Aa
Adderall
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am 39 years old and three months ago I was diagnosed with ADHD, a disorder that has caused extreme problems for me since childhood and throughout my adult life, which began with my expulsion from kindergarten. I was prescribed a drug called Adderall (30 m.g. RX) after the 10 m.g. and 20 m.g. doses proved completely ineffective. I currently take 1 (one) 30 m.g.RX pill in the morning and it has, quite frankly, changed my life in so many positive ways that I cannot convey the differences to you in words. For the first time I can actually sit down and concentrate on a task without having to get up every five minutes to perform a chorus of jumping-jacks. My problem is this; the pill I currently take begins to lose it's effectiveness around 12 or 1 p.m, as I rise every morning at 6 a.m to begin my day. I am an attorney who works some 14-16 hours per-day, every minute of which requires a great deal of concentration and focus to detail. I don't want to become a drug addict but I need a subsequest dosage (30 m.g.) around noon or 1 p.m. to carry me until that 7 or 8 o'clock whistle, in order for this medication to perform any meaningful role in my treatment. Would that be taking too much Adderall?, or is it justified due to my obviously uncharacteristically severe case of ADHD-(I mean I was really, really hyperactive as both a child and as an adult.) Can one person have an uncharacteristically low level of dopamine production in the brain even for someone with ADHD? Are there any documented cases where an ADHD affected person has required a 2 or 3 (30 m.g.) pill every day in order to bring their disorder under control?
I am 39 years old and three months ago I was diagnosed with ADHD, a disorder that has caused extreme problems for me since childhood and throughout my adult life, which began with my expulsion from kindergarten. I was prescribed a drug called Adderall (30 m.g. RX) after the 10 m.g. and 20 m.g. doses proved completely ineffective. I currently take 1 (one) 30 m.g.RX pill in the morning and it has, quite frankly, changed my life in so many positive ways that I cannot convey the differences to you in words. For the first time I can actually sit down and concentrate on a task without having to get up every five minutes to perform a chorus of jumping-jacks. My problem is this; the pill I currently take begins to lose it's effectiveness around 12 or 1 p.m, as I rise every morning at 6 a.m to begin my day. I am an attorney who works some 14-16 hours per-day, every minute of which requires a great deal of concentration and focus to detail. I don't want to become a drug addict but I need a subsequest dosage (30 m.g.) around noon or 1 p.m. to carry me until that 7 or 8 o'clock whistle, in order for this medication to perform any meaningful role in my treatment. Would that be taking too much Adderall?, or is it justified due to my obviously uncharacteristically severe case of ADHD-(I mean I was really, really hyperactive as both a child and as an adult.) Can one person have an uncharacteristically low level of dopamine production in the brain even for someone with ADHD? Are there any documented cases where an ADHD affected person has required a 2 or 3 (30 m.g.) pill every day in order to bring their disorder under control?
The side effects that genuine2003 described is very similiar to what I see ijn my wife. We have been married for 12 years and completely drug free for 15. Our drug of choice was speed and I could see the change in her as soon as she started taking it. The difference is though she is in denial and believes that the adderall drup has done her good and awaken her to reality. We use to be happy and had a healthy sex life. She nows says that the adderall has opened her eyes to the see the real me and how evil I am. She is very paranoid and believes that she is getting electic shocks so she unpluggs everything in the house. She also believes I have tapped her computer and tracked her car to control her just to mention a few examples. Our lives have been turned upside down. She does not let me talk to her psychiatrist. She is also on vicodine and muscle relaxers for degenerated disks, and xanax to deal with the crisis's in her life. She know longer lets me get close to her and has increasingly become mean. She is ready to walk out on our marriage and family. I wish I could just let the doctors know that the prescribed drugs especially the adderall has ruined a life and family.
Dear Tommy22,
I just finished reading your posting as you requested. It's actually entitled; "I need some help with my Adderall meds."
I would like to begin by sharing with you some personal history with ADHD and Adderall, as I believe that this will be useful in our discussion.
I was not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of 39 and until that time I remained totally untreated. When I began taking Adderall in September of 2007 I was prescribed 10 m.g. XR (1/day). In my own particular case, due to an extreme problem with hyperactivity and acting out, the 10 m.g. dosage almost acted like a placebo, having no meaningful remedial effects whatsoever. In fact, I noticed absolutely no change in my behavior at all, and as a result, my medication was increased to 20 m.g. XR. After taking the 20 m.g. XR (1/day) I began to notice a marked improvement in my ability to concentrate and focus, however, I continued to manifest certain serious problems in the area of hyperactivity (ability to sit still and remain motionless for an extended period). My doctor, reluctantly, increased the dosage to 30 m.g. XR (1/day). The increase to 30 m.g. completely remedied all of the negative symptoms of my disorder. The only remaining problem now was duration!
Last week I met with doctor as we normally do once a month. I explained to him that the 30 m.g. was working perfectly and voiced my concern relative to it's ineffectiveness after around 2 p.m. in the afternoon (I generally rise around 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. and take the first dose at that time-it lasts around 7 or 8 hours, FOR ME!). In response to this concern, he agreed to prescribe 1 additional dose (30 m.g. XR) in the early afternoon in the hopes that this would provide me the relief I would need to complete my workday at around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.. I have been following this regiment (2 doses of 30 m.g. XR / 7-8 hours apart for about 1 month and it is working perfectly so far (knock on wood.)
Here's the problem Tommy22, I never increased my dosage of Adderall at all after I established what was the correct dosage that worked for me. 10 m.g. XR and 20 m.g. XR never worked for me since day number 1, ever since the first day that I ever tried Adderall. In your particular case, you are now considering whether to increase your dosage, and while I do not mean to suggest that you should not, you may want to consider where this road will eventually lead. Are you concerned about getting involved in a situation where in 5 years from now your popping Adderall pills like tic-tacs.
When reading your post, however, it sounds to me as if you are only considering a somewhat nominal increase to help you throughout the early evening hours, which was exactly my problem in the beginning; and I see no problem in discussing the possibility of an additional dosage with your doctor at your next meeting. I do however, urge you to discuss with your doctor the benefits of taking "drug holidays" to regulate your system and to avoid an addiction issue.
Look Tommy22, your a young guy who has your entire life ahead of you. Your getting your education and probably having alot of fun at school, as I did when I was in college in Newport, RI.
I suggest that you be honest with yourself as I have tried to do with myself in this situation.
This is the position I have taken with respect to Adderall and it's use; and I suggest that you consider the same and discuss it with your doctor: HERE IT IS, NO ********, PLAIN AND SIMPLE:
I take 1 dose of 30 m.g. XR twice a day about 20-23 days out of the month; THATS WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THE BEGINNING; AND THATS WHAT WILL WORK FOR ME IN THE END!!!!!
WHEN THAT STOPS WORKING-SO DOES THE ADDERALL!!!!!. I would rather discuss different treatment options or, alternatively, live with this disorder, no matter how distasteful that may seem, than turn into an Adderall junky and be controlled by an addiction.
You know what you need Tommy22, and no one else can tell you that, so you must be honest with yourself and your doctor. Just take a look at the posting above written by Psych-Student, who is currently taking a combined total of 70 m.g. per/day-Many people with narcolepsy take 60-80 m.g. per/day because THEY NEED THAT TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS!!!!! Adderall will provide you with greater focus and concentration and may allow you to referee games with greater accuracy, but it can very quickly become a cure that is worse than the disease.
As a final thought Tommy22, I have found in my life that everything comes down to weights and measures. Balancing the pros against the cons directly affects how we live our lives and forms the basis under which we make the decisions that affect how we live as people, not referees.
How does increasing your drug use (and make no mistake about it-taking Adderall is serious drug use) balance off against the benefits of being a better referee in some basketball game that will be meaningless to you next year. I do not say this to insult you Tommy22, but you have to make a serious decision and weigh the pros and cons when making this decision, after all you are talking about a game, not a job, not time with your children or a serious relationship. A game in fact, that you are not even competing in directly.
I hope this helps. Jo-Jo437
I just finished reading your posting as you requested. It's actually entitled; "I need some help with my Adderall meds."
I would like to begin by sharing with you some personal history with ADHD and Adderall, as I believe that this will be useful in our discussion.
I was not diagnosed with ADHD until the age of 39 and until that time I remained totally untreated. When I began taking Adderall in September of 2007 I was prescribed 10 m.g. XR (1/day). In my own particular case, due to an extreme problem with hyperactivity and acting out, the 10 m.g. dosage almost acted like a placebo, having no meaningful remedial effects whatsoever. In fact, I noticed absolutely no change in my behavior at all, and as a result, my medication was increased to 20 m.g. XR. After taking the 20 m.g. XR (1/day) I began to notice a marked improvement in my ability to concentrate and focus, however, I continued to manifest certain serious problems in the area of hyperactivity (ability to sit still and remain motionless for an extended period). My doctor, reluctantly, increased the dosage to 30 m.g. XR (1/day). The increase to 30 m.g. completely remedied all of the negative symptoms of my disorder. The only remaining problem now was duration!
Last week I met with doctor as we normally do once a month. I explained to him that the 30 m.g. was working perfectly and voiced my concern relative to it's ineffectiveness after around 2 p.m. in the afternoon (I generally rise around 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. and take the first dose at that time-it lasts around 7 or 8 hours, FOR ME!). In response to this concern, he agreed to prescribe 1 additional dose (30 m.g. XR) in the early afternoon in the hopes that this would provide me the relief I would need to complete my workday at around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.. I have been following this regiment (2 doses of 30 m.g. XR / 7-8 hours apart for about 1 month and it is working perfectly so far (knock on wood.)
Here's the problem Tommy22, I never increased my dosage of Adderall at all after I established what was the correct dosage that worked for me. 10 m.g. XR and 20 m.g. XR never worked for me since day number 1, ever since the first day that I ever tried Adderall. In your particular case, you are now considering whether to increase your dosage, and while I do not mean to suggest that you should not, you may want to consider where this road will eventually lead. Are you concerned about getting involved in a situation where in 5 years from now your popping Adderall pills like tic-tacs.
When reading your post, however, it sounds to me as if you are only considering a somewhat nominal increase to help you throughout the early evening hours, which was exactly my problem in the beginning; and I see no problem in discussing the possibility of an additional dosage with your doctor at your next meeting. I do however, urge you to discuss with your doctor the benefits of taking "drug holidays" to regulate your system and to avoid an addiction issue.
Look Tommy22, your a young guy who has your entire life ahead of you. Your getting your education and probably having alot of fun at school, as I did when I was in college in Newport, RI.
I suggest that you be honest with yourself as I have tried to do with myself in this situation.
This is the position I have taken with respect to Adderall and it's use; and I suggest that you consider the same and discuss it with your doctor: HERE IT IS, NO ********, PLAIN AND SIMPLE:
I take 1 dose of 30 m.g. XR twice a day about 20-23 days out of the month; THATS WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THE BEGINNING; AND THATS WHAT WILL WORK FOR ME IN THE END!!!!!
WHEN THAT STOPS WORKING-SO DOES THE ADDERALL!!!!!. I would rather discuss different treatment options or, alternatively, live with this disorder, no matter how distasteful that may seem, than turn into an Adderall junky and be controlled by an addiction.
You know what you need Tommy22, and no one else can tell you that, so you must be honest with yourself and your doctor. Just take a look at the posting above written by Psych-Student, who is currently taking a combined total of 70 m.g. per/day-Many people with narcolepsy take 60-80 m.g. per/day because THEY NEED THAT TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS!!!!! Adderall will provide you with greater focus and concentration and may allow you to referee games with greater accuracy, but it can very quickly become a cure that is worse than the disease.
As a final thought Tommy22, I have found in my life that everything comes down to weights and measures. Balancing the pros against the cons directly affects how we live our lives and forms the basis under which we make the decisions that affect how we live as people, not referees.
How does increasing your drug use (and make no mistake about it-taking Adderall is serious drug use) balance off against the benefits of being a better referee in some basketball game that will be meaningless to you next year. I do not say this to insult you Tommy22, but you have to make a serious decision and weigh the pros and cons when making this decision, after all you are talking about a game, not a job, not time with your children or a serious relationship. A game in fact, that you are not even competing in directly.
I hope this helps. Jo-Jo437
Hey she told me the same story. Thats pretty spookie. I'm Adderall 10mg but I take 2 a day and sometimes 3. I only take 3 when I have to officiate a basketball game. It helps me focus better and stuff. My concern is, I want to up the prescription. I fear that I may become addicted to it. Jojo read my post titled Adderal Help. I think thats what it is, and tell me what you think.
Allow me to first start by stating that I have a great deal of empathy for any person who struggles against a drug addiction, as I currently represent several dozen criminal defendants all of whom which can attribute their legal problems to drug and/or alcohol related issues. Remember, with very few exceptions, there are no bad people, only good people in bad situations!
I would, however, like to take a moment to comment on several items contained in your posting of 11/20/07 that raise serious concerns regarding the conditions under which you are taking this drug, which I assume is Adderall 30 m.g. XR. I believe that your practices are placing you in extreme and immediate danger.
First of all, you stated that you sometimes take a dose before going to bed; NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!. Adderall is a stimulant that affects your central nervous system, and in fact it is a very, very strong, level 2 classified amphetamine by the Food and Drug Administration, which places it in the same category as cocaine! Highly addictive and regularly abused! Never, ever take this drug before retiring for the evening, and in fact, you should never take any after about 2 or 3 P.M. if you are a day walker. Because you have been using this drug immediately prior to sleep, you have probably not been achieving any quality REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, which has rendered you exhausted the following day (REM is the period during the sleep process in which we dream, and scientists believe that it is during this period that we gain our most meaningful rest that rejuvenates our minds and bodies for the following days events.) A person requires a minimum of 6-7 hours of meaningful rest every day in order to be both phsically and mentally healthy.
If you have been walking around physically exhausted while carrying a prescription for a strong stimulant like Adderall, DO THE MATH!!!!!. I would venture to say that you are no longer taking Adderall to control the symptoms of your ADHD, but in fact your using it like people use COFFEE!!!!
You also made reference in your posting that you will take an extra dose of Adderall if you are coming off a long night of drinking or have a paper due, cigarettes and so on.
LISTEN TO ME NOW GENUINE203; BASED ON YOUR COMMENTS YOU CLEARLY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO UNDERSTANDING OF THAT WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED. ADDERALL IS NOT DESIGNED AS A COMPLEMENTARY MEASURE TO ANY OF THESE ANCILLARY DRUGS THAT YOU ARE USING SUCH AS ALCOHOL, NICOTINE OR CAFFEINE, AND IN FACT YOU SHOULD NEVER COMBINE ADDERALL WITH ANY OF THEM FOR ANY PERIOD, NO MATTER HOW BRIEF OR HOW LITTLE. NOR IS ADDERALL DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A STIMULANT TO BE USED IN MEETING ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES. BELIEVE ME, I've SEEN PEOPLE I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL WITH GET INTO PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS IN CONNECTION WITH TAKING THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BAR EXAM, WHICH IS TWO DAYS LONG AND LASTS FOR TWELVE HOURS.
Obviously, your current physician is expressing genuine concern for you and your problem may not be with the drugs per-se, but may in fact be with the conditions under which you are taking them. Either that, or your original physician was a total quak and failed to advise you as to what this drug is and how it should be used responsibly. Either way, you are where you are now, I will try and substitute my own understanding for that which he may have failed to advise you, keeping in mind that my doctorate degree is in Law, not Medicine.
Adderall should have what they call a paradoxical effect on individuals who have a legitimate case of ADD or ADHD. That is to say, it should calm us down, allow us to focus and concentrate as opposed to stimulating us, as it would in a person taking it who does not have ADD/ADHD. The term "paradoxical" is used to illustrate the ironic nature of the effects. In othe words, it's in fact a stimulant, that in certain people with this disorder, acts as a depressant like valium, for instance. That seems strange right?, hence the term "paradox". There are differing schools of thought as to why this drug has a reverse effect on ADD/ADHD affected people. Most agree that it has something to do with a glitch in the brains neurotransmitters and insufficient dopamine production in the brain. In any event, there it is!
Genuine203, it does not seem to me that you are using this drug to counter these effects, but are instead using it either recreationally, or as a stimulant like cofee or cigarettes.
This is my Adderall schedule, for better or worse it's what works for me:
First of all I do not drink alcohol ever, I mean never in the last three years and never while on this medication in any event. I do not smoke or drink coffee or use any stimulant at all besides Adderall. So here it is:
6-7 A.M.: 1 capsule 30 m.g. RX
1-2 P.M.: 1 capsule 30 m.g. RX
THATS IT!- Note that this is already more than the recommended dose, but my doctor seems to feel that my extraordinary problem with hyperactivity justifies the increase. Also, as I stated I am a very busy attorney and usually work 14-16 hour days, and 1 Dose of RX only lasts, for me, about 8 hours. I need at least 14-16 hours of relief a day.
ALSO NOTE THAT I TAKE VERY LONG DRUG HOLIDAYS EVERY MONTH! IN FACT, AS I AM SITTING HERE WRITING THIS AT 12:27 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY; I TOOK MY FIRST DOSE OF ADDERALL THIS MORNING, I WILL TAKE ANOTHER AT AROUND 2. BEFORE TODAY, I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ADDERALL AT ALL IN THE PREVIOUS EIGHT DAYS.
This is rare for me and the following represents my usual schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and sometimes Friday, I will take the 2 doses followed by at least 3-4 days of NO ADDERALL AT ALL!!! If things get busy, this may change but I never go on a stretch for more than 8 or 9 days--- NO WAY!!
Genuine203, please do not do anything to hurt yourself, as I know that the human spirit can carry us through anything. Just think of those who survived the Holocaust, cancer, the loss of a child or soldiers in the Middle East who return home without their arms and legs and worse, their minds.
I am happy to speak with you in person, as I am rumored through my clients as having a way of talking people through difficult times and circumstances. I am often forced to meet with clients in prisons where they face long terms of incarceration, many of whom are suffering from withdrawel and addiction while having to cope with the worst enviornment imaginable.
If you would like to speak please respond in this chat room in the affirmative and I will provide you with some contact information. Good luck and hang in there.
Jo-Jo
I would, however, like to take a moment to comment on several items contained in your posting of 11/20/07 that raise serious concerns regarding the conditions under which you are taking this drug, which I assume is Adderall 30 m.g. XR. I believe that your practices are placing you in extreme and immediate danger.
First of all, you stated that you sometimes take a dose before going to bed; NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!. Adderall is a stimulant that affects your central nervous system, and in fact it is a very, very strong, level 2 classified amphetamine by the Food and Drug Administration, which places it in the same category as cocaine! Highly addictive and regularly abused! Never, ever take this drug before retiring for the evening, and in fact, you should never take any after about 2 or 3 P.M. if you are a day walker. Because you have been using this drug immediately prior to sleep, you have probably not been achieving any quality REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, which has rendered you exhausted the following day (REM is the period during the sleep process in which we dream, and scientists believe that it is during this period that we gain our most meaningful rest that rejuvenates our minds and bodies for the following days events.) A person requires a minimum of 6-7 hours of meaningful rest every day in order to be both phsically and mentally healthy.
If you have been walking around physically exhausted while carrying a prescription for a strong stimulant like Adderall, DO THE MATH!!!!!. I would venture to say that you are no longer taking Adderall to control the symptoms of your ADHD, but in fact your using it like people use COFFEE!!!!
You also made reference in your posting that you will take an extra dose of Adderall if you are coming off a long night of drinking or have a paper due, cigarettes and so on.
LISTEN TO ME NOW GENUINE203; BASED ON YOUR COMMENTS YOU CLEARLY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO UNDERSTANDING OF THAT WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED. ADDERALL IS NOT DESIGNED AS A COMPLEMENTARY MEASURE TO ANY OF THESE ANCILLARY DRUGS THAT YOU ARE USING SUCH AS ALCOHOL, NICOTINE OR CAFFEINE, AND IN FACT YOU SHOULD NEVER COMBINE ADDERALL WITH ANY OF THEM FOR ANY PERIOD, NO MATTER HOW BRIEF OR HOW LITTLE. NOR IS ADDERALL DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A STIMULANT TO BE USED IN MEETING ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES. BELIEVE ME, I've SEEN PEOPLE I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL WITH GET INTO PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS IN CONNECTION WITH TAKING THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BAR EXAM, WHICH IS TWO DAYS LONG AND LASTS FOR TWELVE HOURS.
Obviously, your current physician is expressing genuine concern for you and your problem may not be with the drugs per-se, but may in fact be with the conditions under which you are taking them. Either that, or your original physician was a total quak and failed to advise you as to what this drug is and how it should be used responsibly. Either way, you are where you are now, I will try and substitute my own understanding for that which he may have failed to advise you, keeping in mind that my doctorate degree is in Law, not Medicine.
Adderall should have what they call a paradoxical effect on individuals who have a legitimate case of ADD or ADHD. That is to say, it should calm us down, allow us to focus and concentrate as opposed to stimulating us, as it would in a person taking it who does not have ADD/ADHD. The term "paradoxical" is used to illustrate the ironic nature of the effects. In othe words, it's in fact a stimulant, that in certain people with this disorder, acts as a depressant like valium, for instance. That seems strange right?, hence the term "paradox". There are differing schools of thought as to why this drug has a reverse effect on ADD/ADHD affected people. Most agree that it has something to do with a glitch in the brains neurotransmitters and insufficient dopamine production in the brain. In any event, there it is!
Genuine203, it does not seem to me that you are using this drug to counter these effects, but are instead using it either recreationally, or as a stimulant like cofee or cigarettes.
This is my Adderall schedule, for better or worse it's what works for me:
First of all I do not drink alcohol ever, I mean never in the last three years and never while on this medication in any event. I do not smoke or drink coffee or use any stimulant at all besides Adderall. So here it is:
6-7 A.M.: 1 capsule 30 m.g. RX
1-2 P.M.: 1 capsule 30 m.g. RX
THATS IT!- Note that this is already more than the recommended dose, but my doctor seems to feel that my extraordinary problem with hyperactivity justifies the increase. Also, as I stated I am a very busy attorney and usually work 14-16 hour days, and 1 Dose of RX only lasts, for me, about 8 hours. I need at least 14-16 hours of relief a day.
ALSO NOTE THAT I TAKE VERY LONG DRUG HOLIDAYS EVERY MONTH! IN FACT, AS I AM SITTING HERE WRITING THIS AT 12:27 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY; I TOOK MY FIRST DOSE OF ADDERALL THIS MORNING, I WILL TAKE ANOTHER AT AROUND 2. BEFORE TODAY, I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ADDERALL AT ALL IN THE PREVIOUS EIGHT DAYS.
This is rare for me and the following represents my usual schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and sometimes Friday, I will take the 2 doses followed by at least 3-4 days of NO ADDERALL AT ALL!!! If things get busy, this may change but I never go on a stretch for more than 8 or 9 days--- NO WAY!!
Genuine203, please do not do anything to hurt yourself, as I know that the human spirit can carry us through anything. Just think of those who survived the Holocaust, cancer, the loss of a child or soldiers in the Middle East who return home without their arms and legs and worse, their minds.
I am happy to speak with you in person, as I am rumored through my clients as having a way of talking people through difficult times and circumstances. I am often forced to meet with clients in prisons where they face long terms of incarceration, many of whom are suffering from withdrawel and addiction while having to cope with the worst enviornment imaginable.
If you would like to speak please respond in this chat room in the affirmative and I will provide you with some contact information. Good luck and hang in there.
Jo-Jo
Please listen to me.... By the way, I can't believe that I’m actually on one of these discussion sites, I was just looking for solutions to my problem, and hope to stop you before you create one for yourself.
Regardless of the fact that I am anonymous, I want you to listen because I hope to save people from this terrible addiction one day; I hope to save lots of people. It’s such an unintentional addiction for the people that start taking it , and these people are the naive sweet and innocent, who are made to believe by society that we need to transform our lives to live up to a certain social standards, or ideals. These are also the people that are being suckered into the addiction by our nation’s ******* government’s lack of drug regulation. Certain doctor’s have corrupted their ability to utilize their educations in a way to harm people, and people need to take it upon themselves to do what you did .EDUCATE YOURSELF, and ask questions before you believe that people’s claim is ultimately the truth. With enough information you can determine what’s right for you. The only reason I am here taking the time out is to inform those that if they are addicted they aren’t alone, and if you’re not, which I’m sure you are if you are on it for more than a month, to get the hell off!!
I am a 23 year old woman. When I was a child, I was tested over and beyond my intelligence range in comparison to the children my same age bracket, in turn, had a physiological chemical off -balance. I was diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, ABC, DEF, you name it!!! I had it. My mother wasn't for putting me on medications; she was afraid of the damage it would place on my liver. I was extremely young when I was diagnosed by the way. Growing up I was an amazing athlete with lots of drive, I played soccer, in addition to always party with my friends. I was also a great student; I practiced cognitive behavioral therapy, at the University of Pennsylvania, which promoted a Holistic approach of looking at typical disorders that children are labeled with. The majority of what they did for me focused on correcting problems that coincide physiologically and physically as opposed to taking a pill.
About 2 1/2 years ago, I started taking Adderral XR 10 mg twice a day; I am currently taking 30 mg of Adderral XR 2 times a day. XR stands for Extended Release. Sometimes, if I have that paper that I have been putting off due tomorrow, I’ll pop an extra. But recently whether it’s a paper, late night of drinking, extra computer time, , I’ll take one before bed and 2 the next day, note that is 150 mg in my body on occasion…”Where is my doctor in this picture?” you ask. Right, the one responsible for monitoring me, making sure that I am ok with the side effects and such, picture this.
I am currently a Business major, in school still, finishing up in may/June. I have now been prescribed 60 mg of adderral XR a day for the past 2 years. Maybe I’m in denial, or maybe I don’t know, but I have never been addicted to anything in my life, not drugs, not cigarettes, and now I’m stuck on both.
When I hit college I had just started seeing this new doctor. He was funny and energetic (probably b/c he was prescribing himself a thing or two) Well, naturally I liked him. He made me trust him. He started me off on Straterra , to correct my never dissolving issue of ADHD. I personally knew nothing would work, except me working on myself. According to everyone else, nothing had worked, as I’m sure he was already aware of, oh yeah, did I mention I didn’t and still don’t have health insurance, and he was charging a college kid almost a hundred dollars a visit, so that he could do “follow ups”,? **** ups is what he should have called all of those visits.
Next, came the big BANG!!!!!!!!!! This was essentially the biggest downfall of my life. I am emotionally mentally and physically crippled because of this man. He wound up hooking me into this addiction, made tons of money off of the college girl for himself and the Pharmacy industry of good ol’ America. I had to work an extra job in college just to pay for all the meds, and in the moment, thought truthfully that I needed it to make me better, but by the time I realized what it was doing to me, I was so sucked in that I didn’t have time to think or worry about what to do to make me better. “Where is he now”? You ask?
He began cancelling apts. To the point that I would have to just show up there, and the drive to his office, is in my hometown, 2 hours away. I never knew how crazy it was to have to drive all the way to his office to get him, because I never stepped outside of myself, or outside of my box, self centered is what I am, but not in a selfish non giving way, in a way that I worry so much about myself. This drug has created so many added problems with my disorder and with me that I absolutely cannot move out of bed without it. You have no idea what withdraw from this drug is like. I feel like a crack head, and yet I never asked for any of this. I have never voluntarily took this to get messed up, because I don’t have an addictive personality, but when a doctor prescribes you meds at 20 years old, you want to believe what he is giving you is legitimate.
This has been a growing issue in everywhere in my life. I don’t have the same feelings I did before this drug. I find it really hard to be happy. I used to always smile, and laugh, my last episodes of this behavior where before this drug came into my life. I have no interest in sex, boys, and by the way, I am good looking, I can say that, because trust me, it’s not a feeling of satisfaction, in fact, I have boys throw themselves at me, and don’t care, nor want to associate with them.
I think of suicide a lot, I mean at least like twice a day, the only reason I don’t do it is because I think of what it would do to the people I matter to. I mean the real people like my mom, my family, my friends, just because I can’t feel doesn’t mean they can’t.
I am crying while writing this letter right now, but that’s the only emotion that I seem to possess anymore, feelings of fear, worry, failure, and my future. I don’t care about things women my age are doing, I care about how I’m going to make the most money, have the nicest things, but really I have never been that way. The drug has made me manic, but subconsciously I know that, so I keep myself in check. If you don’t want Jeckle and Hyde to argue inside of your brain with you as the middle man in, then stay away from this ****.
I have to end this by telling you that this doctor refused to take anymore appointments from me. I felt like I was a drug attic whose drug dealer was running away from them. He would tell the secretaries in the office to say that he wasn’t there. I would be in bed for days on end waiting for my mother, who by the way was never aware of the severity of my addiction, nor the existence, to go to his office and pickl the prescriptions up for me, because he made me feel like a lunatic. I knew I needed the prescription but did not have the knowledge, courage, or dignity to go myself and tell him how I felt.
I am now with another doctor up at school, who just today told me that my doctor sent him a letter stating that I corrupted the prescription and he had to dismiss me as his patient. (Not in fact the truth) This is the news that I received about a half hour ago. So, I’m sure this is just another issue I need to deal with. STAY AWAY ANYONE WHO READS THIS….
Regardless of the fact that I am anonymous, I want you to listen because I hope to save people from this terrible addiction one day; I hope to save lots of people. It’s such an unintentional addiction for the people that start taking it , and these people are the naive sweet and innocent, who are made to believe by society that we need to transform our lives to live up to a certain social standards, or ideals. These are also the people that are being suckered into the addiction by our nation’s ******* government’s lack of drug regulation. Certain doctor’s have corrupted their ability to utilize their educations in a way to harm people, and people need to take it upon themselves to do what you did .EDUCATE YOURSELF, and ask questions before you believe that people’s claim is ultimately the truth. With enough information you can determine what’s right for you. The only reason I am here taking the time out is to inform those that if they are addicted they aren’t alone, and if you’re not, which I’m sure you are if you are on it for more than a month, to get the hell off!!
I am a 23 year old woman. When I was a child, I was tested over and beyond my intelligence range in comparison to the children my same age bracket, in turn, had a physiological chemical off -balance. I was diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, ABC, DEF, you name it!!! I had it. My mother wasn't for putting me on medications; she was afraid of the damage it would place on my liver. I was extremely young when I was diagnosed by the way. Growing up I was an amazing athlete with lots of drive, I played soccer, in addition to always party with my friends. I was also a great student; I practiced cognitive behavioral therapy, at the University of Pennsylvania, which promoted a Holistic approach of looking at typical disorders that children are labeled with. The majority of what they did for me focused on correcting problems that coincide physiologically and physically as opposed to taking a pill.
About 2 1/2 years ago, I started taking Adderral XR 10 mg twice a day; I am currently taking 30 mg of Adderral XR 2 times a day. XR stands for Extended Release. Sometimes, if I have that paper that I have been putting off due tomorrow, I’ll pop an extra. But recently whether it’s a paper, late night of drinking, extra computer time, , I’ll take one before bed and 2 the next day, note that is 150 mg in my body on occasion…”Where is my doctor in this picture?” you ask. Right, the one responsible for monitoring me, making sure that I am ok with the side effects and such, picture this.
I am currently a Business major, in school still, finishing up in may/June. I have now been prescribed 60 mg of adderral XR a day for the past 2 years. Maybe I’m in denial, or maybe I don’t know, but I have never been addicted to anything in my life, not drugs, not cigarettes, and now I’m stuck on both.
When I hit college I had just started seeing this new doctor. He was funny and energetic (probably b/c he was prescribing himself a thing or two) Well, naturally I liked him. He made me trust him. He started me off on Straterra , to correct my never dissolving issue of ADHD. I personally knew nothing would work, except me working on myself. According to everyone else, nothing had worked, as I’m sure he was already aware of, oh yeah, did I mention I didn’t and still don’t have health insurance, and he was charging a college kid almost a hundred dollars a visit, so that he could do “follow ups”,? **** ups is what he should have called all of those visits.
Next, came the big BANG!!!!!!!!!! This was essentially the biggest downfall of my life. I am emotionally mentally and physically crippled because of this man. He wound up hooking me into this addiction, made tons of money off of the college girl for himself and the Pharmacy industry of good ol’ America. I had to work an extra job in college just to pay for all the meds, and in the moment, thought truthfully that I needed it to make me better, but by the time I realized what it was doing to me, I was so sucked in that I didn’t have time to think or worry about what to do to make me better. “Where is he now”? You ask?
He began cancelling apts. To the point that I would have to just show up there, and the drive to his office, is in my hometown, 2 hours away. I never knew how crazy it was to have to drive all the way to his office to get him, because I never stepped outside of myself, or outside of my box, self centered is what I am, but not in a selfish non giving way, in a way that I worry so much about myself. This drug has created so many added problems with my disorder and with me that I absolutely cannot move out of bed without it. You have no idea what withdraw from this drug is like. I feel like a crack head, and yet I never asked for any of this. I have never voluntarily took this to get messed up, because I don’t have an addictive personality, but when a doctor prescribes you meds at 20 years old, you want to believe what he is giving you is legitimate.
This has been a growing issue in everywhere in my life. I don’t have the same feelings I did before this drug. I find it really hard to be happy. I used to always smile, and laugh, my last episodes of this behavior where before this drug came into my life. I have no interest in sex, boys, and by the way, I am good looking, I can say that, because trust me, it’s not a feeling of satisfaction, in fact, I have boys throw themselves at me, and don’t care, nor want to associate with them.
I think of suicide a lot, I mean at least like twice a day, the only reason I don’t do it is because I think of what it would do to the people I matter to. I mean the real people like my mom, my family, my friends, just because I can’t feel doesn’t mean they can’t.
I am crying while writing this letter right now, but that’s the only emotion that I seem to possess anymore, feelings of fear, worry, failure, and my future. I don’t care about things women my age are doing, I care about how I’m going to make the most money, have the nicest things, but really I have never been that way. The drug has made me manic, but subconsciously I know that, so I keep myself in check. If you don’t want Jeckle and Hyde to argue inside of your brain with you as the middle man in, then stay away from this ****.
I have to end this by telling you that this doctor refused to take anymore appointments from me. I felt like I was a drug attic whose drug dealer was running away from them. He would tell the secretaries in the office to say that he wasn’t there. I would be in bed for days on end waiting for my mother, who by the way was never aware of the severity of my addiction, nor the existence, to go to his office and pickl the prescriptions up for me, because he made me feel like a lunatic. I knew I needed the prescription but did not have the knowledge, courage, or dignity to go myself and tell him how I felt.
I am now with another doctor up at school, who just today told me that my doctor sent him a letter stating that I corrupted the prescription and he had to dismiss me as his patient. (Not in fact the truth) This is the news that I received about a half hour ago. So, I’m sure this is just another issue I need to deal with. STAY AWAY ANYONE WHO READS THIS….
Dear Psych_Student:
If I may be so bold as to further inquire into your assertion that there is a nexus between body weight and the appropriate mg dosage of Adderall that one should take.
I find this interesting and can only assume from your chosen call-sign that you might be someone that has some particular expertise and training in this area. I must admit, I can't help but wonder If you might be willing to share with me what particular discipline of medicine you are currently studying, whether it be psychology, psychiatry or in some other branch of mental health. At the risk of sounding even more forward, I would also be very interested in knowing at what academic level you currently perform, whether it be undergraduate, graduate or doctoral.
I am only asking not to question your obvious wisdom on this subject, but only as a vehicle for further investigation into what sources you might cite that would support your assertion that there is a
correlation between body weight and appropriate dosage. It just so happens that I agree with you completely and feel that someone, like myself, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs a little more than an average person would probably require a higher dosage of this drug for purely physiological reasons.
Would you agree, then, that weight plays some role in the amount of Adderall you should take; and if so, is this purely opinion or can you find support for this position in acadamia. Now you can see why I query into your level of study, as I sit and wonder if this is what they are teaching our doctors of the future.
I was also very relieved when reading your posting of 10/31, insomuch as I previously viewed myself as isolated in my need for more than the traditional 10 or 20 mg/per day dosage that some people use to control their symptoms, as I initially tried that dosage only to find that it was completely impotant in its remedial effects on my own symptoms. My relief was enhanced by the fact that you are someone who is not only educated, but apparently educated in this particular field.
Please don't feel this an interrogation, but in addition to the above, may I please also ask you the following questions as I rarely meet someone with a case of ADHD that so closely resembles my own: I would never, of course, request any names, numbers or anything that could be used to specifically identify anyone at all!!!
May I inquire as to whether you were prescribed these dosage levels by your doctor, and if so, does he/she specialize in any particular area of menatl health or is he/she a general practitioner, MD?
Do you worry about developing a dependance or addiction at these levels, and if so, what do you do?
Do you take the amounts that you described in your posting of 10/31 every day, and if so, for how long have you been doing so? Will you continue at this level indefinately if it continues to work?
Do you ever take a drug holiday to flush the Adderall out, and if so, for how long and how often?
Do you employ any non-drug related coping skills during this period?
Do people's bodies develop a natural resistance to Adderall over time, or does this occurr only in cases where the drug is being abused? If your body (brain) does begin to adjust and become non-responsive to Adderall, then what?
Please only share that which you are comfortable in so doing, and I apologize in advance if I have offended you with requests for information that you consider of a purely private nature.
I'm just a dumb lawyer and I am only trying to gather as much useful information as I can to assist me in a completely uncharted territory. I would also be more than happy to reciprocate should you have any questions in connection with this or any other matter.
Thank You Psych_Student,
JoJo437
If I may be so bold as to further inquire into your assertion that there is a nexus between body weight and the appropriate mg dosage of Adderall that one should take.
I find this interesting and can only assume from your chosen call-sign that you might be someone that has some particular expertise and training in this area. I must admit, I can't help but wonder If you might be willing to share with me what particular discipline of medicine you are currently studying, whether it be psychology, psychiatry or in some other branch of mental health. At the risk of sounding even more forward, I would also be very interested in knowing at what academic level you currently perform, whether it be undergraduate, graduate or doctoral.
I am only asking not to question your obvious wisdom on this subject, but only as a vehicle for further investigation into what sources you might cite that would support your assertion that there is a
correlation between body weight and appropriate dosage. It just so happens that I agree with you completely and feel that someone, like myself, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs a little more than an average person would probably require a higher dosage of this drug for purely physiological reasons.
Would you agree, then, that weight plays some role in the amount of Adderall you should take; and if so, is this purely opinion or can you find support for this position in acadamia. Now you can see why I query into your level of study, as I sit and wonder if this is what they are teaching our doctors of the future.
I was also very relieved when reading your posting of 10/31, insomuch as I previously viewed myself as isolated in my need for more than the traditional 10 or 20 mg/per day dosage that some people use to control their symptoms, as I initially tried that dosage only to find that it was completely impotant in its remedial effects on my own symptoms. My relief was enhanced by the fact that you are someone who is not only educated, but apparently educated in this particular field.
Please don't feel this an interrogation, but in addition to the above, may I please also ask you the following questions as I rarely meet someone with a case of ADHD that so closely resembles my own: I would never, of course, request any names, numbers or anything that could be used to specifically identify anyone at all!!!
May I inquire as to whether you were prescribed these dosage levels by your doctor, and if so, does he/she specialize in any particular area of menatl health or is he/she a general practitioner, MD?
Do you worry about developing a dependance or addiction at these levels, and if so, what do you do?
Do you take the amounts that you described in your posting of 10/31 every day, and if so, for how long have you been doing so? Will you continue at this level indefinately if it continues to work?
Do you ever take a drug holiday to flush the Adderall out, and if so, for how long and how often?
Do you employ any non-drug related coping skills during this period?
Do people's bodies develop a natural resistance to Adderall over time, or does this occurr only in cases where the drug is being abused? If your body (brain) does begin to adjust and become non-responsive to Adderall, then what?
Please only share that which you are comfortable in so doing, and I apologize in advance if I have offended you with requests for information that you consider of a purely private nature.
I'm just a dumb lawyer and I am only trying to gather as much useful information as I can to assist me in a completely uncharted territory. I would also be more than happy to reciprocate should you have any questions in connection with this or any other matter.
Thank You Psych_Student,
JoJo437
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