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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:29:13
New Pdoc recommended switching to the XR version. Anyone care to report on their experiences with it?
Thanks.
Posted by Christina on April 10, 2002, at 17:42:39
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:29:13
Noa: I used to post here a while ago, and I seem to recall that you were grappling with treatment-resistant dysthymia. Is that correct?
Are you finding relief from pstims?
I, too was on a med roller coaster, and I am finding that Adderall is really helping me.
I haven't tried Adderall XR, so I can't comment, but I would love to hear how you're doing.
Posted by alley on April 10, 2002, at 20:03:38
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by Christina on April 10, 2002, at 17:42:39
im currently taking adderall xr in the morning in addition to celexa and valium...i think it works for the most part for the focusing...however i never took the other adderall so i cant compare it to anything, but i can compare it to the sustained release form of ritalin and me taking 36 mg of concerta a day..and i think so far this is the best...in addition i take another valium in the afternoon and i also take topamax and ambien at night..i think i finally got my combos worked out..but i hope the adderall works good for you...im currently at the 30 mg...
Posted by noa on April 11, 2002, at 15:54:32
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by alley on April 10, 2002, at 20:03:38
Christina and Alley--thanks for your responses.
Adderall does help, I think. When I first switched from Ritalin SR to Adderall, I noticed that it helped me feel calmer and more focused.
As for how much it contributes to helping my depression, I think it does a lot, but it is hard for me, at this point, with all the meds added to the cocktail at different points in time, to discern which medicines are helping and which are going along for the ride.
I'm doing pretty well. I think I have some lingering dysthymia, but not major--some motivational problems, anxieties, some pessimism, etc. But, I have only had a few breakthrough depressions in the past 6 months, and when they happen, they abate very quickly--1 or 2 days. Of course, I am still dealing with underlying issues and putting life back together after major depression, but I have made a lot of progress.
Now my quest, in terms of medication, is more about reducing or eliminating some of the annoying side effects.
Posted by alley on April 11, 2002, at 16:10:49
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 11, 2002, at 15:54:32
> Christina and Alley--thanks for your responses.
>
> Adderall does help, I think. When I first switched from Ritalin SR to Adderall, I noticed that it helped me feel calmer and more focused.
>
> As for how much it contributes to helping my depression, I think it does a lot, but it is hard for me, at this point, with all the meds added to the cocktail at different points in time, to discern which medicines are helping and which are going along for the ride.
>
> I'm doing pretty well. I think I have some lingering dysthymia, but not major--some motivational problems, anxieties, some pessimism, etc. But, I have only had a few breakthrough depressions in the past 6 months, and when they happen, they abate very quickly--1 or 2 days. Of course, I am still dealing with underlying issues and putting life back together after major depression, but I have made a lot of progress.
>
> Now my quest, in terms of medication, is more about reducing or eliminating some of the annoying side effects.im sorry to hear about the lingering depression..i know how that can be...i have quite a few cycling stages myself...and thats what the topamax is for and i guess the celexa contributes some too..i dont know what else your on but i hope its working..and i know what you mean about the side effects! oyee theyre annoying! i dont eat all day and then at like 12 at night i get hungry and thats soo unhealthy for a girl my age..but i have managed to lose about 20 pounds while on my combo...so im not too bummed out 8o) and its right in time for prom lol...but my parents do get annoyed that i dont eat...as do my friends...but thats just the way it is its like the thought of food turns me off...does anyone else get that whith adderall..i know with other stimulants i was not as hungry but never turned off from food that i wouldnt eat at all..
Posted by Greg on April 11, 2002, at 18:29:25
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:29:13
Noa,
The most noticable differences for me are no stomach irritation it doesn't come on like gang-busters. It reaches it's peak slowly (about 30-45 minutes) and maintains it for 10-12 hours with no irritable after effects. I've been taking it for about a month now and really like it compared to the regular Adderall. My psych rx'd the Adderall initially when I started working these 14 to 16 hours days and was having extreme fatigue.
I hope this helps and that you are doing well.
Greg
Posted by noa on April 12, 2002, at 15:22:07
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » noa, posted by Greg on April 11, 2002, at 18:29:25
Q--
My day often starts at 5:30 am. I'm at work by 7 usually. I need the adderall kicking in first thing so I can get myself ready for work in the morning. If the xr lasts 10-12, that would take me til 5:30 pm. When it wears off, do you feel it? Sometimes when the regular adderall wears off, I can feel it (not as bad as with ritalin, tho). But I take one dose at around 3:30 to 4 pm, sometimes as late as 4:30, so I don't crash after work.
Posted by noa on April 12, 2002, at 15:23:37
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » noa, posted by alley on April 11, 2002, at 16:10:49
Thanks, alley. It really isn't bad. Most of the time I am fine. When my routine is busy, like work days, I do much better. Lately, my weekends are ok, too. I have some more energy to get up and out, etc. I have even gotten back into exercise, which also helps with my mood.
Posted by Greg on April 16, 2002, at 14:49:03
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » Greg, posted by noa on April 12, 2002, at 15:22:07
Noa,
Jeez, I feel horrible about taking so long to answer this. I neglected to the click follow-ups box... I'm really sorry.
If it's still a question, The XR tapers off very slowly for me. Conveniently by bedtime I feel like it's all out of my system. It maintains a good consistant effectiveness for 10-12 hours, but I can still feel it for a few hours afterward. Whether it would be good for you I guess would depend on how late you wanted to stay up at night. I usually try to hit the sack by no later than 9, sometimes earlier.
Again Noa, I'm really sorry for taking so long to answer.
Greg
> Q--
>
> My day often starts at 5:30 am. I'm at work by 7 usually. I need the adderall kicking in first thing so I can get myself ready for work in the morning. If the xr lasts 10-12, that would take me til 5:30 pm. When it wears off, do you feel it? Sometimes when the regular adderall wears off, I can feel it (not as bad as with ritalin, tho). But I take one dose at around 3:30 to 4 pm, sometimes as late as 4:30, so I don't crash after work.
Posted by noa on April 16, 2002, at 16:21:42
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » noa, posted by Greg on April 16, 2002, at 14:49:03
Hey, no sweat, Greg--I haven't been online for a few days anyway. Today was my first day with the XR, and so far so good. I feel it wearing off now, but not as suddenly as I was afraid of. I see the new Pdoc again tonight.
Posted by Bekka H. on April 16, 2002, at 18:08:48
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 16, 2002, at 16:21:42
Hi Noa,
Can you tell me how Adderall-XR dosing compares with regular Adderall dosing? How do you figure out how many milligrams you will need?
I've found Dexedrine immediate release to be quite helpful, but I'm intererested in trying Adderall-XR. I have tried regular Adderall in the past, but I could never quite get the dosing right, especially when compared with Dexedrine. Is there some formula to figure it out? I know that some doctors have a formula for comparing methylphenidate to dexedrine dosing (they say you'd need twice as many milligrams of MPH as dexedrine), but that formula never really worked for me because I could never tolerate that much MPH, except for Concerta.
Thanks for any help.
Bekka
Posted by noa on April 17, 2002, at 15:20:25
In reply to Re: Adderall XR - noa, posted by Bekka H. on April 16, 2002, at 18:08:48
I just started taking the XR, and don't know that much about it. For what it's worth, my new pdoc prescribed 30 mg adderall xr. I had been taking a total of 30 mg of regular adderall (ie--10 mg 3x per day).
Posted by Bekka H. on April 17, 2002, at 20:52:01
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » Bekka H., posted by noa on April 17, 2002, at 15:20:25
Hi Noa,
Thanks for your reply. Do you take 30 mg of the XR all at once, in the morning? I'll probably start it in a few days, and I think I'll try to get by on 20mg and see what happens.
Bekka
Posted by Christina on April 18, 2002, at 8:06:41
In reply to Re: Adderall XR - Noa, posted by Bekka H. on April 17, 2002, at 20:52:01
I've been on Adderall for about 3 weeks (10mg/2x-day).
I really like it, when it works, but I'm finding that in between doses, I get tired and spacy... especially at night.
When it works, it's great at keeping me focused at work and helps me control my binge eating.
But I'd like to know whether Adderall XR prevents the fade-out during the day.
I'd like to hear any comments on how it works until my next doc visit.
Thanks
Posted by chefmws on April 18, 2002, at 15:43:46
In reply to Re: Adderall XR - I might try it.., posted by Christina on April 18, 2002, at 8:06:41
i started out on serzone for my depression. i then was diagnosed with ADD and my pschy added wellbutrin SR wanting to stay away from the stimulants. the welbutrin did not play well with my serzone and i had to stop it after only 3 days.
we went to adderall XR 20mg in the morning and serzone at 9AM and 9PM. i then started getting RLS every night about an hour after the serzone. we then took the AM dose of serzone out and the RLS was still occurring. we lowered the adderallXR to 10mg and kept the serzone at 200mg. RLS was lessened somewhat but still there.
i then noticed that my depression was creeping back and some suicidal ideations were poping up. i asked my pschy about changing my AD since my depressive bouts were ususally triggered by a high anxiety episode.this is where celexa 20mg starts. the adderall 10mg and the celexa 20mg seems to work well. no more RLS. only problem is if i take the adderall too late in the morning (around 9ish) i have trouble getting to sleep around 11. if i take it around 7 AM i am ok at night. the 2 together have been great for me. i would like to see how increasing my adderall to 20mg would work. i seem to be a little sluggish but overall in very good spirits.
i would deffinetly recommend you try the adderallXR it works well.
as an added bonus i have dropped about 15 pounds since being on the adderall. doc is watching it so i do not drop too much weight. but since i was almost 200 pounds and am now at 184 and would like to be at 170 or 175 i am not too worried. my appetite is good most days. some days i just do not fell like eating alot. my energy level seems to be fine. i can go out and do alot of outdoor stuff and not feel weak from lack of food. the celexa is supposed to have a side effect of weight gain. maybe the two will balance each other out at my majic 175 pound number.
Posted by noa on April 19, 2002, at 16:04:54
In reply to Re: Adderall XR - Noa, posted by Bekka H. on April 17, 2002, at 20:52:01
Yes, 1 30 mg pill in the morning.
Posted by Shortbread71 on May 11, 2002, at 20:32:17
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by noa on April 10, 2002, at 15:29:13
This may not apply to you, and I don't want to deter you from trying the Adderall XR, but I thought this message board would be a good place to impart some important information about this medication.
My doctor switched me to XR, and though I enjoyed the smoothness of onset and decline, I started experiencing an allergic reaction to it! He had put me on Wellbutrin SR a few months before, and I reacted very badly to it, and stopped taking it immediately. I thought it was just the common side effects listed in the literature (thouh I seemed to experience every one). The reaction to Adderall XR wasn't as severe, and I actually didn't realize I was having a reaction to it at first. After a few doses, I was experiencing symptoms typical of an asthma attack= confusion, irritability, difficulty breathing. The symptoms had come on slowly, and I didn't know how bad they were until I decided to take a Benedryl to see if it would help. When I felt the Benedryl kick in, I felt like I had just been infused with Oxygen...as if I had been drowning and someone had just opened up my airways. My head was clear, my body relaxed, and I could breathe.
Again, I just want everyone who is thinking of trying the XR to be aware of possible allergic reactions. Yes, I may be the only person who has experience this, and No, I don't want to scare anyone away from it. I just want there to be an awareness of the possibility of this problem. It is a concern since the reaction crept up slowly and took me by surprise...I had no idea I was even acting/feeling strangely. And the fact that the allergen is not something you can get away from (close the window to avoid pollen or give the cat away to avoid dander) because it is something you've ingested is very scary...if this post can help even one person recognize they may be having a reaction, then I'll feel as if I have helped.
Regular Adderall does not have that effect on me, so I am leaning toward the conclusion that whatever is in the XR that makes it extend its release may very well be the problem. I intend to get a full allergy test under my new insurance, and see if there is any other possiblity of the cause.
I haven't found any literature on allergies to extended relief medications, so if anyone has had a similar reaction to either an XR or SR medication, or knows where I can get more information, please post! Thanks.
Posted by noa on May 16, 2002, at 14:56:50
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » noa, posted by Shortbread71 on May 11, 2002, at 20:32:17
Thanks. I have been using it for a month now and haven't had any bad reactions.
Posted by weavemar on September 30, 2003, at 7:59:14
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » Greg, posted by noa on April 12, 2002, at 15:22:07
Q...My son was diagnosed with ADD and given ritalin. I didn't care for it bcuz the 'crash' time was way to hard on him...I read about Add xr and found this place so I am asking about it...And not only that...is it something adults can have but never realize? I don't mean to sound totally ignorant, but some of the symptoms he has described to me...are me! I am just searching for help and appreciate any and all..
Posted by blondegirl47 on September 30, 2003, at 18:42:36
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by weavemar on September 30, 2003, at 7:59:14
From what I have read, ADD is usually inherited. I am sure I got it from my mother and most of my sister and brother both show signs of ADD.
Blondegirl
Posted by EscherDementian on October 1, 2003, at 19:17:18
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by weavemar on September 30, 2003, at 7:59:14
Hello Weavemar,
My experience (Montessori kindergarten-->elementry teacher) has been that Adderall is gentler for children than Ritalin. There could quite possibly be other factors involved, but i have seen a happier 'ease' and never any 'zombification' in the students who i know made the switch. Have no experience with their 'crashes'.
On Ritalin my nephew (ADHD) had terrible crashes, according to my sister. "He was hell to live with when it wore off. Worse than he was before taking it" My guess is that it wasn't the hyperactivity that she was talking about, but impulse control with his anger. His teachers insisted on his taking it. The solution finally was to quit the Ritalin altogether and continue sessions with a family counselor skilled with children with ADHD. i do not know if another med was substituted.
My nephew had completed 6th grade when this change from Ritalin occurred.I have adult ADD that was was only recently diagnosed. That's how i found this site, too. I am certain i've had it all my life, but it was not well known (if at all) when i went through elementry school. My sister and i believe our mother and grandfather(maternal) DEFINATELY are/were ADD.
I have been taking regular Adderall for 8 months now. It has been a godsend for me. With 3xdaily use, i do not recall 'crashes' that were hard, but a slight panic when my thoughts began scattering simultaneous in warp drive again and i found myself vulnerable to distraction, trying to do 8 things at once. The remedy, i found, was to chart my own 'Adderall wear-off' times (different in the a.m. and p.m., First dose doesn't last as long as second, and third lasts longer than that, Environment/activity at the time of 'wear-off', etc.) and to take my pill 1/2 hour before the 'w-o' times that my chart averaged. The last pill's evening 'w-o' gives me no problem at all; i come off of it tired and ready to go to bed.My new pdoc offered Adderall XR, explaining that it was timed release and i wouldn't have to take but one pill once in the morning. I doubted that my own natural timing and alternating activity schedule would be suited for the Adderall XR option, but this might be a good solution for a child, especially in terms of simplicity and minimizing a child's self-conciousness about taking meds at school. And only if the Adderall XR served your child's needs and comfort zone 99%...or is a better fit than other alternatives, of course. (As a loving parent, you can work with the remaining 1%'s ;)
Hope some of this helps,
Escher
Posted by blondegirl47 on October 2, 2003, at 12:20:28
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » weavemar, posted by EscherDementian on October 1, 2003, at 19:17:18
I agree about the adderall xr, I took it for 6 months or so, but had to supplement it with short acting adderall. I would take 5 or 10 mg of short acting adderall with it. 7 hours later I would have to take 25 mg of short acting adderall.
I now take dexedrine sr and 25 mg of adderall when that starts to wear off. I get the 12.5 mg tablet...this is really nice when you don't want to take your whole dose of meds.
Blondegirl
Posted by Zenclearer on October 2, 2003, at 23:25:13
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » EscherDementian, posted by blondegirl47 on October 2, 2003, at 12:20:28
How do you find the results of mixing the 2 meds?
I have thought about this, as adderall can be more physically stimulating, and dex makes me physically tired (but helps more with cognitiion).
I've tried mixing them a couple of times, but I'm afraid getting my brain too dependent of med mixture, I guess, and being left somewhat helpless without the combo.
Not sure if that makes sense!
> I agree about the adderall xr, I took it for 6 months or so, but had to supplement it with short acting adderall. I would take 5 or 10 mg of short acting adderall with it. 7 hours later I would have to take 25 mg of short acting adderall.
> I now take dexedrine sr and 25 mg of adderall when that starts to wear off. I get the 12.5 mg tablet...this is really nice when you don't want to take your whole dose of meds.
> Blondegirl
Posted by blondegirl47 on October 3, 2003, at 10:21:48
In reply to Re: Adderall XR, posted by Zenclearer on October 2, 2003, at 23:25:13
I understand what your saying. In order to keep my job and things moving some what smoothly at home I have become dependant on the two. Finding days where I don't need to think clearly or be motivated to do something is difficult. Sunday's seem to work best for my medication holidays.
Blondegirl
Posted by Festus on October 4, 2003, at 0:21:51
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » Zenclearer, posted by blondegirl47 on October 3, 2003, at 10:21:48
It,s quite interesting to read the many different dosing schedules and med responses that work for each person.This enforces even more so the uniquness we each possess.We took our daughter to be checked at age 4,and when they were done,she was awarded a bonified ADHD Certificate of Approval,along with a Ritalin Rx.She went from 5mgBID Ritalin to 5mgBID Dexedrine to 5mgBID Adderrall,to 18mg Concerta,once a day.Poor kid was like a human Weeble-Wobble for about 9 mos.To add to the mix,her uncle(my bro)got his award about the same time,and 2 years later,Dad(me)got his!Here,s the kicker:I went from Ritalin to Adderrall to Ritalin to Dexedrine,before finding a resting point.Yep,I truly believe it runs in the family and the term"Adult ADD"simply means that it took em that long to realize you had it.If you find out you are ADD,ADHD,you,ve just been going at life un-diagnosed,like me and Brother.When I look back on all those wasted years of turmoil and un-productivity,shhweeeww!!Good-Luck!! Festus
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