First post on CHADD. I'm a 42 year old male, first diagnosed with ADHD about 2 years ago. In researching ADHD, working with various mental health professionals, and in reflecting upon my life, it is quite clear that I've had this my entire life, despite only recently being diagnosed.
Anyway, I finally decided to try medications after not finding success with non-medicinal treatments. Day 1 of Adderall XR knocked me on my ass! Yes, it improved my focus and concentration, while removing many of the non-desirable aspects of my ADHD, but that was only after it made me extremely sleepy for a few hours with continued lethargy for a few more hours after that, and some very cold extremities - 30 minutes in my 104 hot tub did not make me hot! I can normally only tolerate my 104 hot tub for 10-12 minutes. I didn't continue after Day 1, most because of the effects it had on my blood pressure. My BP was still abnormally high on teh morning of day 2, so I didn't take it.
I've read that some of these side effects - blood pressure, cold extremities, and a few others - can resolve after a few weeks of use. However, I've also read that sleepiness is a rare side effect of Adderall, and that it does not resolve with use.
Curious about other's experiences with Adderall or other amphetamine salts. Did you get the extreme sleepiness and lethargy? Did it resolve with use? What medication ended up working best for you?
Thank you!
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Sorry to hear about your reaction. That was a strong one. One obvious question... you didn't by any chance break open the XR? That would be an overdose for sure. I doubt you did though. Maybe there is a drug interaction? I know that alcohol is not a good mix with adderall. Good for you just for taking the risk to try. My doctor started me out on the very lowest dose of adderall. 5mg per day. I am up to 10mg every 4-5 hours. Your doctor should be able to dial it in. Vyvanse is one she offered but it was expensive. Welbutrin might be better but it takes several weeks to get it in your system. Then you may need to adjust the dosage. I had no adverse reaction to adderall so I am no help there. It does have that paradoxical effect of making me sleepy when it would wake most people up. It's why they call it college crack I think. It doesn't work that way on me. One counselor said that if it makes you sleepy, it's a pretty good validation of the ADHD diagnosis. Don't get discouraged though. It will help a lot once you get it figured out.
Not sleepy, per se, but 'foggy' the first few days in my head. This definitely went away within a week. Make sure you are starting small, like 5 mg/day. Also it curbs your hunger, so you may be dehydrated, which does make you sleepy. Try drinking herb tea (not caffeine!) and water all day, see if that helps.
I had the same reaction with dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. I felt very sleepy. So stopped using it. I used very slow doses in liquid form as low as 1 o 2 mg per day and I had fewer side effects but also no effect on focus and attention. I am lost, today I am trying atomoxetine 10 mg we will see. Perhaps the combined action of atomoxetine and dextroamphetamine could be better. I will try it today. Best
I started on the Adderall XR 5 mgs when I was diagnosed over a year ago, and eventually settled on the 15 mgs. Never have I had those symptoms, so maybe a different medication or different dosage is the answer for you?
I didn't know that could happen. Adderall XR is perfect for me, the worst side effect I get is horrendous muscle tension for a few days if I haven't taken it for a while. It doesn't seem to make me sleepy or give me energy, it feels like it helps keep my natural energy levels stable. I tried so many different ADHD medications when I was first diagnosed, a new one every 2 weeks for about 4 months, and I do better on amphetamines versus methylphenidate. Maybe you're the opposite. The good thing about stimulants is you can usually tell pretty quickly whether they'll work for you or not. Thankfully there are tons of options and even a few non stimulant ones if you get really worried about your blood pressure. Good luck in finding something that works for you quickly.
I wouldn't draw any definitive conclusions about your meds efficacy within the first couple of weeks as that could change. The only time adderall makes me tired is if I eat carbohydrates with it (eg bread or cheese). In fact I've found that taking adderall with most foods (unless it's something like an apple or fruit smoothie) not only delays the effects of the meds but makes me quite tired.
Not sure if this is what you're experiencing but have you noticed any other circumstances that could be related?
The first time they increased my XR dose from 10-20mg I fell asleep while waiting on my turn to play pool. my hands and feet were really cold and numb and my BP was higher than usual but still within a normal range. I stopped taking my "as needed" 5mg immediate release tabs and eventually it no longer had those effects on me. I will say it calms me down a lot but not where I am falling asleep at pool halls, just to the point where I can wait around long enough to finish a game=) Hope they can adjust your dose to something that works for you.
Hi, curious if you found the culprit? I take only 5-15ml a day and not on weekends and most days I take them I crash like I ran a marathon and ate a plate of carbtastic pasta. I take an hour nap even if I have to work. I literally can’t keep my eyes open.
I know schedule work meetings around my meds.
I take Paxil but nothing else.
I don’t drink often if ever and don’t smoke THC or CBD. I’m a hyper human so this crash drives me nuts because it knocks me out.
I don’t get cold though, so that’s a unique one. Maybe because I’m always a lil chilly.
I hear high energy people get tired but I’ve been taking adderall for 5 years and only now during covid did this happen. I’ve never had covid so it’s not from that.
Ugh, adderall helps me be more zen or less chatty and spastic but I can’t crash during work days.
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