desoxyn is the best... a year's worth of adhd meds stories

[Everyzig2101]

So, although at the risk of sounding like a broken record (ive posted in joy whenever i try a new med and it seems like a panache, only to find out after the initial period that it wasnt what i wanted), I will say that I believe that desoxyn (the final med i hadnt tried) is going to change my life. I figured i'd share my stimulant story to contribute my wide variety of experiences with adhd drugs.

Up until now i had only had good results with adderall - it was the only one that gave me enough focus - it was the only med that allowed me to really get in the "zone", and tolerate classes, etc. However, it sort of forced me into the zone all the time, and really hindered conversations and social interactions, thinking through complex tasks, and multitasking. I had tried dosages between 10-30mg/day usually spread out over 2-3 doses. I couldnt however, take them at night because i didnt want to be a zombie around my family. Adderall also split up a really good relationship because i simply couldnt feel any emotions. I thought that i would be stuck with it forever, especially after trying every other adhd stimulant on the market with the exception of focalin sr and finding them all to be inferior in terms of focus. Unfortunately adderall was also causing rapid heartbeat, rebound insomnia when i didnt take 3 doses a day, and some serious anxiety, not to mention i havent taken the initiative to go out and do new things or make new friends in approximately 3 years.

I tried adderall xr which was a bit smoother than the regular adderall but i disliked the fact that it would get stronger in the afternoons as it built up in my bloodstream ( i preferred a higher dose in mornings followed by decreasing doses as the day went on). It also lasted 12+ hours and prevented me from getting any meaningful exercise done due to muscle tension and increased hr and bp.

I tried dexedrine, which made me socially manic and pretty stimulated, a nice change from the zombification and sleepy focus that adderall caused. I tried barr and mallinkrodt at doses up to about 30mg a day (split into 3 doses). Dexedrine made me irritable with people at times, and physically and mentally antsy (for lack of a better word) -- i was able to focus but i kept switching my focus, and couldnt find satisfaction in doing a single task at a time.

Next i tried daytrana, which was really quite different than my amphetamine experiences. I had what seemed like endless physical energy, and i felt the satisfied feeling i had gotten with adderall (basically an ability to be content), however, it didnt really do jack for my focus, even at dosages up to 30mg patch. Didnt notice any side effects, but the withdrawal/rebound after discontinuing it was the worst i had ever experienced from any adhd med (ridiculous irritability, sadness, and jitteriness)

Focalin XR was next, which was similar to daytrana for me, but it didnt have as much of a physically energized profile as daytrana, and again didnt really help my focus. I kept feeling the need to change tasks.

Finally i tried desoxyn starting last week. (I'm gradually ramping up in dose by 5mg a week up to 20mg a day, 10 2x/day) Overall, i would say it combines the best features of adderall and dexedrine, and it's smoother than either of them as well. I have the ability to get into a 'zone' if i want, and focus on things, but i'm not forced to zone out all the time like i was with adderall. I also have my old sociability back, i'm noticing i'm able to make and keep plans, organize tasks, and it also gives me the energy i need to actually finish things (unlike adderall). It's much more restful than dexedrine or ritalin. I dont feel compelled to be moving or doing things, but i dont feel as sedated as I was on adderall. So far, there have been absolutely ZERO! side effects!. I dont have adrenaline rushes or fast heartbeat, muscle tension or anxiety (my worst side effect with adderall and daytrana). I feel so normal again!!! The only downside i have noticed so far is that i have a bit of insomnia when it wears off, and i also feel sort of unexplainably sad and i feel like the world is really weird during the last hour or 2 of my day, late at night after my dose has worn off. Im thinking of eventually switching to 3x a day dosing in order to sleep better and avoid this effect though.

I'm ready to finally be 'normal' again! I have so many plans for this fall, and I have gotten more tasks done around the house in the past week than i have so far all summer! This med should definitely be part of first line treatments. I mean, come on, it has no side effects!!.

Let me know if you have any questions, and please share your thoughts!

A few questions of my own. do you think I'll gain 'tolerance' to desoxyn and it will eventually turn me into a zombie again like adderall did? Also, do you think that having had it prescribed once, I will be able to continue getting it prescribed when i move away again for grad school or will i have to spend a year trying all the other meds again with a new psychiatrist or will they just jump on the desoxyn boat right away? Also, anyone know anything about the potential for long term damage (like dopamine transporters or whatnot) due to methamphetamine being so potent and being more thoroughly absorbed into the brain than regular amphetamine. Is this a risk for people with adhd using desoxyn? I couldnt help but notice that the recreational dose listed at least on one website (http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/meth/meth_dose.shtml) nearly the same as the dose i would be taking. (25-30mg a day). How is this safer than street meth?


And, if you were able to read this entire post, congratulations (sorry it's so long)

[alert]

"especially after trying every other adhd stimulant on the market with the exception of focalin sr"

"Focalin XR was next, which was similar to daytrana for me"

You contadict yourself here. I sense somrthing odd about this thread.

[Everyzig2101]

doah, i meant IR, not SR. somehow i was thinking "short release", hah. i meant instant release.

[phrenic]

Do you ever feel sedated on Desoxyn? My doc prescribed it to me last week (I wrote the thread right before this one about my experience).

Since I get too sedated on Desoxyn, I plan to use it when my ADHD gets in the way of my relationship especially when I'm highly irritable, anxious and picking a fight with my boyfriend only to avoid boredome etc.

As for the mental focus and alertness that I need for work, Desoxyn is not for me.

It does give me so much less side effects than dex and ritalin so I will not give up on this med just yet.

[attention]

"Since I get too sedated on Desoxyn"
--I can't understang this-SEDATED from the most potent ATS (amphetamine type stimulant) there is available?

I wish you could explain how the sedation manufests?

I have taken Ritalin, and Dexedrine had me going. I have read Desoxyn is the most efficious medication for hard-out Narcoleptics, so how can script methamphetamine make you few folk sedated? it is after all the same compound which abusers stay up on for days on end.

I just don't get it?

[Crazy~Feet]

Probably the same way I become mildly sedated by dexedrine, attention. It seems to happen among ADDers and its not uncommon. For the purposes of this thread I honestly don't think it much matters why this happens for some of us.

[JR1973]

Man I can't touch any of the methylphenidate meds. Like hitting me with a tranquilizer dart. Indeed a strange phenomenon about stimulants.


J

[jbc3333]

I have the same expierences with stimulents and sadation.... When I was on adderall it would actually put me to sleep and the same with coffie and a few other stimulent drugs... Dex is the only one that doesnt but it does make me very relaxed...I know people without adahd that take stimulents and it does the exact oppisite to them....When I had surgery and was prescribed perks they made me want to run a mile while it makes a lot of people want to sleep....

[alert]

"I can't understang this-SEDATED from the most potent ATS (amphetamine type stimulant) there is available?"

Attention, Desoxyn-being medically supervised/monitered, methamphetamine hcl is indeed the most potent ATS, however for some folks who have truely ADD/HD disorders which control their lives, it seems to control their disorder well.

I had to stop Dex as it made me too sleepy and lethargic at 20mgs. The first time i was treated with it (at only one 5mg IR tab), it made me fall into a deep sleep, and caused unsatisfactory sedation.

The Doc treated me instead with a higher dose of Methylphenidate. Norvatis brand was quite satisfactory at 20mgs T.I.D, however upon this becoming replaced by a generic i required nearly double this (120mgs-2, 20mg SR T.I.D)-much to my Docs dismay and suffering on my part- to have any sembelence of what regular folks take for granted.

However the struggle continues.

I wish we severly affected folks here downunder had the treatment options you have in the states.

[Edward]

What do you mean by most potent amphetamine type stimulant?

dexamphetamine is a more potent psychostimulant for rats than dexmethamphetamine

I don't find it suprising that some are sedated by various stimulants(including desoxyn)

[alert]

"I don't find it suprising that some are sedated by various stimulants(including desoxyn)"

I totally agree. When i was trialed on Dex, my first 5mg dose put me to sleep.

Let me clarify.

I was just relaying what my Doc had told me (he specialises in addiction medicine) and treats people with substance use/abuse issues in a treatment centre.

he gave me an analogy concerning the Methylphenidate medication he treats my condition with saying "Methylphenidate is like aspirin compared to Meth"

I think he was refering to the street form which addicts use/abuse, not the pharmaceutical medicine which some here find quite satisfactory.

Hope this clears things up. if not feel free to comment.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by alert

he gave me an analogy concerning the Methylphenidate medication he treats my condition with saying "Methylphenidate is like aspirin compared to Meth"

that's such a horrible smilie, i wouldn't repeat it if I were you

[Crazy~Feet]

I think he was refering to the street form which addicts use/abuse, not the pharmaceutical medicine which some here find quite satisfactory.

I agree and would like to remind anybody who happens to be curious that this thread is about legally prescribed stimulants. Use and abuse of illegal street drugs should not come into the picture.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled on topic--for ADDers --thread. Thanks!

[alert]

HA? why the issue?

He has seen people managed on Methylphenidate for, in some cases 20-40 years living like regular people.

He has yet to see, or treat, ANY street meth users doing so, and he has been in addiction medicine since the 1960's.

[Crazy~Feet]

My comment was NOT directed at you, alert, it was merely a moderator note to keep this thread on topic ...these bothersome moderator notes do pop up from time to time, you know.