Hello Everyone!

I've just recently been diagnosed with AD/HD Inattentive. About a month and a half ago, actually. I was started on Vyvanse 30mg, but it wasn't strong enough. I also was having terrible insomnia. So the Dr. decided to try me on Adderall XR, and I was still having insomnia. I went to see my psychologist and she decided regular Adderall would be better for me because it's not time released. So that's where I am now. We're trying to figure out the correct dose and how I should take it. Right now I was just increased to 15mg in the am and 15mg 4 hours later. I wanted to ask anyone who is on a similar dose if they experience some of the side effects that I do.

I know a lot of people are interested in Adderall (any amphetamine salts) bc of the weight loss factor. Well, as I've said, I've been on it for a month and a half with NO weight loss whatsoever. However, I do notice that my appetite is suppressed quite well during the day. At times, if I get myself busy doing something, I even forget to eat. But bc Adderall isn't time released, I find myself very, VERY hungry by the end of the night. That's when I tend to want to eat. Then and first thing in the morning before I take my pills. If I don't eat during the middle of the day, I get very sick. I asked about an episode I had last Friday at the grocery store. I hadn't eaten since breakfast and while I was in the store, I almost passed out. The Dr. said I was hypoglycemic. Has that happened to anyone?

I also seem to cry a lot. Not sobbing crying, but get teary-eyed a lot. I feel like I've had WAY too much coffee during the day too. That tends to make me feel a little more irritable. I guess I feel like I'm "speeding" around, but then when it's the end of the night, I look back on the day and realize that I haven't accomplished much, despite feeling like I was busy. It's strange.

I would appreciate it if you'll share with me. :)

Thanks!

These are ALL very common with stimulant use. You hae to make SURE that you eat during the day. Regular eatting helps curb the binge eatting that happens at night. Plus it also helps a lot of the OTHER side effects that come with the medicine wearing off.

Yes, all of those are side effects. You have to force yourself to eat in the middle of the day or you won't and will keep having problems with feeling faint. I used to set a reminder on my phone to go eat lunch. Set it as a high priority and realize you'll feel really bad if you don't, because I know how tough it can be to pull yourself away when you're in the middle of doing something else.

For irritability, this is a standard side effect of stimulants and gets worse as the dose increases. The best thing I've found is just keeping your dose as low as possible (oh, and eating) and it won't be that bad. However, irritability will pretty much always be there a little bit. I haven't found a way around it.

Another good thing to do is make a to-do list in the morning, or the night before. Before you take your pills. If I don't have a clear goal in mind before I take Adderall, I'll spend the rest of the day focusing on things that I don't need to be focusing on rather than accomplishing things I need to. Adderall is only a tool to help you concentrate. What you concentrate on is your decision.. it can be something you need to get done, or it can be playing video games for 7 hours..

I find for me the irritability is DRASTICALLY reduced by eatting and KEEPING hydrated. Both are hard to do on Adderall, for eatting I make sure to eat lunch and sometimes a healthy snack or two, depending on time. AS for keeping hydrated, I keep a bottle of water with me NON-STOP. I am always drinking water. Another benefit of keeping hydrated, it seems to help smooth out some of the peaks and valleys that happen with Adderall.

Yep... keeping well hydrated will also lower risks of chest pains and headaches. Because water helps dilate the blood vessels.... which is very useful, considering stimulants tighten them.

I actually eat better on adderall.... not because I felt more hungry or anything like that...

It was because I could actually go to the effort of making myself proper meals..... instead of just throwing something in the microwave as usual.

Thanks to all who responded. :o)

I'll definitely take the advice given. Selby, making a to-do list before bed or first thing in the morning was a great idea! I haven't thought about that. I actually chuckled a little bit when you stated that if you didn't make your list with a goal in mind, you would spend the day focusing, which is what the medication is meant to do, but you focus on things that don't need to be focused on. I laughed because that has been exactly what has been happening to me. I'll sit for a few hours editing pictures when there is a pile of laundry touching the ceiling, lol. So I'll definitely start making lists for the day.

PedroDaGr8, I'll make sure to keep myself hydrated. I've noticed an increase in thirst, but I doubt I'm drinking enough fluid to help me. I usually get a bottle of water and add those drink mixes to it, like Crystal Light. I'll make sure to force myself to drink more, and even eat during lunch time. Hopefully that will end the late night eating...

Thanks again to all! I can tell this forum will be a great tool in helping me through the rough period. I still haven't found how to reduce the chaos in my life. Sadly, I have no organizational skills. I'm working on it though.

You're not interpreting the effect of the stimulant correctly.

Amphetamine signals the brain to release dopamine which is a naturally occurring chemical that the brain manufactures itself.

Dopamine increases alertness and puts the body into an enhanced energetic state, and delivers a sense of well being.

It's up to you to harness this "altered state" into something positive in your life.

If this is not what you feel, then stimulants may not be right for you.

There are loads of people that cannot handle even a single beer, and others that get extreme behaviors, either mean or overly friendly. And there are also those that simply go with the flow and get mellow and enjoy a good time.

Think of Vyvanse the same way.

budwzr

You're not interpreting the effect of the stimulant correctly.

Amphetamine signals the brain to release dopamine which is a naturally occurring chemical that the brain manufactures itself.

Dopamine increases alertness and puts the body into an enhanced energetic state, and delivers a sense of well being.

It's up to you to harness this "altered state" into something positive in your life.

If this is not what you feel, then stimulants may not be right for you.

There are loads of people that cannot handle even a single beer, and others that get extreme behaviors, either mean or overly friendly. And there are also those that simply go with the flow and get mellow and enjoy a good time.

Think of Vyvanse the same way.

budwzr


Thanks budwzr. I haven't thought of it in that light before. I does make me wonder... that if I'm supposed to have a sense of "well being" then maybe something is wrong. I will say that on my current dose of Adderall I'm making a lot of baby steps in the right direction as far as trying to reduce the clutter my life. I also feel, at times, very nice. I have extremely low self-esteem, which plays on my mind and emotions daily. So I find it hard to see thru that to my good qualities. I still don't know what my good qualities are, but anyhow... I'll keep in mind what you said. if I continue to have strong irritability and spontaneous crying over a puppy on tv, then I'll talk to my Dr. Thank you very much for your advice! ;)

Yep... keeping well hydrated will also lower risks of chest pains and headaches. Because water helps dilate the blood vessels.... which is very useful, considering stimulants tighten them.

I actually eat better on adderall.... not because I felt more hungry or anything like that...

It was because I could actually go to the effort of making myself proper meals..... instead of just throwing something in the microwave as usual.


Fraz, thanks for the info! I'm making a conscious effort to down water today. It's scary when the BP is high. I need drainage pipes as my blood vessels. High BP runs very strongly in my family. And I'm young! Only 24...

I understand what you mean about just throwing stuff in the microwave. I've noticed myself cooking more often as well. Although today I'm feeling like just throwing something in the microwave... but I won't. Hamburger Helper, while they all taste the same to me, is quick and easy and better than something frozen I guess. So I think I'll make that.