Drug info - Expected Effects of Adderall from Initial to Full Effect

[waterbaby]

Hi --

Thanks in advance for reading this.

I have been prescribed Adderall (30mg/day) for ADD. I took the full amount and experienced not only great focus but also, of course, the euphoria that went along with it. The side effects were insomnia, crazy emotions and exhaustion after a couple of days. I cut back and only take it when I need it to work.

I would like the drug to do a couple of things for me: one - be able to help keep me on task with my work and two - help me with sports. I figure that is a secondary benefit but what the heck. When I initially started taking it, I was a rock star. I knew where everyone on the field was, I anticipated every play and I was making five goals a night. I'm back to talking about what other players should be doing but I lapse into paralysis the second I get the ball.

I understand that the side effects will go away but I'm not sure the best way to take this. When I was on the SSRIs, they said to take it every day and in a couple of weeks, other people will notice that I'm getting better but that I wouldn't really notice it. Is it best to take it every day? Will the great focus, quick decision making and higher level of perception be there every day once I find the right dosage or will it go away with the euphoria? The temptation is there to take a half dose on work days, a full dose on game days and a quarter dose on laundry days (although 5 mg doesn't seem to do much).

I would love to hear from anyone who can add to my understanding of how this medicine will work in the short/medium and long term and the best way to take it to be "on" every day.

Thanks in advance

[twoisms35]

SWIM would not recommend plugging adderall at all. SWIM knows guitarists that have tried this and ended up dialing 911. Try some other potentiating methods first before trying this. SWIM prefers a morning dose of antacids(4 or 5 tums), a multivitamin and magnesium.

Adderall is more potent than many people give it credit for, so just be careful however you choose to potentiate your prescription. Good luck!

[waterbaby]

Uhhh - that wasn't the question I asked. Not to worry - I won't be doing that!

[DimethylTimmy]

Be sure to read the rules about incrimination, even when it comes to prescription substances.

SWIM(someone who isn't me) really needed it but ended up taking 300-500 mg/day... obviously not recommended anyway he quit for a long time and is now using responsibly. Especially if SWIY(SWIyou) needs it, a therapeutic dose may be percieved as euphoric, but tolerence develops pretty quickly for anyone whether they need it or not. The euphoria will end eventually but if you don't chase it like SWIM did then you should find a level that will provide substantially better focus than baseline. Be sure to tell SWIY to eat well and take vitamins, a magnesium supplement, and fish oil. I don't think that alternating doses on a daily/weekly basis will make a substantial difference (if you're on it you're on it). My advice to SWIY is to take as prescribed and adjust as needed. As long as SWIY stays within the limits of the prescription then the desired results should be achieved even if euphoria is lost.

[Trogdor]

I'd suggest reducing your dose. If you really just want it because you need to concentrate then try 10-20mg. You might not seems to notice it as much at first but if you keep taking it in a week you should notice that it's really helping. If insomnia is a problem and you've taken ssri's before then ask your doc about trazadone. Otherwise maybe seroquil or immovane.

[waterbaby]

Thanks for your ideas. Are you saying that the affects build and the side effects diminish such that taking it every day for a week or two will get me into a focused state without the side effects?