Hey all! I used to take Adderall XR (20mg) and Adderall IR (10mg) daily... about a year ago. It worked well for me and never had any side effects except for a little bit of pounding heart but nothing severe. I stopped taking it totally around September due to some health problems and so forth. Well now that I am back in school for a summer course i decided to begin taking it again, and the first day I took some XR- BOOM.... MAJOR headache from it, so I'd take a day or two off and then try an IR instead...another headache along with nausea (like a migraine).

Should I start taking it on a more regular basis instead of this "as needed" basis and get on a schedule with it? Will these headaches go away? I'm on a pretty low dose. Let me know- thanks!!

What dosage are you taking, LittlePrincess?
The same one you were on before?? If so, it may be too high of a dose for you right now.

Remember, even though these meds work right away, your body still needs time to adjust, about a week, to the meds. You may want to try taking them on a regular basis for a week or so to see if the headaches go away (if they do, then it's just because you're body is getting used to the med again).

You may want to start with the IR, because it's easier to control since it doesn't stay in your body as long. But, I'm not a doctor (gotta put that in as a disclaimer).
It's just a suggestion.

oh, I should probably tell you to check with your doc too.

Ginger works great for nausea! ginger ale, ginger snaps . . .

Best wishes, LittlePrincess!

Thanks sweetie! I have basically just been saving the meds I didn't use. I have a few tablets left of the Adderall IR 10mg AND 20mg... and a few Adderall XR 20mg. The Adderall IR 20mg used to "hit" me too hard so I went down to 10mg.

I went straight back on the Adderall XR 20mg and the Adderall IR 10mg after being away for at least 3 months and both now give me headaches, especially when I take them on an empty stomach. I found that if I eat a FULL meal right before taking them, my headaches aren't nearly as bad... what could this mean?

I'm going to see my psychiatrist again for the first time in 7 months. I'm very happy to get all this straightened out again.

Well, it's good you're going to your doc. That really sucks that it's giving you headaches, especially when it was working well before. Hopefully you and your doc can get it figured out.

Good luck with your appt. LittlePrincess! (and with school)

Thanks chaos! Honestly I'm pretty nervous about going back to see my doctor.... Its been so long and I'm not really sure what to say. I don't know ... I hope someone out there has been through something similar....

anyone?:confused:

I dont know much about Adderall but when I started Ritalin I got extream nausea like vomiting the pills right back up, the doc told gave me half dose pills and I take one before breakfast and one right after, that way I still get some of the effect of the "empty stomach" I don't know why it's recommended that way... ask your doc about Adderall and this??? Pigeon

Thanks Pigeon- I've been taking it almost everyday now and it has diminished. It helps to take it with food for some reason--- which is cool with me!


Has ANYONE else in here gone for several months without seeing their doctor? I haven't seen him in 7 months and I'm very nervous... I don't know why, I guess I'm just worried that he'll think I'm just back for more drugs or something. Which is true but ... I don't know, does this look bad??? (I'm paranoid, can u tell?)

It's great you're feeling better from the side effects, LittlePrincess!

I think it's interesting that people are afraid, worried, nervous to go to their docs.
I've read many other posts where people say they're afraid to talk to their doc, especially regarding meds. I don't get it.

Here's the way I see it:

If you are going for legitimate reasons (for check up, get different med, refill on med, different dose, diagnosis. .etc) you have nothing to worry about. You are paying that doc to help you and if you are not happy with your doc you have the free will to go and find a different one.
The ones who should worry are the ones who are going in to get meds, not because they increase functioning for an ADDer, but because they're addicted to the meds and are hiding it from the doc (ie: not a legit reason for meds).

What matters is that the doc is up to date with ADD, listens to you, considers all options and your opinions, and is honest with you. The doc is there to help you!

You are the one in control - you can accept a doc's opinion or disregard it and find another one.

I hope you don't take offense to this post, LittlePrincess. My intent isn't to berate. I just wanted to let you know that you (and others) shouldn't have to worry about seeing your doc about meds if you have a legitimate reason to ask for meds.

Hey thanks Chaos!

I went to the doctor today... and all I can say is.. I absolutely LOVE HIM! (and no... not literally!) He is such a great doctor and I feel lucky to have him as my doctor. I told him about my mother giving me a hard time about taking Adderall... telling me that it's going to kill me and that I shouldn't get "doped up on adderall" just so I am able to study better. He told me that if I feel the Adderall helps, then I should continue to take it. Easy as that. I hadn't been to him in seven months and he didn't re-evaluate me for ADD but went ahead and gave me a 90 pill prescription for Adderall XR. It's almost like he knew exactly how I felt- I was feeling guilty about taking meds because of my mom but completely reassured me that its okay to get help and to have the help. He is just super nice and reassured me that taking Adderall is my decision and I can stop or change the dose whenever it felt right for me. It made me feel like I was in control. He actually said, "Okay, what do you want to do about meds?"

I know I'm raving a lot, but he just totally made my day! I hope everyone has a chance to have such a wonderful and understanding psychiatrist!

Your post made me smile, LittlePrincess!! :D

I'm so happy for you! It sounds like you've found a great doc, who listens and helps you.
Doesn't it make a world of a difference??!!
I, too, have an excellent psychiatrist.

Congrats on a great appt!

Does your mom accept that you have ADD? has she informed herself about ADD?
and/or about ADDerall XR?

Here is an amazing website - at PBS, that shows people what it's like to have ADD.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html

Look in "EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND"

You can help her by getting her a book. Driven to Distraction is a great one.
Also, a print out of what Adderall XR is could help.

Best wishes, LittlePrincess!

Thanks chaos! While I haven't had the opportunity to have a *bad* psychiatrist (thank goodness!!), its so wonderful to have a truly EXCELLENT psychiatrist and so comforting to know that he's on my side. I started seeing him over a year ago and went to him every month or so, but this was my first appointment in over 7 months.... Even after that time, it was like he knew exactly how I felt and understood what I needed.

Here was my situation (in a nutshell):
I take Adderall. My mom does not approve of this and constantly tells me things like, "You're using DOPE", "That stuff will kill you", "You don't need drugs to get through life."

I told my psychiatrist about this and I actually got teary-eyed telling him about how my mom gives me a hard time. For a while I even felt guilty about taking Adderall. He talked to me about what happens when you are starting to become an adult (I'm 23)... where you are stuck between trying to please your parents (which is what I have done for years- because I wanted to) and doing what's right for you and your own life. He even gave me tips on how to reply to things my mother says about my choice to use medication! haha.

Sorry guys-- I just can't stop raving about him... When I left his office, I felt this huge sense of relief- knowing that I have someone that is truly on my side and took away all of my guilt caused by my mother. And also because he is letting me be so involved with my treatment- letting me choose to take Adderall XR or IR, how much, and when I take it (either everyday or as-needed basis). I told him that I feel very comfortable taking Adderall and he agrees that the Adderall makes my life easier and just genuinely better... and I'm so thankful for this.:)