If you can help me I truely appreciate it. ( Adderall(adderrall) )

[Erica_1980]

If you can help me I truely appreciate it. I have no one to talk to doctor wise. I am 28 years old but have been on the medication Adderall (adderrall) for over 15 years now. Of course on/off. My dosage for a few years have been 30 mill. tablets 3x's daily. I personally began to take more than prescribed about a year and a half ago when I was working at a serious job and felt pressure from my boss to understand and progress faster than I was. I would look at the clock and think well I am close to the next dose's time I could go ahead and take it. Before I knew it I was taking the next dose sooner each time. Then became the "well I am already to my 3rd pill today and I still have 3 hours of work left" so you get my drift.
I dont wont to hold you up, I can imagine the feedback you get from being so helpfull on this site. I ran out of my medication 2 weeks early. This has been going on for a long time. I could not do it no more and then came the pharmacy flagging me wich came around this same time.
I have been off of this "cold turkey" for over 13 days now. I also take 150mill., of Effexor and 100 mill. of Lamictal. I am depressed and realize this is part of it. How long may I expect to go through the no energy and this feeling of anxiety. I realize everyone is different. But I am so scared because I have grown up with Adderall (adderrall) (read my journal if you want to or get a chance) and I feel so sluggish and scared I will never be motivated to do anything again in my life. Adderall (adderrall) never made me high but gave me the well being feeling and it helped me with my crontic fatigue syndrome. Please pass me anything you can. Even feel free to email me personally. I need to know what I can expect or something close to it and what I can do to move on. I hate Adderall (adderrall) but it was the wakeup call of my life thuss far with my fatigue, learning disabilities, and depression for so many years.

Thanks so much.

Erica

[Jeffrey T Junig, MD PhD]

You are probably past the worst of the withdrawal, but yes, there often is severe depression when a person stops adderall (adderrall) after years of use, particularly stopping cold turkey.  There are a couple different issues;  the acute withdrawal, which you are going to make if you hang in there just a bit longer;  then the 'staying sober' part, and finally, whether you will be able to function on the job and at home without stimulants.  That will depend on whether you truly have ADD, and the nature of your job responsibilities.

You may want to ask your psychiatrist to add bupropion (wellbutrin) to your medications in place of the adderall (adderrall);  it is not addictive, but it does lead to increased dopamine in the brain.  We used it to treat ADD in the prisons when we were avoiding stimulants.    It might help with your current depression and energy level as well, and can be taken along with your other psych meds.

After a month or two, your body will suddenly start to feel whole again-- it just takes time.  I urge you to hang in there, as the hardest part is behind you.

[hnewman026]

Hi Erica,
I presently take Adderall (adderrall) XR and Wellbutrin at the same time.  I have sever ADHD and have my whole life so I do not relate to the fatigue but Wellbutin has done wonders for me with my Adderall (adderrall) XR.  I was very sceptical of taking Adderall (adderrall) because I am an addict but have never abused my ADHD meds as, like you, they calm me and do not give me the high they do others.  I opted out of the regular Adderall (adderrall) specifically because of that reason because I work really long days and was afraid I might pop an extra pill here and there.  I have found the XR when I take in the morning at a higher dose works through most of the day and then the Wellbutrin brings me down slower and lasts the remained of the day.  Mind you I work 10 hour days ending at 11pm and am a single mom and get up no later than 7am. So my day is very long.  It has worked wonders for my ADHD but not the massibe drop that I got from my days when I took Ritalin (similar I hear to Adderall (adderrall).)  I have depression and the Wellbutrin has helped with that but it has greatly helped with my compulsive shopping.