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Thread : I Need Help Badly, First Week Trial of Adderall/Dexedrine  
19 Jan 2009 @ 11:08 PM
demitriden Join Date: Mon 19th Jan 2009
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I Need Help Badly, First Week Trial of Adderall/Dexedrine

IMPORTANT FACTS: 20yrs old, 5"3 105 lbs problems with Dexedrine and Adderall

I need your help to find out why the medication that worked amazingly the first 3 days from just using 2.5mg each day Adderall, stopped working after the 4th day. My doc is clueless, he doesn't know what's going on with my body and the meds either.

IN SUMMARY

Day 1,2, AND 3: (2.5mg a day w/ consistent positive results in alleviating my add) -late morning: tried 2.5mg Adderall DAY1, then 2.5mg dex becasue i wanted to compare which was better DAY2, liked dex better so kept with dex for DAY 3 -it only took 2.5mg to make my cognitive handicap go away for the almost full days, but I was effective all day for my studies -tried with empty stomach on various days and semi-full on others to see which was better, couldn't tell really -i kept a strict log of how long it took to kick in each day: (day 1) 1hr30mins to kick (day 2) 2hr 30mins (day 3) full 3hrs -studied for all day for 3 days with ease -good sleep 3 days

And this is when the trouble begin: Day 4: (upped to 7.5mg dex that day) no effect as if i was taking a dummy pill Day 5: (upped to 10mg of dex that day) no positive effect whatsoever still brain was cloudy like before getting treated, very difficult to fall asleep (maybe because of the drug) Day 6: (went back to trying Adderall since Dexedrine seemed to stop working, upped to 15mg of Adderall that day) no effect STILL except possibly negative ones becasue of the drug = increase heart rate, muscle tension

Remember that I am very small 5"3 105lbs hence the build up to doses

Some questions specific questions I have if anyone can answer.. 1) I noticed weird onset times, though these were the day the medicine were effective, from my written log (day 1) 1hr30mins to kick in day on Adderall (day 2) 2hr 30mins on dex (day 3) full 3hrs. Any hint as to why? 2) How was I able to go from feeling that a measly 2.5mg was consistently effective dose for the first 3 days straight, and then suddenly feel nothing so abruptly after the 4th day? 3) When I did slowly up my dose cuz I realized tolerance could be an issue, 7.5 to 10 to 15mg I still felt I was taking a dummy pill! Any hint as to why? 4) I turned to tums, magnesium, diet to make sure my stomach is not acidic or consuming anything acidic, has done nothing to help me. Why?!

Please, give me some advice.. I am desperate. I've tried contacting my doc but he hasn't been able to help.

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20 Jan 2009 @ 11:59 AM Reply # 1
ADDitude Editor Join Date: Mon 12th Jan 2009
Threads: 2 Posts: 258
Help with Medication

Hello, It is very important for you to get a professional opinion about ADHD medication. If you are having problems with your doctor, maybe you need to seek professional medical help elsewhere.

Try searching the The ADDitude Directory for a professional in your area.

Also, take a look at this article about Finding a Doctor.

Good Luck, Dena

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Last edited by ADDitude Editor : 20 Jan 2009 @ 12:00 PM. Reason:
21 Jan 2009 @ 7:16 PM Reply # 2
Dexidrone Join Date: Wed 21st Jan 2009
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Been there done that...

Demitriden:

When you start treatment with something like amphetamines, it's important to note that they are powerful drugs. Many people abuse methyl-amphetamine because it makes them feel great... then they need so much more to get the same feeling. I believe it is a myth that people with ADD are immune to the tolerance / withdrawal effects that these drugs produce.

Adderall is pretty much the same as dexidrine... here's the breakdown... adderall is:

    • 1/4 dextroamphetamine saccharate
    • 1/4 dextroamphetamine sulfate
    • 1/4 (racemic dextro/levo-amphetamine) aspartate monohydrate
    • 1/4 (racemic dextro/levo-amphetamine) sulfate

What you may be experiencing is the high latency withdrawal/crash effects. In my experience, I have noticed that if I take a break from the medication for a while, I'll have a great couple of days when I start it again. But inevitably, the crystal sharp focus begins to fade by day three or four. It's the curse of stimulant meds.

I'm not completely sure of the solution as of yet, but I know if I take a lot of vitamins, eat well, and drink lots of fluids on a day I don't feel so sharp, the next day seems much better. I think at least part of your problem my have to do with the drug depleting you of neurotransmitters and vitamins. Once your body becomes malnourished, you wont be able to do anything with or without the drug. Also make sure you get plenty of sleep... a chronic lack of sleep will do the cloudy thing to you. Also don't up the dose so fast that's how druggies get in trouble.

You need to realize that you're not really supposed to FEEL it. If you FEEL it, then you're probably HIGH. The idea is to get used to it so that it feels as normal as putting clothes on. The medications were never an automatic fix for me either... it requires a great deal of effort (even when medicated) to tackle ADD.

Are you on time release adderall/dexidrine? 5mg of generic adderall hits me in 30 minutes or less so I find it strange that it's taking so long.

BTW I'm a 115lb 24yo male so I've been where you are recently.

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Last edited by Dexidrone : 21 Jan 2009 @ 7:26 PM. Reason:
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