Posted by Ripley Snell on June 20, 2006, at 20:47:35
In reply to Why does adderall suck so much, posted by mike lynch on June 20, 2006, at 16:52:02
You write, about Adderall: Though, as for long as it benefits me, for the same amount of time it always turns on me in a brutal,sadistic way. I'll be on it and everything will be awesome, but then as withdrawal kicks in, I can not be bothered to do anything, talk to anyone for as much as 3 hours.
But you lament: "The med would be pretty beneficial if the negative after effects weren't present, it's pretty frustrating. I'd think that there could be a possibility that I am on two high of a dose (20mg)."
It's amphetamine, for Lord's sake! I take 80 - 100 mg per day, but that's because in the next two weeks I've got to get a lot of writing done, writing I don't want to do, and Adderall (or Ritalin) help me focus and make the task easier. Have you tried Ritalin? The crash is much shorter.Other things that ease the crash (for me): a low dose of a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam or clonazepam; my nightly dose of Seroquel; or (ha ha!) a drink.
As I am bipolar, one might think that Adderall could trigger a dangerous manic episode, and there was one time that I couldn't resist spending $500 on books during the peak of an Adderall high when I should have been typing. Fortunately, I was able to return them! But truly, taking a little extra Seroquel (which, for me, is an excellent anti-manic) along with the Adderall smooths things out considerably.
If, however, you're taking the stuff to augment an antidepressant, you could try other strategies . . . a post-synaptic dopamine agonist (antiParkinsonian meds such as pramipexole or pergolide) . . . thyroid . . . Lamictal . . . testosterone . . . an "activating" antidepressant such as Effexor, Prozac, or EMSAM.
Could you isolate and describe how the Adderall helps when it's actually working, and not being eliminated from your system? Then you might be able to find a drug that produces that effect without the side effects you describe. Too bad, though; I think it's quite effective, and just as the "crash" hits, I'm ready for bed.
Be well
Snell.
poster:Ripley Snell
thread:659335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060617/msgs/659440.html