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Thread : Adderall And The Zombie Effect  
27 Nov 2008 @ 2:07 PM
Larryb Join Date: Thu 27th Nov 2008
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Adderall And The Zombie Effect

I would like to know if anyone has had the reaction to Adderall as I have. I was diagnosed ADD about five years ago. At that time, the psychiatrist prescribed a combination of Concerta and Wellbutrin. This was not working for me as I could not concentrate, and stay focused for any amount of time. I also felt over medicated. I stopped these medications, and discontinued seeing this Dr. in February of this year.

Since that time. I have had increasing problems with concentration and other ADD associated problems . So I asked my family Dr. if he could suggest a new psychiatrist who specializes in ADD, which he did. I had my first visit, and I was very impressed with his knowledge. After talking to him a while, he suggested using Adderall to start with. And told me to start with 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg early in the afternoon.

For the first six days it had incredible results for me. I could do things I never did before, like concentrating, being organized, and just a feeling of well-being. Plus a whole lot of energy that I haven't had for a long time.

But after a week it starting to make me feel like a zombie. I still feel organized, and I can concentrate where I couldn't before, but my energy level has gone down, I feel numb, and I don't feel as sociable as I was before.

I would sure appreciate some input on this as I'm not sure if I should cut the dosage down to 5 mg a day or take more. I'm definitely going to bring this up in my next visit to the doctor but I would also like to get others input.

Thank you Larry B.

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Last edited by Larryb : 27 Nov 2008 @ 2:15 PM. Reason:
28 Nov 2008 @ 6:36 PM Reply # 1
Rebecca419 Join Date: Fri 28th Nov 2008
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Please let me know

Hi Larry, sorry I have no answer for you- I am actually having the same problem. I started my first prescription for ADD ever- with Adderall XR 15 mg, and it was awesome the first 2 days, after that, it didn't seem to have that much of an effect. I was bumped up to 20 mg and it was really good the first 2 days, then again, back down. Also around noon/1ish I would become like a zombie and just want to chill out on the couch for hours. My psych switched me to Concerta and so far so good, I think it also helps me be less irritated. She said though that maybe since I had not eaten that much by noon my blood sugar was low and maybe that's what was the problem. I don't know since I switched though.

Please let me know what you end up doing or find out though! Good luck!!

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28 Nov 2008 @ 7:53 PM Reply # 2
Larryb Join Date: Thu 27th Nov 2008
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Concerta

Hi Rebecca, Thank you for your reply. Just out of curiosity how fast does it take for the Concerta to kick in for you?. I was on Concerta, approximately 18 months and I never really felt it Kick in like Adderall. That was one thing that impressed me about my new Dr. He told me what to expect, and he was right on the nose. He told that approximately half an hour to an hour I would really notice a difference in concentration, focus, and energy level.. He was also quite confused when I told him about my previous Dr. not giving me this information, and told me that if Concerta was working correctly for me, I would have felt it in the same amount of time.

I think I'm going to hold off for the rest of the weekend taking anymore Adderall, and if I need a kick in the butt. I'll use my old standard, Five Hour energy Drink or get some ZIP-FIZZ from Cosco. It works pretty good for me. The only exception is the caffeine part. Caffeine does that make my body feel very good at times.

On Monday I am thinking about only taking 5 mg of Adderall instead of 10, but I want to give it some time to get out of my system first. So I can start from scratch again.

I hope Concerta works well for you. From what I understand it works well for many people. We all deserve to be happy and feel"" normal""

Thank you again for your reply, Larry B.

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5 Dec 2008 @ 10:46 PM Reply # 3
ADD RN Join Date: Wed 21st Nov 2007
Threads: 11 Posts: 358
Feeling like zombie

Adderall would kick in about an 1/2 hour -1 hour ; but after a year went I decided I had enough of it and went off it . The adderall when it kicked in I would not eat for hours and by the late after noon. I was irritable and cranky but sluggish proable due to fact I never had enough sugar in my system to run on . The when it wore off I craved sugar , starches and have severe headaches. . I now take Ritalin LA 20 mg daily and at 2PM ritalin 10 mgs in the afternoon. and Welbutrin XL150 mgs and I feel great with this medication combination I not jumpy , tachy ,irritable or unable to eat. Still with the stimulants my appetite is decreased ; but not so severly as with the ADDerall. It also could be you never felt so focused in your live that this may feel quite differentthan ever before ; and it may wear off in a few days or weaks as it now will be a more normal state. Just make sure you eat something foorce yourself to eat even if you don't want too. Advoid decongestions and too much caffeine or gingseng because you will feel speedy and get you jumpy

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