Hmm... I don't think you should stop exercising. You just need to limit yourself not to overdo it. Overtraining is not a good thing. Less than one hour of moderate exercise a day is enough to ensure your health. More than that, the benefits level off and actually may make you more likely to get sick with respiratory illnesses. So far, from what I read... 30-60 minutes of exercise a day offers the MOST benefits.
In my case, I exercise moderately/vigourously after Ritalin wears off or before I take Ritalin. I don't want to put added stress on my body while I am on stimulants.
Vigorous exercise helps my ADD but unfortunately it lasts only for a couple of hours and my situation does not make it possible for me to exercise every two hours.
OK. Quick background. I am new a triathlete. Going on two years now. I have been taking Adderall XR for about 3 years. Recently, my body broke down due to overtraining. I am not talking about being sore, or getting sick. Last week, I went to a couple Neurologist because of very very weird side effects happening. They said it was a migraine resulting from overtraining. I am not talking about headache were one can't move. Weird electric shock pulses (they didnt hurt) generating from the back of my head to the tips of my fingers and toes. Also, I had EXTREME fatigue, low motivation, HUGE sex drive, and bad attitude. I just wanted to sleep.
Well, normally, I would know when to back off...however, I believe Adderall XR gave me a false sense of reality to know when to back off. When I felt de-motivated, less focused....well, I am assumsing Adderall XR patched those perceptions.
Has anybody experienced the power of this drug being an athlete?
From what I hear, it looks like what I'd call a serious "neurotransmitter imbalance syndrome." When people stop taking certain antidepressants, they expereince the same symptoms you have. Electric shocks sensation in brain is a common symptom.
Did you take antidepressants? Why are you taking Adderall? It's very odd that a triathlete would need it since vigourous exercise is often as effective as Adderall in alleviating symptoms of ADD.
foggyguy38616.4010069444[QUOTE=foggyguy]Did you take antidepressants? Why are you taking Adderall? It's very odd that a triathlete would need it since vigourous exercise is often as effective as Adderall in alleviating symptoms of ADD.[/QUOTE]
Never had taken antidepressants. I take Adderall XR for ADD. You are right about exercising and how it can "help" with ADD, however, I made that mistake numerous times before with Rowing in college. What I quickly found out, rowing is not an endurance sport. Its more explosive vs. long enduring lifetime sport. However, I took Ritilan not AdderallXR while I was in college and rowing.
Maybe the mix of AdderallXR and training is not good one to mess with. Now, since I am taking a break from training, I am experiencing some changes as well. I am sensing AdderallXR is not working like it did....
Point,
I know where you are coming from. Being an athlete is not the same as regular workouts.
I had been training for a half marathon this fall, but ended up with some wierd dizziness thing happening for about 5 months, as well as weakness and fatigue. The only way it would stop was when I would take, and take, the name brand Adderall. I went through the gammet of meds with my APRN to no avail. Anything Barr was really bad, XR was alright, but the IR "Adderall" seems to be my best bet. (I may have a go at the Eon or Mallinckrodt brand. Abrika is currently not stocking.)
Anyway, I am back on track, but keeping my runs under one hour and fifteen minutes. I let the racing go. Physically I couldn't possibly doit; well or poorly. The Adderall does not seem to make me "go", but it helps a lot with the mental focus so I don't wear out from my mind jumping all over. You do need to listen to your bosy as well as be logical about your personal limits in training. Maybe a flush from the meds occassionally would help.
I also agree that the exercise helps a HUGE amount, but believe me, as a former trainer , dancer, and instructor...the only way it helps as much as meds, or even close, is if I move ALL day.
If you need more info on what I went through, I'd be happy to share. Or we can compare injuries! Just joking!
Feel better! LoriT
Feel better
BTW, ADDerall will make you test positive in a urine test for athletic aids. Look into your rules and regs if you're competing competitively.