Hi everyone!

I'm still new to this forum, but I have some things I wanted to share. It's hard to discuss this with my BF (boyfriend abbrev, right?) or my BFF or other friends because they're not ADD or on brain meds.

My prescription is for 10mg/4 x day, about 4 hrs apart. My fam dr (I don't have ins right now to see a pdoc) said to experiment with maybe 20 mg in AM and then 10 2 x later. She said her son does that (he's about my age). But she said everyone is different.

I am also on Lexapro, 10 mg, once a day, which is supposed to help w/obsessive thoughts, like worrying etc. I stopped biting my nails :)

Here's what I've noticed, please feel free to offer comments on anything. I need to know. (boy, we all tend to go on and on in our posts, don't we? :rolleyes:) Please don't feel obligated to read the whole thing - I bolded the headings :o

- Dosage/Euphoria/Weird Feelings - When I first started, I took the 10mg as prescribed. I was pretty up for a bit and it scared me. So I backed down and took 5 mg at a time and worked my way up. After I graduated in June (yay me!), I didn't take it regularly for a couple weeks. When I didn't take it, I slept all day and night and was HUNGRY. Which is pretty much how I feel before I had the medication anyways. I've read on here that once your body adjusts, you shouldn't feel physical signs of stimulation. I'm not sure I've taken it consistently enough to get that far. I've been taking it regularly again just for 2 days now. I took 12.25 (15 or 20 first thing makes me feel loopy!) but this seems about right. I feel a little like I had some coffee, but ok.

- Alcohol - I have pretty much lost all desire to get drunk. Not sure if the Lexapro or Adderall. I can drink like 1/2 a beer. And if I drink more, I don't feel drunk the way I used to. I'm guessing that because I have actual medication to help me, I don't need to self-med in that way? I don't feel the need to drink to feel normal (slowing down my crazy mind, being more talkative, etc.) In fact, I don't even LIKE to drink when I'm on Adderall b/c I don't like how I feel. I actually stopped taking it a few days before my graduation cookout because a friend brewed me a special beer and I wanted to be able to drink more than 2 sips of it!

- Speaking of talkative - I guess I'm so not used to how I feel when I'm on Adderall that I feel like I'm "too" chatty when I'm on it. My BF says I'm not (he's known me for 4 years now, well before meds!!), that I just seem chatty but not in a bad way. About 6 years ago, I went through a little rave patch in my life and was into the speed. I really liked it - and I noticed it acted differently on me than it did on most people. I wasn't like snorting bags and bags a night or anything, just a little here and there made me feel "normal". So I guess when I act "normal" on this stim, my only prior experience is something illegal...see my "logic" dilemna in trying to figure this thing out.

- Thinking of a million things at once - Before Adderall, I would think of all the things I had to do. I would worry about them and wonder how I was ever going to get them done. I would procrastinate like all hell and then at the last minute get something done (like a paper) and get a great grade and then feel guilty because I felt like I didn't deserve it, like I had "fooled" everyone into thinking I was smart (or worthy, or "good" or whatever). Now (when I take the Adderall), I think of all the things I have to do and want to do them ALL....NOW! :p
Is this normal? Does it go away eventually? I feel like I'm almost ADD/ADHD-inattentive now that I'm on it - LOL! I just get things done. Like, if I'm cleaning, I don't get all overwhelmed and give up after a 20 minutes or get all involved in cleaning out the file cabinet and then get mentally tired. I can clean out the file cabinet without feeling drained by it. If I go into the bedroom to drop off some laundry, I'll make the bed cause I tell myself it only takes 5 min. If I'm on my way to the kitchen, I'll grab some dishes or glasses that have been piling up by the computer. I just REMEMBER things like that.
- On the other hand, I forget weird stuff - My short term memory seems off when I'm on Adderall. I won't remember if I talked about a particular thing with someone, like my BF, especially if it's something that's been on my mind or we've been discussing a lot. I mean, I have to think, "did we already talk about this?" I'm not getting a lot of "you already said that" from people, but I have this doubt pop up in my head. Sometimes, I just feel like there's a part of my brain that is raring to go. It's like static in the background of my thoughts, like a little program that keeps going on a loop. But I don't get distracted by it too much. Maybe that's focusing?

Thanks to anyone who comments on anything. I'm just so new to this - I'm 29 and just started this whole medication/therapy thing this year, as in 2008. So my perceptions of things seem...well...I don't know. I just need to make sure I'm doing the right thing by being on this stuff.

Thanks
Molly

Hey!
You sound like me :)
Erin 27 F, Adderall IR 20mg once a day, teacher

I found that after finding my right dose, my memory, and emotions came back. I love that my mind doesn't race anymore, and I do do the things I need to do now, and it seems "fun" or... manageable I guess. I don't feel speedy on Adderall, just energized (i was a raver too). I was very apprehensive about the speediness if it were to happen.. but it never did. I do seem more "chatty" I think it's a huge positive, mainly because I guess I had some anxiety around friends... and people at work, didn't usually speak my mind... Now I do and I think it's a huge plus. I feel like I am my "potential self" in many ways.

When I first started taking Adderall (day one) the mind racing was there, but I had gumption and determination (something I never had before). I went to TOWN cleaning and organizing the entire house. My husband was really shocked. I did feel overwhelmed though like OMG look at this place the entire house needs to be organized! I felt like I needed to organize for ten days straight to get it done. Now, I believe that I found the right dose, I don't have the overwhelming feeling. It's interesting, I get things done as I am living my life... Kind of like normal people. When I get the mail I go through it. When I am done cooking I clean up. When I do laundry I fold it. I am not mrs. procrastination due to overwhelming feelings.

The hunger thing went away too, you HAVE to plan meals and water! I got headaches without water, and make sure you eat plenty of fiber foods... That was a learning experience! Anyhow, good luck to you!

:)

Molly and Erin, it sounds to me like you're both taking some huge steps in the right direction. Keep us posted.

Hey Molly, wow, you clearly are aware of yourself and your reactions in all this...way to go.

Um, lets see


I'm still new to this forum, but I have some things I wanted to share. It's hard to discuss this with my BF (boyfriend abbrev, right?) or my BFF or other friends because they're not ADD or on brain meds. We all come here for support and to be with people that are one of us, the bright, the shiny, the awesome ADDers. :)

My prescription is for 10mg/4 x day, about 4 hrs apart. My fam dr (I don't have ins right now to see a pdoc) said to experiment with maybe 20 mg in AM and then 10 2 x later. She said her son does that (he's about my age). But she said everyone is different.There's a period of adjustment for everyone, it's true. I take 15 mg Adderall in the a.m., again 5 hours later, and then 10 mg. ritalin five hours later.

I am also on Lexapro, 10 mg, once a day, which is supposed to help w/obsessive thoughts, like worrying etc. I stopped biting my nails :)That is awesome!

Here's what I've noticed, please feel free to offer comments on anything. I need to know. (boy, we all tend to go on and on in our posts, don't we? :rolleyes:) Please don't feel obligated to read the whole thing - I bolded the headings :o

- Dosage/Euphoria/Weird Feelings - . Euphoria is common, I hear. I still feel it, but have grown accustomed to it a bit. I it's not the measure of the drug's effectiveness, I'm told, but it's a nice side effect while it lasts. I've read it subsides in time. Weird Feelings are normal for me, but I'm just wonderfully weird, or dangerously weird, or just weird, depending upon who you speak with. In the end, the better we accept our selves, the happier we are, I guess.


- Alcohol - I have pretty much lost all desire to get drunk. Heaven knows that I self medicated very heavily with alcohol when I was younger, and had to just quit about ten years ago. Might simply be that you no longer need to self med. Probably a whole lot healthier anyway for both of us.


- Speaking of talkative - I guess I'm so not used to how I feel when I'm on Adderall that I feel like I'm "too" chatty when I'm on it. My BF says I'm not (he's known me for 4 years now, well before meds!!), that I just seem chatty but not in a bad way. I am more comfortable with people on my meds. Adderall also leaves me more alert (though still relaxed) than Ritalin, which makes me really rather drowsy.

- Thinking of a million things at once - Before Adderall, I would think of all the things I had to do. I would worry about them and wonder how I was ever going to get them done. I would procrastinate like all hell and then at the last minute get something done (like a paper) and get a great grade and then feel guilty because I felt like I didn't deserve it, like I had "fooled" everyone into thinking I was smart (or worthy, or "good" or whatever). Now (when I take the Adderall), I think of all the things I have to do and want to do them ALL....NOW! :p
Is this normal? Does it go away eventually? I feel like I'm almost ADD/ADHD-inattentive now that I'm on it - LOL! I just get things done. Like, if I'm cleaning, I don't get all overwhelmed and give up after a 20 minutes or get all involved in cleaning out the file cabinet and then get mentally tired. I can clean out the file cabinet without feeling drained by it. If I go into the bedroom to drop off some laundry, I'll make the bed cause I tell myself it only takes 5 min. If I'm on my way to the kitchen, I'll grab some dishes or glasses that have been piling up by the computer. I just REMEMBER things like that.Yay! All sounds normal to me.

- On the other hand, I forget weird stuff - My short term memory seems off when I'm on Adderall. I won't remember if I talked about a particular thing with someone, like my BF, especially if it's something that's been on my mind or we've been discussing a lot. I mean, I have to think, "did we already talk about this?" I'm not getting a lot of "you already said that" from people, but I have this doubt pop up in my head. Sometimes, I just feel like there's a part of my brain that is raring to go. It's like static in the background of my thoughts, like a little program that keeps going on a loop. But I don't get distracted by it too much. Maybe that's focusing?I've found that I have had to learn to adjust to a new way of thinking somewhat with life on meds. Memory has been different for me too, but I'm getting the hang of it (I think). Yes, I think you put it perfectly, it seems to be largely a matter of focus, and adapting to how it changes a bit on meds.

HA HA !

Yes, I don't feel the need to drink either! I feel like, why should I get rid of this awesome awake feeling and be dummed down with a glass of wine?

I think that has to do with the plus of losing weight... Less empty calories.

thanks for your replies, everyone! i appreciate it.

zoomman - i hadn't thought of taking 2 large does like that. that might be what i need. i just haven't been able to figure out what works and then i just don't take it for a week or so and have to start over. go figure they give people with ADD something they have to experiment with so much! :rolleyes:

teacherin - i'm glad to hear that you had some similar effects to mine. that makes me feel better. i think if i just stick with it and figure out my dose, i'll be okay.

mary - thanks for the encouragement!

so, how did you all figure out what was the right dose? did you keep a log? there's so many variables that could affect it, i don't know where to start or i get lost doing it. did i eat or not w/it, did i sleep the night before, did i exercise, how much did i take, when, how was i feeling...i guess i'm just not sure when i'm supposed to know...until i'm there and then i'll know! ha! that part drives me crazy. i just want to KNOW now.

i just gave you all thumbs up! that's such a neat feature!

thanks for thanking me mary - you ended my "thanks" virginity - hee hee!

molly

i just gave you all thumbs up! that's such a neat feature!

thanks for thanking me mary - you ended my "thanks" virginity - hee hee!

molly

LOL, you're welcome!

mollycase, that was a nice and detailed post! Very organized too (you must have be on your meds!) Here's my two cents (not as organized since I missed my PM dose):

I also lost the desire to drink Alcohol. It's really weird to just stop wanting a drink!

I'm currently taking 10mg IR up to 3 times a day. Each lasts between 3.5 to 4 hours. I tried upping the morning dose to 15mg but felt very jittery and a bit overstimulated. I think 10mg is the right dose for me; no euphoria or weird feeling, just perfect and natural. Yes, I kept a journal on a piece of paper, writing down the time of each dose and then how I felt afterwards. Took about a month to find the right dose.

Not only does it make me more talkative, it also makes me a better person to be around. Some have posted that Adderall makes them irritable, but I find that it gives me a sense of calm which allows me to better deal with stressful situations.

I believe medication was the right thing for me. Sounds like you have gained a lot from them as well. Good luck going forward!

I am still in the begining stage. I am currently taking 20mg of Adderall once daily.

My mind and thought process is off when I first wake up in the morning. It takes my dosage to finally get me going. I crash about 2pm during the day after the medication wears off. I do sleep much better at night but find that I'm sleeping harder than I was before. My short term memory has always been crazy.

I CRAVE CIGARETTES like crazy now! I do not crave or have any desire to drink alcohol though.

cool thanks. i tried writing it down, but i kept forgetting to keep it up. i'll give it a go again!

once i have insurance, i hope to get a real brain doc and not just my fam dr (who's actually just a nurse practicioner but super awesome lady). i've heard varying accounts of difference/no diff between generic and brand Adderall. hopefully insurance will let my try different things, like the IR or whatever. right now paying out of pocket - add my dr rx me for 20 mg and i just split them - half the cost of the 10 mg tablets!

i'll have to look around for more info on the different types of Adderall, i don't want to hijack my own thread on an ADD forum with a tangent - LOL

ttjc - ha ha! me too! i want cigarettes a lot too! how weird!

Molly,

I am another Molly! I also started Adderall(XR) 2 mos ago and have had many similar reactions.

I have had the same positives and the same feeling that my short term memory is not helped by the Adderall. Although in my case, my short term and working memory have always been a struggle, so I'm not sure it's worse. I think I am more aware when I've forgotten something,so I feel a bit more frustrated in this respect. Does that make any sense at all:p? Also, I guess I'd hoped that meds would help with my memory too and they haven't.

I'm glad you have seen benefit! Good luck as you go forward!

Molly... I can relate to some of yourt things. First off about the typing, it seems that I, myself just get on a role and keep going and going and going.... But then again when i read somethingt that is really long, i read the first few sentences and then that is it if it is not tinteresting. According to my wife that is how i read the paper, i am not denying any of it thought si i don't know... But the med things, i am also on adderal 20mg daily for about 2-3 months. At first i got the racing thing in my body, the jitters. At this time I realized i had to cut back on my Coke a COla intake. I was drinking it 3-4 times a day plus or minus sometimes, no coffee or anything else just coke a cola. Once I did that and my body got used to the adderall, i think a bit of both, i feel fine and don't notice any ill effects. I am able to concentrate more and complete more task with out being overwelmed about all the stuff that needs to be done,I just picked one and did it till it got done. This makes my wife happy. Even projects that i have been doing around the house are SLOWLy getting down, more then before so that is good. I have been told by her that I sometimes border on OCD, but i am well aware of that problem from a former friend of ours who took that to the highest degree so I am careful not to over due it. But it is all good. I am prertty happy at this point. I do beleive that it has speed up my metablolism, cause i lost some weight, which in know is a side effect. I lost some before that due to stress from all stuff that was going on but now a bit more from the med possible. AND i can't afford to loose it at all. 32 and 120lbs, can't go any lower.

- Thinking of a million things at once - Before Adderall, I would think of all the things I had to do. I would worry about them and wonder how I was ever going to get them done. I would procrastinate like all hell and then at the last minute get something done (like a paper) and get a great grade and then feel guilty because I felt like I didn't deserve it, like I had "fooled" everyone into thinking I was smart (or worthy, or "good" or whatever). Now (when I take the Adderall), I think of all the things I have to do and want to do them ALL....NOW!

Quoting you here, I can COMPLETELY relate to you with this!!! I find that I have so much spare time compared to before medication because I'm not constantly worrying...like you said. THIS is why I take it...I was HORRIBLE before. Sometimes a little jittery (especially with too much caffeine)...but never that horrible anxiety of "I have no time to get it done" like I used to have.

I take 5 mg adderall every four hours and 30 mg of lex a day.

All your concerns are totally normal feeings/experiences which I have experienced verbatim.

Perhaps some honestly do cease to feel the stimulant (wired) effects of adderall after awhile but IMHO I think most just get used to it in the sense that they just get desensitized to that feeling of being more 'wired'. That desensitization happened very much with me as well but I still know its not how I feel unmedicated.

I have been on adderall for 10 years and I most definitely feel the amphetamine boost every-single-time I take a pill. SO many people aren't self aware enough to realize what you said about yourself when you stopped adderall: "Which is pretty much how I feel before I had the medication anyways." Many others claim that adderall has made them feel worse than ever when they stop when they are just back to their normal crappy feeling self.
You sound pretty smart and self aware. Don't be afraid to experiment with the dosing. You'll figure things out.