28 replies to this topic

[silhouette]

hi -- think i will be starting adderall xr shortly.

i *think xr.

i'd like to hear people's experience:  if you take one dose in the morning, how long do its effects seem to last?  do you make it around the 24-hr clock until your next dose?

for example, when i took xanax XR (different drug altogether, obviously, but) it never lasted the 24 hours it technically was supposed to:  at about the 16-18 hour mark, it would dump me pretty hard, because xanax is fairly potent, and it just quit at that time.  almost felt like a little "withdrawal."  if i'd really wanted coverage 24 hours, i would've had to follow the xanax xr at 18 hours with one regular xanax.  (and i quit it, btw.)

does the same thing happen with adderall xr?  my doc warned against "dysphoria" when you come down from a dose.  i'd assume with proper doses at proper times you'd be covered, but i don't know. 

i'm looking for how it felt to you.  write whatever you want.  (not just dosing, but did it help, was it side-effecty, did it "dump" you, etc.)

please put in what dose you take, and when you take it, also.

and anyone prefer the standard adderall to the xr version?  and why?

thanks --

[Squirlygrl]

Okay, this is for standard, not XR:

It took effect right away.  It felt like caffeine without the anxiety or the headache/sour stomach.  It did not make me cheery (I was knocked out depressed at the time), but it made me feel grimly efficient, and I would go around doing things until sometime after lunch, when I'd have a bit of an energy and mood crash, just like I do when I'm really tired (oh nooo! this isn't going to work after all! and similar constructive thoughts).  It lasted somewhere between 4 and 6 hours.

Here is a quote from someone else about dexedrine: "I once took some to study for exams, and I felt like General Patton."  That about sums it up.

I can't recall any side effects other than appetite suppression -- lost 15 lbs. in six weeks.

If it doesn't make you crazy (I got violently angry -- not out of control violent, but go off by yourself or else), it's a nice clean drug, and I think you'll like it.

Good luck,
sg

[FunnyAcresFarmer]

hi -- think i will be starting adderall xr shortly.

i *think xr.

i'd like to hear people's experience:  if you take one dose in the morning, how long do its effects seem to last?  do you make it around the 24-hr clock until your next dose?

for example, when i took xanax XR (different drug altogether, obviously, but) it never lasted the 24 hours it technically was supposed to:  at about the 16-18 hour mark, it would dump me pretty hard, because xanax is fairly potent, and it just quit at that time.  almost felt like a little "withdrawal."  if i'd really wanted coverage 24 hours, i would've had to follow the xanax xr at 18 hours with one regular xanax.  (and i quit it, btw.)

does the same thing happen with adderall xr?  my doc warned against "dysphoria" when you come down from a dose.  i'd assume with proper doses at proper times you'd be covered, but i don't know. 

i'm looking for how it felt to you.  write whatever you want.  (not just dosing, but did it help, was it side-effecty, did it "dump" you, etc.)

please put in what dose you take, and when you take it, also.

and anyone prefer the standard adderall to the xr version?  and why?

thanks --

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sil - (just repeating what I said in chat -)

This is just MY personal experience of course!

I've been taking it for 19 months now.  I love my Adderall XR (20 mg. once a day in the morning)!  I've been stable on that dosage for 18 months and have no need/desire to change it. 

You WILL not get 24 hours. You are not supposed to get 24 hours!  It is much more for the "need to think" hours of the day.  It's basically like taking "regular" two times (which is usually taken every 4-6 hours).  The XR part is just extended release.  I took it in the morning because I work(ed) days - 8 to 5.   I took it at about 7:00 am - about 20 minutes before I left the house to drive to work.  It would typically take 20-25 minutes to "kick in".  BEFORE Adderall - I would literally get lost driving to work at least three times a month !!!! (And I worked there 7 years!!!!!!)  Not to mention the "can't find the word" and the "fall asleep at my desk in the afternoon" things (no, not a sleep problem or blood sugar problem), etc. etc. etc. !  I notice it is 'gone' about 5:00-5:30 pm or so.  Usually I could concentrate well enough to get home.

I get about 10.5 hours which is actually a good response.  The docs say 10 hours or better is good (at least my 'specialist" said that - 12 hours would be stretching it in his estimation).  I took the "regular" for the first few days to gauge my response, and didn't like the "UP then down" that I got from it.  Seems like the XR kicks in more 'smoothly' and lasts a good while (for me).  The first few DAYS I felt a little "speedy" and even a little dizzy, but not for more than 10-15 minutes.  I could still feel it kick in for a couple of months, and as time went by that seemed to become less noticable so that now I don't actually "FEEL" it.   I just know it's there in the background because I can think straight !  EVERYONE knows when it is or isn't there with me... it's quite amazing actually! LOL  (Just ask the BF!)

Yes, there is/can be the "dysphoria" when it 'times out', BUT for me, that is like the experience of feeling it 'kick in'.  I don't really notice it much any more unless I am having to REALLY concentrate or having a really bad day (ADHD-wise).  I have a "short scrip" (as my doc calls it) for the regular - if I need to I can take one to get me an additional 5-6 hours.  I've taken the 'extra' maybe 7-8 times in the 19 months.  My doc (and I firmly agree) recommends a 'vacation' from it periodically.  Many weekends if I don't have anything really "heavy duty" on the schedule I don't take it at all.  I notice my thinking is like cold molasses and of course others can tell something is different - but only if they know me pretty well.  I tend to sleep more when I don't take it.  It's not 'bad', for me it's just 'normal' and I realize how much clearer and more alert I am when I take it.  AND how many years I spent wandering around in a daze without it !  LOL

The only real SE I had was, as I said, at first some dizzy/speedy feelings the first half hour or so, which stopped maybe 3-4 days into regular usage.  Most people feel decreased appetite and will lose weight.  I have a paradoxical reaction to "speed" and do not have that particular lovely side effect!  It doesn't make me eat like a pig, but it surely doesn't stop me either.  I do notice I am more "hungry" and likely to snack in the evenings - but I have always been like that to some extent.  The only other (mild) SE I have experienced is a need for less sleep.  Not necessarily good or bad, but it's kind of like - well - like I have more "control" over staying awake.  I CAN sleep 8 hours, but I can also choose not to.  That one is hard to explain.  It's not anything unpleasant like insomnia or anything!  The first day I took it (a Saturday), I took a nap that afternoon, so it's not like I CAN'T sleep... just I can stay awake longer if I really want to.

Anyway, now that I've written a book for you ....  LOL     That's my experience as well as I can relate it to you.

Edited by FunnyAcresFarmer, 29 June 2005 - 08:00 PM.

[cranky84]

Sorry Sil, I've not tried XR.
I have a question along the same lines though, and I don't think it warrants a new topic.
  Yesterday, I went to my monthly pdoc app. While I was there he asked how I was doing on Adderall (generic 15mg 2X daily)  My reply was that the only way I feel anything when I take it, is if I take it with water, with nothing to eat for a couple of hours before. If I eat anything after I take it, then sometimes what little affect I do feel seems to go away. I don't eat for at least an hour after I take it. Also, I know not to take it with any type of juice. So I've tried mountain dew, mellow yellow, sprite, dr pepper, root beer, and I don't remember what else, and the only thing that seems to work is water. He explained that those drinks (like OJ) are an "acid", and the adderall is a "base", and that taking it with those drinks will lessen the effects.
Anyone else ever heard that? or anything like that?
The sleeping thing that funnyacres mentioned, mostly describes me too.
FWIW; the generic 15 mg seems to last only a couple of hours. He said that as we increase the dose, the effect should last longer.

Edited by cranky84, 30 June 2005 - 12:26 PM.

[Kussmaul]

Hello,
  I took Adderall XR 10 mg for awhile. About 1.5-2 years. It helped greatly. My pdoc said it was suppose to last about 12 hours. In reality, it only lasted about anywhere between 5-8 hours. Big gap. I know. But, I noticed it depended if you were eatting throughout the day. If I ate only one meal and took the adderall, it wouldn't last as long. But if I forced myself to eat at least twice while taking it, it would last longer. I lost a lot of weight while on it. So watch out for that. Because when you stop taking the Adderall for long periods of time, you regain the weight faster and more of it. Well, that was my experience with it. Good luck. matt. 

[null0trooper]

Also, I know not to take it with any type of juice. So I've tried mountain dew, mellow yellow, sprite, dr pepper, root beer, and I don't remember what else, and the only thing that seems to work is water. He explained that those drinks (like OJ) are an "acid", and the adderall is a "base", and that taking it with those drinks will lessen the effects.
Anyone else ever heard that? or anything like that?
The sleeping thing that funnyacres mentioned, mostly describes me too.
FWIW; the generic 15 mg seems to last only a couple of hours. He said that as we increase the dose, the effect should last longer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As I recall, it really is an acid/base issue with the amphetamine. In general, it's better absorbed at higher stomach pH values.

Since breakfast  - coinciding with most folks' morning dose - can often include an acidic fruit juice (OJ, or a grapefruit), doctors and the PI sheet routinely warn about fruit juice. They aren't thinking that for many people, it's soda (diet or not) in the morning instead of milk (basic), coffee (pH 4.9-5.2, acidic but not a strong acid at all), tea (same range, up to 6.3, weakly acidic), or fruit juices (pH around 3). Sodas may contain enough phosphoric acid to crank the pH down to 2.5 or so.

In other words, your doctor is right.

[null0trooper]

I should have mentioned - since pH is the issue, you could still have your morning soda or juice, just take
a cheap version of Tums or a Calcium (carbonate, no it does NOT matter whether it's oyster shells, chalk,
or coral ) supplement. The calcium cations will bind to the acidic anions, and between that and the carbonate
breakdown to release carbon dioxide, the pH in your stomach should go up. The downside is that the calcium
that binds to any phosphate (from phosphoric acid) at a higher pH is no longer available for absorption
into the body - the calcium has to be in solution for that to work.

[ldo]

I take the generic, regular version, it seems to have some effect at eight hours or more, it does a lot for me, and it has some interesting and some annoying side effects. It doesn't really seem to drop me at all, or else I don't notice it much. Maybe a little fatigue around 4 or 5, maybe an hour after I might want to take the second dose. Seems like it's different for different people. I agree about the oj and soda thing, I seem to have that trouble too. The side effects seem less severe after some months.

No way am I grim or anything. I was feeling flat on Prozac, but with this stuff if anything I'm just a little too emotional, and my motivation has been very slow in coming back. However, when I do something I seem to be somewhat more focused, I pick up on social cues, and when walking on eggshells, I can do a much better job of it with the medication. This was confirmed by numerous expereiences in the process of breaking up with my ex. By the way, my standard test of emotional response is Barber's Adaggio for Strings. If it's a good recording and a half decent stereo, you should be crying by the end, or at least a bit teary. Anyway, I've recently developed the ability to  maintain a reasonably neat and clean room and car, for which I blame the Adderall at least in part.

At first, I felt a bit speedy and had trouble sleeping the first night, but then I was able to fall asleep at will and even felt a bit sleepy in the daytime if I didn't have an obvious task. My hands would shake a bit, tho that is reduced over some months. My libido was way up but is coming back down now. Appetite was a little supressed, but when I ate I enjoyed it a lot. I enjoy working out much more now. An hour on the exercise bike seems ok, though of course a real bike ride is better. Sometimes I get twitchy in the morning when it's time to get up, which I conclude is an effect of the stuff wearing off. This was much more pronounced at first.

Edited by ldo, 04 July 2005 - 10:51 PM.

[sirwriter]

I started out at 10mg XR in the am after waking.  I noticed barely any difference at all, even after the end of 30 days.  Pdoc upped to 20mg XR.  Then I noticed that after the shower and coffee (yeah, I know beepers don't DO coffee), I was already planning all the things I wanted to get done that day.  I usually take mine around 6am.  By 2 pm the energy and motivation slowly disappeared.  Pdoc upped it to two 20mg XR daily.  That did it.  I feel full of energy all day, and it lasts until the evening, at which point I am ready for it to dissipate.

I never had a single side effect, except for not being hungry.  I would completely forget breakfast and lunch some days.  When I'd get weak and trembly I'd realize I hadn't eaten since the night before.  And I STILL wasn't really hungry.  Now I make sure to eat small meals at least.  I don't have the big appetite I have always had.  In perhaps 8 months I've lost about 30 pounds.  That has levelled off since I make sure to eat now.  But it was weight I'd put on with other meds and now I'm back into my 34" jeans!  Woohoo!  I think it is a great drug.  I guess just not for everyone.  I understand Concerta is as good.  The only thing I hate about these drugs are that I have to turn in a new prescription each month.  Can't just have the doc's office call one in.

[StrungOutOnLife]

dr wants to start me on focalin [dexmethylphenidate] has anyone tryed this ?
don't know what to expect. thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used to use them when my Concerta wore off before my homework was done. They helped.

I'm on 30 mg Adderall XR, now.

[null0trooper]

i took 2 doses of adderall xr at 12:30pm and right now i am feeling the effects still, it is 5:30am it has been 17 hours

Considering that the previous post was 4 years ago, I doubt anyone still cares.

By the way, the XR formulations are usually intended to be taken once per day, in the morning. If it were your prescription you'd have known that, so you deserve the insomnia (and the rest of the "package" deal if you're male.)

[Velvet Elvis]

FWIW, you need to make yourself eat on stims even if you're not hungry. If you let your blood sugar get to low it can catch up with you.

[cgrace]

Considering that the previous post was 4 years ago, I doubt anyone still cares.

Are we not supposed to add a comment to a post if its old? Some posts are still relevant to people who are just starting a medication or are reading for the first time, right?

Anyway, Morgan... why would you take 2 doses? What did you expect?

[null0trooper]

Considering that the previous post was 4 years ago, I doubt anyone still cares.

Are we not supposed to add a comment to a post if its old? Some posts are still relevant to people who are just starting a medication or are reading for the first time, right?

It's called "gravedigging" and is actually prohibited on many sites, because it's more useful to the people starting a new discussion to start a new topic focussing on their perspective.

That's when it's on-topic, and not a random drive-by posting like Guest_Morgan's, or spam, or other stuff.

[cgrace]

It's called "gravedigging" and is actually prohibited on many sites, because it's more useful to the people starting a new discussion to start a new topic focussing on their perspective.

That's when it's on-topic, and not a random drive-by posting like Guest_Morgan's, or spam, or other stuff.

Ok cool. I had been wondering about posting to old threads. I'm new here and to boards in general.

[The Emperor]

I was wondering why in the fuck this topic had soooo many views. It's from 2005, heh.