Posted by pseudoname on September 26, 2005, at 12:00:31
In reply to Adderall and preventing tolerance?, posted by barbaracat on September 25, 2005, at 13:35:11
Barbara,
I use Adderall XR for unipolar depression. It's effective for me but only for the worst, most lethargic, painful, catatonic episodes. Within an hour of taking it, I feel hopeful and able to live when moments earlier I was totally suicidal and despairing. Adderall doesn't help me with my less-severe depressive days, which is most of them.
I don't have ADD but I notice improved reading concentration on Adderall. But, you know, reading all the "Slate" archives is not something I really need to be doing, and that seems to be a big draw if I'm online when it kicks in! LOL!
I manage the tolerance by taking it at most 3 or 4 days a week. If I've gone without it for at least 3 days, I take 20mg. If I've taken 20mg for the last 2 days, I take 30mg. But after 3 Adderall days in row, I know it won't work on the fourth. I've never tried it higher than 30mg, because I got into super-high levels of Ritalin that way with terrible crash afterward, and I don't want to screw up the really important (if limited) help Adderall does give me.
Ritalin-type let-downs haven't occurred on the on Adderall XR doses I've used. The "XR" version is important, I think. But I can tell throughout the day when the next set of pellets dissolve their enteric coating.
On bipolarity & amphetamines: There's some info that giving someone amphetamines when they're in a manic phase can quickly bring them *out* of the manic phase. Interesting.
Good luck!
poster:pseudoname
thread:559429
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050921/msgs/559803.html