Since starting this medication, I've lost most of my appetite (an expected side-effect.) I've only been on Dexedrine (10 mg 3 times a day) for a week and a half, so I didn't hope for any sudden miracles. And as clever as the decision was, I also forgot to eat enough to support my body. The lack of nutrition combined with the Dexedrine had a horrible side-effect on me: I had difficulty breathing, experienced muscle weakness and as a result, I stopped the medication immediately.

On my second day off Dexedrine, I've had increased desire to sleep and felt more afraid of being left alone. (I'm usually content with solitude.)

That and the crashes after this medication wears off is much worse than Ritalin.

Has this happened to anyone?

I'm hoping to hear from my doctor tomorrow around noon, but I'd like to hear any input.

It's a pretty common effect when people are on doses that are too high for them, or if they get anxious, or forget to eat, or dont drink enough water..or if they they have a cup of coffee and the caffeine doesn't agree with them.

You were on 10mg of ritalin 3x day? That means you should probably half your dex. dose because it's roughly twice as powerful. Talk to your doctor about this.

Force yourself to eat and drink water :) Even though some people feel like they don't need it, you probably need it even more than usual.

I think the OP was on Dexedrine 10mg X 3 daily, and was considering ritalin as an alternative?

I've been on Dex for 3 weeks tomorrow. The appetite suppression has remained despite being told it wears off after about a week. That's fine because I am on a weight loss plan (boring - just diet and exercise), but I count my calories and force myself to eat at least eating 1400 a day which is what I was eating pre-dex. My weight loss has been consistent.

I didn't want to exploit the dex and then get a massive rebound when/if I go off it.

Thanks to everyone who replied. (And I've switched from Ritalin to Dexedrine. I had the most benefits from Ritalin initially, until it completely subsided into jitterly feelings and impulsive inclinations.)

Ozchris: My doctor tells me it's a relatively unheard of side-effect (the muscle weakness & breathing difficulty) - at least in his practice. Am I missing something here?

I've only tried two stimulant medications - Ritalin and Dexedrine - and now my doctor is thinking about moving to other options aside from the amphetamines and the methylphenidate.

What other possibilities are there? I'm primarily the inattentive type. I want to be able to do tedious work without falling asleep at the start. :(

I had difficulty breathing

Sorry. I assumed that was anxiety because stimulants don't usually interfere with breathing directly. Most people that say they have trouble breathing while on therapeutic doses of stimulants are usually having an anxiety reaction.

Were you moving around more than normal? that could explain the muscle weakness. I'm not a doctor so these are only guesses. Sometimes on a dose that's too high, you can stop and turn more suddenly than normal and this can cause some leg pain - this could be difficult to notice. If you're overly anxious you can tense up as well, which might also be a reason for the muscle problems.

Main question your doc should have asked - Did you get the muscle weakness on your first dose of dex, the first time you ever took it?

Did you jump from Ritalin - 10 mg x 3 per day to dex. 3x10mg a day? IF you were having problems with Ritalin at that dosage, your on a dose of dex. that would be like taking 3x 20mg of ritalin. It's essentially doubling your dose, I'd be suprised if you didn't have problems.

Ritalin 3x10mg = Dex. 3x5mg. Since you were having problems on that dose of ritalin, I'd start you on an even lower dose of dex. Like 2.5mg twice a day, then increase it slowly.

I'm not a doctor so the above is just theoretical advice, don't actually follow it. IF your doc switched you from 3x10mg ritalin to 3x10mg dex, he might not know what he's doing. Lots of regular doctors do not know enough about ADD and ADD meds.

What other possibilities are there?

Don't give up on the stimulant based medications yet. 3x10mg ritalin and 3x10mg dex. is way too high for me too and I have had similar reactions.

Ritalin just didn't agree with me and I had that horrible jitteriness. Too high a dose of dex. for me = anxiety, loss of appetite. If the anxiety got out of control I'd have a mini panic attack with difficulty breathing. A lower dose of dex. was much different, 5mg twice a day was just about perfect for me.

I would find another doctor. A children's psychiatrist is best, they are usually experts on ADD and treating it. If you're an adult you can still go see them. Lots of the normal psychiatrists haven't done the study on ADD, but they are still probably better than a normal 'family doctor'.

The highest Ritalin dose I was on was 15 mg three times a day. It was fine for awhile until my body got used to it and I couldn't focus as well as I did at the start. I had a few side effects (sleepiness after the meds wear off, irritability, throat tightness) but nothing major.

I think the muscle weakness and breathing problems were partly attributed to the rapid weight loss while taking Dexedrine. I started at 5mg for a few days, then 7.5 mg and finally 10 mg. I didn't receive any huge benefits from being on the Dexedrine except considerably less of the irritable, jittery side-effects of the Ritalin. I felt calm... almost sedated. Everything was alright.

Ultimately, the physical fatigue really started to kick in at the 10 mg dose and the dosage still offered little concentration improvements. After two more days of extreme fatigue at each 4 hour period when the meds slow down, I lost even more weight at a faster speed. Then my body crashed and the troubles I mentioned above started. So far, the Dexedrine trial lasted about ten-twelve days.

You may be right - it could be due to not finding the optimal dosage, not medication. Or myself being too impatient with the slow results. My doctor's actually a child psychiatrist who has worked with ADD cases. ;) I'll mention this option when I meet him next time. I think I'll give him a couple/few more tries before I switch to another doctor.

Though I am concerned about what he will introduce to me next. I just hope it works.

Thanks again for your assistance. :)

Here's a question: if Dexedrine is working correctly, then how long does it take to see a positive change? I know it was in an instant for the Ritalin.

I started at 5mg for a few days, then 7.5 mg and finally 10 mg.

Didn't realise this.


Here's a question: if Dexedrine is working correctly, then how long does it take to see a positive change? I know it was in an instant for the Ritalin.

It should be pretty much instant. Some initial effects fade, but once you get the right dose it should be instant. Even if it's not the right dose you'll have some idea.

Seems like the stimulants just aren't for you :( Talk to your doc about trying straterra or maybe welbutrin (sp?)

I had a horrible time on Ritalin, and also Concerta. I felt the effects of Dexedrine on the first day. Not necessarily more focused, but a sense of calm - something which is alien to me! A higher dose made the focus better (I'm still on a trial).

The muscle weakness could be explained by the fact that you weren't eating enough. Sometimes I can forget to eat and only remember that I need to when my muscles (and therefore my whole body) feel weird.

My appetite isn't too bad on Dexedrine - better than Concerta, where somedays I could only manage breakfast and a packet of crisps. Not good.

I've just found this on the info leaflet from my meds (in the UK):

"Do not suddenly stop taking Dexedrine as this can lead to extreme tiredness and depression ..."

I don't know if this would happen if you've only been on it for a week and a half, but perhaps you are sensitive to them?

I'm sure your doc will help you find the right medication. I'm impatient too but I'm now glad that it not being rushed so that I can get the best meds for me.

It should be pretty much instant. Some initial effects fade, but once you get the right dose it should be instant. Even if it's not the right dose you'll have some idea.

Seems like the stimulants just aren't for you :( Talk to your doc about trying straterra or maybe welbutrin (sp?)

Makes sense. They are stimulants after all. :)

On Straterra, I felt like absolute hell: zombified and unimaginative. It's the antithesis of what I'd prefer to be. :eek:

Sigh. :(

I had a horrible time on Ritalin, and also Concerta. I felt the effects of Dexedrine on the first day. Not necessarily more focused, but a sense of calm - something which is alien to me! A higher dose made the focus better (I'm still on a trial).

The muscle weakness could be explained by the fact that you weren't eating enough. Sometimes I can forget to eat and only remember that I need to when my muscles (and therefore my whole body) feel weird.

My appetite isn't too bad on Dexedrine - better than Concerta, where somedays I could only manage breakfast and a packet of crisps. Not good.

I wish the Ritalin lasted longer than it did. For once in my life, I didn't fall alseep while finishing up a term paper or felt the need to take excessive breaks as I worked.

The calm feeling is rather normal in my case - I'm always in that mood with or without the meds. So that could be a reason why I did not recognize a difference. But the impulsiveness is an area where Dexedrine had been a HUGE help. My friends tell me I carried on a conversation like non-ADD people on Dex. (None of that instant topic switching and interrupting business.)

My thoughts exactly. Dexedrine seemed to be working just fine when I had enough nutrients in my body, but I might need more of it than others while taking this medication.

Breakfast and a packet of crisps. You've just described my daily meal on the Dexedrine trial. ;) If I were able to go back in time, I'd make sure I had an energy bar every 3-4 hours. They're more bearable to eat even if you have a 'full' stomach. I cringe at the thought of eating a moderately large meal just to get an adequate amount of protein, carbs, minerals and vitamins.

I've just found this on the info leaflet from my meds (in the UK):

"Do not suddenly stop taking Dexedrine as this can lead to extreme tiredness and depression ..."

I don't know if this would happen if you've only been on it for a week and a half, but perhaps you are sensitive to them?

It mostly applies to those who have been on Dexedrine for a longer period (several months/years). Those on the shorter term may also feel the withdrawal effects, but I suppose it's not as intense as the former.

I'm sure your doc will help you find the right medication. I'm impatient too but I'm now glad that it not being rushed so that I can get the best meds for me.

I sure hope so. Now I'm a bit worried that I might have to deal with my ADD un-medicated. :(

And good luck on finding yours. :D

It's true that dexedrine knocks out your appetite when you first take it. I remember my mom gave me half a bowl of this soup, and I found that to be too much food!

I don't remember if being off dex when I first started made me crash like you, but I seem to recall that my symptoms came back two fold! Or it felt like that.