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Avatar universal

Im 16 and have just reacently been perscribed aderall and am experiencing side effects. PLEASE HELP

I was just recently perscribed aderall for my 'inatentive' ADD, and i have been experienceing the following side effects: Loss of appetite, Dry mouth, Difficulty sleeping, Headaches, Weight loss, Emotional changes, Nausea, upset stomach, Dizziness, Diarrhea, Feeling of weakness, sweating from my hands and feet all day.

Should i be concerned with these side effects im expirencing? Or will they go away soon?
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
Lots and lots of good info from Tamra.  The main point is that you need to see your doctor and let him know what is going on.  These meds are always a bit of trial and error due to weight, type of ADHD, etc.  It may be that your initial dosage is too high or even the wrong type.  Only way to find out is to communicate with your doctor.
Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Hey buddy, been there done that... Was on ritalyn for years with wellbutrine, but I'm the hyper type of ADHD so I got really depressed. Was switched to Adderall and felt ten times better, but the side effects don't seem worth it.
I talk even more when I'm nervous or around a lot of people and all the thoughts that I was used to shoving off into the fog were all there up front and personal so I had to deal with them. Sure I got a lot done, but it didn't make me tired at night. So my dr put me on Zolpidem, generic for AMbien. I think it's whats wrecking my stomach. I've stopped taking my adderall and I feel less driven and seem to be able to listen to my inside voice better. I still have the implusivity to talk, spend or eat. I just choose better what to eat instead of eating according to my cravings. That's bad for me. I also can't spend because I'm not working, so that's pretty much done. The talking? Well, that's what forums are for now. At least I can talk about what's going on with me without sounding like I'm complaining with others that understand where I'm coming from.
Check with your dr. about another type of med. I'm thinking of getting an MRI scan to see what part of my brain is active or overly active. Take a look at Dr. Amen. He seems to have come up with a better definition or should I say 6 different definitions of ADHD/ADD that different meds will work for.
Here's a link that may help out too:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/79/96235.htm

I am cutting and pasting the part I thought might be most relevant but the whole thing is very interesting reading if you have the time.

Moderator: You mentioned that there are "types" of ADHD? Can you explain?

Amen: Here is a quick list:

    * Type 1 we call Classic ADHD. A type 1 has all the hallmark features of ADHD we discussed earlier, plus they're hyperactive and impulsive. They respond nicely to stimulant medication.
    * Type 2 we call Inattentive ADHD. They have all the hallmark features of ADHD but are never hyperactive. They also respond to stimulants.
    * Type 3 we call Overfocused ADHD. They have all the hallmark features of ADHD, plus they get stuck on things, hold grudges, are oppositional, and if things don't go their way, they get upset. It's like the gear shifter in their brain is stuck. They do not do well on stimulants. Their brain needs a little more serotonin.
    * Type 4 we call Limbic ADHD, which looks like a combination of ADHD and depression. They do not do well on stimulants; stimulants make them sad, make them cry. They do better on stimulating antidepressants, such as buproprion.
    * Type 5 we call Temporal Lobe ADHD, which is due to abnormalities in the temporal lobes. They have the hallmark features of ADD plus they're irritable, sometimes aggressive, and often have memory and learning problems. They respond better to anticonvulsants. Stimulants, if started first, often make them worse.
    * Type 6 we call The Ring of Fire, which we think may be a cross between ADHD and bipolar disorder. What we see in the scan is overall increased activity in the brain, the same that we see with people who have bipolar disorder. They are often irritable, sometimes aggressive, and they worry; it's like they have too many things going on in their head. Stimulants usually make them much worse, and we use anticonvulsants or the newer novel antipsychotic medications.


Adults with ADHD:

    * Tend to get distracted easily
    * Can only do things if they're really interesting
    * Have levels of disorganization; if you look at their desks, their filing cabinets, they're often a mess
    * Are frequently late or behind because they do not organize their time well
    * May have problems with impulsivity
    * May struggle in their relationships
    * May struggle financially
    * Frequently drive fast
    * Procrastinate until it makes you crazy
    * Often struggle with sleep. They have trouble going to sleep at night and waking them in the morning is sort of like trying to wake the dead. It's really hard for them to get up in the morning, often.


Member question: Do you have any tips for living with an adult with ADHD?

Amen: Yes:

    * Be patient
    * Go to their doctor appointments so you can understand and help them follow through
    * Never yell at an ADHD person. Many people who have ADHD are conflict driven. They play this game called "Let's have a problem." Whether at home or at work they may stir things up to get stimulated, and if people take the bait it can end up in a chronically conflicted relationship.


Member question: For a child diagnosed with classic ADHD, is there a drug on the market that does not have to be taken orally? My child cannot and will NOT swallow a pill.

Amen: Most of the standard drugs for ADHD need to be taken orally. There are some other drugs, such as Clonidine, that sometimes works, that you can wear as a patch. There are also companies that are looking into making patches for the stimulant medications.

Member question: What is the relationship between ADHD and depression? ADHD and bipolar disorder?

Amen: They go hand in hand. In one study 50% of teenagers with bipolar disorder also had ADHD, and depression also runs commonly with ADHD. We really don't know about the connection between ADHD and bipolar, as to why that is.

Hope this helps! Cheers, Tamra
Helpful - 0
1001286 tn?1334199074
I have a 7 yr old that has been on that medicine for some time now he has some of the symtoms you have said such as lose of appitiete and cant sleep ..but the others I would def check with your dr about you should not be having the other symtoms ..you need to have your dr put you on something else ,,,,,,,,,Every 6 months you have to keep a recheck on that med and they will take you off it if you have lost weight with it any ways
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Avatar universal
I would let your doctor know what is going on and how you don't like the way it makes you feel.

have you read the side affects of adderall,my son was on that .be careful it can cause seizures,and he was also on concerta witch can cause seizures.

and now my son has seizures since 2006 and still dose every day.

try taken vitamins  like Omega 3 and B6, and what every you do don't just  stop taken any of the medicines.
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