Adderall

[JoJo437]

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?

[JoJo437]

Dear Woozy,

In your posting you made reference to cognitive therapy as a means of managing your condition. Although I cannot imagine, at least in my particular case, coping with my ADHD without at least some pharmaceutical intervention (at least at this point), I would nontheless be very interested in learning more about cognitive therapy as an alternative to prescription medication. In the interest of avoiding becoming drug (Adderral) dependant, I am trying to cultivate a management schedule that incorporates both methods of treatment. Can you share any additional information on cognitive therapy Woozy? This is, of course, an open forum and any thoughts or ideas on cognitive therapy would be greatly appreciated. Please also include specifics such as articles and website addresses.

[woozy]

I can't stand Adderall.. but that's just my reaction I guess.
I experienced a host of unpleasant side effects.the big  one being I started to resemble somone with Bipolar Disorder, and I don't think I have it..
it was great for about 6 months and then I built a tolerance and I refused to keep upping the dose.  
If you can stand the stuff, that's great.. but be on the lookout for wild mood swings..depression, lack of any energy when you aren't on it..
I've been off it for 6 months now and I feel great.. I still have ADD but I am managing it with cognitive therapy.

[PhotoTeach]

I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5mg for Limbic / Overfocused ADD for 2 weeks.  I felt very tired in the first week, so I was prescribed 5mg of Adderall.  Years ago, I took Dexedrine for my ADD and was very irritable and bitchy on it.  My fear is that the Adderall is doing the same thing.  I took it for 2 days and the rest of the week when I did not take it, I was snapping at my students.  I was also impatient with everyone on the street and subway.  Not good!  Is it the rebound effect I have read about because I did not do it everyday.  Should I take it everyday when I need the energy?  Or should I switch to using Wellbutrin instead of Effexor XR+Adderall?  These are the choices that my doctor said work for my type of ADD.  Thanks.