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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 SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
Hey, All... Been awhile... I have been on Adderall now for almost a year. I started at 10mgs and I am now up to 40. It seems to be tearing my body apart!! I get alot of tension in my jaw which then causes tension and spasms down my neck and shoulders and occasional numbness in my arms and weakness in my hands. I have tried and continue to use relaxation methods, no caffine, exercise...yada, yada... So, any ideas what I can try next? I would prefer no drugs or herbs. I am seriously considering tapering off Adderall, but it has made such a wonderful difference in my life I hate to give up on it! (I have adult add, no depression, nice homelife) I would also like some info from anyone (James?) who has been on a stim for a while...What is your dose? Will I finally get to a stage where I don't need to increase, info like that... Thank you all in advance...
SarahB
Posted by AndrewB on October 2, 2000, at 16:50:22
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
Sarah,
I'm taking adderall now. I hope this is not what I'm heading for!
A few suggestions. Some docs recommend that those on ADD meds take drug holidays, i.e. weekends off. Maybe this helps keep tolerance from building up.
Massage, electirc stim. and ultrasound can loosen things up.
My other suggestion involves drugs, sorry. Maybe a small dose of a something that relaxes muscles would help. One person with jaw tightness pain (TMG) said the best muscle relaxants were Soma (the best) and Flexaril. I’ve noticed low dose klono takes the tension out of my jaw.
Just some ideas,
AndrewB
Posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 17:33:09
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by AndrewB on October 2, 2000, at 16:50:22
Thanks, Andrew... I am on my week off right now, I almost hate to start again! No tension, headaches or spasms! Ah well.... I have tried Soma, works great, but I would like to stay away from anymore drugs if possible...
Posted by JasonL on October 2, 2000, at 17:47:39
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by AndrewB on October 2, 2000, at 16:50:22
>
> Andrew,You take Adderal and what else? Are you ADD, or using it just as a stumulent?
JasonL
Posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 20:30:08
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
Sarah,
While fortunately,I don't all the side effects that you do, I am greatly concerned about the hand tremor that I seem to get while either on ritalin or adderall. Since I'm also on Zoloft and am concerned about the weight gain, I have decided to switch to Prozac. I'm hoping that Prozac with its activating feature will enable me to either take less of Adderall or drop it all together.
The advice you received was good. Also, have you considered switching to one of the AD drugs that is used also for ADD such as Wellbutrin?
Anyway, I definately understand your situation as stimulants have made a big difference in my life. While I am willing to tolerate certain side effects, I don't think having a hand tremor is one to take lightly.
Good luck
Shirley
Posted by AndrewB on October 2, 2000, at 20:47:40
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
Sarah,
Headaches? KarenB takes proprapanol, a beta blocker, for her Adderall headaches. Yes, I remember, no more drugs.
Some people switch back and forth between ADD meds. For example, adderall and dexedrine. Maybe that would help.
I think maybe when you get into the higher doses like you have the side effects increase.
AndrewB
Posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 23:42:13
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by AndrewB on October 2, 2000, at 20:47:40
I feel the headaches come from the jaw tension. When I don't have it they aren't there. While I feel that I am educated on Adderall, I really have no idea what a "higher" dose is. Is 40mgs? I am curious about that. I am hoping that someday I will get to a level that will work for years, does that ever happen? I have an appt with the shrink on Monday, I am going to chat him up about all the side effects and see what he says. The soma isn't too bad, not too many side effects. Maybe we'll give that a whirl. Thank you all so much...
SarahB
Posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 23:48:05
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 20:30:08
Hi there... Yes, I have tried the SSRI's. Uck is all I can say. I am still trying to get over Effexor! That was awful!! I would certainly ask the doc about the tremor. I know my numbness is due to the tension and pinching of nerves, so I'm not too worried about it. (not to mention carpel tunnel!) Thanks again...
SarahB
Posted by stjames on October 3, 2000, at 1:29:20
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
Low dose Inderal, a beta blocker, is effecive, I use this. I have learned to check from time to time to see if I am cleanching my teeth. This is often where jaw problems start. My doc wants me to take dex every day but I don't. I work 5 days a week and try to take dex 3-4 of those days and not on days off. I have never found any need to taper. Some days I can get away with just the AM dose, 20 mgs. Soma for real problems but the NSAI's are most effective, naprosin is the best for me. Once a muscle is in spasim direct deep pressure can stop this, also keep in mind the jaw muscle is one of the most powerful. Heat first then deep massage is very effective.
It is also worth a trial of Dexadrine to see if it is any better.
james
Posted by Sigolene on October 3, 2000, at 15:12:31
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
My doc put me on Ritalin yesterday. I never had this kind of med before. In Europe we don't have adderal. But is see that many adults here are taking adderal (more than ritalin). So, i wonder why. What is the difference between the two ?
Sigolene
Posted by doug cater on October 6, 2000, at 21:43:46
In reply to Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by SarahB on October 2, 2000, at 14:26:10
> Hey, All... Been awhile... I have been on Adderall now for almost a year. I started at 10mgs and I am now up to 40. It seems to be tearing my body apart!! I get alot of tension in my jaw which then causes tension and spasms down my neck and shoulders and occasional numbness in my arms and weakness in my hands. I have tried and continue to use relaxation methods, no caffine, exercise...yada, yada... So, any ideas what I can try next? I would prefer no drugs or herbs. I am seriously considering tapering off Adderall, but it has made such a wonderful difference in my life I hate to give up on it! (I have adult add, no depression, nice homelife) I would also like some info from anyone (James?) who has been on a stim for a while...What is your dose? Will I finally get to a stage where I don't need to increase, info like that... Thank you all in advance...
> SarahBI may be straying into forbidden waters here, but I have found that GHB, or gamma butyrolactone as it is now available is a superb counterpoint to adderal, for relaxing, boosting appetite, sleeping really well. Also, Dr. Bob talks bout in one of his postings , desoxyn being actually preferable to adderall with longer half-life, less jangly come down symptoms. Of course, desoxyn is the much demonized methamphetamine. But since I have had to go through urine tests twice now where the lab tested me positive for meth when it was only adderall, I say "What the hey?"
Posted by stjames on October 7, 2000, at 0:17:30
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by doug cater on October 6, 2000, at 21:43:46
But since I have had to go through urine tests twice now where the lab tested me positive for meth when it was only adderall, I say "What the hey?"
James here....
Provided adderal and meth have different metabolites, and i think they do, there is no way
the 2 can be confused by the lab. labs generally use a gas chromatagraph to weed out false positives, ect. The GC is 100 %, as every molicule has a specific burning point, in degrees Kelvin, with no 2 alike.james
Posted by doug cater on October 10, 2000, at 1:38:45
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by stjames on October 7, 2000, at 0:17:30
Sorry James, wrong, dead wrong, not only has this happened top me twice but my psychiatrist confirmed it has happened to 6 of his other patients and so he has written a letter for the courts for me to use. Somehow your posting displays a smug technological vanity that is basically calling me a liar, but these labs get it wrong all the time.
Posted by stjames on October 10, 2000, at 13:31:59
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by doug cater on October 10, 2000, at 1:38:45
> Sorry James, wrong, dead wrong, not only has this happened top me twice but my psychiatrist confirmed it has happened to 6 of his other patients and so he has written a letter for the courts for me to use.
James here.....Please reread my post:
Provided adderal and meth have different metabolites, and i think they do, there is no way
the 2 can be confused by the lab. labs generally use a gas chromatagraph to weed out false positives, ect. The GC is 100 %, as every molicule has a specific burning point, in degrees Kelvin, with no 2 alike.If your lab is not using the GC to check positives then there will be errors. I did not say that they did, just that they should. I said "generally"
Sorry you do not understand the technology envolved.
jamesjames
Posted by stjames on October 20, 2000, at 22:08:57
In reply to Re: Long Term Adderall Use?, posted by doug cater on October 10, 2000, at 1:38:45
> Sorry James, wrong, dead wrong, not only has this happened top me twice but my psychiatrist confirmed it has happened to 6 of his other patients and so he has written a letter for the courts for me to use. Somehow your posting displays a smug technological vanity that is basically calling me a liar, but these labs get it wrong all the time.
James here....
Doug, I think you assumed I was calling you a liar. Incorrect. I was calling the lab a liar. Since I take Dex I did some research on this and called a local lab to check.
Methamphatamine is metabolized into amphetamine, I was incorrect. The basic lab test does not look for metabolites but products made by the immune system, when you take a drug. ELISA and Western Blot. There are always possibilities for false positives as they are not specific. Using this test no lab can say which amphetamine you took.
Another test, gas cromatogophery and mass spect, has to be done. Actually all positives are suposed to be verified this way. I the case of
methamphetamine, one would show positive for amphetamine with a small peak (amount) of methamphetamine. If one took amphetamine then no peak of methamphetamine. The lab I called indicated there was no real law that says they have to verify positives, but clinically it is the only way to be sure and to say specifically
which drug was taken.So, your lab was lying. I guess they did not do the second test. I have looked at the pages for
the ELISA tests on the market, all state they cannot specify which amphetamine. Most will be positive for amphetamine if you took MDMA, MDA, and many other analogues. As crystal meth is by far the most common amphetamine people use illicitly I would guess a lab might assume wrongly
that you took meth. They do not have the right to do this w/o additional tests.The question I ask a lab when tested for drugs is "how do you verify positives"
james
This is the end of the thread.
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