Posted by mattye on April 3, 2007, at 19:31:08
I know you aren't supposed to do this, but my sister gave me some of her adderall and I figured it couldn't be too bad since I have been on it before. She has 30 mg XR. She takes it for narcolepsy, and I was curious to give it another try since it had helped me before.
Adderall helped me so much in high school with attention problems, anxiety, and depression (back before the XR days, 1998-2000). The TOVA test I took where you click the button said I had ADD, but I believe the more pressing illnesses were my depression and anxiety. I believe GAD and depression were presenting themselves as inattentiveness and distractability. I still have many ADD symptoms (I'm a total space cadet), but these are not as troublesome as my depression and anxiety.
Nowadays Adderall is like a rollercoaster. It feels harsh. I don't eat. My jaw clenches. I talk too fast. Lexapro is gentle - it works in the background to help with my symptoms.
The thing is, when Adderall is working it really works! It makes me so much better at work because Im not so scattered and reactive. I am calmer, more focused, more efficient, more sociable, less nervous, and not depressed. I feel like I can organize my massive backed up caseload (I'm a social worker). Like I can make a decision and follow through with it without getting distracted along the way. It has also helped with the very troublesome problem of my low libido on Lexapro. I suppose these are effects that anyone would have on a stimulant.But by the end of the day, I am left with an empty, edgy, strung-out feeling. I can feel the drug wear off. I can't relax. I'm still wired, but not in a good way . . . more of an adrenal, jaw clenching nervous way. I keep licking my lips and I want to chew on things but not eat. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone here.
The question I have is do you think there is a balance that can be acheived here? I have had more success with lower dosages ... 10 mgs XR is much more gentle but effective. What about Concerta? Do you think I should ask my doc about it at my next appointment? I hate asking for drugs because it always makes me feel like I am doing "drug seeking behavior." But believe me, if I was gonna abuse a drug, it wouldn't be adderall.
I think a stimulant could work for me if it is the right one at a low dose. What do you guys think?
poster:mattye
thread:746633
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070402/msgs/746633.html