking forward to the possible improvement. I do like my doc a lot so I feel quite comfortable with my visit.

Thanks for telling me about feeling the heart beat. In my case, I would "really" feel it.

I'll start a new thread under Strattera since this is for Adderall. I got a lot out of your posts and advise. Thank you and good luck.

I took 10mg Sat morning, and felt jittery. I didnt have much to do, hung out with my BF parents. Took them driving around. I felt anxious and I picked up a glass and banged it against a dish by mistake. I just felt like my movements were not my own. Anyone else have this?

Im not twitching. Im a little shaky, and once I go to sleep its pretty good. I did not take my afternoon dose, or my Sunday dose.

Anyone only take it durring the week or when they need it.

My doc said not to do this, that I must take it every day at the right time.

mw1975 if you feel that you're day isn't covered long enough by the meds prescribed, you might ask about trying the extened release (XR) version of Adderall. For me, the regular Adderall effect wears off in about 4 hours; the XR in me wears off in about 6 hours--everybody's different.Sleep

Good for you. I hope it goes well for you.

Also, sometimes Strattera can take up to 6 weeks to be effective so be patient and give it some time.

Take care.

MaxDad