Any experiences with adderall?

[mr_superlove]

I'm 28 and have just been prescribed adderall to combat my incredible lack of attention at work. Anyone else on it? What are your experiences with it? Only three days with it now, but I'm loving it. I'm very focused (although I am still on head-fi here at work.) I'm only taking 10mg this week. Up to 20mg next week, 30mg the next.

Originally, the doctor prescribed me Strattera. I *thought* that it was working, but after 4 months it was clear that it wasn't. And, there were some unpleasant sexual side-effects.

Anyway, tell me what you know.

 

[Jose Perez]

I currently take the old stand-by ritalin and it works very well for me. I've been on several other meds but not Adderal. I also tried Strattera for a month but all it did was put me to sleep. I swear I was either sleeping or half-asleep 15-16 hours a day when I took the stuff.

As for Adderal, since I haven't taken it personally I can't attest to its efficacy but a co-worker of mine has an older brother (I think he's around my age, 32) who uses it and swears by it. She said he had a serious problem with ADD and grew depressed as a result of how it was ruining his personal and proffessional life. She says that between the Adderal and some anti-depressants he's a new person and has been for a few years now.

 

[Bunnyears]

Adderall is mainly dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) mixed with some other amphetamine compounds including amphetamine sulfate. It's a very habituating (and possibly addicting) drug that should be used cautiously. Just as with ritalin, it is a drug that is frequently abused, so be sure to follow your doctor's instructions as closely as possible.

Btw, those unfortunate sexual side effects are also associated with amphetamine use, so don't be surprised if they recur.

Good luck to you, I hope that your problems can be worked out!

 

[mr_superlove]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears Btw, those unfortunate sexual side effects are also associated with amphetamine use, so don't be surprised if they recur. Good luck to you, I hope that your problems can be worked out!

Really?! Hmmm, I imagine they're different than Strattera effects, right? Strattera is the only ADD med that's not a stimulant, so I've heard.

I don't doubt it about the probability of it being abused. At the end of the day, I can feel a vague craving for it. MTV had a show which, I think, was entirely devoted to the negative effects of it.

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[skyskraper]

ive been on dexamphetamine sulphate for 9 months now and its turned my life around.

im a bit busy, so i'll post more on the subject later

 

[minya]

I miss the days when psychological maladies could be treated with introspection and philosophy, not a trip to the doctor's office and a bunch of pills.

Sigh.

- Chris

 

[viator122]

Well I can't say I've ever tried but a lot of my friends in college obtained it frequently (and illegally) to help them concentrate at exam time. They swore by the stuff.

Of course then there were the lunatics who crushed it up and did other things with it.

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_superlove Really?! Hmmm, I imagine they're different than Strattera effects, right? Strattera is the only ADD med that's not a stimulant, so I've heard. I don't doubt it about the probability of it being abused. At the end of the day, I can feel a vague craving for it. MTV had a show which, I think, was entirely devoted to the negative effects of it. Thanks for the encouragement.

Sexual side effects of amphetamine use include impotence and loss of libido. All of the possible side effects, including allergic side effects, should be there in the package insert from the drug company.

 

[chadbang]

Amphetamines aid concentration? They always made me want to run around...and around...and...


Oh wait, I've have seen some "speed freak" drawings, where people sit and draw hundreds of tiny faces over and over. I guess it could aid in concentrating. Would sure as hell make the work days shorter.

I remember driving from S Carolina to Philadelphia on speed. Seemed to take two hours...

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

ADDERALL XR was generally well tolerated in clinical studies. The most common side effects were decreased appetite, loss of sleep (insomnia), abdominal pain, and emotional lability.

http://www.adderallxr.com/default.asp?cat=13&aid=330

Emotional lability means emotional swings, from euphoria to depression, etc.
Labile means "readily open to change." A labile emotional response is one that seems to come all of a sudden or "out of nowhere."

People who have labile emotions cry or laugh in response to events or phrases that others might find only mildly arousing.

The decreased appetite is no surprise. The first use for dexedrine was as a diet drug.

Quote:

The following adverse reactions have been associated with amphetamine use: Cardiovascular: Palpitations, tachycardia, elevation of blood pressure, sudden death, myocardial infarction. There have been isolated reports of cardiomyopathy associated with chronic amphetamine use. Central Nervous System: Psychotic episodes at recommended doses, overstimulation, restlessness, dizziness, insomnia, euphoria, dyskinesia, dysphoria, depression, tremor, headache, exacerbation of motor and phonic tics and Tourette's syndrome, seizures, stroke. Gastrointestinal: Dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, constipation, other gastrointestinal disturbances. Anorexia and weight loss may occur as undesirable effects. Allergic: Urticaria. Endocrine: Impotence, changes in libido. DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE ADDERALL XR® is a Schedule II controlled substance. Amphetamines have been extensively abused. Tolerance, extreme psychological dependence, and severe social disability have occurred. There are reports of patients who have increased the dosage to many times that recommended. Abrupt cessation following prolonged high dosage administration results in extreme fatigue and mental depression; changes are also noted on the sleep EEG. Manifestations of chronic intoxication with amphetamines may include severe dermatoses, marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes. The most severe manifestation of chronic intoxication is psychosis, often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.

[emphasis added] from the Prescribing Information: http://www.adderallxr.com/pdf/prescr...nformation.pdf

[size=medium]Remember, these side effects occur very infrequently and should not occur if you use the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor. [/size]
As a matter of fact, the worst side effects are most frequently noted in drug abusers. Obviously, the larger the dose you take, the greater the potential for side effects.

 

[mr_superlove]

Thanks again, bunnyears.

As a side note, meth is BIG here in Arkansas. There are billboards along the freeways with before/after pictures of users. Scary stuff. As a friend of mine said "They're going to have to make that drug a lot more pretty for me to get involved in it."

Ooooh, here's a link. http://www.crystalrecovery.com/Help/1-Before&After.html

Skyskraper, I'd like to hear your story!

 

[skyskraper]

hey just to let u know i havent forgotten about this, ive just been sick and busy.

 

[Mikey01]

Ritilin and the like is refered to as "kiddie cocain". I am convinced that it is probably something in our diets like mercury in fish, or aluminum residue from cooking pots and cans, or pvc toxins from plasticware, and of course pestisides. I take Strattera "2x the maximum dosage" every day as prescribed by my Doc, just to have a thought. I guess that will have to do untill they perfect lobotomys. It's not that I can't think or remember anything. It's more like......uh.....uh....uh.....uh.....uh (I'll have to get back to you on that when I remember).

 

[bg4533]

I have thought for a long time that I should try something out, but I have never talked to a doctor about it. My mind is constantly all over the place and I am rarely as productive as I know I can be. When it comes time to study for a hard exam I will drink a few glasses of wine to slow me down. Only wine seems to work, beer and liquor make things worse if anything. Not the best way to go, but I do get more studying done.

 

[mjg]

I've been diagnosed with severe add most of my life.

I took ritalin as a kid. It's a pain taking it more then once a day. I absolutely hated strattera, i got sever chest pains and lots of side effects, i thought the drug sucked personally. I can go on and on about why i dont like some medications, but i can tell you straightup, i'm having great success with concerta, and take that right now and for the last 3 months i've been using this.
The time release system is probablly the most superior available, and yea it's expensive. Adderall is pricey too, but personally haven't touched it. My shrink considers it a step down in quality.

I rather not go into details publicly, but if anyone wants to talk to me about how i deal with stuff, feel free to PM, i'm pretty proficent for a really bad ADD case. I'm in 2 very hard majors and i get nearly everything done my way.