Be as patient as you can. The meds will taper off soon (couple days) and you should get to sleep normally soon. Have you tried maybe getting an extra exercise routine in? Maybe a long walk a few hours before bed or maybe going to a gym? My job has a lot of labour involved and I just work myself as hard as I can when I hit afternoon so I feel a bit more tired. I think it might burn off some of the extra stimulant too. I find if I am not working on a particular day that I have more trouble sleeping than if I am.
Just don't give up on the meds. They are so effective for most and it gets better after month one - and even better after month 6. I also find after combining strattera and dexedrine that sleep is better. I have heard that many get a "dragged out" feeling on strattera alone so maybe they combine to slow it a bit.
Just some thoughts on it. Good luck!
I take 20 mg two times a day, but it's the regular instant release and not XR. I've traded with a friend a few times to see if I liked XR better, and found it absolutely impossible to manage. I CANNOT sleep on that stuff. My adderall affects how I sleep as well (and it's gotten better with time), but not to the degree that the XR did.
Something nice about the instant release is that you can break them in half...for instance, if I need to study and I'm starting at 7, I can take half a 20 mg and be okay and still sleep, whereas if you take an XR at 7pm you're pretty much screwing yourself as far as sleep is concerned. Instant release is just much easier to control, at least for me.
My brother takes 30 mg XR's and sleeps fine, although I would guess it probably messed with him at the beginning as well. It's just one of the many side effects that tend to decrease with time (like not eating, for ex). Just something to consider, if this doesn't improve for you on the XR....perhaps you could talk to your dr about trying instant release instead.
[QUOTE=somegirlinhere]I am not sure if this medicine is working right for me?
The bad side of that focus is that I now focus so deeply on something that I am oblivious to everything else that is going on around me. I am in a total fog while concentrating.
[/QUOTE]
I only noticed that side-effect recently when taking the meds when not at work. If I'm not working up a sweat at my job or walking around town - just sitting at the TV or computer for example - then I get that hyper-focus zombie thing. It's like I'm not thinking - just staring at a point in space. Creepy!
I think if you dont force yourself to keep active on meds then it happens. That's probably why so many parents are concerned when their kids seem like zombies. Probably TV/PC oriented kids like I was - sedentary and not overy athletic. So when the meds kick in full force there is the excess just keeping you riveted to whatever. Just a thought anyway. Maybe too much... I don't know.
What I DO know is that when I'm working (factory work - menial labour) that I am focused when I need to - and never feel the urge to stare off into space or become hyper focused on a task. I do my work, chat with co-workers and have lots of energy and attention left over. Works for me anyways!
I'd be interested in finding out if others here have made a change in lifestyle where they become more energetic and sweat off the extra meds - if they find the meds keep you more balanced than when you didn't keep up the pace. Hmmmm...?
I just started taking adderall xr (20mg once a day)
I took it the first day around lunch time. I know that was late but I was anixous to get started on it.
Loved the way it made me feel.
I didn't sleep at all that entire night, but I felt okay.
Functioned the next day, not to tired, not grumpy etc.
I took the next pill early in the morning the 2nd day. (7am)
Still not sleeping. It's 4am and I've yet to be able to fall asleep. I gave up and came downstairs.
I was told that sometimes the adderall will prevent your from being able to sleep the first few days you are on it?
THose ofyou who are on this have you had the same effect?
I think I will try a tylenol PM tonight to help me fall asleep.
Thanks for any insight you guys can give me.
[QUOTE=somegirlinhere]I just started taking adderall xr (20mg once a day)
I took it the first day around lunch time. I know that was late but I was anixous to get started on it.
Loved the way it made me feel.
I didn't sleep at all that entire night, but I felt okay.
Functioned the next day, not to tired, not grumpy etc.
I took the next pill early in the morning the 2nd day. (7am)
Still not sleeping. It's 4am and I've yet to be able to fall asleep. I gave up and came downstairs.
I was told that sometimes the adderall will prevent your from being able to sleep the first few days you are on it?
THose ofyou who are on this have you had the same effect?
I think I will try a tylenol PM tonight to help me fall asleep.
Thanks for any insight you guys can give me.
[/QUOTE]Thanks to everyone who has been leaving replies.
I was started out brand new on 20mg of adderall xr.
I didn't sleep for 36 hours upon taking it for the first time. I also had no appetite. I know that is normal from what I've been reading.
I am not sure if this medicine is working right for me?
I am now on day 5 I believe. I am sleeping pretty well. I am not feeling the effects of the medicine anymore (speedy wise)
I now feel just as lazy and tired as ever. I have noticed that my impulsive behaviors are controlled. I have noticed that I now can think first before reacting, and I am able to intensely focus on a task where as before I'd be all over the place.
The bad side of that focus is that I now focus so deeply on something that I am oblivious to everything else that is going on around me. I am in a total fog while concentrating.
I was reading a story in a magazine and my husband had to call my name 4 times and pat me on the shoulder before I heard him.
Also, I was driving to the store and I started thinking about something going on with my work.. I was so focused on what I was thinking about that I totally passed the store and actually drove almost a whole mile before I realized it.
I have noticed I have trouble finding the words I am wanting to say or type. Instead of things popping easily out of my mouth I almost stutter trying to get what I want to say out and that's driving me nuts.
I have noticed to that while I am still just as edgy as I was (temper wise) I now am able to control my temper and not freak out as easily as before.
I also have gained my appetite back.
SO,
Is my medication not strong enough? Am I doing something wrong? Is it that not enough time has passed? Am I on the wrong medication?
I see the doctor again in a week. I am going to see what She thinks then.
I was hoping this would be my miracle drug, but I am not feeling what I see others are feeling.
Take XR in the a.m., about 7-7:30am and with food. You will be find. Also, did you start out on 20mgs? You should have started on a lower dose like 10mgs and worked your way up from there. That is probably why you can't sleep. My psychiatrist was very strict with starting me out on 10mgs for 2 weeks and then bumping it up to 15mgs, 20mgs and now 25mgs. I had NO problems sleeping or side effects because of that. She is very strongly against doctors who put people on higher doses right out the gate.