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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mattye on April 3, 2007, at 19:31:08
I know you aren't supposed to do this, but my sister gave me some of her adderall and I figured it couldn't be too bad since I have been on it before. She has 30 mg XR. She takes it for narcolepsy, and I was curious to give it another try since it had helped me before.
Adderall helped me so much in high school with attention problems, anxiety, and depression (back before the XR days, 1998-2000). The TOVA test I took where you click the button said I had ADD, but I believe the more pressing illnesses were my depression and anxiety. I believe GAD and depression were presenting themselves as inattentiveness and distractability. I still have many ADD symptoms (I'm a total space cadet), but these are not as troublesome as my depression and anxiety.
Nowadays Adderall is like a rollercoaster. It feels harsh. I don't eat. My jaw clenches. I talk too fast. Lexapro is gentle - it works in the background to help with my symptoms.
The thing is, when Adderall is working it really works! It makes me so much better at work because Im not so scattered and reactive. I am calmer, more focused, more efficient, more sociable, less nervous, and not depressed. I feel like I can organize my massive backed up caseload (I'm a social worker). Like I can make a decision and follow through with it without getting distracted along the way. It has also helped with the very troublesome problem of my low libido on Lexapro. I suppose these are effects that anyone would have on a stimulant.But by the end of the day, I am left with an empty, edgy, strung-out feeling. I can feel the drug wear off. I can't relax. I'm still wired, but not in a good way . . . more of an adrenal, jaw clenching nervous way. I keep licking my lips and I want to chew on things but not eat. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone here.
The question I have is do you think there is a balance that can be acheived here? I have had more success with lower dosages ... 10 mgs XR is much more gentle but effective. What about Concerta? Do you think I should ask my doc about it at my next appointment? I hate asking for drugs because it always makes me feel like I am doing "drug seeking behavior." But believe me, if I was gonna abuse a drug, it wouldn't be adderall.
I think a stimulant could work for me if it is the right one at a low dose. What do you guys think?
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 3, 2007, at 22:35:31
In reply to Adderall - YUK!, posted by mattye on April 3, 2007, at 19:31:08
i need similar advice
i'm on adderall and it is helping somewhat with structure
but the teatime nasties are too much
also i wake up terrified of getting out of bed so i go back the sleep and have nightmaresadditionally i have a desire to have fairly random sex. this is not usual for me (at least not for that last 35 years)
but i expected problems without an AD
what's next?
my pdoc is on vacation
i have a week to think about next steps
Posted by mattye on April 4, 2007, at 0:56:26
In reply to one mean lady on Adderall, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 3, 2007, at 22:35:31
I have a feeling that we might both do better on a low dose of Concerta - which is basically Ritalin XR.
The thing is, stims work for me. . . it is just the intensity and comedown that kills me. I think Adderall XR 30 mgs is just too much for me. I bet a therapeutic dose of a more gentle, sustained stimulant.
The problem is asking my doctor for this without him thinking I am seeking drugs.
> i need similar advice
> i'm on adderall and it is helping somewhat with structure
> but the teatime nasties are too much
> also i wake up terrified of getting out of bed so i go back the sleep and have nightmares
>
> additionally i have a desire to have fairly random sex. this is not usual for me (at least not for that last 35 years)
>
> but i expected problems without an AD
> what's next?
> my pdoc is on vacation
> i have a week to think about next steps
Posted by esokev on April 4, 2007, at 4:24:02
In reply to one mean lady on Adderall, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 3, 2007, at 22:35:31
I took adderall for three years from '99 to like '03 (or something...) It worked well for cognitive issues, but when the levels would peak and then decline I would get irritable. I had REAL problems with Ritalin... made me so angry that I wanted to punch walls (and that is sooooooo not in my character...) I wish I had advice to offer, but I don't... Perhaps try something else... Are you on the extended release? That seemed to help with the moodiness and anger issues a bit for me..
Posted by dbc on April 4, 2007, at 6:48:47
In reply to Re: one mean lady on Adderall, posted by mattye on April 4, 2007, at 0:56:26
Dexedrine is the closest thing to a perfect stimulant i've encountered but getting it scripted isnt such an easy thing.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 4, 2007, at 20:20:17
In reply to Re: one mean lady on Adderall, posted by mattye on April 4, 2007, at 0:56:26
m
have a friend who does adderall 20mg XR and then an option regualar 10 mg later
30 all at once seems a big dose
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 4, 2007, at 20:21:34
In reply to Re: one mean lady on Adderall, posted by dbc on April 4, 2007, at 6:48:47
my pdoc won't even look at me when i mention dexadrine
This is the end of the thread.
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