Adderall vs. Ritalin... Need advice from experienced users, please help!

[mon8ter0]

SWIM needs some advice and wisdom on these wonderful drugs we call stimulants..

About a year ago a friend offered SWIM an adderall (10mg) to help me make it through an all-nighter when SWIM was exhausted. Having never taken any drug before, the effect was euphoric and SWIM studying better and more efficiently than SWIM has ever been able to in her entire life. For the next 6 months or so SWIM bought adderall off of friends to help SWIM study, clean the house, etc. SWIM had to start taking more adderall (up to 80mgs spread over a day) to get the same effect.

Recently SWIM finally managed to drag her ADD butt to a doctor and talk about these problems. SWIM was put on Strattera and HATED it... made SWIM antisocial and grumpy. Today, SWIM had another appointment and was given a prescription for 10mg Ritalin (IR).

SWIM is wondering and would really appreciate advice on your experiences (legal or illegal) with either of those 3 drugs...

If SWIM has a tolerance to Adderall, will SWIM also have a tolerance to ritalin even though SWIM's never taken it before?

How do dosages compare btw Adderall and Ritalin? (i.e. how many mgs of ritalin will produce a similiar effect as say.... 40mg of Adderall IR?)

Has anyone had any experiences with Strattera and did you have similiar side effects?

SWIM's heard that a Magnesium supplement can help the Adderall digest more slowly and last longer... does this work with Ritalin as well?

There are certain vitamins that help keep Adderall tolerance down... does anyone know of ways to keep a Ritalin tolerance under control?

SWIMs doc said that at the next check up, if SWIM didn't like the ritalin, that he would prescribe Adderall instead, what do you think would be more beneficial?

SWIM does actually have ADD but doesn't know if she wants to take the ritalin daily, as prescribed, or just when needed (i.e. all-nighters), does anyone out there have a script for ritalin or adderall and take it daily? Would doing that actually help with other issues that SWIM has, like being a huge procrastinator, being unorganized, constanly running late, never paying bills on time? Does either drug actually help you to turn your life around?

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SWIM is looking for a drug that will actually help with day to day symptoms of having an ADHD brain... not just recreational uses of stimulants or for all-nighters and would really REALLY appreciate your advice on the stuff above.

... Don't get SWIM wrong, the recreational 'trips' on stimulants are amazing and SWIMs done them numerous times (at the most 120mg of Adderall in 24 hours or so)

Since SWIM's used adderall recreationally in the past, is the 10mg of Ritalin now prescribed not going to be as effective as it would be if SWIM hadn't?

Lastly, SWIM's had some terrible COMEDOWNs after 30-hour long adderall-induced studying marathons and takes Xanax to help the comedown's symptoms... does anyone experience a similar comedown for ritalin?

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Last two questions:

For day to day management of ADHD symptoms....Which is better, Adderall or Ritalin??

For those occasional rainy days when SWIM might want to use the drug for fun.... Which is better Adderall or Ritalin?? Which has a better 'up'?

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FYI... SWIM's taken 3 of her 10mg Ritalin pills and feels mild effects... similiar to taking 15-20mgs of Adderall after SWIM built up a tolerence... sound normal?

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Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading, and please please help SWIM out with any of the questions that SWIY may have some experience and expertise with.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting questions.

[Tweaky2008]

SWIM has been prescribed Strattera for ADD and agrees with SWIY.Seemed to actually make him tired.What genius came up with this drug for ADD?It does suck.

SWIM is going to doctor tomorrow and is hoping to get Vyvance,Adderal,or Dexedrine.Ritalin,from what SWIM hears can be very affective for ADD,though it will not produce the euphoria of an amphetamine.SWIM believes that it does produce some,but not much in comparison to amphetamines.

The best thing SWIM has used for ADD so far is D-meth.The problem was it wasn't in pill form and was VERY pure crystal.If swim used 60mgs or so in the morning,and slept everyday,it worked great.Unfortunately,he couldn't resist the urge to keep using.He would start out with anywhere from a quarter gram to a gram,and would use until gone.By this time he was up for 4-10 days straight seeing shadow people and what not.Not very helpful for his ADD then.

Anyway,SWIM will probably end up getting stuck with Ritalin first,so he may be able to give you an experience report from that.

Point of this post is,Strattera BLOWS,for SWIM anyhow.

[mon8ter0]

Wow, no one had responed to SWIMs post so SWIM got frustrated and just googled 'Adderall vs. Ritalin' and the search result brought SWIM back to her own post.... weird.

Anyway, SWIM has now taken 50mgs of Ritalin, and having never used it before has no idea if that's a high dose, but SWIM is feeling nothing like SWIM has in the past after Chewing 40 or 60mgs of Adderall.

SWIM has noticed that SWIM definitely feels more motivated, able to focus somewhat better while studying, and very slight Euphoria. (SWIM is taking this in order to be able to study and increase focus, so the lower level of Euphoria isn't a big deal).

But after 50mgs of MPH, SWIM has a terrible terrible headache, worse than SWIM ever experienced on adderall, and feels the focus and motivation already starting to fade... much sooner than when on Adderall. SWIM is also feeling more anxiety than with adderall and decided to take .5mg of SWIMs prescription Xanax. SWIM never felt anxiety with Adderall except during the comedown of a multiple day Adderall binge that SWIM used to do recreationally.

So far, SWIM thinks that having a script for Ritalin is better than nothing to help SWIM study and be less of a procrastinator, but the side effects are much worse and would much rather prefer Adderall

[Tweaky2008]

Damn,guess I'm no one already.SWIY should use the forum search engine and will find out there is a lot of info already posted about this drug comparison.That's the best I can do.I have run into many a post containing the info you so desire just browsing,without even searching.

I did answer one of your questions about the Stattera though,and agreed that it sucks.As for the other,UTFSE.

[mon8ter0]

This question is obviously going to show how naive SWIM is when it comes to drug knowledge... but

What does UTFSE stand for?

[Tweaky2008]

UTFSE stands for either:Use The Forum Search Engine.Or,I really think it used to mean "Use the Fuckin Search Engine" until it was censored.

Just tell the doctor that you have done research on ADD medication since it as costing SWIY so much.No need to lie and act totally ignorant about these drugs.

BTW,SWIM just got back from doctor and she finally gave him what he desired.After an EKG she gave me a peach and a script of Vyvanse.70mg daily for a month then we'll see if SWIM need an increase.He was ecstatic with this news.He was so exited he had to test tonight so he gave his pet rock 70mg's at 8pm EDT.The rock told SWIM he felt pretty frigin good,almost meth like.Full report on experience coming tomorrow.

[runitsthepolice]

swim has been prescribed to both ritalin and adderall. ritalin sucks, and just gives him a headache. adderall is much better. in order to switch, he simply told the doctor that the ritalin gave him a headache, and that he had tried adderall from his friends and it had really helped him (true story, might not work for all doctors tho). make the switch!

so the simple answer to your question is adderall is better, both for recreational and study purposes.

[doppey]

By the nature of their action (From SWIM's limited knowledge.) Ritalin (Methylphenidate.) Is more of a peripheral stimulant and has more of the physicial stimulation and "unwanted effects." Than Dexedrine. (Dextroamphetamine.)

He says his experiance tells him the same. He's had all kinds of aches pains and numbness of Ritalin that he's never got with Dexedrine. The higher the dose the more the unwanted effects increase, with lower doses the difference is less apparent aside from Ritalin providing slightly less stimulation mg for mg.

Peace

[VashYsk]

If SWIM has a tolerance to Adderall, will SWIM also have a tolerance to ritalin even though SWIM's never taken it before?
After building up a Tolerance to Adderall SWIM's friend was running out of adderall to give him before he got his script. One of SWIMS friends tried to sell him concerta(extended release ritalin) and ritalin as adderall. didn't work somehow SWIM got half of her medicine for free. Well SWIM tried just 1 first to see how he felt. He could feel it with 0 tolerance

How do dosages compare btw Adderall and Ritalin? (i.e. how many mgs of ritalin will produce a similiar effect as say.... 40mg of Adderall IR?)
If you mean euphoria, a huge dose. Ritalin made SWIM feel more emotionless than anything else, don't get me wrong SWIM was slightly euphoric but no where near as much as Adderall

Has anyone had any experiences with Strattera and did you have similiar side effects?
N/A Never taken strattera, I've heard from everyone that its horrible though

There are certain vitamins that help keep Adderall tolerance down... does anyone know of ways to keep a Ritalin tolerance under control?
Really the only thing to make a tolerance go away is to stop using the drug. For how long depends on the drug, SWIM notices his Adderall tolerance go away rather fast(1 or 2 days without it)

SWIMs doc said that at the next check up, if SWIM didn't like the ritalin, that he would prescribe Adderall instead, what do you think would be more beneficial?
really this one is all up to SWIY. Does SWIY feel more productive on ritalin or adderall. Basically look up ADHD symptoms or write down what your ADHD makes you do and then for every question write down which fixes which better. Also make a chart of side effects and comedowns. Go with the one with the easier come down and less side effects that improves your life better

SWIM does actually have ADD but doesn't know if she wants to take the ritalin daily, as prescribed, or just when needed (i.e. all-nighters), does anyone out there have a script for ritalin or adderall and take it daily? Would doing that actually help with other issues that SWIM has, like being a huge procrastinator, being unorganized, constanly running late, never paying bills on time? Does either drug actually help you to turn your life around?
When SWIM first started taking adderall and got it from friends he noticed a huge change in his life and realized he had ADHD. Basically everything you described in the question was fixed. SWIM actually felt like getting stuff done and helped SWIM focus more. It also improved SWIM's social life. SWIM wasn't really lacking in it but SWIM could make some situations awkward or interrupt people without realizing it. SWIM can think better and clearer and come up with better things to say in a situation that wouldn't make it awkward and it helped SWIM be more patient and therefore SWIM stopped interrupting people(unintentionally).
Now SWIM has a script, dr. started him at a dose lower than was used to taking (15mg, took 20mg and 30mg) since SWIMs doctor doesn't think he has done it. SWIM has been taking it everyday almost. At first it worked great cause SWIM hadn't taken Adderall in awhile and had 0 tolerance but now SWIM feels almost no change in his ADHD symptoms :/

Ritalin and Concerta made SWIM extremely lazy and SWIM just sat there extremely chill and emotionless. Didn't really fix much besides make SWIM not hyper. Adderall makes SWIM chill but SWIM still has energy to do stuff and the motivation.



Since SWIM's used adderall recreationally in the past, is the 10mg of Ritalin now prescribed not going to be as effective as it would be if SWIM hadn't?
No it will be as effective since they are different drugs. do you mean tolerance or do u mean has adderall changed your brain chemistry so it wouldn't be affected?

Lastly, SWIM's had some terrible COMEDOWNs after 30-hour long adderall-induced studying marathons and takes Xanax to help the comedown's symptoms... does anyone experience a similar comedown for ritalin?
On Ritalin SWIM just kind of remembers leveling off to normal and was never dropped into a bad comedown.

........

Last two questions:

For day to day management of ADHD symptoms....Which is better, Adderall or Ritalin??
SWIM felt more motivated to do stuff on Adderall where as Ritalin for SWIM was kind of like weed and made him not care about getting stuff done.

For those occasional rainy days when SWIM might want to use the drug for fun.... Which is better Adderall or Ritalin?? Which has a better 'up'?
Adderall is about a million times better though. With a 0 tolerance and a high dose SWIM compares it to a roll.

..........

FYI... SWIM's taken 3 of her 10mg Ritalin pills and feels mild effects... similiar to taking 15-20mgs of Adderall after SWIM built up a tolerence... sound normal?
Yea. Ritalin isn't as recreational as Adderall thats why it beats Adderall as the number 1 prescribed ADHD medicine in the world(and cause some countries have Amphetamines like adderall banned completelely banned like Weed or coke)


hope some of this helped you

[keep_my_name_out_ur_mouth]

swim is a avid user of both, in short, ritalin in higher doses causes compulsive behaviour; whether sex ,cleaning talking religion or masturbation. but at that level the high is unreal, although swim has only ever snorted 20mg IR in succession but boy its a hellva rush, a getto cocaine if you will. addies (the college fave) rush great and swim often finds shutting up impossible, it much cleaner on the way down, both not dragging out as long and being more tolerable, XR's don't apply to this advice as the wear on causing the college term "adder-down" the 4 drug combo that is an addy contains salts or amphetamine "by-products" which swim has always related loosely as ephedrine-ish in the fact there crummy side-effects, if detroamphetime sulfate or amphetamine sufate can be obtained instead swim finds this to be the cleanest stimulate with the littlest down-side that he has ever noted, ritalin on the other had is a REAL drag after a night or two. hope this was informative, feel free to inquire further

[VSOP~on~tap]

yalll gotts to be fucking kidding me....
I know this isnt the common opinion--but I think if youve ever tried good doses of ritilan, or shot it.........you woudl agree with my alligator that it is about a thousand times more euphoric than adderall....AND it ALSO has a thousand times worse of a crash.
of course he abused the fuck out of it, but even off just like 50-100 mg he would have the worst crashers it would always make him so suicidal. The most he ever took was 14 of the 54 mg conertas in a 24 hour period. (7, then 7 about 6-8 hours later)
never been so spun in his life lhao he wrote all over my walls including writing with his own blood lmao. that freaked my friends out so bad.
but the shit feels like SUPER euphoric coke that lasts and lasts and lasts. but again, he took really high doses of it. it made EVERY pour of his being/soul Tingle with EXTATIC delight. hardcore feel good, nice dopamine rush,.
Meth is the best high of all stims of course. E next. then ritilan/dexedrine then adderall ephedra and caffeine at the bottom. adderall is ok but but you have to take at least 100 mg to get spun, and it feels harsh WAY harsher than good shards. still i wont shit talk adds becaus ehtye are still dope but like I said you need bottom line 3 of the 30s if you want to feel the shit
peace

[herostyle]

SWIM really loves the rush he gets from focalin, but he prefers adderall in every other way.

[Hollow Hippie]

Adderall > Ritalin

Swim does not really see any more room for more explanation from what has been given above. Swim simply would just like to say in every way is adderall better than ritalin. Except adderall is more addicting and more tolerance is produced at a faster rate.

[duG22]

swim says that adderall is much better because he has such a higher ability to focus on tasks..

[Chrispy]

SWIM doesn't know very much about the questions you asked. SWIM has only taken Adderall, but not Strattera or Ritalin. But I have some questions for SWIY if you don't mind. Lately (since SWIM started buy Adderall XR from a friend) she's been wondering if she's ADD or ADHD since it just makes her calmer and less anxious most of the time. So here's SWIM's question... How did you or you doc. know you were ADD/ADHD? SWIY listed SOME of your symptoms, but was there anything else? And does SWIY know the difference between ADD and ADHD? Which one does SWIY have? Sorry about all the questions. SWIM would REALLY appreciate it if you helped her figure this out. Thanks.