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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lizabent on August 9, 2005, at 13:55:59
I am 35 years old, and have just been prescribed Adderall. I am a little afraid of some of the effects that people have described on this and other sites.
I had work and relationship problems (school problems years ago), and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and put on Zoloft (was allergic to it!), Paxil (became a zombie), and am now taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I don't feel depressed at all, but for all this time, I have felt sluggish and daydreamy. My doctor finally began to suspect ADD, and we did a lengthy evaluation. Has anyone else out there been wrongly diagnosed with depression and not ADD, and had to suffer through tons of ssri treatment with no help?
I am trying not to think of the Adderall as a miracle drug, but I really feel like I am finally normal after all these years! I can't believe someone didn't help me with this sooner. I would like to know if any of you have gone through feeling angry at your doctors for misdiagnosing you, or failing to see how your ADD can contribute to or cause depression, and not simply be the result of it. I now feel I will be able to take just one medication instead of three: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Adderall.
Also, I don't want to get addicted to this medication, so I have given it to my fiancee to keep for me, and he gives me just one per day, at the same time. I am not allowed to ask him for more, or he will immediately call my psychiatrist. This is our agreement, and it seems to be working, though I have only been on the Adderall for a week. I just want to avoid potential complications. Do any of you see any problems with that?Thanks,
lizabent
Posted by rjlockhart98 on August 9, 2005, at 17:22:25
In reply to Adderall, posted by lizabent on August 9, 2005, at 13:55:59
I usally dont post to Amphetamine posts, becuase i am burned out talking about them.
I have been adderall 8 years. I started in 1997.
Adderall the first years seems wonderful, activeness, alertness, a feeling of completeness.
The end years turned into side effects, insomnia, i had to take
Temazepam 30mg
Lorazepam 2mgJust to touch sleep, and still it wasnt good sleep.
Now im not saying that this will happen to you, you just started adderall, one thing i have to tell you.
Dont take adderall over 30mg after 4pm because you will still have trouble sleeping.
THat is all.
Matt
Posted by mike84 on August 10, 2005, at 9:26:44
In reply to Adderall, posted by lizabent on August 9, 2005, at 13:55:59
Hey, this is Mike. Are you taking Wellbutrin and Adderall together? That is a very bad combination, as both release alot of dopamine in your brain. Also, Wellbutrin is usually pretty effective for ADD. Lexapro can make you tired and daydreamy. The fact that you say that Adderall is a miracle drug means that you are getting high off Adderall. Adderall will make you feel like you are on top of the world... kind of like cocaine will make you feel like. Adderall will make you feel extremly happy..really too happy. How much Adderall do you take, and do you crash from it?
Posted by Bill LL on August 10, 2005, at 10:19:55
In reply to Adderall, posted by lizabent on August 9, 2005, at 13:55:59
Not too many people have just anxiety or just depression or just ADD. Most people have a combination of symptoms. I don't think that you were mis-diagnosed. It's just that your ADD symptoms were not picked up right away.
Adderall is not addictive when taken as prescribed so don't worry about that. It's also very common that people take drugs like Wellbutrin and Lexapo along with Adderall.
I'm concerned that you are thinking of trying the Adderall alone. Adderall alone might not take care of your symptoms.
If you do want to try it alone, be open to the possibility that you will add back the other 2 drugs if necessary.
Also, is your wedding soon? If so, you might want to defer any experimentation with drug changes until afterwards.
> I am 35 years old, and have just been prescribed Adderall. I am a little afraid of some of the effects that people have described on this and other sites.
> I had work and relationship problems (school problems years ago), and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and put on Zoloft (was allergic to it!), Paxil (became a zombie), and am now taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I don't feel depressed at all, but for all this time, I have felt sluggish and daydreamy. My doctor finally began to suspect ADD, and we did a lengthy evaluation. Has anyone else out there been wrongly diagnosed with depression and not ADD, and had to suffer through tons of ssri treatment with no help?
> I am trying not to think of the Adderall as a miracle drug, but I really feel like I am finally normal after all these years! I can't believe someone didn't help me with this sooner. I would like to know if any of you have gone through feeling angry at your doctors for misdiagnosing you, or failing to see how your ADD can contribute to or cause depression, and not simply be the result of it. I now feel I will be able to take just one medication instead of three: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Adderall.
> Also, I don't want to get addicted to this medication, so I have given it to my fiancee to keep for me, and he gives me just one per day, at the same time. I am not allowed to ask him for more, or he will immediately call my psychiatrist. This is our agreement, and it seems to be working, though I have only been on the Adderall for a week. I just want to avoid potential complications. Do any of you see any problems with that?
>
> Thanks,
> lizabent
Posted by Paulbwell on August 10, 2005, at 17:31:36
In reply to Adderall, posted by lizabent on August 9, 2005, at 13:55:59
> I am 35 years old, and have just been prescribed Adderall. I am a little afraid of some of the effects that people have described on this and other sites.
> I had work and relationship problems (school problems years ago), and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and put on Zoloft (was allergic to it!), Paxil (became a zombie), and am now taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I don't feel depressed at all, but for all this time, I have felt sluggish and daydreamy. My doctor finally began to suspect ADD, and we did a lengthy evaluation. Has anyone else out there been wrongly diagnosed with depression and not ADD, and had to suffer through tons of ssri treatment with no help?
> I am trying not to think of the Adderall as a miracle drug, but I really feel like I am finally normal after all these years! I can't believe someone didn't help me with this sooner. I would like to know if any of you have gone through feeling angry at your doctors for misdiagnosing you, or failing to see how your ADD can contribute to or cause depression, and not simply be the result of it. I now feel I will be able to take just one medication instead of three: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Adderall.
> Also, I don't want to get addicted to this medication, so I have given it to my fiancee to keep for me, and he gives me just one per day, at the same time. I am not allowed to ask him for more, or he will immediately call my psychiatrist. This is our agreement, and it seems to be working, though I have only been on the Adderall for a week. I just want to avoid potential complications. Do any of you see any problems with that?
>
> Thanks,
> lizabentHi Ya,
Yes loads of SSRIs before ADD meds for me too. Something that interests me is that you seem almost scared of your Adderall use-what with giving it to your partner and all. You WILL become somewhat attached to Amphetamines if you take Adderall everyday, and feel adverse effects if you don't take it. I am glad for you that Adderall seems to help,I wonder if you have tried Dexedrine Spansules?.
Some tolerance is bound to happen, but MANY people take the same dose of an Amphetamine med for years without ever increasing doses, i know of some who have taken Amphetamines daily for 40 years, they are simply treating their issues, not 'chasing a high'-which predisposes someone to increasing doses.
Good luck
Posted by lizabent on August 11, 2005, at 2:18:27
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by mike84 on August 10, 2005, at 9:26:44
Hi there,
Thanks Mike for the concern. It is funny you mention that I might be getting high off Adderall, because I do feel a distinct feeling of euphoria right at the very beginning when it starts to work in the morning. i asked my pdoc about this, and she said that since I am taking only 15mg per day in the XR formula, it shouldn't be that way for long, and that often patients do feel extra happy at the beginning and that it mellows as the tolerance starts to build. I don't have any experience with Adderall beyond the couple days I have used it, so I welcome any and all input you and the other readers might have.
About the Wellbutrin, I understand that Wellbutrin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor as well as an agonist, so it activates dopamine receptors AND prevents reuptake of dopamine at the synapse...So it does do some similar things like Adderall, which is a dopamine agonist (not a reuptake inhibitor). My pdoc says it is not contraindicated to take both at the same time, since I am on a low dose of Adderall AND a low dose of Wellbutrin (15mg adderall xr/ 100mg of Wellbutrin/20mg Lexapro) .
Also, I lean toward the paranoid side, and so I havent' taken the Well-B for the past two days just to be safe...
**So, if you think it isn't supposed to make me euphoric at all (even for a few mins. at the very onset), do you think I should switch to another drug (like Strattera, which doesn't have amphetamines, but rather reuptake inhibitors, and no abuse potential?)...
Thanks
Posted by lizabent on August 11, 2005, at 2:27:40
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Bill LL on August 10, 2005, at 10:19:55
Thanks Bill!
yeah, you are right. I do have some concerns about the "high" aspect of the meds, and hope that the initial euphoria followed in a couple hours by a slight crash will die down as a tolerance builds a bit (well, it is more like a nagging feeling that the way I feel isn't "real," or that I only feel so well because I am taking a "drug" and it isn't the real me...). i am only on 15 mg/day of the xr, so it isn't like I am taking a LOT of the short acting stuff. but in the past I have had other non-ADD related stimulants recreationally (like, WAY in the past) and I remember always wanting more of them--so I feel a little afraid of having really easy access to a lot of medication so early on, before I know of the effect it will have on me. [[To be clear, I was NOT an "addict," but I just liked the effects so much i wanted more ]].
I am now taking these meds because I have ADD, and i am scared of their potential for addiction/dependence problems.
Call me a victim of negative hype about ADD stimulants...
Oh, and the wedding date is not yet decided, so no worries about med changes now.
Thanks!
Posted by alohashirt on August 11, 2005, at 7:34:23
In reply to Re: Adderall » Bill LL, posted by lizabent on August 11, 2005, at 2:27:40
> Thanks Bill!
>
> yeah, you are right. I do have some concerns about the "high" aspect of the meds, and hope that the initial euphoria followed in a couple hours by a slight crash will die down as a tolerance builds a bit (well, it is more like a nagging feeling that the way I feel isn't "real," or that I only feel so well because I am taking a "drug" and it isn't the real me...). i am only on 15 mg/day of the xr, so it isn't like I am taking a LOT of the short acting stuff. but in the past I have had other non-ADD related stimulants recreationally (like, WAY in the past) and I remember always wanting more of them--so I feel a little afraid of having really easy access to a lot of medication so early on, before I know of the effect it will have on me. [[To be clear, I was NOT an "addict," but I just liked the effects so much i wanted more ]].
>
> I am now taking these meds because I have ADD, and i am scared of their potential for addiction/dependence problems.
> Call me a victim of negative hype about ADD stimulants...
> Oh, and the wedding date is not yet decided, so no worries about med changes now.
> Thanks!My advice is to relax about the meds take them at same time and make them a part of your daily routine like flossing your teeth. Research shows that ADHD patients prescribed ritalin or amphetamine have a lower incidence of drug use than others.
I had the same concern, my pdoc was blase, and I found that not
obsessing was in my interests. Sometimes i forget to take my meds, no big deal.Providing the Adderal is helping you and you are monitoring your blood pressure (3% of people find Adderall can cause hypertension. I am one of those 3%) you should be fine. The good news about ADHD is that the primary medications methylphenidate (ritalin,concerta,metadate) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall, Dextrostat) are two of the most researched and tested medications period. They have been used for 70 years, have thousands of experimental trials and much safer than, say, Tylenol or Aspirin.
Posted by Paulbwell on August 11, 2005, at 16:42:29
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by alohashirt on August 11, 2005, at 7:34:23
>
> Providing the Adderal is helping you and you are monitoring your blood pressure (3% of people find Adderall can cause hypertension. I am one of those 3%) you should be fine. The good news about ADHD is that the primary medications methylphenidate (ritalin,concerta,metadate) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall, Dextrostat) are two of the most researched and tested medications period. They have been used for 70 years, have thousands of experimental trials and much safer than, say, Tylenol or Aspirin.Reasuring Aloha, and in line with what i have read elsewhere, Dextroamphetamine was developed in 1927, and put into use in the 40s. According to an old AD i have here for Ritalin it was put into use in 1955- so 50 years is pretty good track record. Desoxyn (Methamphetamine hcl) was invented in 1917 and put to use in 1942. I know of people who have taken Amphetamines daily for many decades, so they are indeed safe meds, when used in a medical setting.
Cheers
Posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 23, 2005, at 20:21:55
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Paulbwell on August 11, 2005, at 16:42:29
Good Luck on the Adderall. I hope you are doing well. I have never had any issues on the Adderall. Makes me feel normal. The only major thing that I do notice is if I do not take it at the same time in the morning I cannot wake up. Makes me feel really groggy. I was worried about it in the beginning and the Percocet that I take too; about getting addicted to it. But you know, I only take it when I need it. I am so glad. Plus I am about tired of taking pills... One of my best friends said something wacky to me one day that I cannot get out of my head... Just think about all the pills we have taken and if they did not desolve; how they would fill our body. So. Anyone have chewables? Well I am off subject. Please fill us in on your progress and how you are doing. My only troubles have been with Topamax and being mean. Infact my husband reminded me tonight that I was being mean again... LOL.
Posted by ed_uk on August 24, 2005, at 14:02:23
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 23, 2005, at 20:21:55
>Just think about all the pills we have taken and if they did not desolve; how they would fill our body.
If they didn't disintegrate they would pass out via your feces ;-)
~Ed
Posted by Festus on August 25, 2005, at 2:30:07
In reply to Re: Adderall » sunsplashinwaves, posted by ed_uk on August 24, 2005, at 14:02:23
Liz,I was only wondering ,have you had trouble before ,with abuse?You said your fella doled out your dose daily.Also,for the record,Ritalin is used about4:1 over any other ADHD or ADD Stim meds.It does not last as long(about 4-5 hrs.,IR) as the Dexedrine(IR tabs about 6-7 hrs.).Adderrall is an anti-obesity drug,popular in the 60's,shelved ,then re-marketed by Shire Pharm.in 1995 as an ADD/ADHD med.Unlike the Dex,Adderrall is made from 4 different Amphetamine salts,2 of which can cause a bit more distress to the cardiovascular network than the other 2 salts.It seems to make breathing more labored than plain Dexedrine.Good-Luck,Liz,Festus
Posted by Bowtie Bob on August 26, 2005, at 13:14:23
In reply to Re: Adderall » lizabent, posted by Paulbwell on August 10, 2005, at 17:31:36
> > I am 35 years old, and have just been prescribed Adderall. I am a little afraid of some of the effects that people have described on this and other sites.
> > I had work and relationship problems (school problems years ago), and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and put on Zoloft (was allergic to it!), Paxil (became a zombie), and am now taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I don't feel depressed at all, but for all this time, I have felt sluggish and daydreamy. My doctor finally began to suspect ADD, and we did a lengthy evaluation. Has anyone else out there been wrongly diagnosed with depression and not ADD, and had to suffer through tons of ssri treatment with no help?
> > I am trying not to think of the Adderall as a miracle drug, but I really feel like I am finally normal after all these years! I can't believe someone didn't help me with this sooner. I would like to know if any of you have gone through feeling angry at your doctors for misdiagnosing you, or failing to see how your ADD can contribute to or cause depression, and not simply be the result of it. I now feel I will be able to take just one medication instead of three: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and Adderall.
> > Also, I don't want to get addicted to this medication, so I have given it to my fiancee to keep for me, and he gives me just one per day, at the same time. I am not allowed to ask him for more, or he will immediately call my psychiatrist. This is our agreement, and it seems to be working, though I have only been on the Adderall for a week. I just want to avoid potential complications. Do any of you see any problems with that?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > lizabent
>
> Hi Ya,
>
> Yes loads of SSRIs before ADD meds for me too. Something that interests me is that you seem almost scared of your Adderall use-what with giving it to your partner and all. You WILL become somewhat attached to Amphetamines if you take Adderall everyday, and feel adverse effects if you don't take it. I am glad for you that Adderall seems to help,I wonder if you have tried Dexedrine Spansules?.
>
> Some tolerance is bound to happen, but MANY people take the same dose of an Amphetamine med for years without ever increasing doses, i know of some who have taken Amphetamines daily for 40 years, they are simply treating their issues, not 'chasing a high'-which predisposes someone to increasing doses.
>
> Good luckHello All,
I understand where you are coming from. I was just diagnosed with ADD this year...it only took 35 years to figure what kept me back in school, etc. I was experiencing some bouts of depression, but they turned out to be secondary to my ADD--these were relationship issues. I am now taking Focalin XR with great results. My desk is actually clear, I pay attention to my family, etc. Many times, when I go on vacation, I will take a "drug holiday" without any repercussions. Good Luck!
Posted by alohashirt on August 26, 2005, at 22:32:45
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Bowtie Bob on August 26, 2005, at 13:14:23
> Hello All,
> I understand where you are coming from. I was just diagnosed with ADD this year...it only took 35 years to figure what kept me back in school, etc. I was experiencing some bouts of depression, but they turned out to be secondary to my ADD--these were relationship issues. I am now taking Focalin XR with great results. My desk is actually clear, I pay attention to my family, etc. Many times, when I go on vacation, I will take a "drug holiday" without any repercussions. Good Luck!That's great experience. I envy you. I was diagnosed a bunch of years ago. Tried (in order): ritalin, metadate, focalin, strattera, wellbutrin, adderall, dexedrine, concerta. Initially I found that the distraction disappeared and I could focus better at work, but my procrastination and disorganization haven't really shifted. In some ways my memory and organization seem to be getting worse. Not certain why this would be. I took a job that was unsuitable for an ADHD person and "failed upwards" by being promoted out of it. The frustration is the recognition that tweaking the meds rally won't changed thinsg enormously. Maybe I need ADHD coaching?
Have you done any non-medication things to improve your symptoms?
Posted by Bowtie Bob on August 27, 2005, at 7:55:45
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by alohashirt on August 26, 2005, at 22:32:45
>
>
> > Hello All,
> > I understand where you are coming from. I was just diagnosed with ADD this year...it only took 35 years to figure what kept me back in school, etc. I was experiencing some bouts of depression, but they turned out to be secondary to my ADD--these were relationship issues. I am now taking Focalin XR with great results. My desk is actually clear, I pay attention to my family, etc. Many times, when I go on vacation, I will take a "drug holiday" without any repercussions. Good Luck!
>
> That's great experience. I envy you. I was diagnosed a bunch of years ago. Tried (in order): ritalin, metadate, focalin, strattera, wellbutrin, adderall, dexedrine, concerta. Initially I found that the distraction disappeared and I could focus better at work, but my procrastination and disorganization haven't really shifted. In some ways my memory and organization seem to be getting worse. Not certain why this would be. I took a job that was unsuitable for an ADHD person and "failed upwards" by being promoted out of it. The frustration is the recognition that tweaking the meds rally won't changed thinsg enormously. Maybe I need ADHD coaching?
>
> Have you done any non-medication things to improve your symptoms?
>Good Morning. It seems that there may be varying degrees of ADD disabilities. I know that meeting with a Psychologist may provide you with some compensation strategies. So far, I have been very lucky in that my ADD is mild enough that I do very well now with the medication alone. I think the key is being aware of what is happening and trying to compensate for it, but not using the medication as a crutch. Bottom line for me is that my case is probably mild and the medication helps me deal with the inattention that was causing the problems all around. Have you met with a Psychologist who is experienced with ADHD/ADD?
Posted by Paulbwell on August 28, 2005, at 22:30:26
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Bowtie Bob on August 27, 2005, at 7:55:45
> Good Morning. It seems that there may be varying degrees of ADD disabilities. I know that meeting with a Psychologist may provide you with some compensation strategies. So far, I have been very lucky in that my ADD is mild enough that I do very well now with the medication alone. I think the key is being aware of what is happening and trying to compensate for it, but not using the medication as a crutch. Bottom line for me is that my case is probably mild and the medication helps me deal with the inattention that was causing the problems all around. Have you met with a Psychologist who is experienced with ADHD/ADD?
>After been treated for "anxiety disorder" for some time i was started on Ritalin by a top PsyDoc, it worked great at first, but now at 80mgs daily -less so, i don't know what to do, continue or????
Cheers
Posted by alohashirt on August 29, 2005, at 0:02:54
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Bowtie Bob on August 27, 2005, at 7:55:45
> >
> >
> > > Hello All,
> > > I understand where you are coming from. I was just diagnosed with ADD this year...it only took 35 years to figure what kept me back in school, etc. I was experiencing some bouts of depression, but they turned out to be secondary to my ADD--these were relationship issues. I am now taking Focalin XR with great results. My desk is actually clear, I pay attention to my family, etc. Many times, when I go on vacation, I will take a "drug holiday" without any repercussions. Good Luck!
> >
> > That's great experience. I envy you. I was diagnosed a bunch of years ago. Tried (in order): ritalin, metadate, focalin, strattera, wellbutrin, adderall, dexedrine, concerta. Initially I found that the distraction disappeared and I could focus better at work, but my procrastination and disorganization haven't really shifted. In some ways my memory and organization seem to be getting worse. Not certain why this would be. I took a job that was unsuitable for an ADHD person and "failed upwards" by being promoted out of it. The frustration is the recognition that tweaking the meds rally won't changed thinsg enormously. Maybe I need ADHD coaching?
> >
> > Have you done any non-medication things to improve your symptoms?
> >
>
> Good Morning. It seems that there may be varying degrees of ADD disabilities. I know that meeting with a Psychologist may provide you with some compensation strategies. So far, I have been very lucky in that my ADD is mild enough that I do very well now with the medication alone. I think the key is being aware of what is happening and trying to compensate for it, but not using the medication as a crutch. Bottom line for me is that my case is probably mild and the medication helps me deal with the inattention that was causing the problems all around. Have you met with a Psychologist who is experienced with ADHD/ADD?
>
No I haven't. It's clear that medication on its own isn't enough for me. I think I will look for someone here (NYC) who works with ADHD people.
Posted by Bowtie Bob on August 29, 2005, at 4:45:25
In reply to Re: Adderall, posted by Paulbwell on August 28, 2005, at 22:30:26
> > Good Morning. It seems that there may be varying degrees of ADD disabilities. I know that meeting with a Psychologist may provide you with some compensation strategies. So far, I have been very lucky in that my ADD is mild enough that I do very well now with the medication alone. I think the key is being aware of what is happening and trying to compensate for it, but not using the medication as a crutch. Bottom line for me is that my case is probably mild and the medication helps me deal with the inattention that was causing the problems all around. Have you met with a Psychologist who is experienced with ADHD/ADD?
> >
>
> After been treated for "anxiety disorder" for some time i was started on Ritalin by a top PsyDoc, it worked great at first, but now at 80mgs daily -less so, i don't know what to do, continue or????
>
>
> Cheers
Are you taking 80mg of Ritalin? If so, and not working, definitely time to re-evaluate with doc!
This is the end of the thread.
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