Hi! Today is my first day on Adderall 10 mg. I took one this morning and will take another this afternoon. So far it's not helping me focus at all...in fact I'm more easily distracted than normal..and I kinda feel like i'm on coke! Anyone else have similar reactions early on? How long does it take to really make a difference? I'm being treated for depression as well, and am taking 30 mg of Paxil a day. OH and I'm also on Prilosec, an acid reducer, which from what I've read can make the effects of Adderall stronger. I just want to feel better!!!!

Adderall is supposed to work right away (unlike Paxil), unless you're taking too much. Too much Adderall makes me feel crappy and distracted or hyper-focused. Not good.

I suspect that you're taking too much.

When you first start on a stimulant, the routine is to titrate up to an acceptable dose. Start low, then end at an effective dose.

You can always take less (if you're taking immediate release). But, talk to your doctor, first.

From what I understand, Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor which reduces the acidity (raises the pH) in your stomach, biologically. This adjustment is gradual. This is different than taking a chemical antacid along with Adderall.

A chemical antacid (which is a mild base) can raise the pH of your stomach quickly, though temporarily, and a higher pH may result in increased adsorption of amphetamine.

I haven't read anything on Prilosec, either way.

But, I'm not a doc. Please talk to your doctor about this potential interaction. If you find out anything concret, please let us know.

Good luck. If Adderall is unpleasant at the current dose, it does wear off in 4 or 5 hours.

Thanks for replying Stan. I just took my second dose. Feeling better now and not so jittery. I'm taking just what the psychiatrist prescribed yesterday..10 mg morning and afternoon. i see a therapist thursday, so if the side effects are still bothersome then I'll consult him. Only thing i feel now is a slight head ache and neck ache.

Great. Luann.

The other thing to be aware of is too much coffee or drinks with caffeine in them. Caffeine can bring out the worst in Adderall.

Unmedicated, I used to drink tumblers of expresso. Now, I have one small cup of half-decaf expresso in the morning. Any more coffee than that with Adderall and I'm bouncing off the walls and really scattered, grumpy and headachy.

Yup I think that was my problem this morning. Zero food and 2 big cups of coffee. I'm also a coca-cola addict so I'll try to cut down on that as well. I'm feeling pretty good right now..anxious about not being able to get to sleep tonight though. I may take a xanax at bedtime to see if that helps. I take that when needed. Sound like a plan? i WILL make it thru this first day!! LOL

You quickly get used to the medication, it is stimulanting, so it's a new feeling, and most people are nervous about taking it the first time as well - which doesn't help. 10mg isn't a lot of Adderall, so I'd suspect it's not too much - but you never know, as some people take less than that. It takes a while to judge the effectiveness and it takes some time to figure out the best doseage, when to take it, etc. The idea is to find the dosage that gives you the optimum benefit - too much is no good either - and the best way is by trial and error. You may find that after a couple of weeks or so, the dose that seemed to work before, starts to work less well. This happens to some- not all - and sometimes people worry that they are becoming addicted, or building tolerance. I've heard quite a few people describe this - and it happened to me - and I liken it to a solitary bump in the road - I' haven't had to change my dosage since.
Good luck,
Greg

Everyone's need is different. Finding the right medication, or combination of meds and correct dosage, is a process. A few lucky people find relief the first day, but many of us go through a period of med trials, life changes and other minor (& sometimes major)adjustments. Realizing that a high caffeine intake may have been one way you may have tried to self-medicate is a good start.

I've also got bi-polar illness and currently take an anti-depressant, two mood-stabilizers, and two ADD meds-Straterra and Focalin. (Also practice stress reduction and use sleeping meds as needed) Happily, I feel better right now than I have for a long time. ADDerall worked great to address anxiety and relieve stress, but I really didn't care whether I got anything done
or
not.
Of course, I hven't been able to quit smoking, so I'm still using a long standing self-prescribed medication myself. I read that someone is developing a medication for ADD designed to target the brain's nicotine receptors.
I may be adding yet another med to my personal "cocKtail"
Wishing you continued success on your path to healing,
Joan