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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
So, I started Adderall on Thursday. The doctor said to start at 10 mg of the XR per day and titrate up from there. The first two days were awesome. The next few days, I started having progressively worse panicky, sad, depressed feelings in the afternoon. I 've been three days at the 20 mg dose and today I had a full-scale freak out/meltdown. I couldn't function or think, I was in terrible pain and freaking out, and I really thought I was going to end up going to the ER or hurting myself.
My question is, can these stimulants build up in your system over a period of days? Because I thought they just went away after eight hours or so and you started fresh the next day. But I'm getting progressively worse.
Should I drop back down to 10 and titrate up very slowly, or just stop taking it for a few days to see if things change? The episode this afternoon was scary.
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2012, at 23:50:09
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
Is this the first time you have been on a stimulant? If so maybe not a good med for you? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 23, 2012, at 23:58:45
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
I'd definatly call your doctor to discuss
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2012, at 1:36:54
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by jono_in_adelaide on August 23, 2012, at 23:58:45
> I'd definatly call your doctor to discuss
I agree. He may have seen this before.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2012, at 1:39:25
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
> So, I started Adderall on Thursday. The doctor said to start at 10 mg of the XR per day and titrate up from there. The first two days were awesome. The next few days, I started having progressively worse panicky, sad, depressed feelings in the afternoon. I 've been three days at the 20 mg dose and today I had a full-scale freak out/meltdown. I couldn't function or think, I was in terrible pain and freaking out, and I really thought I was going to end up going to the ER or hurting myself.
>
> My question is, can these stimulants build up in your system over a period of days? Because I thought they just went away after eight hours or so and you started fresh the next day. But I'm getting progressively worse.
>
> Should I drop back down to 10 and titrate up very slowly, or just stop taking it for a few days to see if things change? The episode this afternoon was scary.
In the absence of medical advice, I would discontinue taking the amphetamine immediately.
- Scott
Posted by jane d on August 24, 2012, at 2:05:13
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
> today I had a full-scale freak out/meltdown. I couldn't function or think, I was in terrible pain and freaking out, and I really thought I was going to end up going to the ER or hurting myself.
>
> My question is, can these stimulants build up in your system over a period of days? Because I thought they just went away after eight hours or so and you started fresh the next day. But I'm getting progressively worse.
>
> Should I drop back down to 10 and titrate up very slowly, or just stop taking it for a few days to see if things change? The episode this afternoon was scary.Stop now! Then call your doctor and consider restarting it only if he makes a very very convincing argument for why this won't happen again. Which I doubt will happen. And personally, if it were me, there's no way I'd take it again if I'd experienced what you did.
I'm sorry this didn't work out better for you.
I don't know the answer to whether it builds up or not. I'd assumed that it didn't - it certainly didn't feel that way to me. But that's not the only mechanism by which you could get worse over time.
Posted by SLS on August 24, 2012, at 6:15:47
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do » Raisinb, posted by jane d on August 24, 2012, at 2:05:13
> I don't know the answer to whether it builds up or not. I'd assumed that it didn't - it certainly didn't feel that way to me. But that's not the only mechanism by which you could get worse over time.
Perhaps there was an increasing depletion of dopamine and epinephrine stores as increased amounts were released due to the amphetamine. I think that's why I felt better with Dexedrine for the first few days before relapsing again. I can't be sure, though.
- Scott
Posted by Willful on August 24, 2012, at 13:37:34
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
Things like this do build up in the system over time. Even though the half life is x, it takes quite a bit longer than the half life to clear something from your system.
Also, if things were going really well at 10 mg, maybe that's a good dose for you. Or you could take a bit less, if the buildup bothers you over time-- or skip a day-- or do various other things to counteract it.
It doesnt' seems necessary to stop forever, just for a few days until your system stabilizes.and of course, it would be a good idea to call your doctor.
Posted by Raisinb on August 24, 2012, at 20:54:35
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do » jane d, posted by SLS on August 24, 2012, at 6:15:47
I stopped taking it as of today. Feel bored, fatigued, and deeply depressed. I wish I'd called the doctor today, because now I'll have to wait until Monday, but I had more important things to do (namely, sleep all day). Saw my therapist for an extra session, but psychoanalytic talk therapy always makes me worse when I'm feeling bad already.
Posted by jane d on August 24, 2012, at 22:35:29
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 24, 2012, at 20:54:35
> I stopped taking it as of today. Feel bored, fatigued, and deeply depressed. I wish I'd called the doctor today, because now I'll have to wait until Monday, but I had more important things to do (namely, sleep all day). Saw my therapist for an extra session, but psychoanalytic talk therapy always makes me worse when I'm feeling bad already.
Hang in there. These feelings should pass. Does it help you at all to remind yourself that these feelings aren't "you" - just a side effect of the medication?
Posted by Dinah on August 26, 2012, at 22:29:02
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 24, 2012, at 20:54:35
Any chance of switching to Provigil? It's out in generic now. I find myself being anxious with many many medications, but not with Provigil.
On the other hand, doesn't your response undermine the possibility of ADHD per the diagnostic use of medication?
Posted by Raisinb on August 26, 2012, at 23:34:54
In reply to Re: Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do » Raisinb, posted by Dinah on August 26, 2012, at 22:29:02
That's a good question. I stopped taking it for a day, then took 10 mg for two days and feel fine. It definitely helps me do bills and grade papers, things I never would do without it. It's possible it's a bad med for me, but I guess it's also possible I just started with too much and increased too rapidly.
I fit a lot of ADHD parameters, but who knows.
Posted by phidippus on August 31, 2012, at 18:50:21
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
There is some slight buildup, but the half-life is short enough that it is insignificant.
Strange reaction.
Eric
Posted by ADDer on September 2, 2012, at 15:05:39
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
> So, I started Adderall on Thursday. The doctor said to start at 10 mg of the XR per day and titrate up from there. The first two days were awesome. The next few days, I started having progressively worse panicky, sad, depressed feelings in the afternoon. I 've been three days at the 20 mg dose and today I had a full-scale freak out/meltdown. I couldn't function or think, I was in terrible pain and freaking out, and I really thought I was going to end up going to the ER or hurting myself.
>
> My question is, can these stimulants build up in your system over a period of days? Because I thought they just went away after eight hours or so and you started fresh the next day. But I'm getting progressively worse.
>
> Should I drop back down to 10 and titrate up very slowly, or just stop taking it for a few days to see if things change? The episode this afternoon was scary.So I assume the Adderall XR was prescribed because you are expected to have ADD/ADHD (based on your other post). It is of course possible that you do not have ADD at all, but the meds did seem to help you at first. Have you considered that you might actually have ADD, clustered with other disorders, such as for instance depression or panic disorder? Is it possible that these disorders do not come to the surface until the ADD is temporarily cured by the Adderall XR?
Posted by alchemy on September 3, 2012, at 16:02:25
In reply to Adderall isn't going so well--not sure what to do, posted by Raisinb on August 23, 2012, at 21:02:20
Interesting post as i am questioning the same thing. Ritalin is the only thing that helps me, but mostly just in the morning. And its not consistent. I think i have afternoon depression no matter what. I also take lamictal (stabilizer). Years ago i took adderall, and the same great effect and then up and down - and super lows.
I took a ritalin this morning - which actually made me feel like i could go on a walk, pay bills, etc. 4hrs later i am really down. But ive always had random moods, so its hard to know. I even took another one to no avail.
This is the end of the thread.
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