![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 14 to 38 of 41. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phil on February 20, 2003, at 18:48:32
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by utopizen on February 20, 2003, at 0:16:46
I recently stopped Adderall cold turkey so I could get Straterra a try. I'm sure I wasn't as happy because Straterra is not fast acting, it's more like an AD. But no other problems. My dose for about a year now is 90-120mg a day.
If I would have been aware of what St. James mentioned, I would have tapered.
I've taken high doses of every drug over the last 22 or so years. My doc seems to agree that I'm a fast metabolizer and that I need large doses of almost everything. I didn't miss a 'drug' rehearsal from '70-'85.
Posted by Craig Allen on February 20, 2003, at 19:55:03
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP! » utopizen, posted by Phil on February 20, 2003, at 18:48:32
hey phil. what was that cold turkey experience like for you? did you have intense depression and lethargy set in? if so, how long did it last? i'm a few days into going off adderall and i'm still in ugly shape. let me know. thanks.
Posted by Phil on February 20, 2003, at 21:19:55
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP! » Phil, posted by Craig Allen on February 20, 2003, at 19:55:03
I was dragging around for a few days maybe but no severe depression. But I still had four drugs in my combo.
I took Ritalin several years, 40-50mg a day, then switched to Adderall and I have no problen skipping the weekend if I want.
But! After a two week trial of Straterra I started back on Adderall and the first few days at the old dose had me buzzing, haha. It's probably not a bad idea to skip days occasionally but I have no intention of stopping it. It really helps.If you really are hurting, you might taper real slow. Good luck, Craig.
Posted by wingedcat on February 22, 2003, at 19:38:50
In reply to Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by Craig Allen on February 19, 2003, at 14:27:13
I'm so sorry, amph withdrawal is the worst thing EVER.
NADH (sublingual) or otherwise helps a lot. Tyrosine/DLPA helps, fish oil. Go to the health food store and load up. Any of the stuff in the brain section (except St. John's Wort) that is sold to increase alertness will help you and take cravings away. It sounds really bad but popping 893783758 vitamins does keep you from going too low, and taking the vitamins is something that you are doing to make yourself feel better.
This also sounds bad, but ephedrine, caffeine or ginseng... it helps if you have to avoid the amph, it will help you get by for a little while.
IT WILL GET BETTER.
In response to your other post, I took 5mg of selegiline with 400mg DLPA. It did feel like taking Adderall as far as the attention and relieving depression. For right now I have stopped it because my anxiety is my primary concern and I need to get that treated.
Posted by zenclear on February 22, 2003, at 21:52:29
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!! » Craig Allen, posted by wingedcat on February 22, 2003, at 19:38:50
Don't take the ephedrine!!! Bad stuff. Take of the recent Baltimore Orioles player's death.
By the way Craig, how's it going by now?
Posted by Festus on February 22, 2003, at 22:14:37
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by zenclear on February 22, 2003, at 21:52:29
There,s just no cut-and-dry answer to a question like this.Everyone is going to have different variables.We all react in different ways to start with so who,s to say what another is going to experience when they do cut out a med?Sure,I suppose to a degree,most would feel depressed and lethargic,sleepy,tired,etc.Then come the variables.What other meds are involved,conditions,situations,backgrounds,everybody,s gonna have a different answer.I,ve taken Adderrall at the 50-60mg a day doses and then stopped all at once,felt a bit crumby for a day or so,but I had other meds involved,so it didn,t hit me as hard as it might one who had no other meds.Also,how long of a run has the person been on?I found,for me,I did better if I took it for a few weeks,took 10-12 days off,then went back for a few more weeks.But that worked for ME!Others can,t do it that way.BTW,Ephedra has been used safely for thousands of years.There are always gonna be folks that have bad reactions to drugs,especially if they are misused!The "kids that go to the ER" from Ephedrine,they usually are found to have taken WAAAYYY to much or mixed it with something.Just try and see what works best for YOU as an individual,cause it,s when we try to mimic someone else,is when we can find ourselves in deep-doo-doo! festus
Posted by jane d on February 22, 2003, at 22:24:41
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by stjames on February 19, 2003, at 18:57:21
> Well, I had to stop once as my HMO was being a pain, went to the ER with a splitting headache,
> my BP was 225/155 !!!!!! Mind you this was 2 days after a stopped so no amphetamine was in my system,
> this was the withdrawal effect.
>St James,
Was this with Adderall? Have you noticed your blood pressure varying to a lesser extent as a dose wears off near the end of the day? I'm new to stims and trying to figure out exactly how I am affected.
Thanks for the warning about withdrawal.
Jane
Posted by Craig Allen on February 23, 2003, at 8:41:27
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by zenclear on February 22, 2003, at 21:52:29
withdrawal update: i'm still struggling. i'm sleeping like 14 hours per day, constantly tired. my mood is still odd; sad, withdrawn, just feeling out of it. i'm hoping this will lift soon. by the way, i'm on 225mg of effexor and i started on selegiline, 5mg twice per day, on tuesday. still waiting for my head to clear from the adderall.
Posted by MaTurtle on December 16, 2003, at 17:36:07
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP! » zenclear, posted by Craig Allen on February 23, 2003, at 8:41:27
I've quit adderall cold turkey with no problem... I know you probobly have gotten better becasue your last post was in feb... but to anyone who is experiencing withdrawl from adderall mabye this can help ---> After I stopped adderall I just made myself a cup of Yerba Mate tea mixed with some chamomile, and I was fine, but I am only 21 so maybe that has something to do with it... also make sure you eat 3 good meals, I think that can also help alot. Yerba Mate is great if not overdone... so maybe give it a try, sometimes yerba will give me outstanding concentration and it's never overstimulating... I hope this is of help to anyone who comes to this thread looking for help with adderall withdrawl... - love to ya all
Posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by MaTurtle on December 16, 2003, at 17:36:07
You need not suffer anymore friend, I have been despising adderall withdrawal for about 4 years now. Alas, the weirdest drug in the world i have figured out. All I did was study the ill effects on me and how to counteract them every time I took it. Now I never feel the pain.
N E WAY #1 best cure= non-strenuous aerobic exercise with effective breathing always works. You barely even remember you take adderall after working out.
#1/2 best cure= b12--awesome healthy supplement. I take 1000 mcg timed release--rest of the b vitamins are a good idea too.
#1/2/3 best cure= vitamin E. good for everything.
#1/2/3/4 best cure= vitamin C. It can cause more pain though because it acidifies stuff and causes you to eliminate amphetamine quicker causing more of a plateau of pain you jump from.
#2 best cure=550 mg of naproxen sodium (Aleve). This works wonders for that aftermath of impending doom and unbound fear you get from withdrawal. I now take this dose every 6 hours on days when i take adderall. Almost equal to exercise.
#3 best cure= L glutamine. This helps relax you a lot but is expensive.
#4 best cure= ginko biloba--Pharmation brand--Helps out when you feel like you are about to die from anxiety and the whole left side of your body's circulatory system cramps up.
#5 best cure= ginseng--Pharmation brand--seems to regulate you into your normal state of mind instead of the dopamine hungry adderall psychosis state of mind. Seems to raise blood pressure a little though, just be careful.
#6 best cure= cayenne pepper-1200 mg 40000 heat unit. I didnt think it would do anything for me when I first tried it, but it relaxes you, helps you breathe, helps with circulation, gives you your saliva back, and inhibits the bacteria that causes acid reflux (due to skipping all those meals)
#7 best cure=garlic with high allicin yield (enteric coated to absorb in the intestine). Helps out with circulation.
#8 best cure= pynogenol and grape seed extracts (both have same active antioxidants). I recently started taking these sups and they seem to help with circulation, heartaches, and headaches but the quality supplements are aggrivatingly expensive.
#9 best cure= protein shake just to return energy to body and mind
#10 best cure= remember everything is okay and nothing is the end of the world. don't be afraid of the adderall. i dont want to take it before hand, but after i do take it i never regret it (except when I am around a bunch of people...this situation seems to have the power to freak me out).
P.S. remember to eat healthy food at least a little bit throughout the day
Posted by Mid-Life Crisis on February 13, 2004, at 22:16:52
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
Count Chocula, I'm just curious. Why are you taking the Adderall?? If it's for ADD, have you considered trying anything else?
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 16, 2004, at 20:36:27
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
> #1/2 best cure= b12--awesome healthy supplement...
I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding alternative treatments to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040110/msgs/314319.html
Bob
Posted by Bullwinkle on November 8, 2005, at 14:39:05
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
I had been taking Adderall for 3 months to treat ADD, but found that increasingly it was interfering with sleep. I was taking 2 benadryl plus a prescription sleep aid (Lunesta) just to get my zzz's. When I discovered I had to take 2 Lunesta tabs (4 mg. total) I decided to stop taking Adderall and let it clear my system.
I went cold turkey last Friday. I also decided to quit drinking coffee/caffeinated products at the same time, for the same reason, to improve my sleep.
I was moderately depressed for the first 2 days, very lethargic, and had massive headaches (thank you Mr. Coffee!), but now I have returned to normal sleep patterns. The Adderall is now out of my system, but it still feels like I'm taking it, very strange! I do not get the benefits, i just feel the lingering side effects. Mostly I just experience blurred vision. The depression has lifted and the headaches are disappearing.
So for me I guess cold turkey seems to be working, at least so far (4 days). My overall experience was comparable to heightened caffeine withdrawal (I normally go on caffeine fasts for 2 weeks whenever I feel the need to reduce my intake, a few times a year). I do not feel that Adderall is highly addictive for me either physically or psychologically, in that I have no craving for it, but I also think that all my symptoms would go away if I took the drug at even a moderate dosage (I was taking 2 20 mg XR tabs daily).
What I am wondering is how long does it take to get Adderall completely out of your body, i.e, your body goes back to its normal state. One of the postings indicated that this can be a period of 2 months, another suggested 6 months. Any advice?
Posted by paulbwell on November 9, 2005, at 21:43:00
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Bullwinkle on November 8, 2005, at 14:39:05
> I had been taking Adderall for 3 months to treat ADD, but found that increasingly it was interfering with sleep. I was taking 2 benadryl plus a prescription sleep aid (Lunesta) just to get my zzz's. When I discovered I had to take 2 Lunesta tabs (4 mg. total) I decided to stop taking Adderall and let it clear my system.
>
> I went cold turkey last Friday. I also decided to quit drinking coffee/caffeinated products at the same time, for the same reason, to improve my sleep.
>
> I was moderately depressed for the first 2 days, very lethargic, and had massive headaches (thank you Mr. Coffee!), but now I have returned to normal sleep patterns. The Adderall is now out of my system, but it still feels like I'm taking it, very strange! I do not get the benefits, i just feel the lingering side effects. Mostly I just experience blurred vision. The depression has lifted and the headaches are disappearing.
>
> So for me I guess cold turkey seems to be working, at least so far (4 days). My overall experience was comparable to heightened caffeine withdrawal (I normally go on caffeine fasts for 2 weeks whenever I feel the need to reduce my intake, a few times a year). I do not feel that Adderall is highly addictive for me either physically or psychologically, in that I have no craving for it, but I also think that all my symptoms would go away if I took the drug at even a moderate dosage (I was taking 2 20 mg XR tabs daily).
>
> What I am wondering is how long does it take to get Adderall completely out of your body, i.e, your body goes back to its normal state. One of the postings indicated that this can be a period of 2 months, another suggested 6 months. Any advice?
>
>
>
>
>
> Believe a stimulant-user long term user =that the Adderalll will be gone by 1-2 days!-OK!
Posted by s_mk on September 12, 2006, at 11:07:30
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by stjames on February 19, 2003, at 15:43:27
Hi,
This thread has been very helpful. I have stopped taking my Adderall XR 20mg for about 3 weeks now. I have seen a big jump in my blood pressure to 152/94 when before the medicine I was a solid 120/80. But the jump happened when I was on the drug, and now continues still. Strictly pertaining to the phsiological symptoms, how long should it take for the body to normalize after discontinuing the drug?
Posted by Oppycat on September 12, 2006, at 13:34:20
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by s_mk on September 12, 2006, at 11:07:30
> Hi,
> This thread has been very helpful. I have stopped taking my Adderall XR 20mg for about 3 weeks now. I have seen a big jump in my blood pressure to 152/94 when before the medicine I was a solid 120/80. But the jump happened when I was on the drug, and now continues still. Strictly pertaining to the phsiological symptoms, how long should it take for the body to normalize after discontinuing the drug?
My understanding is that the drug is out of your system in about 4 days. I went from 40mg to 20mg of the XR about 3 weeks ago and discontinued completely 4 days ago. This is the first day I feel even remotely normal (except for being depressed). My blood pressure would occasionally run high during the 3 years or so I was on the drug, but has been in the 120/80 range the past 2 weeks.It sounds like there may be some other factors at play here, perhaps other meds or diet. Do you take any other meds that could be playing a part or have there been changes to your diet? I am not an expert so hopefully there will be more responses in this thread.
Michael
Posted by s_mk on September 12, 2006, at 14:57:15
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP! » s_mk, posted by Oppycat on September 12, 2006, at 13:34:20
> > Hi,
> > This thread has been very helpful. I have stopped taking my Adderall XR 20mg for about 3 weeks now. I have seen a big jump in my blood pressure to 152/94 when before the medicine I was a solid 120/80. But the jump happened when I was on the drug, and now continues still. Strictly pertaining to the phsiological symptoms, how long should it take for the body to normalize after discontinuing the drug?
>
>
> My understanding is that the drug is out of your system in about 4 days. I went from 40mg to 20mg of the XR about 3 weeks ago and discontinued completely 4 days ago. This is the first day I feel even remotely normal (except for being depressed). My blood pressure would occasionally run high during the 3 years or so I was on the drug, but has been in the 120/80 range the past 2 weeks.
>
> It sounds like there may be some other factors at play here, perhaps other meds or diet. Do you take any other meds that could be playing a part or have there been changes to your diet? I am not an expert so hopefully there will be more responses in this thread.
>
> Michael
>
>Thanks, that's what I figured. No other meds, so I guess I just plain old have high blood pressure.
Posted by jimy on November 30, 2006, at 23:57:14
In reply to Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by Craig Allen on February 19, 2003, at 14:27:13
FYI, my experiences with adderall withdrawl, having stopped taking it for 8 days now:
* I've used adderall for 4 years; usually one 25mg dose each morning, and sometimes 5 or 10 mg about 8 hours later; I don't use XR as it puts too much strain on my "metabolism" and wears me out; I'm 46 years old.
* I take adderall Monday to Sat., but never on Sunday, to give my body a break. I am totally exhausted--mentally and physically--on Sundays. I usually sleep about 12 hours Sat. night, and another 4 to 5 hours on Sunday afternoon. I often get depressed on Sunday afternoon, but it is always gone by Monday morning.
* Lately, on the days I take adderall, I get *very* tired starting early evening, and usually just watch TV. To become more productive in the evenings, I am going off adderall as an experiment. I have not taken it for 8 days now. I sleep about 12 hours every night due to being *very* tired in the morning. I have more energy in the evenings now. I'm not very productive at work during the day--not motivated nor focused well. I'm experiencing no, or just minor, depression, nor do I crave adderall. It doesn't seem addictive.
Posted by halcyondaze on December 5, 2006, at 11:52:52
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by paulbwell on November 9, 2005, at 21:43:00
I was abusing Adderall in supra-therapeutic doses (up to 400 mg a day). After one week cold-turkey, I stopped feeling depressed and suicidal. After two weeks, I was finally able to feel awake again. After six weeks, I began feeling like my memory and cognition and motivation were returning.
Good luck.
Posted by luvs2shop on March 16, 2007, at 19:23:03
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by stjames on February 19, 2003, at 15:43:27
I am so happy I found this site. It has been 4 days since I said goodbye to adderall in. Still have the sweats and am fatigued. Managed to get out of the house today for like 20 min. But was so wiped out when i got home. I fell asleep for like 2 hrs. Was taking 75 mg for about a year and a half. Then in the last 2 weeks i started weaning down to 60 then 50 then 40 then 25 and then nothing. What herbal remedies do you take? When am i going to feel normal again??
Posted by jimy on March 16, 2007, at 19:57:21
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!!!, posted by luvs2shop on March 16, 2007, at 19:23:03
More info re. my eperience with Adderall withdrawl...
I stopped taking adderall last November. About a week afterward (11/30/06), I posted to this forum with a description of the withdrawl.
I was completely off Adderall until about 2 weeks ago. I didn't take it from mid November until early March, about 3.5 months.
My withdrawl was not too bad. The major problems were:
1) I was *very* tired for the first couple weeks, as I reported earlier. I slept a lot then, e.g., 12 hours a night.
2) My general motivation in life has been very low during the last couple months. I'm not sure if this is from Adderall though. I live alone and suspect the isolation contributes a lot to my lack of vivaciousness.
I started taking Adderall two weeks ago, but am limiting it to 3 or 4 days a week. I'm also reducing daily dosage from 30 mg to 20 mg. Adderall makes my metabolism run fast and wears me out if I take it 6 days a week, as I did before.
Taking Adderall now is great. It helps me to focus at work much better. Also, it makes my brain much more active, and makes me feel better mentally. Without Adderall my brain is sluggish.
Anway, this is my experience...
Posted by hejira on June 3, 2007, at 16:57:00
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
The nutriton & vitamin, Minerals & amino acid advice is great, however I was always taking these things. I can barely get out of bed, it haS been 4 days now. What does one do for that?
Posted by hejira on June 3, 2007, at 17:00:11
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP! » Craig Allen, posted by zenclear on February 19, 2003, at 23:09:11
I was taking pemoline 110mg per day for 6 years, until it was recalled from the market. I saw a psychiatrist who was very cautious about prescribing an alternative, but agreed to put me on Adderall 10mg per day, I went through hell, and he refused to up the dose and also put me on paxil and Lamictol. I then went to an internal medicine doctor who gave me 20mg 2x per day, so I was taking 30mg total, until word somehow got out and my medical information was passed back and forth and now both MD"s are refussing to refil the Adderall, Lamictol and Paxil. Besides being extremley embarassed and afraid this could lead to criminal charges, I am unable to move, I am totally lethargic, sleeping for three days through only getting up to take care of nourishment and such. I am shaking, with major panic attacks and unable to function in the work place fired after 17 years of employment.
Does anyone have some advice? Please Help me!
Peace and out.
Posted by Snarl Villa on July 21, 2009, at 10:32:34
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Count Chocula on February 13, 2004, at 16:00:29
I have experienced heavy withdrawal from Adderall use. I tried a product called Ampheta-Restore. After several days I could feel my Adderall again, plus the effects seemed to last longer. I tried everything; dxm supplementation etc. This seemed to help a bit.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 12, 2009, at 11:50:27
In reply to Re: Adderall Withdrawal - I'm In Bad Shape - HELP!, posted by Snarl Villa on July 21, 2009, at 10:32:34
> I have experienced heavy withdrawal from Adderall use. I tried a product called Ampheta-Restore.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding alternative treatments to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20090727/msgs/916661.html
That'll be considered a new thread, so if you'd like to be notified by email of follow-ups to it, you'll need to request that there. Thanks,
Bob
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.