![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cass on March 24, 2000, at 23:42:00
Yesterday I started Adderall for ADD. I'm not sure what to expect. Some of my ADD symptoms are disorganization, messiness and trouble concentrating. Should I be expecting drastic changes? How long will it take until I am stabilized on the drug. So far, I've had these results: I feel very alert. I feel more motivated. But I also seem to be dwelling on negatives more than usual and getting angry about them. I also have a sense of seeing what is wrong in my life more clearly than I used to. Can I trust my perception? I would sure appreciate hearing anyone else's experiences with Adderall. Thanks in advance.
Posted by val on March 27, 2000, at 15:05:18
In reply to Adderall experiences: I would like to hear some., posted by Cass on March 24, 2000, at 23:42:00
I was on Adderal for four months for ADD and became increasingly agitated. I am extremely tolerant of meds and was taking 190mgs a day. Each dose was effective for about 2-3 hrs. As each dose wore off I would feel this sort off rage begin to creep up. Everything was shitty until the next dose kicked in. The odd part is that there was a real physical aspect to it..I felt it, like a violent high or rush. It happened a couple of times in traffic and I really had to fight the urge to just ram the car in front of me. It was quite unnerving. The tainted view of my life was there, too. I don't know if it was regret, embarrasment, shame, frustration, who knows... Everything my wife did seemed to upset me horribly. My doc switched me to Dexedrine and the feelings are gone. Unfortunately, it isn't nearly as effective for my ADD as the Adderall was. It worked wonderfully. I recently starting taking Zoloft as well and am thinking about going back to the Adderall. Since depression in men can manifest itself in anger, my doc is hypothesizing that perhaps I am depressed and the whole ADD revelation was overwhelming me. Thus, the Zoloft. Things are indeed a bit rosier these days, but my old ADD ways are almost back to their previous levels. There are times when I think I was better off not taking anything... I'd finally gotten used to the fact that I was just an sarcastic, bitter asshole. An extremely bright and creative asshole, but an asshole nonetheless. My wife used to be this wonderfully optimistic and warm person. She still is for the most part, but those discussions/debates we used to have are getting fewer and fewer. You know the ones.."I think people in general suck. The average person is about as socially valuable as a box of hammers, how can you be such a bleeding-heart, join-the-peace-corp, I'm-sure-they-would-work-if-they-could, liberal?" vs "The average person is decent and considerate, I don't mind one bit that my tax dollars are given to an unwed mother with 7 children all with different fathers. You are such an elitist snob." I cannot for the life of me understand how she thinks, but its nice to know that people like her are out there, you know? I want my two little girls to grow up that way - looking at the bright side, believing in fairies and Santa Claus. No TV violence, no school shootings, no Kate Moss diets, no sexual predators, no cynics like me. No one to make them feel self conscious or afraid. I don't want to taint that innocence in any way. Perhaps my wife might go back to her earlier ways, as well. It hurts to think that I destroyed or diminished her way of seeing the world. So, I'll continue trying different solutions until I find one that works. They are worth any setbacks or disappointments I might encounter. Bit of a ramble..Sorry. What was the original question? I really need to start taking the Adderal again....Good luck to you.
val
Posted by dove on March 27, 2000, at 19:39:37
In reply to Re: Adderall experiences: I would like to hear some., posted by val on March 27, 2000, at 15:05:18
First note: By "stabilize" I did not mean the same kind of stabilize one must wait for with TCAs or SSRIs. I meant stabilize as in, get used to what you're feeling, understanding when and why and taking the opportunity to work with those newfound abilities and feelings.
On to the response from Val... Are we related? I was saddened as I read your post, but smiled inspite of myself. Your words ring so true in my heart, and though it may seem difficult and bleak right now, I want to thank you so very much for sharing. I am a mother of five and wife of one-(thank the Lord!) and understand those heated debates between significant others, the rush of freedom to speak your mind to another bright face. It is so hard to realize that I'm the one who drove that freedom underground. Stripped the brightness from their eyes, put the chains on their ability to speak or respond. Yet, we can only work, and yes, it is work, at allowing them their space. Giving back what we took away, in the face of regret and repentance we have to keep trying to walk the walk, make real changes.You have really made me think about something I haven't thought about in a very long time, and I thank you sincerely. I don't mean for you to take any of my thoughts onto yourself personally, do not feel accused, for it is my own heavy heart of which I speak, and I can only thank you for allowing me to share in your thoughts.
We will push on towards the mark, Godspeed and God Bless!
dove
Posted by DC on April 1, 2000, at 2:52:14
In reply to Clarify stabilize and note to Val., posted by dove on March 27, 2000, at 19:39:37
Anybody taking over 100mg of adderal or dexedrine is going to experience severe withdrwal reactions. That is a level that someone who was taking it on the street might use. Maybe you are extremely tolerant of meds, but with that much a person might even get psychotic symptoms. Stimulants are much more dangerous than ADs. Be careful.
Posted by Gerri_mww on August 6, 2000, at 1:52:03
In reply to Re: Adderall experiences: I would like to hear some., posted by kate on March 27, 2000, at 10:46:17
> adderall makes me nervous because of the way my friends use it. thomas, instead of
taking the pill will sniff it up his nose. he says that it works faster that way but it still
makes me just a tad bit nervous you know? he says that it makes his energy levels go
up and that it just generally makes him feel good. my friend chad once did way to
much of it and started shaking all over.........> ~kate
Kate,
It sounds like your friends are NOT using adderal. They are ABUSING it. Anyone who "takes" stimulants in this manner (ie nose, i.v.--without a doctor prescribing it be taken that way) is (already) an addict (or wants to be).
They are not using the medication to get the effects we seek.
I have been on Adderal for almost one month now. I take 40mg in the am. I noticed the benefits right away (which is how the med should work with ADD). I wasn't wanting to go right back to sleep until 1-2 pm. I felt motivated to get housework etc done (I just finished sorting through every stitch of clothes I have in house, storage. Took away three pick-up loads to the S.A.
I am now working on unpacking moving boxes (I have lived here a year) and I am finally getting caught up on the dishes (some dirty-packed in boxes from the last house..LOL).
I too can see just how bad of shape my life is in. But I also see how to finally make it better.
Physiologically, the first day starting ADDeral was a nightmare. I took 20mg in the am and IMMEDIATELY had effects. I felt my heart pounding, dizziness, nausea, chest pains etc. I was dying because I took this drug and all within the first three minutes of taking it. LOLL I
had given myself a major panic attack (I read the adverse reactions on the drug info sheet). I even went so far as to call the psych emergency line to assure myself it was all in my head (I KNEW the pills had not even had time to dissolve)
For the next three days all I felt was a little nausea that went away within the hour.
I now can say I have no side-effects at all. I have noticed that I might need a little dose at noon (many md's prescribe this). I have no awareness when the drug is "starting" or when it is wearing off.
I think this med is a God-send!!
Also for the depressing/negative thoughts. I also take Effexor XR. I used to constantly "plan" my funeral (at least dwell on my death). Now I do not even think of it.
Ask your MD if they think you can try it. Works for me!
GerriPS Kate--get your friends into a rehab or counseling.
Posted by gerri_mww on August 6, 2000, at 2:06:46
In reply to Re: Adderall experiences: I would like to hear some., posted by val on March 27, 2000, at 15:05:18
> I was on Adderal for four months for ADD and became increasingly agitated. I am extremely tolerant of meds and was taking 190mgs a day. Each dose was effective for about 2-3 hrs. As each dose wore off
> valWHOA!!! 190mg/day Are you aure you took THAT much??!!
I know some ADDers have to take the highest levels to achieve the right dose
but compared to EVERYONE I have seen posted all over ADD channels the most I have seen
is 60mg/day. No wonder you had bad effects. I'm sure at that high of dose you reached your "addictive"
level for sure (this varies in people according to metabolism/weight---and difference can be as little as 5mg)
I'm sure if you tried ADDeral and it worked, you could try again at much lower levels.
Start with 10mg/day and go from there, increasing the dose (if needed) every week until a max dose of 60mg/day is reached.
Then if it still isn't working the way you want it to, you know it never will. Not all meds work the same for all people.
I am sure Ritalin would not be a good choice for me.
Good luck!
Gerri
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.