Stopping Adderall problems? | ADHD Information
i stopped adderall XR 15mg 3 days ago after taking it for only 1 week. No problems. Good news--I slept for 8 hours the first night--that's a long time for me and I REALLY needed the sleep!! I am only on 10mgs so I don't see it being a problem. My wife is a nurse so she was concerned...she knows tooooo much sometimes :) Since the pharmacy messed up my Adderall prescription with my insurance, I am now without it for the next 4 days. I have only been on it a week and a day (10mgs twice a day) so I don't think there will be problems. However, I wanted to see if anyone else has had problems stopping Adderall cold turkey like I have to. Anyone? I didn't take it for a day and felt fine. I hope you do, too!Muskmelon,
Why did you stop taking the adderall after only 1 week? Did you sleep good the first night on it or the first night without it. I used to get depressed for a few days if I stopped taking it.
Dorothy--
I started stimulant medication last week. It really freaked me out. I felt too good, if you know what I mean. I stopped taking them until I can see the doc again next week—maybe a lower dose is needed—maybe I’m used to never being able to focus and much more familiar with my spazzy-ness, thus anything else freaks me out. But honestly—I’m concerned about my addictive tendencies and I felt high (for the first time in 15 years) on the days I took Adderall XR. I didn’t feel physically high—if that makes sense—I wasn’t getting up to pet the dog every 10 min, or look out the window, or fidget (or take apart small electronics!). But it sort of scared me.
When I met the doctor, I denied ANY use of street drugs. It’s been more than 15 years and as far as I was concerned, my slate was clean (I didn’t ‘use’ much or often, never bought any, & the phase didn’t last more than a few months). But it did sort of freak me out. I may or may not tell the doc my concerns. I may just say that the side effects are bad and I need a lower dose. I wish I trusted doctors but I’m not convinced they’re looking out for my best interests.
I had a job interview while on Adderall and did so fantastic, I got (and accepted) the job offer today. I also filed 2 years of taxes and set up on line bill payment for all of my utility bills. I was able to complete tasks that I’ve put off for years. If I can get over the guilt of doing well, feeling good, and achieving goals and successes when I’m on stimulant meds, I may try them again. I sort of feel like I’m cheating when I take them. BTW—I have NO doubt I am ADHD, but only recently learned/accepted that ADHD is a neurochemical problem and not a behavioral/time mgmt. problem; this old view has contributed to my resistance to managing this with medications.
Oh—back to your question—regarding sleep—for 35 years, my mind would race while trying to fall asleep. I learned not to even TRY getting into bed until I was really tired. While on Adderall, I didn’t feel tired at all. When I noticed how late it was, I would get in bed, turn the TV on (I TiVO Late night with Letterman) and I told myself that I had to keep my eyes closed until the show returns from the first commercial break after the opening monologue. Not ONE time did I make it to that point. If I only closed my eyes for more than 5 min, I was out. The sleep was good, but I set my alarm for early ‘cause I didn’t want to take my med anytime after 9am—so I was not getting nearly enough sleep and it caught up with me the day I stopped. Also, I’ve noticed no difference in my mildly annoying depression. So, in conclusion, on meds—I didn’t sleep enough, but it was good sleep and quick to come if only I closed my eyes. Off meds I’m back to not being able to fall asleep, but when I do, I sleep well, and don’t force myself to wake up to take a medicine.
Sorry for rambling on…
[QUOTE=Dorothy]Muskmelon,
Why did you stop taking the adderall after only 1 week? Did you sleep good the first night on it or the first night without it. I used to get depressed for a few days if I stopped taking it.
[/QUOTE]my pscyh wrote a prescription for 15 pills, the pharmacy submitted the order to my insurance as 15 days. Since I take 2 pills a day, the bottle only lasted a week and when I went to refill the prescription they said they couldn't do it since I filled it the week before. My psych isn't in the office until Tuesday so I can't do anything until then. Sucks.
I have been on the amphetamines and understand what you are saying. Kind of like being on speed. I was getting things done but anxious and sometimes grouchy at the same time. Couldn't sleep much but woke up easily. I felt the peak and then the low when it wore off. I would like a more calm, leveled out feeling that doesn't go away after 7 or 8 hrs. I am on Lexapro and Straterra right now. I felt lethargic on 40 mg. of straterra so day before yesterday she upped the Lexapro to 20 mg. from 10 and put down the strattera to 25 mg. from 40. Think I feel a bit better this way, it's only my second day.
Maybe your doc. should lower the dose, how much are you taking? I was only taking 10 mg. every 4 - 6 hrs. 2 x a day. I think it would be wise to tell your doc how you feel on the meds they prescribed. I wouldn't worry about telling them you tried drugs 15 yrs. ago unless you really want to.
Hi all,Your posts are very helpful.
I have been on generic adderal for about 4 weeks. For the first 3 1/2 days I very very high--WOW! I thought that this was too good to be true. I teach adults. so the generic adderal helped from everything from preparing lessons, to remembering students' names to not staying up till 2:00 am glued to my monitor searching for some great new lesson. I teach ESL to adults so I would hop allover the net surfing and printing and surifng and printing...Well, on the night of 4th day I was standing in front of my student when that all too familiar flustered, scattered, forgetful teacher returned unannouced.
I was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Bottomline, I will no longer get
the generic. I hope the real adderal will help. my doctor did not know
if the generic could be less effective or not. She did not want to give
me a definitive answer. I hope the extra $$$ for the reall thing
will be worth it.also no sleep. I used to sleep 8 hours no sweat.
One thing you should always do when beggining theraputic use adderall or any other stimulat, is to check blood pressure. Many people neglect it and years later encounter cardic issues. My blood pressure rose 30 points! not good. Hi JesseP,
I am still taking the 30 mg of the GENERIC adderall twice daily. Lately, I have been feeling as if my ADD has gotten
worse. I certainly am getting nervous/anxiety stomachs more often for no apparent reason. In a few days I will fill my Adderall prescription with the 'real thing.' I am very curious to see what the effects will be. I hope positive, although it will be very, very expensive. At this point I will give up my car just to feel better. I have a few good hours, productive, and then my mind is filled with a million ideas, things to do, people to call, walking in and out of my bedroom with the intent to make my bed when after an hour of this in and out sidetracking, my bed finally gets made, and on and on and on.... I will definitely post a message here when I switch.
How long has it been since you have known you had ADD
Have you taken or are you taking any other meds I tried Strattera twice. Each time I felt too strange.
My mood was a bit more even, able to concentrate a bit better but not
enough to withstand the weirdness I felt in my body and mind. It is
hard to describe. Another doctor tld me that Strattera is not for
hardcore ADD. Are you doing any behavioral therapyTake care,
Davinci56
This is for Davinci56
I would like to hear how you do with the brand name of adderall. I have noticed the same problems with the generic. I think that is the problem. But maybe it could be my dosage. I am not taking 30 mg twice a day. But because the lacking affects I sometimes take more than I am suppose to and I really don't noticed much of a difference, except feeling crappier when it has left my system. I have been on Adderall 30 mg for 5 months and then switched to generic.... The Generic form was Completely different. i was a mess .I was on the generic for 3 days until i called my doc and got it switched back to reg adderall... Think about your Fav cereal. Ok get the name brand kind and the generic kind...... You can tell a difference. bman3038535.0031712963
[QUOTE=JesseP]This is for Davinci56
I would like to hear how you do with the brand name of adderall. I have noticed the same problems with the generic. I think that is the problem. But maybe it could be my dosage. I am not taking 30 mg twice a day. But because the lacking affects I sometimes take more than I am suppose to and I really don't noticed much of a difference, except feeling crappier when it has left my system. [/QUOTE]
I can share my experience with the generic version of adderall. I was taking 10mg of brand at the time and the pharmacy filled my next prescription with the generic. I went from doing good to struggling really bad for the next month. I spoke with my doctor next appointment and he said that is a typical side affect of using a generic drug. The generic drugs are not controlled or do they contain the same amout of medicine from pill to pill. If you are worried about your insurance covering brand, have your doctor write dispense as written on your prescriptions. I had to do that because the national chains are now pushing generic drugs because their profits margins per sale are much higher with a generic drug vs a brand drug.
Good luck
From what I have heard from my friend and my doctor is that we should stay away from generic Adderall due to the fact that it seems to have some bad side effects and it isn't as reliable as brand name Adderall. There is no generic for Adderall XR, therefore, if your doctor prescribes XR then you have to get the name brand. It's worth it. I use Adderall XR and it is thee best Adderall to use. Regular Adderall doesn't seem to work as well as Adderall XR. I am very happy with Adderall XR! 25 mgs in the a.m. and I am good to go all day long until it starts to wear off in the evening. No problems sleeping, good energy, great focus, I can discuss my work projects without feeling like I'm stumbling over my words...it's great!