I need your advice on what works for you and what doesn't.

[StoneJeweler]

I have been on generic Adderal XR for over 12 years, it used to work quite well, but not anymore. I used to take 40mg in AM and then I stopped for a few months and now it is not really working. My dose was decreased to 20mg XR, then increased again to 30 then 40mg. My main problem is fatigue, very little desire to do what I used to love to do. I was also on Wellbutrin` for depression. Then it was changed to Cymbalta which did not do a thing so I stopped. I would like to know your thoughts and any suggestions would be appreciated. My psychiatrist tries but ........... I would really like to be able to have the energy, motivation, desire to live without forcing myself to most things. Life has no fun it for me anymore. So tell me what works for you, and what doesn't. I am home alone on my 7 acre farm and I live less than 2 miles from beaches that the spinner dolphins frequent in Hawaii. I used to make jewelry, which sold very well. Now I just look at what I have made and don't care much.

[FindingTheAnswers]

Hi. I can certainly relate to your post. I started to say that, for me, this has been going on for a couple of years. As I thought about it, it's been much longer (How long??). This must be Depression related, or am I missing something? I've made some changes recently. Time will tell if they will improve things for me. You didn't mention your age. I recently turned 60-(Ouch! Scary to say and worse to see in writing), so, I'm not sure if it could be a part of aging (I truly hate to say that!). I really don't lack for anything materially. I'm on several Rx, but never seemed to be genuinely happy. I should say that Adderall does improve my mood, until it wears off. But have yet to find anything that lasts all day. I rarely feel 'Optimistic'. I've gotten glimpses of it, but it hasn't lasted too long (But it was a Great feeling, since I remember it from years ago). I'm content to sit and watch TV all day. But there is so much more to life than TV. I'm still trying to find my 'Passion'. I should also mention that I haven't been in a romantic relationship in 5 years(?). My marriage, and other baggage from years ago doesn't help much in finding the right woman or quality companionship (Get over it! Let it go! Move on! All true, but time does not heal all wounds. Even with Rx and quality counseling). How much of this is genetic related? ADHD related? My past experiences? (Probably all of it ). I could always use more quality relationships. Now that Covid is subsiding, I need to start turning the TV off and start getting out more often. I'm very interested in what others have to say.Thanks for submitting a great Post. I'm going to keep trying.

[StoneJeweler in reply to FindingTheAnswers]

I am 67, I guess that's(Ouch Ouch).Instead of TV. I prefer my computer, it helps satisfy my curiosity. I understand about optimism it lasts for a few minutes or hours then reality sets in and squashes it. I haven't had a romantic relationship in about 7-8 years. At first it was because I did not like the choices I made and. decided it was best I work on myself for awhile. Now I am to tired a lot of the time and I crashed my last car because I passed out while driving--that was scary, I had no warning. It happened again a year later while I was driving a car I rented. So now I am very leery of driving. No chance of meeting anyone where I live, which probably helps my depression along. I have to keep trying or I might as well die. I am not a quitter thankfully.

[Pollyanna444]

I just learned this info. 2 months ago from a nurse practitioner...I am 69...Never have I been given the correct protocol...like you, adderall works for a while then it doesnt..drs prescribe anti-depressants..sleeping pills..adderall, pschotropic drugs, and all sorts of combinations. You see this on all the chats!! What if it is true what the nurse shared with me..."ADHD brains are opposite of neural-typical brains. Instead of prescribing adderral at 8am and noon, take 1 at 8am and 1 at 8pm and wean off the sleeping pills..." She said they have given Ambien to coma patients with our type of brain and they wake up! Sleeping pills don't work the same on us as neuro typical brains." I was in shock!! Speed at night?! It has been 13 days taking adderall at night and I have not slept so well in at least 10 years!! I had bad withdrawels for 5 days as Seroquel is a powerful drug they prescribed that has a side effect of sleep..it left me zombie like during day with restless sleep..it led t my ultimate crash...LMK

[StoneJeweler in reply to Pollyanna444]

Did you know there are 7 types of ADD per Dr Amen? I have inattentive ADD and if I took a stimulant close to bedtime I would never get to sleep. If you have ADHD with hyperactivity or you have what they call the Ring of Fire type I can see how a stimulant would put you to sleep.

[Pollyanna444 in reply to StoneJeweler]

Thank you I did not know that. I have been treated for 30 yrs. for this and no M.D. or Phd. ever gave me any information about ADHD other than upping or lowering my daily adderall..or putting me on sleeping pills and anti depressants..I am one out of millions who dont even know they have it.. There needs to be more public information especially for seniors..I feel.

[StoneJeweler in reply to Pollyanna444]

That would be nice, but you do have a computer of some sort? Go to PUBMED. Check out AmenMD, there is a. plethora of information there. Unless you are motivated you could start a site that provides that information. Information exists, but you have to be careful where you get your information. Doctors in general only know what they read from their drug reps, which of course is biased.

[Pollyanna444 in reply to Pollyanna444]

I have a 3 hour assessment appointment with Dr. David E Brown Phd in Sept. cant wait

[StoneJeweler]

Good luck, I assume he is very knowledgeable on ADHD