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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
I am very interested in seeing how those who are on stimulants react to coffee. I ask because coffee can have a very paradoxical effect on me and I would like to see if others have experienced this effect.
I am currently on Dexedrine, 15 mg two times per day and I crave coffee constantly. The problem is sometimes coffee gives me an energy and mood boost and other times I feel like crying and end up having to take a nap shortly after a cup as I also feel extremely tired.
Does anyone else have problems with coffee? If you do, could you please indicate what med(s) you are on as I am trying to figure out the brain chemistry involved here.
Any input (even from those on something other than stimulants) would be greatly appreciated.
TIA,
Alex
Posted by cindylou on January 27, 2002, at 17:53:29
In reply to Stimulants and coffee, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
Hi Alex,
I have the same paradoxical reaction to coffee. Usually in the morning coffee will help with energy, but if I try it later on to help with an afternoon slump, it usually just makes me worse.It's been this way no matter what med I'm on -- I've been on most of them, including stimulants. My guess is that, for me, the problem is a blood sugar one. I know that caffeine can cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, leaving me exhausted, spacy, depressed, and HAVING TO NAP. Sometimes a protein shake will help this, or eating something with protein in it, but the best cure is SLEEP (problem is I'm not always in a place where I can just crash out!)
I'm not sure why I don't have the same problems in the morning. I usually drink coffee on an empty stomach, but I do have a protein shake every morning before heading out the door.
Good question, I look forward to hearing other responses.
cindy
> I am very interested in seeing how th-ose who are on stimulants react to coffee. I ask because coffee can have a very paradoxical effect on me and I would like to see if others have experienced this effect.
>
> I am currently on Dexedrine, 15 mg two times per day and I crave coffee constantly. The problem is sometimes coffee gives me an energy and mood boost and other times I feel like crying and end up having to take a nap shortly after a cup as I also feel extremely tired.
>
> Does anyone else have problems with coffee? If you do, could you please indicate what med(s) you are on as I am trying to figure out the brain chemistry involved here.
>
> Any input (even from those on something other than stimulants) would be greatly appreciated.
>
> TIA,
>
> Alex
Posted by MB on January 27, 2002, at 18:52:39
In reply to Stimulants and coffee, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
Hey, it is very synchronistic that this post would come up right when I was doing the same experiment (caffeine with Adderall, to be more precise). I'm still working on titrating all my meds (Neurontin, Adderall, Klonopin, Prozac). What I've noticed is that the primary symptoms I'd sought treatment for have been alleviated (depression, anxiety, rage, and ADD). The problem is that my moods are extremely labile. I'm having spikes of moderate euphoria which last anywhere from 2 seconds to 5 minutes, and I'm also having spikes of dysphoria of similar duration. At one point today, about an hour before it was time for my afternoon Adderall dose, I drank a diet coke. I think this was a reflex: before treatment, I would often grab caffeine when I felt a crash comming on. This time, the caffeine seemed to increase the frequency of the euphoria/dysphoria cycling.
Parenthetically, when I use the term "dysphoria," I am in no way describing anything close to depression. It is worse than depression; it is the opposite of euphoria: it is complete dread like there is something seriously wrong, yet it is subjectively very different than anxiety or panic.Any suggestions?
Does anybody know what this ultra, ultra rapid cycling between euphoria and dysphoria is about? Is it what I've often heard described as a mixed state? If so, I think caffeine makes it worse.
> I am very interested in seeing how those who are on stimulants react to coffee. I ask because coffee can have a very paradoxical effect on me and I would like to see if others have experienced this effect.
>
> I am currently on Dexedrine, 15 mg two times per day and I crave coffee constantly. The problem is sometimes coffee gives me an energy and mood boost and other times I feel like crying and end up having to take a nap shortly after a cup as I also feel extremely tired.
>
> Does anyone else have problems with coffee? If you do, could you please indicate what med(s) you are on as I am trying to figure out the brain chemistry involved here.
>
> Any input (even from those on something other than stimulants) would be greatly appreciated.
>
> TIA,
>
> Alex
Posted by MB on January 27, 2002, at 19:02:38
In reply to Re: Stimulants and coffee » Alex J, posted by cindylou on January 27, 2002, at 17:53:29
< cut >
> It's been this way no matter what med I'm on -- I've been on most of them, including stimulants. My guess is that, for me, the problem is a blood sugar one. I know that caffeine can cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, leaving me exhausted, spacy, depressed, and HAVING TO NAP.< cut >
****Amazing! This could be the answer to my question (read above response to Alex J). I have often felt intense dysphoria with low blood sugar. Could my mood lability be endocrinological and not neurological? I hadn't thought of that. I probably need to eat frequent high protein meals throughout the day, but the Adderall (for the time being) makes that sound yucky!!Lets discuss more of this (caffiene and stimulant interaction) as we each accumulate anecdotal data. Another queston that needs answering is this: do the psychostimulants cause the same drop in blood sugar that caffeine causes?
MB
Posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 19:20:31
In reply to Re: Stimulants and coffee » Alex J, posted by cindylou on January 27, 2002, at 17:53:29
Hi Cindy,
You have made a very interesting observation. I had not even considered the idea that coffee could cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, as you have written. The fact that you experience sleepiness as well as other psychological symptoms after an afternoon cup but not with a morning cup explains my situation as well. I will have to try an afternoon cup with some protein to see what transpires.
Another question that begs to be answered is the one posted by MB above regarding psychostimulants and insulin. I hope someone can shed some light on this.
Alex
> Hi Alex,
> I have the same paradoxical reaction to coffee. Usually in the morning coffee will help with energy, but if I try it later on to help with an afternoon slump, it usually just makes me worse.
>
> It's been this way no matter what med I'm on -- I've been on most of them, including stimulants. My guess is that, for me, the problem is a blood sugar one. I know that caffeine can cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, leaving me exhausted, spacy, depressed, and HAVING TO NAP. Sometimes a protein shake will help this, or eating something with protein in it, but the best cure is SLEEP (problem is I'm not always in a place where I can just crash out!)
>
> I'm not sure why I don't have the same problems in the morning. I usually drink coffee on an empty stomach, but I do have a protein shake every morning before heading out the door.
>
> Good question, I look forward to hearing other responses.
>
> cindy
Posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:26:39
In reply to Stimulants and coffee, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
Alex, CindyLou, & MB, as you've discussed, it's hard to separate what may be causing these effects. I don't recommend caffeine tablets (Wake-Up pills) for regular use, but it's one way to find out whether it's a low blood sugar thing or the caffeine.
Caffeine tends to cause a release in insulin which then draws sugar from the blood for storage as glycogen - lowering your blood sugar level quickly. That can cause tiredness, flip-flop moods, & nausea & a number of other very uncomfortable feelings. Most people when they grab a coffee in the afternoon either add sugar to it, or grab a sweet roll or pastry. This combo causes a rapid rise, then drop in blood sugar.
If you'd like to check which it is, you can take a couple of Wake-Up pills (probably better to do it at home on the weekend when you don't have to perform at work), wait 15 minutes for it to get into your system, then eat a high protein-low carbohydrate snack (a piece of cheese, some cooked meat or fish) & wait to see the results. Your blood sugar won't plummet & then you can see what sort of effect caffeine has on you.
Valerian root (as a sleep aid) makes me jittery & very awake while paradoxically, I can take 2 Wake-Up pills & go right to sleep.
Posted by geno on January 28, 2002, at 17:39:04
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect? » Alex J, posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:26:39
> Alex, CindyLou, & MB, as you've discussed, it's hard to separate what may be causing these effects. I don't recommend caffeine tablets (Wake-Up pills) for regular use, but it's one way to find out whether it's a low blood sugar thing or the caffeine.
>
> Caffeine tends to cause a release in insulin which then draws sugar from the blood for storage as glycogen - lowering your blood sugar level quickly. That can cause tiredness, flip-flop moods, & nausea & a number of other very uncomfortable feelings. Most people when they grab a coffee in the afternoon either add sugar to it, or grab a sweet roll or pastry. This combo causes a rapid rise, then drop in blood sugar.
>
> If you'd like to check which it is, you can take a couple of Wake-Up pills (probably better to do it at home on the weekend when you don't have to perform at work), wait 15 minutes for it to get into your system, then eat a high protein-low carbohydrate snack (a piece of cheese, some cooked meat or fish) & wait to see the results. Your blood sugar won't plummet & then you can see what sort of effect caffeine has on you.
>
> Valerian root (as a sleep aid) makes me jittery & very awake while paradoxically, I can take 2 Wake-Up pills & go right to sleep.i Have a question. Iv been on a carb restricted diet (mainly sugar). WOuld complex carbs such as fruit, ect with low sugar, cause an insulin spike, resulting in low blodd sugar, causing shitty ness.
ANother post is that having been on this diet, when i do eat a sugary food, I crash REALLY hard, falling asleep, shitty feeling dysphoria, moody.
I just actually ate a myoplex protien bar, and a coffe, and i feel great,no crash at all. Im sticking with this!!geno
Posted by IsoM on January 28, 2002, at 19:31:44
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by geno on January 28, 2002, at 17:39:04
Geno, fruit contains a few different sugars but they're NOT complex carbohydrates. People who are diabetic & must restrict sugar intake, need to restrict fruit too.
Complex carbohydrates are starches (& cellulose, but we can't digest it). Foods like pasta, bread, rice, porridge, potatoes, etc are what's called complex carb foods. It makes no difference whether it's white bread or whole grain. Whole grain breads are, of course, more nutritious but they still needed to be digested first & don't enter the blood stream directly from the small intestine like sugar does.
Admittedly, all sugars except glucose (which is blood sugar, & also corn syrup) need to be broken down into glucose but it's a simple one-step process unlike the digestion of starches. And the process is slow with starches giving a even blood sugar level for a long time.
So the answer is yes - if you ate enough sweet fruit by itself, you'd experience the same effect as eating a spoonful of sugar.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 28, 2002, at 21:52:50
In reply to Stimulants and coffee, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
I am currently on Dexedrine, 15 mg two times per day and I crave coffee constantly. The problem is sometimes coffee gives me an energy and mood boost and other times I feel like crying and end up having to take a nap shortly after a cup as I also feel extremely tired.
>TIA,
>
> AlexDo you drink enough water? Dexedrine & Caffeine all cause dehydration, that could in part be a problem that is causing dysphoria. You would probably be better off drinking Gatorade or ice water at work while you are on the dexedrine. Dexedrine is really a much superior stimulant to caffeine & you probably shouldn't need any caffeine with the high dose of 30 mg/day of dexedrine (unless you are on the 'spansules' which don't work nearly as well as regular dexedrine). Caffeine on top of the dexedrine is bound to cause nervousness & dysphoria. Dexedrine, the d-isomer of amphetamine is greatly superior to regular racemic d,l amphetamine because it causes about 5x as much psycho/CNS stimulation as amphetamine without as much 'peripheral' (bad, dysphoric) CNS side effects . Caffeine is a "dirty" stimulant like regular d,l amphetamine because it causes much 'peripheral' cns stimulation (nervousness, jitteriness, increase in breathing, heartrate etc)& although caffeine weakly increases norepinephrine & dopamine it is not a very good psychostimulant.
Posted by MB on January 30, 2002, at 3:42:43
In reply to re: stimulant dehydration?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 28, 2002, at 21:52:50
For me, pstims and caffeine ALWAYS spell dysphoria. When I used to do crystal (yes, that was in a distant past), if I would drink any coffee, my arms would go numb from my fingertips to my elbows and a horrible dysphoria would overtake me. Amphetamine and coffee (for me) = BAD!!
Posted by Rakken on January 30, 2002, at 12:51:22
In reply to Pstims + caffeine = yuckiness, posted by MB on January 30, 2002, at 3:42:43
I take 30 mg Adderall in the morning and 20 in the afternoon as needed. I definitely feel more on the edge when I take Adderall. And I continue to feel on the edge until I take a 3 day break from the med. However, when I drink coffee with Adderall I don't feel anymore nervous. My heart rate may increase some, but I don't get any unpleasant jittery feeling. But, I never really thought I was very sensitive to caffeine. I can drink 3 cups of coffee and still go to bed at my usual 12 AM.
Posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect? » geno, posted by IsoM on January 28, 2002, at 19:31:44
I am ADD. Was great on Adderall for 2 years, except it made me smoke and have a red nose. Tried Ritalin. Still smoked, not much effect. Stopped everything and then got depressed...or maybe just frustrated. It was a hard time...moved across the country, lost my job, stopped working, back injury and such.
Wellbutrin made me manic, effexor spaced me out.
Went to see this new doctor...he says that adderall depletes the brain of transmitters or something and so he would rather I try a TCA. Started at a VERY low dose of desipramine 10mg. 2 weeks ago, went to 30 today.I have been crying every day. The doc says that the med could not be causing it. I figured it out today at 30mg. what I have been feeling. Total hypoglycemia. My blood sugar is dropping way down. I am craving sugar(which I usually don't eat because of hypoglycemia) but my response to even a little is awful. shaky, tearful, sweaty, then I crash. Again the doc said that it couldn't be the desipramine and I should watch what I eat. Has anyone heard of hypoglycemia from TCA's???
I am getting no positive effects except a bit more energy....why am I on this med when I feel like crap, have gained weight, my mouth tastes like a sewer....etc..?
But it is interesting to think about it as a metabolic issue...
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 31, 2002, at 1:42:13
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
Posted by Alex J on January 31, 2002, at 16:37:14
In reply to re: stimulant dehydration?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 28, 2002, at 21:52:50
I definitely do not drink enough water or any other liquid (besides coffee) for that matter. I am aware that caffeine causes dehydration but I was not aware that Dexedrine does also.
The reason I drink coffee is it seems to relax me. It does not make me jittery. Unfortunately at times coffee totally destabilizes me.
I have done some experimenting this week by drastically cutting back on my coffee intake and I am feeling better.
> Do you drink enough water? Dexedrine & Caffeine all cause dehydration, that could in part be a problem that is causing dysphoria. You would probably be better off drinking Gatorade or ice water at work while you are on the dexedrine. Dexedrine is really a much superior stimulant to caffeine & you probably shouldn't need any caffeine with the high dose of 30 mg/day of dexedrine (unless you are on the 'spansules' which don't work nearly as well as regular dexedrine). Caffeine on top of the dexedrine is bound to cause nervousness & dysphoria. Dexedrine, the d-isomer of amphetamine is greatly superior to regular racemic d,l amphetamine because it causes about 5x as much psycho/CNS stimulation as amphetamine without as much 'peripheral' (bad, dysphoric) CNS side effects . Caffeine is a "dirty" stimulant like regular d,l amphetamine because it causes much 'peripheral' cns stimulation (nervousness, jitteriness, increase in breathing, heartrate etc)& although caffeine weakly increases norepinephrine & dopamine it is not a very good psychostimulant.
Posted by Alex J on January 31, 2002, at 16:43:35
In reply to Stimulants and Coffee, posted by Rakken on January 30, 2002, at 12:51:22
I too can drink coffee just before bed and if anything, I tend to sleep better.
After your three day holiday, how long does it take before you start to feel "on the edge" again?
Do you find it difficult coming off the Adderall for three days? I am a basket case whenever I come off Dexedrine. The days off Dexedrine are complete write offs.
> I take 30 mg Adderall in the morning and 20 in the afternoon as needed. I definitely feel more on the edge when I take Adderall. And I continue to feel on the edge until I take a 3 day break from the med. However, when I drink coffee with Adderall I don't feel anymore nervous. My heart rate may increase some, but I don't get any unpleasant jittery feeling. But, I never really thought I was very sensitive to caffeine. I can drink 3 cups of coffee and still go to bed at my usual 12 AM.
Posted by Beliala on January 31, 2002, at 17:30:56
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
> I have been crying every day. The doc says that the med could not be causing it. I figured it out today at 30mg. what I have been feeling. Total hypoglycemia. My blood sugar is dropping way down. I am craving sugar(which I usually don't eat because of hypoglycemia) but my response to even a little is awful. shaky, tearful, sweaty, then I crash. Again the doc said that it couldn't be the desipramine and I should watch what I eat. Has anyone heard of hypoglycemia from TCA's???
I'm curious about that myself. I recently got back on clomipramine and had a routine blood workup last week. These things are always normal no matter how crappy I feel, so I was kinda surprised when my doc's secretary phoned to tell me my blood sugar was low and I needed to eat more protein (to keep it level). I'd had a reasonably hearty breakfast two hours before so I guess this is reactive hypoglycemia. I do feel shakier/spacier than normal when I go a few hours without eating, so I guess there's a connection there. In my case eating too many carbs just makes me sleepy in the short-term though, a problem I remember having the last time I was on clomipramine (though that might be because clomipramine makes me pretty sedated to begin with). I wonder how tricyclics could affect blood sugar control? Seems all these meds do a LOT more than just affect brain chemistry.
Posted by Cindylou on February 1, 2002, at 12:09:52
In reply to Re: Stimulants and coffee » cindylou, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 19:20:31
Hi Alex and MB,
Sorry so long to reply -- I could not get onto the Internet for about a week -- what a nightmare!! I'm not sure I'll be able to catch up on all the Psychobabble that's taken place ...Anyway, a doctor once told me that Prozac and other SSRIs can cause hypoglycemia. I can't remember his exact reasoning; something about how it affects the seratonin which in turn affects the pancreas which then affects insulin ... I'm just babbling here, but what he told me did make sense. The same thing would probably apply to other meds that affect seratonin.
I haven't finished reading this thread yet ...
I'll be back in touch!
cindy> Hi Cindy,
>
> You have made a very interesting observation. I had not even considered the idea that coffee could cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, as you have written. The fact that you experience sleepiness as well as other psychological symptoms after an afternoon cup but not with a morning cup explains my situation as well. I will have to try an afternoon cup with some protein to see what transpires.
>
> Another question that begs to be answered is the one posted by MB above regarding psychostimulants and insulin. I hope someone can shed some light on this.
>
> Alex
>
> > Hi Alex,
> > I have the same paradoxical reaction to coffee. Usually in the morning coffee will help with energy, but if I try it later on to help with an afternoon slump, it usually just makes me worse.
> >
> > It's been this way no matter what med I'm on -- I've been on most of them, including stimulants. My guess is that, for me, the problem is a blood sugar one. I know that caffeine can cause an insulin rush followed by a huge drop, leaving me exhausted, spacy, depressed, and HAVING TO NAP. Sometimes a protein shake will help this, or eating something with protein in it, but the best cure is SLEEP (problem is I'm not always in a place where I can just crash out!)
> >
> > I'm not sure why I don't have the same problems in the morning. I usually drink coffee on an empty stomach, but I do have a protein shake every morning before heading out the door.
> >
> > Good question, I look forward to hearing other responses.
> >
> > cindy
Posted by Cindylou on February 1, 2002, at 12:21:15
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
Hi tomatosoup ...
I posted above that I have heard SSRIs can cause hypoglycemia. I did a horrible job trying to explain it, because I can't remember exactly how the doctor put it ... it has something to do with seratonin being affected, which then affects adrenal glands which then affect the pancreas which then affects insulin...Anyway, I'm not sure if TCA's affect seratonin or not ... but perhaps they have the same or a similar effect on adrenal glands.
Also, my depression usually gets MUCH WORSE when beginning a med, but after 3-4 weeks I start feeling better. I don't know why this is so, but I have heard others mention that meds can make them worse before they get better. Maybe this is what is happening to you, and you'll feel better in another week or so. I feel for you -- I know how terrible and unbearable that increased med-induced depression can be.
I have noticed that if I start out at an unheard-of low dose of the med (like 1/4 or less of what the doc recommends) and then GRADUALLY increase, I don't have such a horrible depression in the beginning.
Hang in there. And keep us posted on how you are feeling!
cindy
> I am ADD. Was great on Adderall for 2 years, except it made me smoke and have a red nose. Tried Ritalin. Still smoked, not much effect. Stopped everything and then got depressed...or maybe just frustrated. It was a hard time...moved across the country, lost my job, stopped working, back injury and such.
>
> Wellbutrin made me manic, effexor spaced me out.
> Went to see this new doctor...he says that adderall depletes the brain of transmitters or something and so he would rather I try a TCA. Started at a VERY low dose of desipramine 10mg. 2 weeks ago, went to 30 today.
>
> I have been crying every day. The doc says that the med could not be causing it. I figured it out today at 30mg. what I have been feeling. Total hypoglycemia. My blood sugar is dropping way down. I am craving sugar(which I usually don't eat because of hypoglycemia) but my response to even a little is awful. shaky, tearful, sweaty, then I crash. Again the doc said that it couldn't be the desipramine and I should watch what I eat. Has anyone heard of hypoglycemia from TCA's???
>
> I am getting no positive effects except a bit more energy....why am I on this med when I feel like crap, have gained weight, my mouth tastes like a sewer....etc..?
>
> But it is interesting to think about it as a metabolic issue...
Posted by benzapp on February 1, 2002, at 17:24:50
In reply to Pstims + caffeine = yuckiness, posted by MB on January 30, 2002, at 3:42:43
I have been taking Adderall for four months, and after the initial stimulation wore off I found it made me a little more tired than I was used to. I am in law school now, and during finals I NEEDED to study for 18 hours at a time... I would drink Coke non-stop. The caffeine initially makes me really anxious but it REALLY wakes you up. These days, I skip taking the Adderall at least one day a week, usually on saturday. I find it only takes one day to get the stimulant effect back.. at least for a while. Its also nice to not take it on the weekend. Amphetamine and alcohol does not mix well, and I like to get plastered once in a while. I wonder if non-ADD people can really be "high" all the time on amphetamine...
> For me, pstims and caffeine ALWAYS spell dysphoria. When I used to do crystal (yes, that was in a distant past), if I would drink any coffee, my arms would go numb from my fingertips to my elbows and a horrible dysphoria would overtake me. Amphetamine and coffee (for me) = BAD!!
Posted by benzapp on February 1, 2002, at 17:28:54
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
It is my understanding, at least with Amphetamine, that its similarity to adrenalin causes the inhibition of insulin and secondly the conversion of stored energy into pure glucose. This is one of the reasons amphetamine is great for weight loss. For me, I am 170 lbs and fit so i have no weight to lose. If I don't eat a high-carb meal every day I get major hypoglycemia, tired, sad, anxious, shaky, the whole nine yards. As far as TCAs... I dunno, off topic post. But a thought. Perhaps TCAs somehow interact with the alpha-2 adrenal receptor as well.
> I am ADD. Was great on Adderall for 2 years, except it made me smoke and have a red nose. Tried Ritalin. Still smoked, not much effect. Stopped everything and then got depressed...or maybe just frustrated. It was a hard time...moved across the country, lost my job, stopped working, back injury and such.
>
> Wellbutrin made me manic, effexor spaced me out.
> Went to see this new doctor...he says that adderall depletes the brain of transmitters or something and so he would rather I try a TCA. Started at a VERY low dose of desipramine 10mg. 2 weeks ago, went to 30 today.
>
> I have been crying every day. The doc says that the med could not be causing it. I figured it out today at 30mg. what I have been feeling. Total hypoglycemia. My blood sugar is dropping way down. I am craving sugar(which I usually don't eat because of hypoglycemia) but my response to even a little is awful. shaky, tearful, sweaty, then I crash. Again the doc said that it couldn't be the desipramine and I should watch what I eat. Has anyone heard of hypoglycemia from TCA's???
>
> I am getting no positive effects except a bit more energy....why am I on this med when I feel like crap, have gained weight, my mouth tastes like a sewer....etc..?
>
> But it is interesting to think about it as a metabolic issue...
Posted by benzapp on February 1, 2002, at 17:31:39
In reply to Re: Stimulants and Coffee » Rakken, posted by Alex J on January 31, 2002, at 16:43:35
I take Adderall and have stopped taking it many times. I find that while I definitely helps control my anger and helps me focus, I don't feel as happy. Thus, when i am not in school I stop taking it because life is more fun. The first couple times the withdrawl was weird. I just felt spacey and tired but it went away in a few days. Things were fine by the third day. But amazingly, the withdrawl gets better, fast. These days, I stop taking it frequently all weekend and never have a problem. Your body gets used to it I think.
> I too can drink coffee just before bed and if anything, I tend to sleep better.
>
> After your three day holiday, how long does it take before you start to feel "on the edge" again?
>
> Do you find it difficult coming off the Adderall for three days? I am a basket case whenever I come off Dexedrine. The days off Dexedrine are complete write offs.
>
> > I take 30 mg Adderall in the morning and 20 in the afternoon as needed. I definitely feel more on the edge when I take Adderall. And I continue to feel on the edge until I take a 3 day break from the med. However, when I drink coffee with Adderall I don't feel anymore nervous. My heart rate may increase some, but I don't get any unpleasant jittery feeling. But, I never really thought I was very sensitive to caffeine. I can drink 3 cups of coffee and still go to bed at my usual 12 AM.
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