Adderall XR and ADHD

[AEBoy8]

Ok this thread might be a little off topic since most of these threads here are about sexual health... but i'll give it a shot since the topic includes the word health haha. So get ready it's long...

I have trouble concentrating in class, at work I even notice I can't stay focused. I've had this problem since I had been in highschool. I never really considered taking medicine just so I could do my homework, I honestly didn't want to have to depend on a pill to help me in everyday life. I went to the doctor about a week ago because I had strep throat. I had been thinking about the possibility of having ADHD for a while now and I figured I would mention it to him, so I did. He asked me a bunch of questions, and said I did show alot of signs of being ADHD and we settled at that. He asked me if I wanted to try something for a month and see if it worked so I agreed. He wrote me a 30 day prescription for 20MG Adderall XR. As soon as he mentioned Adderall, I kind of was shocked. I won't lie, I did take it once or twice in highschool because a friend gave it to me (but I didn't tell him that of course). I noticed it helped, it helped alot actually. The past week that I have taken it I have noticed it helps me alot though. I do good in class, and for once I understand what I'm doing. Before I had a problem of being distracted when the professor was teaching and missing parts of the problem which really messed me up and made the lessons even more confusing. At work I get my work done instead of sitting there texting or doing something other than what I'm suppose to be doing. After class I feel like I've actually accomplished something for once and I feel like it wasn't a waste of my time to go to class that day. I don't get frustrated as easily as I did before I started taking it. I used to get so frustrated with myself because I just couldn't understand the work I was doing because I couldn't focus on the stuff she was teaching us. Overall so far it's really helping my attitude toward school.

I do have concerns about the medication though. Alot of people are prescribed to it, I work in a pharmacy I fill dozens of prescriptions for it everyday. But I have read alot online about it and possible addiction. I did mention it to my doctor when he prescribed it. He told me that the only reason people become addicted is because they take more than the instructed dose or misuse it. I've heard of college students taking it just so they could stay awake at night to drink and party. I've heard of it ruining peoples lives, and that just really scares me. I mean, I don't misuse it. I'm suppose to take one pill a day in the morning, and I do take it just as instructed. So maybe it is true that it only becomes addictive if you misuse it. Another concern I have is the loss of apetite. I read online that Adderall was actually prescribed in the 1960s as a weight loss drug. I'm pretty sure it was under a different name, but it served that purpose. Loss of apetite is a side effect of the drug, my doctor and a pharmacist at work made me aware of that. I take it early in the morning, so I usually try to eat some sort of breakfast before I take it. It's extended release so it only lasts about 8 hours, so usually around 5:00 it's mostly worn off so I can eat dinner. The problem is, when dinner time actually comes around I don't feel like eating. It still hasn't worn off for me, I know I'm hungry because my stomach is growling like I ate a lion but I just don't feel like I want to eat. I have never really ate normal though. I mean, I don't usually eat breakfast... I just never have. I have always ate more junk food than anything, like throughout the day at work I'll snack on some chips or something. Sometimes I'll go a day without eating dinner, I'll just eat something small like a sandwich or something like that, but I've never really ate like I was suppose to. I don't starve myself or anything before anyone thinks I do haha. I'm 6'0 and 150lb and I have more of a swimmers build, so I think that's pretty average. I just don't want it to get to the point where I have to force myself to eat because that's probably not a good way to live lol. My friend used to take this medication in highschool, she was prescribed to it and she ended up losing ALOT of weight and looked really bad because she basically looked annorexic. I just really don't want something like that to happen to me. Another point of concern is sex drive, which is another mentioned side effect. My poor little penis just can't get hard until it fully wears off, and this sucks real bad haha. I actually tried to jerk off the other night, and I would get hard and then lose my erection. I can get it back up, but I just end up losing it again so it's pointless. I tried jerking off one night and actually came... while I was soft. It was really weird.

Anyway, I've wrote about a book but I just have some concerns about the medicine and some things bother me about it. So let me get to the point of the thread. Is anyone here prescribed to it, addicted, recovering addict? (don't laugh - people really get hooked on this shit). Or if there is a doctor here... that would be great! I have a follow up appointment with my doctor next month to talk to him about how it's working, not working, etc. I would like to stay prescribed to it because it really does help me, but I'm going to bring up some of these issues - minus the sex issue because I don't want him to know I can't get off... let alone get off to my gay porn or fucking my boyfriend haha Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

[KaraBulut]

AEBoy8:

As your know from working in a pharmacy, these drugs are often prescribed inappropriately for "behavioral disorders" in chldren. But for adults who have ADHD, they can be quite dramatic in their effect.

The paradoxic effect of these drugs is that it is the lower doses of the stimulant medications that has a calming effect on the brain of a person with ADHD. The theory is that by adjusting the level of certain brain chemicals in certain parts of the brain, the person is able to better focus on single tasks and trains of thought.

The description of your before and after behavior do seem to indicate that the drug has had a positive effect for you. Your doctor started you in the middle of the available strengths of the drug (20mg). If you are only 30 days into the treatment, the side effects that you describe may dissipate with time as your body becomes more used to the effects of the drug. If after a couple of months on the drug, you are still having the side-effect, your doctor may want to try a lower dose of the drug or switch you on a different drug.

 

[Yngbldhwk]

Adderall is a stimulant; an amphetamine derivative, which is why it was originally looked at for weight loss (nothing helps one lose weight faster than amphetamines). That fact that it makes you feel calmer and more focused is probably a good "negative" type of evidence that you do have ADD/ADHD. If I were you, I wouldn't be too worried about addiction. Since you're a student, at this point it in your life it's probably more important for you to be focused and on task, at school and work.

You might want to try cutting some of the junk food out of your diet, especially if it's heavy in refined carbohydrates, just to see if it helps your concentration. (I don't say "all" because I know that's not realistic.)

 

[LotusOnBuddha]

Adderall XR saved me in college, i didnt get diagnosed with ADHD till i was in college, when my bio prof. told me to go get checked out for it. After i started the Adderall XR it was like night and day. I actually take a super high dose 60mg of Adderall XR in the morning and 40mg around 2pm. I do take a lot, and i tried other meds but they always made me not eat. Adderall XR makes me not hungery but not to the extent were im not eating for days like concerta made me.

I'm sure one day I'll throw a P.E. while on hold for Aetna or Caremark. But oh well at least i'll be sane and focused.

 

[AEBoy8]

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[ItsJono]

Hey,

Like you, I had done a self-diagnosis and sought a professional opinion and had a chat with my doctor. Since then, I've been on Adderall XR and IR for a little over a year now:

Firstly, I cannot stress how important it is to eat regularly as you need a good amount of food, and essential vitamins and minerals. Eat breakfast before you take the capsule.

Secondly, take Adderall as prescribed. Do not abuse it in anyway as you fit criteria of drug seeking behavior (You've taken it before, have been highly exposed).

Thirdly, Adderall is the psycho-stimulant, Amphetamine as you already know and is very often a topic brought up when addressing the Gay drug-use culture. Your sexual dysfunction could very well be related to the infamous, "Crystal Dick". I'd definately consider asking your doctor to lower your prescription to 10-15mg as I started with 10mg XR and 5mg IR. This class of drug is usually prescribed after factoring in mg per kg, tolerance of stimulants, susceptibility to abuse, and known health problems. It is imperative that you work with your body and play around with dosages until you find the best dose that works for you. You might think this is all too stupid to be worrying about but unlike its typical abusers, you'll be on this stuff daily and not just using it to get some homework done or to ace some tests. Your health is the most important thing and the reason I'm not taking this subject matter lightly is because I have experienced and witnessed what damage Adderall can do to your mental and physical health.

Personally I have experienced stomach pains, weightloss, inability to eat, lethargy, visual disturbances, increased aggression/oppositional behavior, dry mouth, hyperfocusing, repetition of menial tasks, inability to sleep, inability to cum

Now all that shit to be happening to a 19 year old is frightening!

 

[ItsJono]

delete me



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