switching from adderral.... experience welcomed

[youngdude421]

I was recently diagnosed with adult add. My doc put me on adderal. I responded pretty bad to it. It made me feel paranoid.... It felt so scary to feel paranoia like that. .only took it 5 days now I am discontinue it. My doc mentioned trying concerta or strattera. Anybody have experience like this or with these meds?

[datwun77]

Strattera did help me with focus memory & organization BUT it took away the AWESOMENESS of ADD...It really stifled my quick wit & completely stopped me from "swimming around in my head" if you know what I mean? I'm much happier on Adderall

[Sandman2]

   Thank you for your comments.  If you don't mind sharing what med were you on for depression when you went Manic?  I have read some information from Dr. Barkley about drug interactions and wondered if this would have been the case?

[CrazyHappySleepy]

Hi, I actually came across your post by reading posts related to Adderall/Stimulants.  My situation is a bit different as I suffer from Narcolepsy (the bizarre disease which causes me to fall asleep suddenly and unexpectedly, no matter what I'm doing (moreso if I happen to be bored), and no matter where I am (previously sitting at my desk working).  Long story short...my Neurologist prescribed Ritalin as the first drug that I took.  I have a long history of suffering from Major Depression, which I fully disclosed at my appointments and testing leading up to the prescription, because I do take medication for depression and have for a number of years.  Well, not even 3 days into taking Ritalin (I recall it was a smallish dose) and I went full blown, off the charts Manic.  It is rare, but some people have a pre-disposition to bipolar disorder/manic depression, and somehow the Ritalin triggered this in me.  I have a large family history of mentally interesting individuals and one of my parents is Bipolar, but mildly.  The Neurologist and Psychiatrist said that it could be associated with the "Kindling Theory," where at some point in your life you will be diagnosed or just have Bipolar Disorder, but many years of trauma, mood episodes (even small ones), and Anti-Depressant usage can lead to that moment when the switch is flipped.  It has not been a fun ride, I can tell  you - and this all started around 10 years ago after risking my job and my well-being living widowed and alone with a small baby at home (with the Narcolepsy) so I needed it to be treated, and I'm unable to take Provigil which is a new-ish med for Narcolepsy.  My doctors then prescribed Adderall XR, slowly and carefully titrating to a safe level (pretty low dose actually) along with a single 5mg tablet to take as needed (for those after work activities on occasion like parent teacher conferences, those type of activities.  Fortunately, I did not SUFFER any effects like the Ritalin, I just have the body makeup that I cannot take it.  But, the Bipolar diagnosis has stuck, and I've been treated for that, as well, over the last 10 years.  It's been a real ride!

[youngdude421]

Yes 2.5 lol. Thanks so much for letting me vent and your suggestions and feedback.

[kirk8]

You mean 2.5?  That is a good place to start.  1/4 pill.  I would try that for a few days and see if you notice a difference.  Then maybe try 1/2 pill.

This is one of those things that builds up over time.  Many people find themselves increasing the dose over the years.  But you should really notice the biggest difference the first few weeks, as your body gets used to it.

You still might want to consider a different med if you don't think your symptoms are improving significantly. But it takes a few weeks to really get a good idea.

[youngdude421]

Thanks for the info. I lowered my dose to .25 mg. No paranoia thank u God. I guess it's just a matter of playing around until u find an appropriate dose.

[Sandman2]

    Thats a really good question.  I have found ( at least here) that adult ADDers tend to lose interest (or something) and don't hang around very long.
    One site with loads of info is - http://jeffsaddmind.com/for-first-time-visitors
Unfortunately, the site tends to reflect Jeff who has ADD and the site while extensive is kind of weird to navigate.  I find myself getting lost in it and I don't have ADD. Though I tend to be somewhat compulsive. and there is also this site which is pretty good - http://totallyadd.com/category/totallyadd-blog/rick-totallyadd-blog/  .   There is one other site that I know of - just gotta find it.
   Hope this helps.  

[kirk8]

Blue IR 10mg has got to be one of the most common ones.  I took those for five years.  

[kirk8]

Unfortunately, I don't know of any.  If you find a good one let me know.  You could leave me a note by clicking on my profile.

[kirk8]

Thanks Sandman.  You've taught me a lot.

[youngdude421]

Thanks kirk. Yes I noticed its mostly parents on here. I will try a lower dose of addetral. I am on the blue ir. You know of any sites with more adult adders ?

[Sandman2]

    True that Kirk, which is one reason I value your posts!

[kirk8]

Unfortunately, I don't think you will get to many responses from other adult ADDrs.  Most of the people on here are parents or educators of children with ADD/ADHD.

[kirk8]

I agree with Sandman.  I really think you should try a lower dose first.  All of the symptoms you've described could be attributed to taking to high a dose.  You can do that yourself.  The tablets have little groves in them.  They are designed to be broken in half or quarters.

I take it, from the way you've worded your questions, that you are on the 20mg  XR, orange capsules.  There are little, time release, beans inside.  It's kind of messy but you can open the capsules up and take some of the beans out.  Just be sure not to break any of them.  If they break, they won't be harmful, but the time release wont be as effective.  

20mg a day is a normal adult dose.  But it isn't uncommon for people to take as little as 5mg.  You will probably have a completely different experience if you try the lower dose.  

[Sandman2]

Did you ever try a lower dose?  20mgs is a fairly big dose to start with.   I was surprised that your doc started you off that high.

[kirk8]

You may end up paying a little more for Strattera.  It's not available in generic.

[kirk8]

Hello again,

"Anybody have experience like this or with these meds?"

The following is all just my opinion.  Everyone reacts to medicine differently:

Concerta is an extended release form of Ritalin.  Which is what I took when I was a kid.  It is still a stimulant but it is much milder than Adderall.  I think more doctors should start patients Concerta because it has fewer side effects than Adderall.  I've never seen anyone have side effects as severe as you described from Adderall with Concerta.  

I still have some side effects from adderall.  But I never remember having any from Ritalin (immediate release form of Concerta).  But it's been 15 years since I was proscribed that.

I find Strattera very interesting.  I've never taken it.  It's far less proscribed than other ADD/ADHD drugs.  It's called an NRI and it's the only drug of it's kind on the market.  It's not a stimulant!  Given your reaction to Adderall, I think it may be a good choice for you.  

Obviously, that's all just my opinion.

Virtually all the ADD/ADHD drugs on the market are comprised of methylphenidates (ie Concerta) or amphetamines (ie adderall).  Although, some other drugs are occasionally proscribed in combination with behavioral therapy.  Strattera is the exception to this.

I would only caution you about Strattera because it is less studied than the other options.  It's been around about 10-20 years.  Amphetamines have been around since the 1800's and methylphenidate has been around since the 40's.