Adderall results | ADHD Information
Hmmmm; I'm only taking 10 mgs a day of Adderall XR. I'd like to have the "outgoing" effects. I am calmed down on the road; but still not really sociable.Well, that sounds like the same thing I went through the first week or so...I have been taking addreall for about 5 weeks now...At first, I got really irritated at everyone for no reason at all. That went way though...now b/c the adderall has me sooo focused, I get iritated only when I am interupted when I am in the middle of something and have to stop, but I have had to just learn to bite my tounge and not snap.
The talkative thing, I still do! I was a talker to begin with, but now I want to talk to everyone about everything it seems. I think b/c now adderall allows me to finish my sentenses and say one thought at a time instead of jumping from one to the next. I have to make myself shut up.
My opinion, these things are normal effects of the adderall so hang in there...the irriatibility (sp) should go away. Good luck!
I just started on Adderall XR last week. So far, no physical side effects. I think I only have the desire to stay up a little later than usual, because I'm not as sleepy as I would normally be at bedtime.
I've already been taking Wellbutrin for about...mmm 3 months or so now. I've had a lot of success with it. I'm more fucused and I'm not so scattered brained anymore. I'm still not really able to focus enough to sit down as read a book yet, which is a major goal for me. The Wellbutrin was prescribed mainly for my depression, which is now virtually non-existent. I was also taking generic Paxil (now I'm on Paxil CR) for my anxiety and obssesive "what if thinking". The Paxil seems to be working less and less. My doc wanted me on Paxil CR in the first place, but because this prescription was phone in, there was a mis-communcation in that process, and I was put on generic regular Paxil. By the time we realized this, I was already having great results, so he did not want to mess with a good thing. Anyway, the Adderall XR was prescribed last week specifically to deal with my ADD. I was hoping to feel even more focused while on the Adderall, than with Wellbutrin alone. However, I'm not sure if that's happening yet. I haven't yet attempted to actually sit down and read yet, but I will definately try soon.
At first I noticed that I was generally in a better mood, and did not get so upset at other drivers while sitting in traffic. But then recently I've started to have some mood swings. Last night, my wife and I went to dinner and then the book store. Nothing happened, but I suddenly became really irritated and had to ask my wife to drive home. Quite the contrary this morning. Once I got to work (45 after I took the Adderall), I felt a little too outgoing. I feel that I want to socialize and talk to everyone. Although I have gotten better at this while on the other meds, this is a little different. I felt a drive to socialize and not really concentrate on my work. This is not a good thing. Fortunately, my work load will be fairly light these coming weeks, while I adjust.
My question is: Is this a normal reaction while only being on it for 1 week? I'm I on too high of a dose (30mg /day)? Or is this perhaps not the right med for me? My doc has taken a step by step approach to treating me. He won't prescribe more than one med at a time. This is so we know which med (or combo) is the cause of any side-effect. Unfortunately, I changed from generic Paxil (20mg) to Paxil CR (25mg) the same time I started Adderal XR. Maybe this is a result from the Paxil change???
Your experience with your first few weeks on Adderall XR would be appreciated. Thanks.
-JA
Hey... just an FYI, 30 mg/day of Adderall is not considered to be a high dose. The first time I was on it, I was taking 30 mg twice a day. I'm currently taking 30 mg in the morning and 15 mg in the afternoon. Sometimes I don't need the afternoon dose. I've heard of people taking 60 to 80 mg/day.JA- It's funny that you say that you feel driven to socialize on adderall. I do the same thing. I am more productive in everything that I do, after I take it... unfortunately, my nose isn't being productive in my books studying because I get the intense feeling that I need to call my friends or do a bunch of house chores which could have waited. At work, it's great. I feel happy. I'm focused. I remember numbers. I can focus on what people are saying when they are talking. I don't interrupt as much.... Yet people see me as being a bit on the hyper side... I don't sit down often..but I get a lot done... and then some. And that makes me feel good.Kathy,How long were you on the Adderall xr before you started noticing a difference.I've only been on it for two weeks,but it hasn't motivated me yet. Pat Whew; maybe I need a bigger dose. My MD said this was really light
Patty,
What dose of Adderall do you take? I am on 20/day and noticed a difference the very next day...you may want to talk to your MD about this and see what he suggest.
I'm on 10 mgs.xr. Do you think it would be ok to take two,and if so,would I take them at the same time.I'm still having problems sleeping.Does this side effect go away with time? Thanks,Patty
[QUOTE=Patty]I'm on 10 mgs.xr. Do you think it would be ok to take two,and if so,would I take them at the same time.I'm still having problems sleeping.Does this side effect go away with time? Thanks,Patty[/QUOTE]
I'm in the same boat. My MD wants to gradually increase my dose; but with a month in between. It's been about 2 weeks so far, and I am seeing some changes from 10 mg dose of XR; but still not motivated to be social. (probably my most troubling symptom) I'm thinking that if he raises it up to 20 mgs next month; and it's too "wirey" for me; then I'm out of luck for a month till I can get another prescription for a lower dose. This could backfire. So I'm thinking the same thing. If I take (2) 10 mg caps at the same time; is it the same effect as a single dose of 20 mgs? That way; if it's too strong; I can simply go back to the original dose of 10mgs and tell my MD to maybe try 15 mgs next time; 20 mgs being too speedy.
(Sorry to have spell out every detail; I haven't taken my meds yet today)
Ken,That sounds like a good idea.Also to gets 15 mgs.,you could take 1 capsule and then sprinkle 1/2 of another one on applesauce or yogurt and that would give you 15 mgs.hmmmm.....maybe your MD has better advise on the sleeping side effect.
gr8art,
Sounds like a good idea...take 2 and then back down from there if need be. Good luck!
Patty, First of all, do you take the XL (extended relief) or the regular Adderall? Granted I am not doc, but I don't see where it would hurt you to take 2 pills...just to see if it helps you....you should see more positive effects form the meds than negative. I would say if you are not seeing any effects form the meds take 2 at a time, but if you are seeing some take 1 in the a.m. and 1 in the afternoon maybe after lunch. Call your doc and just tell him what is going on and that you want to increase your doseage b/c its not helping.
The sleeping side effect I am not sure about...I am borderline annemic so I love to sleep, but the meds even keep me up at night which I love b/c all my life I have been a sleepy-head so that doesn't bother me. Although, it seems my mind works in over load all night and never rest...that I don't like. I also have Cerebral Palsy and just walking at work is exercise for me, so by the end of the week I am exausted! Who knows why I am such a sleepy-head!
Are you not sleeping at all or is your mind up all night causing you not to be able to sleep? Can you function the next day? Hopefully with time, it will get better! Sorry for the rambeling! Type back if you can!
Ok; here's an update. I took two of my regularly scheduled 10mg Adderall XR to see if the 20 mg would actually work better. That was 2 hours ago. I gotta say that I feel great! Have you ever noticed how soft levi material feels? Wow; and my computer screen has never been so vivid! (Of coarse I am joking! 
) Hehe!
Actually; I do feel much more "clear" . The only thing is that I feel a little bit uncomfortable in my skin. Not really "wired" but just different. I'm reasonably sure that is something that I would get used to with time. I fully realize that 20 mgs is not a large dose. I think my MD was trying to be very careful and graduate the dose subtley to finally come to just the right amount. But I'm not that patient. I really didn't want to go month by month and get to the point where my dose was too big. I would prefer to maybe have a little less than optimum. (After all; I don't want to get high on amphetamines) I'll keep you posted. We'll see if it effects my sleep patterns.
I take 20 once a day and this is my sleep pattern, although not every day....GREAT in the am, sleepy mid-late afternoon and can't sleep at night...I am sure I doze but not full fleged zzzzz's...b/c my mind is going non stop. Hopefully you will get some sleep...let me know.When I first started the Adderall (I'm on 25mg XR) I had the same rush for a month or two. Then I kind of dropped down to the "regular"me not the "hyper productive". I think that "super me" stage gr8art talks about is the "high" stage, that people seek when taking aphetimines for recreational use. But then you build a tolerance to the effect and you drop back to being regular you, but the effect on the brain is still there! I am calmer, not particularly hyper-motivated but, well, for lack of better terms... "normal"!
I was running on 5 hours of sleep during my first 2-3 months ( I was slowly increasing from 10mgXR to 25mg XR during that time) then that super productiveness wore off and I'm me again. BUT... my check book remains balanced, my homework is done, my house is clean(er), I feel more on top of things, I have an easier time expressing myself, I remember things and I'm no longer depressed!!!!!! I sometimes wish that the super stage didn't go away but I feel so much better even with out it being "high". Unfortunately, I still have no desire to be social. I think that is just a trait that I need to unlearn. I am forcing myself to attend social gatherings and interact with people. Hopefully I will learn small talk... although I'm not betting that will happen soon! 
BTW, going to a party for cop's wives/SO's on the 22nd... I'll let you know how it goes...
Wow; that'ed be great if the "hyper" part of Adderall XR will eventually wear off. I think I was so productive because for the first time in my life; I could REALLY focus (Thats a HUGE part of being an artist) It's not that I felt "high"; but just excited that once I did get on a project; I became "immersed" in the task at hand. I didn't really notice the hours going by; and my artistic skills got much more refined. My "minds eye" finally had a clear connection to my motor skills.; and my imagination was very controllable. I'm really hoping that with time; this "fine tuned focus" will improve my artistic abilities as shadows and highlights really started making logical sense. (As when trying to portrey clear water. The logic and "physics" of water are huge obsticals) But then there is the other side of the coin. If this is just a "high" ; then of coarse I would have to realize the negative effects. It sure was nice to "connect" though!
Patty; I sure hope you will be able to find an answer for your insomnia. 20 mgs did keep me up last night till almost 2am; so I am going to suggest to my MD that maybe 15 mgs would be a bit more handleable for me. Maybe Adderall without the XR would be a better fit for you. I guess it wears off much quicker and you could time it so that it was out of your system by evening. (If thats what is keeping you awake)
gr8art38154.9712847222I'm afraid that I am going to have to stop taking my 10 mg.Adderall XR. I'm getting almost NO sleep.I can't tell if the Addreall is helping me because my mind is in a fog from insomnia.
Patty
'will i still be me" when and if you take a medication
Yep! I wondered that same thing before getting my meds. The only thing was that I had already lost my inspiration and motivation; so going ahead with it was an easy choice.
Yes! Adderall helps "me" be a "super" me! 
I can't hardly wait till I get this project done, and tear in to the next one; guns blazin! I have so many great ideas now!
I'm even getting music riffs out of nowhere. I play a little guitar (not a "little guitar"; but a little bit of guitar 
) And at some point; I wanna learn to write music. I'm making up some tasty stuff! (Where the heck did that come from?)
All of my life; I have had good ideas; but couldn't seem to bring them to the forefront on canvas, or in music. Now the stuff is pouring out of me in waves.
Whew! This afternoon has been total motivation! Although I do feel a bit "speedy". I think maybe if I get 15 mgs; that would be a good dose. (Unless one starts to get used to the feeling). I was doing computer artwork all day; and was able to really dive into it; but when I had to run into town; I felt a bit strange while driving as my mind wasn't consumed with a task. I got alot done today!isn't that great? i love getting stuff done! i feel so proud of myself whenever i'm able to finish things. what is so funny about your comment...i always hear that artists fear to lose thier creativity ..and i've even had adhd friends who asked (i kind of think its a really cheesy psuedo philosophical question and a distractor as far as really taking care of yourself) 'will i still be me" when and if you take a medication. i am me. just more of me and a more competent and thorough me. i love it.
sumi
dude i'm on 20 mg adderall xl..and
today i sat around for hours totally unmotivated. although i am sick with bronchitis..and i did manage to go to campus today...so i guess i'm not all that bad off. i did take 30 mgs. but i asked for a reduction b/c i felt like my eyeballs were about to pop out of my head. i'm very sensitive to drugs. adderall doesn't make me feel jittery or speedy at all. as a matter of fact i could nap at least twice a day. i too do not want to take more than that though since i am worried about becoming some kind of speed addict. i've read some posts on random places on the net of ppl who are hooked and desperate. no way no way..i'm not 29 and clean by accident. although i did some weed (made me too paranoid) and a bit of alcohol i hated losing control.
i have been experiencing sleeping difficulties lately though , but its been months since i started. so why would that start now? i am taking other meds for bronchitis though. so that may be it.
sumi
My fiance just started on Adderal XR. The Dr started her on 40-mg for 4 days and she goes to 80-mg there after. She is a small woman (about 100 lbs), this seems like a high dosage for her weight. One of our children weighs about 140 lbs and is only taking 40-mgs. Does this seem a little much?Hi New Dad,
I would say that 80mg does seem high...Although, see if she can tolorate it meaning the postivite outway the negative...I would like to hear how she does.....
The doc wants to up me to 2 20's per day, but I am skeptical about that much. He assures me though that 40mg per day is not to much for an adult.
Keep me updated please!