10 replies to this topic

[JasonLV]

Wow what a forum, so much information. I'm glad I found this place!

I've got a question for the adderall users here. Do any of you notice that after using adderall for a period of time, things seem a bit 'odd'. I don't quite know how to explain this. Some days I feel like I can focus and get a lot done, other days I tend to zone out and randomly catch myself stuck in blank stares.

Is this a side effect of adderall? The feeling is random but happens around 2 times per week. I haven't been able to figure out a pattern for it yet and was wondering if anyone had any input.

Im 190lbs, and take 10-20mg of XR per day.

Thanks!

[bgwithadd]

You can get overfocused on adderall if you take too much. Then you can just stare at a way and find it interesting.

Also, you can get burned out with it. You really should take breaks with it. Adderall is like having a slavemaster whip your brain and make it work, and unlike other meds it will work even if it is completely exhausted, which is how it kills off brain cells. You can get a lot out of it, but there's no pill that will make you work 60 hours a week without being tired from it, for instance. Keep in mind even if you are not doing a lot of work, your brain still is when on adderall and it can be draining.

[JasonLV]

You can get overfocused on adderall if you take too much. Then you can just stare at a way and find it interesting.

Also, you can get burned out with it. You really should take breaks with it. Adderall is like having a slavemaster whip your brain and make it work, and unlike other meds it will work even if it is completely exhausted, which is how it kills off brain cells. You can get a lot out of it, but there's no pill that will make you work 60 hours a week without being tired from it, for instance. Keep in mind even if you are not doing a lot of work, your brain still is when on adderall and it can be draining.

Makes complete sense. On those zombie days I am tired, but my brain is still going... pointlessly. I probably am just getting burnt out...

I also just got a prescription for modafinil but I haven't picked it up yet. Compared to adderall, would you say it is more or less effective? Is this like comparing apples & oranges?

Anyone else feel free to jump in, thanks!

[Guacamolium]

You can get overfocused on adderall if you take too much. Then you can just stare at a way and find it interesting.

Also, you can get burned out with it. You really should take breaks with it. Adderall is like having a slavemaster whip your brain and make it work, and unlike other meds it will work even if it is completely exhausted, which is how it kills off brain cells. You can get a lot out of it, but there's no pill that will make you work 60 hours a week without being tired from it, for instance. Keep in mind even if you are not doing a lot of work, your brain still is when on adderall and it can be draining.

Makes complete sense. On those zombie days I am tired, but my brain is still going... pointlessly. I probably am just getting burnt out...

I also just got a prescription for modafinil but I haven't picked it up yet. Compared to adderall, would you say it is more or less effective? Is this like comparing apples & oranges?

Anyone else feel free to jump in, thanks!

I'd say apples and pears. They work through different mechanisms yet produce similar effects. Moda works great for me, but I really only tried Adderall once, and it was great. You definitely have overstimulated your alpha-adrenergic receptors and they are withdrawn (down-regulated) judging by that zombie description you gave. Try increasing your caloric intake or perhaps NALT if you keep the dosage that high. Sugar can be your friend in that situation as well.

[JasonLV]

You can get overfocused on adderall if you take too much. Then you can just stare at a way and find it interesting.

Also, you can get burned out with it. You really should take breaks with it. Adderall is like having a slavemaster whip your brain and make it work, and unlike other meds it will work even if it is completely exhausted, which is how it kills off brain cells. You can get a lot out of it, but there's no pill that will make you work 60 hours a week without being tired from it, for instance. Keep in mind even if you are not doing a lot of work, your brain still is when on adderall and it can be draining.

Makes complete sense. On those zombie days I am tired, but my brain is still going... pointlessly. I probably am just getting burnt out...

I also just got a prescription for modafinil but I haven't picked it up yet. Compared to adderall, would you say it is more or less effective? Is this like comparing apples & oranges?

Anyone else feel free to jump in, thanks!

I'd say apples and pears. They work through different mechanisms yet produce similar effects. Moda works great for me, but I really only tried Adderall once, and it was great. You definitely have overstimulated your alpha-adrenergic receptors and they are withdrawn (down-regulated) judging by that zombie description you gave. Try increasing your caloric intake or perhaps NALT if you keep the dosage that high. Sugar can be your friend in that situation as well.

Thanks, for the input. I'll make sure to give myself a 1-2 day interval between the 'adderall days'... I took 10mg today after not taking any for 3 days and it feels "normal" again.

[bambi238]

wow! im so glad i found this. i was surfing the internet to find something to explain how i feel. i know EXACTLY what you mean. i feel that way right now. before i took adderall i was never ever later. it was easy to get places on time. but now my mind is racing and telling me a million little things to do and i get o absorbed in all of them and cannot ever get anywhere on time anymore.

i used to take 25 mg most days but usually forgot to take my 5 mg at lunch like im supposed to. my problem is im not even sure i have add. i know i have minor adhd but honestly i exagerated my symptoms and my doctor gave me way more than i need. im 120 pounds and 5'7. i like adderall because i dont brood as much. i just go go go. until i crash which sucks if im not asleep. i can get so absorbed in totally pointless things.

anyways SO i stopped taking any adderall for a few days and then got back to taking regular 25 m and 5 mg every day. for 3 days ive been doing this. i weigh less now (adderall took away my appetite) so maybe thts why it feels like too much now. i seriously feel high right now. but not my normal slight high tht i get about an hour after taking it. i have tht strange feeling in my brain tht i get when im high from weed. i dont feel the same way, but my head feels the same way physically if u know wut i mean by tht. ok, my muscles are trembling, i havent aten much at all these past few days, im scared and paranoid and i feel creepy. like i keep making jerky movements. i found myself staring at the mirror for like 10 minutes and actually getting scared and being really interested and focussed on staring at the mirror. i had all these weird thoughts. i was thinking i wasnt myself for a second and i was scared of myself and thought of killing the girl i saw in the mirror. and now as i write this im so so focussed and interested but its just wayy too much. i hate the way i feel. i cant go hang out w friends now. id seem like a freak. id talk constantly. however, adderall is obviously a great drug for students because i have this overwhelming desire to learn and everything seems fascinating. im not getting anything done though. i go on the computer and search information on anything that interests me and ill be there for hours and hours. i feel a bit scared. i think i should have a sleep. i only slept 2 hours yesterday. maybe thts why adderall feels so intense today

[BadPlasmid]

wow! im so glad i found this. i was surfing the internet to find something to explain how i feel. i know EXACTLY what you mean. i feel that way right now. before i took adderall i was never ever later. it was easy to get places on time. but now my mind is racing and telling me a million little things to do and i get o absorbed in all of them and cannot ever get anywhere on time anymore.

i used to take 25 mg most days but usually forgot to take my 5 mg at lunch like im supposed to. my problem is im not even sure i have add. i know i have minor adhd but honestly i exagerated my symptoms and my doctor gave me way more than i need. im 120 pounds and 5'7. i like adderall because i dont brood as much. i just go go go. until i crash which sucks if im not asleep. i can get so absorbed in totally pointless things.

anyways SO i stopped taking any adderall for a few days and then got back to taking regular 25 m and 5 mg every day. for 3 days ive been doing this. i weigh less now (adderall took away my appetite) so maybe thts why it feels like too much now. i seriously feel high right now. but not my normal slight high tht i get about an hour after taking it. i have tht strange feeling in my brain tht i get when im high from weed. i dont feel the same way, but my head feels the same way physically if u know wut i mean by tht. ok, my muscles are trembling, i havent aten much at all these past few days, im scared and paranoid and i feel creepy. like i keep making jerky movements. i found myself staring at the mirror for like 10 minutes and actually getting scared and being really interested and focussed on staring at the mirror. i had all these weird thoughts. i was thinking i wasnt myself for a second and i was scared of myself and thought of killing the girl i saw in the mirror. and now as i write this im so so focussed and interested but its just wayy too much. i hate the way i feel. i cant go hang out w friends now. id seem like a freak. id talk constantly. however, adderall is obviously a great drug for students because i have this overwhelming desire to learn and everything seems fascinating. im not getting anything done though. i go on the computer and search information on anything that interests me and ill be there for hours and hours. i feel a bit scared. i think i should have a sleep. i only slept 2 hours yesterday. maybe thts why adderall feels so intense today

Hi Bamb,

You sound quite overmedicated. I would talk to your doctor about it as soon as you can. Not only is what you are describing counter-productive, but it could be downright dangerous. Get some help in adjusting your dosage, I think you will feel much better.

Regards,

BP

[dubcomesaveme]

I have been prescribed ritalin, adderall, adderall xr, and straterra before. I would not recommend any past on my personal experiences.
If you want to keep taking adderall here are some ideas to improve effects:

1. pay attention to blood sugar, if it annihilates your blood sugar you could be on 30mg xr and have no energy and just be crashed out in bed. Your brain runs on sugar not stimulants (fruits being better than processed foods) and technically also fatty acids during ketosis
2. If you find yourself "freezing up" or feeling blank, take with one capsule of tryptophan. This is the amino acid your body uses to make serotonin and its absorption is limited by a number of factors. You could also try 5HTP, but I would reccomend tryptophan over that. Tryptophan is also used to make niacin, which can prevent excessive vasoconstriction. If you find your extremities are tingly or cold on adderall, this is due to vasoconstriction.
3. If you get muscle constractions, cramps, tight chest, jaw clenching, take with Magnesium. Magnesium is necessary for muscle relaxation and is depleted in amphetamine (adderall) users.
4. Tolerance: piracetam can help, though this may change the effects\thought processes, if you decide to throw in other nootropics make sure to keep a log and make changes based on that not your hour by hour mood

[kenj]

Popping Adderall is like peeing in your pants a cold, frosty winter day: at first it's so warm & eXciting ZOMG, but then .. it really gets cold and uncomfortable............
Actually the title of the thread is pretty describing: I'm sure adderall when shifting into 7th gear in the brain strains the neurotransmitter serotonin (=sensible thinking!), - serotonin is a big player when 'thinking things through' and avoiding hedonistic behaviour, - perhaps cut down adderall, and research 5-HTP, SAM-e, st. john's wort, and fish oil for a sereeeeeene mind.......... (No, they're not gonna make u bounce the walls, but perhaps open up for some novel, more calm thoughts 8-) )

[dubcomesaveme]

edit - woops

Edited by dubcomesaveme, 23 July 2009 - 08:49 PM.

[cupertino22]

I don't have a question about 'big picture' focus per say, what I do need to know is how one can take of Adderall 20 b 973 if I am 208 lbs at 5'7?

Please let me know if anywho knows the answer! I've looked EVERYWHERE just about. Thanks SO much!