Adderall

[lovedogs51511]

Going to psych nurse to get adderall on Thursday. Anyone had any improvement with their adhd while taking it? Is there a better stimulant that works better than this? Just wondering if it's the best med to take? Definitely need help!! Lol I'm driving my mom bonkers with this adhd!! I can't seem to help it so need medication so I can listen better and have some kind of attention span!! Hoping for the best cause non stimulant meds do not work!! Thanks for any advice....

[Eclecticentric77]

Hi there, glad to hear you are seeking treatment. Adderall for me has been life changing, and in my research it has been shown to be one of the main go to stimulants due to its specific amp-salts combination. I have Inattentive ADHD and got diagnosed in my mid 20s. I started taking 10mg of Adderall 2x a day a few years ago, along with a helpful group of supplements in order to combat negative side effects that are common with Adderall and other stimulants. The combination has tremendously helped me out in life and because of all this, I was able to graduate and get my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and am now in Grad school to become a MFT Psychologist in order to help people with this very condition. It's certainly a life changer, but with great power comes great responsibility. I would never recommend anyone to take stimulant medication by itself without supplements. Most psychiatrist do not mention anything about supplements, which is something I really hope to help change in the future, because supplements by themselves, and with medication, are extremely helpful and beneficial. Lots of people with ADHD get great help from their stimulant medication but sadly the side effects force a lot of people to stop, and unfortunately lots of people don't know that supplements can help fight off a lot of the common side effects from taking stimulant medication. Also after using stimulant medication continuously for a few months or so, the medication will start losing its effects. The reason for this is because of the depletion of specific neurotransmitters (Dopamine and Norepinephrine), and in consequence of boosting Dopamine frequently, Serotonin will go down as well.

I take a variety of supplements now, but here are the one's I started out with that are of essential importance in my opinion.

1. COQ10: this supplement is to keep your heart safe, and not cause a rise in your heart rate or blood pressure, which is common with stimulant medication.

2. Magnesium Chelated: This supplement is great for digestion and helps the body in digesting and absorbing the medication. Chelated form is the most bioactive form of Magnesium.

3. Flaxseed oil or an organic fish oil: I take a flaxseed oil supplement because of the benefits of EPA and DHA, which from research I have done is great for people with ADHD and goes great with stimulant medication as well, it has a calming effect.

4. A good multivitamin with Antioxidants

5. A newer one for me that I would recommend is R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (RALA). Stimulant medication produces oxidation in the body, which is not good for you, so the body needs a strong source of antioxidants. RALA is known as one of the strongest antioxidants out there and makes my medication feel smoother and fresh. It also helps the brain utilize the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which is one of the multiple neurotransmitters we lack. Because of this, my moods do not drift dramatically, and I feel more at ease. I also drink matcha green tea for its immense antioxidant and Serotonin (from the high theanine levels) boosting properties.

6. Some people feel really sad or irritable once the medication wears off. For this I would recommend the supplement N-Acetyl Tyrosine. This supplement works by helping the brain bring back up the levels of the neurotransmitters Dopamine and Norepinephrine, which are temporarily low after stimulant medication wears off, since most stimulant medications work primarily with those two neurotransmitters.

7. This supplement I recommend to take after a few months of starting medication. It's called L-Tryptophan. It is in my opinion the best supplement to take to help the brain with Serotonin due to it being the direct precursor to Serotonin, unlike 5HTP and others mentioned.

theres a link on my profile page of a google doc I made of every supplement I take along with the ones I mentioned. It mentions what grocery stores and online stores (mostly Amazon) sell these supplements, and some information about each of the supplements in case you're interested.

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Thank you! I have taken amphetime salts so I guess I've taken adderall. I thought it might be the same thing. Just don't remember if it worked for me or not. Be back phones acting up damm8t!!

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Congrats on your sucessess!

[PNWMom in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Hello,

This information is so amazing. I am going to look at a few of these supplements and try them out. I didn't realize that supplements could be taken with Adderall. I am wondering why Drs. don't tell us this. Thanks for the info!

[Eclecticentric77 in reply to PNWMom]

Thanks, and glad it could be of some help. Unfortunately most psychiatrist do not recommend supplements at all because that is not what they are taught or told to do by the university they graduated from or from the company they work for. My psychiatrist did not know half of the supplements I mentioned that I take. Here in the U.S. supplements are considered more of a "eastern" alternative medicine type of thing and are not taken as seriously, which is very unfortunate in my opinion. Studies with positive results from supplements for people with ADHD are still fairly recent, with publishings coming out within the last 15 years or so. Early on in my psychology studies I would almost never see any supplement recommendation in any textbook I had to read, but now through the years I am starting to see supplements pop up in the ADHD sections of the text book, ginkgo biloba is one of the common ones I see. Eventually I am sure there will be many more supplements being brought up and recommended for those taking stimulant medication.

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

I'm just hoping to be able to focus and get and keep a good job. I'm going thru quitting smoking, getting thru withdrawals from antidepressant etc. Congrats on your success. Ill look into the supplements but I'm only on disability which doesn't cover rent so moms paying for my bills and pills. Tough times!

[Eclecticentric77 in reply to lovedogs51511]

yikes, sorry to hear, and congrats on quitting smoking and antidepressants. One of the main addictive factors for smoking cigarettes for people with ADHD is because of how nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine in the brain. People with ADHD lack Acetylcholine because of a gene mutation in one of our Acetylcholine transporter genes. Lacking Acetylcholine causes learning difficulties, mood swings, problems with reasoning, sleep problems, and a bunch of other issues. People with ADHD also lack Serotonin, which causes there to be myriad of problems as well, and is why I imagine you were taking antidepressants.

If it's in the budget, I would advise you to try out the supplement R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, because it helps the brain utilize Acetylcholine and greatly helps the body with stimulant medication. It will essentially do the main thing cigarettes were doing previously. And to replace and help you out with the antidepressant withdrawal I would recommend you take L-Tryptophan, in my opinion it is the best supplement to help the brain with Serotonin, which will help you out immensely with your mood and to sleep better.

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Oh wow thanks a bunch ill have to see how much the first one is. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out! Will for sure look into that first one. Sounds tempting to try! Do you know the cost of it?

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

I only took 5 mg adderall but didn't notice anything so taking 10 mg at 7 am. So about 4 or 5 more hours!

[Eclecticentric77 in reply to lovedogs51511]

Sure, no prob. If you look on my profile, in my bio, I have a link that mentions the details and costs of all the supplements I have mentioned. I prefer organic supplements. Anyway, 5mg of Adderall was way too little for me, 10mg was my sweet spot and what is known as your therapeutic dose if your mind/body react well to it. I feel anything more than 10 would be way too much, but some people require a higher dosage. At the end of the day, your mind/body is the best judge of this. For me 10mg of Adderall made a HUGE difference for me.

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid is about $17 from the Jarrow Formulas brand (my fav brand)

L-Tryptophan: is about $13 from the NOW FOODS brand (another brand I like)

[lovedogs51511 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Oh that's great I might be able to afford one if mom allows it lol. Thanks so much for the wonderful advice. Ill definitely check out your profile!!! Thanks so much. Taking 10 mg in the morning I just want some success from it like you have had. My life's a mess!!

[Eclecticentric77 in reply to lovedogs51511]

Sounds good, you're welcome. I hope everything turns out great!

[Phoenix415 in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Thanks so much for the comprehensive list. I take a lot of the supplements mentioned and it definitely motivates me to stick with it. I have always taken supplements but not meds. Then I get frustrated because I am taking supplements and neurotransmitters without any noticeable benefit. But with the meds I think it's really important.

I respond poorly to L Tyrosine . Maybe I will give I another go. I was so into that book The Mood Cure and felt it held the answers for me. I just couldn't accept that I needed stimulants. Anyways thank you for your post.

[Betterlatethanlater in reply to Eclecticentric77]

Did you have any difficulty in getting your dr to prescribe Adderall? Here in Canada they seem so reluctant even with a proper diagnosis. I’m so over these “long acting “ or extended relief meds that don’t actually peak your concentration. I’ve really had no luck with Concerta or vyvanse.

[Eclecticentric77 in reply to Betterlatethanlater]

Thankfully not. The prescription process in Canada sounds similar to the ordeal in the U.S.. The most common things of difficulty in the evaluation/prescription process I hear/see from a lot of people in the ADHD community I work with are:

1) Their psychiatrist (or whomever gives the prescription) knows very little about ADHD and mishandles the diagnosis process. If the client knows little about ADHD, this makes things worse. Becoming educated on ADHD can really help in the evaluation process (especially against jaded psychiatrists)

2) Jaded psychiatrists who are perhaps overworked and might not want more on their caseload.

3). The evaluation process takes a REALLY long time. Certain companies have you set up an appointment with multiple people before you actually get to see the psychiatrist (or whomever provides the prescription), and this could take months, add in the difficulty of ADHD and appointments/follow up.

4) Psychiatrist prefers not to prescribe certain medications perhaps because of a negative previous experience of some sort (perhaps with a client).

5) Some psychiatrists might consciously or unconsciously need you to advocate more for yourself and the ADHD during the evaluation process.

[-Poetic2]

Talk tomorrow.

[-Poetic2]

Talk tomorrow

[PNWMom]

Hello,

I was just diagnosed a little over a year ago with inattentive ADHD, and have been taking Adderall since May 2017. Before I was diagnosed, I would lose my keys and cell phone nearly every day, as well as forget conversations and appointments. I was functioning ok at work, but noticed that I wasn't able to stay focused as long as my peers, and that for years I had been falling behind. I also was having mood swings and irritability, which I had previously attributed to my menstrual cycle.

My daughter had just been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD at the age of 7, and while reading through the paperwork at her doctor's appointment, I realized that many of the symptoms applied to me. I went to my doctor, who did the usual screening, and a week later, I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and prescribed Adderall.

I do not enjoy taking any kind of medicine, so it was hard for me to accept that I needed it at first. However, once I started taking it, I realized I really did need it. I am prescribed 10 mg 2x per day, and it really does help. My thoughts are more clear, and I am able to stick with a task and finish it, as well as come back to a task when I get interrupted-I almost cried the first time this happened, it was so unbelievable.

Just know that when you first start taking it, you might have an interesting side effect. I got nearly giddy and full of a sense of peace and happiness for the first hour or so after taking it. I think this is due to the flood of dopamine to the brain, but I am not sure. It took a few weeks before that started to normalize. I believe this side effect is why some individuals abuse Adderall. If you get this side effect, just know it evens out after a bit.

I also got a really weird taste in my mouth, but that went away after a few weeks too. Other than that, it has made an amazing difference in my ability to focus at work and remember things.

I have stopped taking it for a few days here and there, either because I forgot to bring it with me on a trip, or because I wanted to drink coffee and/or alcohol for social reasons and did not want to mess around with the combo, etc. My husband can tell when I haven't taken it for a couple of days, and asks me, "Are you taking your medication?" That is enough for me to know that it definitely makes a difference for me.

Just know that Adderall may not work for you. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't, and don't give up. There are many medications and different dosages that my Dr. discussed with me at my initial prescription appointment, so I know that if Adderall doesn't work, you have other options. Keep us posted on your experience, and good luck.

[lovedogs51511 in reply to PNWMom]

I'm so happy happy cause I've got the pills but I just can't wait to see how they work. Ill be taking 5 mg for the first week then 10 mg after that. First one in the morning !!!!!

[lovedogs51511]

Omg thank you so much!! Wow that's solo great that its worked wonders for you! I'm now hopeful cause I'm getting a prescription for it today😄😀😄 I'm so excited to see if it works for me. This will be a life changer if it does. Ill keep ya posted on what happens! Going ,to appt in a few minutes!!!

[MarylouD]

Adderall was a life saver for me. I work now and go to school. My relationships are better and I participate in social activities. But, it works differently for different people. I wish you well