Adderall Help.

[Redsunset13601]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some help on taking Adderall. I'm 54 years old and I guess I do have symptoms of ADHD.  My Doctor just prescribed Adderall to me a couple days ago and I have yet to take it. Instructions state take 1- 10mg in morning and 1-10mg at 12:00 noon.

I picked it up from my Pharmacy and asked the Pharmacist  how am I suppose to take this with the other medications I am on? (Lamictal, Norco and Ativan for sleeping)  His question to me was why I was on it to begin with? He stated his concern was the Lamictal and Adderall combination, as Lamictal is a downer and Adderall is a upper. I'm not stupid I do know the difference.

I showed the pharmacist the schedule I have for the Norco and Lamictal , I can take those both at the same time with no ill affects. But he couldn't give me a answer how to fit the Adderall in the mix. Actually he didn't appear to know much of anything. This was a Pharmacist that must of been new, haven't seen him before. I just don't know when to take this Adderall?  

This is my medication schedule.( 8am- Lamictal & Norco,) (12:30pm- Lamictal & Norco) (5:30pm Norco) (10pm Ativan).

Since Adderall is a upper and Lamictal is a downer I just don't no how I should take it? Lamictal and Norco do make me sleepy. More so in the afternoon than morning.

Can anyone that is in a similar situation  as myself or has information how to take a "downer" type of medication with a "upper type of med?

Thanks, for any info u can offer me.

[Sandman2]

         Glad to help.   You know it does sound like you may be taking a wee bit to much adderall.  Usually docs start you on the smallest dose and they also don't usually wait a month (?) to hear back on how it is going.
         I would certainly try only one.  But since I assume you are on the tablets, you might try cutting one in half and taking that if you still feel a bit weird after taking just one 10mg.   And, of course, always let your doc know what you are doing if one method or the other seems to work better.
     Best wishes.

[Redsunset13601]

Gosh it is nice to talk to someone who knows. Yes I see my Doc again in August. Once a month now since I am now on this stuff.

Today was not a good day. This is day 4 and so far only the second day was the perfect day and I felt great. Today, again ears ringing like crazy. Over all feel like crap.

I'm also noticing I am doing more projects at once. But do complete each one. Today I was balancing the books for a friend of mines Company. I clean up all the paper work once a month because my friend hates the paper work part of the business.  Well, I suddenly stop doing that and started cleaning and filling my E-cig tanks which really was not an immediate thing I had to do. Then, I noticed he had laundry when I went past the laundry room on my way to the kitchen to grab a drink so I said ok, I will do that for him so I started that, then went back to the kitchen getting my drink, suddenly I just started cleaning out his frig. (He is on vacation in NY right now). The office is attached to the other end of his home). Once that was done I went back and finished the books.

I completed all the tasks, I just find it odd. I went from procrastinating, no ambition to a sudden multi-tasker. I don't feel like I am racing around 100 miles an hour, I just start doing one thing after another if it catches my eye. I mean that is a good thing I suppose, but on the other hand I feel like I'm not acting normal doing so many things at once?

I think seriously tomorrow I am only going to take just one and wait to do that later in the AM. Just killing my appetite as well and I think that is why I don't feel well. Need to go food shopping and get some of them as u suggested easy frozen healthy meals. Some fruit etc.  The thought of cooking uhhhhh! I just don't want to . But when I do, I will make double batches so I can have left overs.

This stuff is new to me, so your right I got to play around with it to see where I am comfortable at. I am just thinking 20mg a day is just to much for me. I have read good things about this medication so I am not going to give up yet.

Thank you very much for the links. I am heading to check them out now. I will be back in a few days to report how the tweeking process is going.

Have a great weekend.

[Sandman2]

   Really glad to hear that so far things are working out for you!   As I said, it really is a lot of trial and error.   Many adults can use the stim meds on an as needed basis.   Its possible that you could take it a bit later in the day and then skip the other dose and still get all the things done that you want.  That is the one advantage of what you are taking compared to the extended release versions.   And chances are that it may take you a week or so to really feel/understand how the meds are working for you.  Don't forget to keep your doctor informed.
   You probably could take a lot of the protein drink, but you also need a balance.  So the chicken was a good idea.   Every now and then when my wife is out with her friends I will have a "healthy Choice" frozen meal.  Quick and tasty.  
    Her are a few other meal ideas:
    http://www.corepsych.com/2007/02/power-breakfast-recipe-2-how-on-protein/
    http://fitnesstroop.com/2011/03/31/easy-ways-to-make-food-with-high-quality-protein-powder/
   Good luck!  
   Oh, I do have links to adult AD/HD sites if you need more info on this.

[Redsunset13601]

Today I did something different. I took my other meds first and then waited an hour to take the Adderall this Am.

Yesterday I did notice my ears were ringing like crazy clear into the night. I do have that problem because of the other meds(side affects) but I have came accustom to it. If I don't focus on the ringing I pay no mind to it and it really isn't that bothersome as I'm use to it. However, I was noticing it a lot yesterday. I am not sure if It was because I was nervous taking the Adderall to begin with and focusing on how  I was feeling after taking it  thus noticing my ears ring so intensely  (I live alone and sometimes it is nice to have someone around when your taking something such as this incase a bad side effects happen you have someone right there with you). Just chicken when it comes to these things.  

I  do notice I am very thirsty/dry mouth. I have increased my water intake. Also noticed today when I did switch around taking Lamictal and Norco first then waited a hour and took the Adderall I didn't notice my ears ringing intensely. So it is a toss up,  either it was nervousness yesterday I noticed the ears ringing intensely or switching the meds around. I will stick with what I did this morning.

Yes, once again I had no desire to eat today. I got one of those containers  of Whey Protein Powder that also has Soy in it and very little carbs, sugars. Never had experience with Protein Powder but I think it is a good healthy kind. The label stated you can make with water since I do not drink milk. So I blended 8 oz water with the powder and threw in some Strawberries and ice to make a shake. It was pretty darn good.  I knew I had to eat some type of solid food so, although I didn't feel like cooking, I made skinless chicken and had some green beans and a sweet potato for dinner. How many times a day can one drink a protein shake? Label didn't really say.

Lastly, I do have more energy. It's not like a "speed" type energy that I just can't sit still (which is a good thing, don't want to feel like that)  I just seem to be accomplishing things that I normally look at and say I will get to it later. Today I had a couple projects going at the same time and I completed both.

Thank you for talking with me. You have been most helpful.

[Sandman2]

      A high protein breakfast will really help.  Good luck!  Keep us posted how things go

[Redsunset13601]

Well, I bit the bullet and stopped being afraid to take this with my other meds. Took my first Adderall around 8am then my other meds at 9:15 and no weird side affect.

I took the other Adderall as directed at noon and waited once again for an hour or so and took my other meds and all was well.

I did notice I had no appetite all day. Can't let that part get out of controle

[Sandman2]

   Did your prescribing doctor know about the other meds?   If so, that doc should have taken everything into account.  
   The 10mgs is a very small dose and will be out of your system in 3 to 4 hours.  
   If you are worried call him and ask!   You could always just take one dose in the morning for starters and see how that goes.   With these meds it always is trial and error as each person is different.