I've been on Dex since October, 10mg twice a day (supposed to be three times a day, but my schedule doesn't really allow it) and it has, largely, been a miraculous boon to my personal/artistic/work life.

A few days before Xmas, I came down with a pretty violent case of strep throat and was bedridden for three days in abject misery. I could barely think, but one thing I knew was NOT to take the Dex, and just sleep. Coming off the drug was pretty intense, in that I slept two solid days. Probably two hours awake the whole time.

I went back on the meds, gingerly at first, but quickly got back to my usual dose. In short order, I got pneumonia, then severe laryngitis, then pink eye (?!) and now, on the 14th of January, I still feel like somebody has hit me over the head with a tire iron, even though I'm still on the Dex.

It raises a few questions: first, do any of you stop taking the drug when you're really sick?

Secondly, have there been any reports of a negative feedback loop with the Dexedrine? It's not scientific by any means, but I feel like my malaise is somehow related to the drug not allowing me to heal naturally. Or that could be total hogwash. I'm not really sure what to think anymore, as my overall misery is pretty chronic. Thoughts or suggestions?

You've only been on it since october and you're only taking 10 mg. So if I were you, I'd stop taking it if I were sick. Why take the medication when its of no benefit to you.

As you've probably read by now, everyone doesn't react to meds the same. For example some people dan't take their meds after a certain time because if they do it interferrs with their sleep. While others can't sleep is for some reason they don't take their meds daily...instead they lay awake/toss & turn thinking about all of the things that it is they have to do.

Since you started the meds 3 months ago & they seem to be working well & helping you. Perhaps you haven't been eating like you use to because you are busy doing other things. For example instead of eating a balanced meal you might get something at a Fast Food place because it's quicker. In order for the meds to be most effective we need to do things like eat a Balanced Diet, get regular exercise, ect all of the things that we're all "suppose" to do anyway.. Some people believe in Vitamins, some don't. For me, even when I eat balanced meals & do other things like I'm suppose to, if I don't take a Mutli Vitamin & extra iron I just don't feel quite as well as I do when I take them.

Has your dr done any Lab work since you've been sick ? If he has did he say anything about you being anemic/having a iron deficiency ?Iron Deficiency is common among women of childbearing yrs. As far as taking the meds when you're sick. I think that just depends on the individual & their Life situation. For example if you don't have any kids coming in from school in the afternoon that will need to be taken care of and/or helped with homework, ect. Then it might be easier for you to go without your meds than it would be for someone in that situation.

BlessedLady

Unless it causes you sleep problems I wouldn't worry about it. In fact it seems to help with colds and alergies and it has less side effects than the peudoephedraine they put in cold preperations. They used to put it in inhailers until they figured out people were having to much "fun" with it. It certainly wouldn't hurt to skip it however.