Adderall XR | ADHD Information

I've been prescribed Adderall XR for my inattentive ADD.

I don't do any drugs or any kind. I don't even drink stuff with caffeine in it. So I have my concerns about this drug, especially a stimulant that's an amphetamine.

I don't even drink alcohol, never had and never will. So my system is very pure, so I think my system will be in for a shock when I start the medication.

One of my concerns is about the health of the heart. I've read a few reports saying it can cause sudden death. I watched the NBC report saying that ADD/ADHD medication has killed hundreds of people in the last 20 years, all of whom died from heart failure.

I've tried may routs to help me cope with my extreme concentration problems, but nothing worked at all. Omega's, Mag's, you name it.
I would only worry if you have a history of heart problems. I think that the
people who have died, probably had an underlying heart condition. Have
you asked about a non-stimulant drug like Stattera?I was actually prescribed Strattera two years ago but I backed out at the last minute. The black box warning, ect. scared me away from it.

Vyvanse is something I have looked into but found out that early studies (it is a new drug) found that it has four times as much side effects as Adderall.

I don't have any heart conditions that I know of. I was born with a heart murur, but that was 27 years ago and had absolutely no heart problems in my life.

I do have high anxiety and a tad high blood pressure.

My brain feels very lethargic and foggy ALL the time.  Combine that with my diagnosed A.D.D., it's a struggle every single day. I think this is the reason why my doc. has prescribed a stimulant. But I do have my concerns about it.

McBlake,

I understand your concerns but I suggest you give it a try for one month. I just switched to Adderal XR (10 mg) and it is very helpful although the dose I am on is too low. (I was part of a study for a nonstimulant, which the company discontinued.) the main side effects I have experienced has been some appetite supression and some insomia. The insomnia has improved after the first two weeks.

My son took Adderal XR for several years. We switched him to Vyvanse 15 months ago. I have noticed a smoother transition and less rebound. He was sleeping better and ate better. I haven't heard that Vyvanse had any more side effects that adderal.

I am very pleased with the effects of the Adderal and I only regret not getting help for myself earlier. I never really knew what to call my problem until after my son was diagnosed. 

Dear McBlake,   Adderall is nice and smooth, so it shouldn't cause trouble.  You didn't say how many milligrams Adderall XR per day you were perscribed...  if it's 10 mg XR per day, as Reruho says...that's pretty low.  But, if you are still concerned, you can carefully twist open the caplet (over a piece of white paper preferably) and give yourself half the dose to try first.

Remember, Adderall XR is extended release, so it gives you half the labled dose at a time... so 10 mg XR is releasing 5 mg. now and 5 mg. later.  How long it lasts varies from person to person--usually at least 5-6 hours.

Yes, you will experience some side effects, which should gradually go away over time.  Hopefully, with your first trial dose you will experience an epiphany! a sense of appreciation for having a brain working at a speed that's compatible with the rest of you and your situation...

You'll be fine... I worry about these kinds of things too, like going out and drinking on the weekend while actively taking 30 to 60 mg of adderall a day I can feel my body aching in protest.  But anyway, your concerns almost border on silly as the dosage is miniscule... trust me, I didn't believe it either but there are actually people who take 300 mg or so of this crap a day.  It took me seeing this kids peanut butter sized bottle of 30 mg XR's to believe that some quack actually prescribes that and thinks its ok... so at least you know that people like that kid and I will be on the news for heart complications in our old age before you have to worry about it. 

McBlake

I never felt I was in a fog. I always felt like I was wound so tight that I could explode. I lived in constant motion and never seemed to be getting anywhere. On the surface I appeared as a confident leader, inside I lived in constant fear of failure or disappointing anyone. I tended to overcompensate trying to live up to all these expectations. Medication has given me a sense of internal peace and calmness. It allows me to see things clearly and in reasonable terms. I have developed a sense of time, which I never had before. I have been able to develop a plan to accomplish things. I have started taking chances in areas where I fear things the most. But to free from that fear and aniexty is the most wonderful thing in the world. I am filled with joy and that is a pretty neat thing to be so happy everyday.

To help you overcome this fear, try reading as much as you can. Read 50 websites or more, you will start seeing trends. Don't read a doom and gloom report and accept it as the truth. There are people who do not believe in Adult ADHD and will do everything to undermine our chances at treatment. I delayed treatment for myself for years because of the negative stigma and possible label of drug seeker. Ask your doctor the questions that are causing your fears. Ask any question you have here, we are not doctors but we live with this condition and can share our experience. This forum has helped me and my son so very much. I have found answers to questions that my doctor does not have the time to answer or I think of after the appointment.  It is wonderful to be with people that understand our crazy complicated life when we often live among people who do not.

My Primary Care Physician (PCP) told me to become an expert on any condition I have to protect yourself. His comment was that doctors can't know everything. You will also find the doctors treat you differently when you are knowledgable and speak their lingo.

I was shocked at the clear peace and calm that adderall provided for me from dose one--this after years and years of anxiety, depression, and constant chaos in my head. Plus, I am a nurse.  I know about psych drugs, use, abuse, off-label, all that.  That made it even more shocking--that an amphetamine may bring peace.  I even sleep better, and I am saying better than ambien, benzos, paxil, and pretty much everything thought to help with sleep.  Who knew?  I am not a child, expected to be calmed by a stimulant, I am a fifty year old nurse, old hippy, totally jaded on pharm.  So try what the doc says, or find a doc to say it.