Just started Adderall XR and feel sluggish

[Mailmanton]

4 days ago I started taking Adderall XR 15mg. The 1st 2 days I had no side effects but it didn’t seem to start working until 5 or 6 hours later. The last 2 days I have had headaches have been dizzy have been nauseous I haven’t eaten anything substantial and I am tired and oh so sluggish. I’ve been told the headache and nausea will go away but I’m more concerned with the tiredness. I feel like I’m in quicksand or something the exact opposite of what I think it’s supposed to do. Should I stop taking until I talk to my doctor? Anybody else have this reaction and if so what did you do? Thanks

[Eclecticentric77]

Hi there, I have Inattentive ADHD, and take a combination of a small dose stimulant medication with supplements. People with ADHD lack multiple neurotransmitters, and the ones I mention below I believe are of the most crucial importance. When you have a low level of a neurotransmitter, it basically gives you major difficulty in the areas that it would otherwise be helping you out in. Stimulant medications primarily work with Dopamine and Norepinephrine, which takes care of those neurotransmitters, but what about those other important ones? Supplements, besides helping fight off bad side effects from stimulant medication, can also help with synthesis of these neurotransmitters we lack. I had similar side effects when I first started taking Adderall a few years ago. It was not until I started taking supplements that those side effects stopped.

A strategy plan when it comes to supplements and ADHD, should include aiming to help the brain with the specific neurotransmitters that give us the most trouble. The following neurotransmitters should be addressed.

Dopamine : A neurotransmitter in the brain that affects your levels of concentration, motivation, pleasure senses, and sense of pain.

Norepinephrine : A neurotransmitter and stress hormone that deals with attentiveness, emotions, impulse control, planning ahead, sleep, and interpreting actions of others.

Serotonin : A neurotransmitter that deals with mood regulation, sleep, nervousness, empathy, appetite, digestion, and sexual urges.

Acetylcholine : A neurotransmitter that deals with muscle contraction, pain responses, mood regulation, REM sleep, and coordination.

if you click my profile pic, it will take you to my profile, where in my bio you'll see theres a link of a google doc I made of every supplement I take that includes ones specifically to help those low neurotransmitters I mentioned above. It mentions what grocery stores and online stores (Amazon has all of these supplements a lot cheaper than markets like Sprouts and Whole Foods) sell these supplements, and some information about each of the supplements and how they help out people with ADHD, in case you're interested. Supplements have greatly helped me out, and have also done wonders for some families and individuals I've worked with. I'm finishing up grad school and will be going on to obtain my PhD. as a Clinical Psychologist (supplements, along with my medication have been a tremendous help). I've studied neurochemistry and supplement intake for about 4 years now, and made this google doc specifically for people who want to find the info in one easy place, since there is a lot of information out there and it can be quite overwhelming. Stimulant medication can be very helpful to the ADHD community, but the side effects can turn people off from the medication. Thankfully supplements can help. Hope this helps.

[AmethystOpal]

Eating and dieting issues is one of the top side effects of adhd medication. You are probably not on the right meds or dosage. I would ask about concerta with your doctor. Personally helped me stay awake and help elevate some of my depression. Never never never stop taking a medication without your doctor knowing. Its one of the biggest mistakes i made. It can cause u to relapse, and have worse side effects. For the meds not working until late ask your doctor if its okay to take it at night instead of in the morning. Talk to your doctor and stay positive.

[Lovinit]

Adderall works the best for me. Concerta I tired for a few months and what your saying kinda describes how I feel on that pill. I think it would be good to try something else. It couldn’t hurt. Also pay attention to yourself, are you getting good sleep eating well. Stress? All these things I think there called environmental factors idk but could also affect how you felt that day. Good luck!!

[Fween]

I notice feeling the same way when I take my Adderall on an empty stomach. Try to eat something, even if it is just a piece of bread. Also, drink lots of water, at least 8 ounces, and give it 30 minutes to see if it works.

Good luck!

[Jakark]

For me the first 2 weeks I had dry mouth, nausea, minor headaches and ate barely. I mostly think that you might be feeling sluggish is bc of not eating alot or when eating not eating unhealthy foods. But other than that its bin 5 months and I take 40 mg once and I'm find. It's harder at the beginning and always check with your doctor.

[StewieLola]

I take Aderall X R as well, and have same issues. It’s important that you eat something though or it will increase your fatigue. I’ve been drinking a smoothie each time I take my medication and that helps, and I also carry almonds with me and even eating just a few helps pep me up a bit. Do NOT stop taking medication without talking with your Dr. I’ve taken Adderall and Vyvanse for nearly 15yrs and the nausea will go away. I only recently (about 30days ago) started Aderall X R, and it’s the first time I’ve experienced the fatigue. It’s difficult to deal with, I know. I’m a Dentist and work 10hr days, and it’s making it difficult for me to get through my workday. Waiting to hear from my Dr because I cannot function feeling so tired.

Hopefully there’s a solution for both of us, but you’re not alone with feeling fatigued.

[Lillyaldreds]

I have the same thing when I take ADHD medication. I don't like to take it on weekends or when I have days off. I take it specifically for when I am doing homework or studying for exams. I find after taking it for a few days, my body starts to crash (this is while taking it). I become very tired, depressed, my eyes burn. I'm so sad I just want to cry all day and I can't think straight anymore. I could sleep for 14 hours and still be exausted. When I was younger and had started taking concerta consistantly, I developed depression. Something I had never delt with and even to this day do not have (thankfully). At the time I didn't realize that was where it was coming from. I assumed it was my time and I was going through a depressive phase that teenagers go through. It wasn't until a few years ago when I was speaking with my best friend and she told me that the medication changed me - I was very depressed and sad all the time. So depressed that I would sit at the table, close my eyes, and wish I could just wake up from this dream I was having. I didn't think it was possible for me to be that sad. At a young age it is really hard to decipher whether you are sad for real reasons (because my family had moved - but normally I was super excited about moving), depression or medication. I hadn't realized ADHD medication makes me anxious and depressed myself until I was in college or University. When I take it, it isn't just like I am alittle bit sad or depressed. I am so sad that I just want to cry all day and cannot think straight. I keep over thinking and over analyzing everything. I'm awkward to be around and do not like to socialize. Sometimes I can't sleep till 6 in the morning but I can't take a lower dose otherwise I can't concentrate properly. I have a really hard time with reading, I cannot take in what I am reading. Often times I will have to re-read a sentence 5 times before I can actually understand it. When I take the ADHD medication, that goes away like a miracle. I am unsure what to do though, if there is a medication out there that can make you concentrate without these terrible side effects or if I will be stuck taking this till I am done school.

[Forgotme5]

I came here because I've taken or felt the need to rest after taking it.

[Starry99]

Please talk with your doctor