[latus2004]

This may help some parents out there.
I am 19, and started taking adderall when i was 17, and took it for 1 and 1/2 years. The beginning of my adderall experience... i went from a 3.0gpa to just about a 4.0gpa and didn't get in trouble in class ever. Everything was going extremely well for the first 4-5 months, besides the fact i could not get erect and that kinda pissed my girlfriend off, but that's besides the point. After about 4-5 months of taking adderall, things went downhill. I became depressed, I yelled at my parents (i had a really good relationship with my parents before this), I was pissed off about 24 hours a day, i never wanted to go hang out with people, so i lost a lot of my friends, my grades went from straight A's to B/C/D range, I didn't care about anything at all, I didn't sleep well, the only reason I kept taking it was for the "high" feeling you get when you take it, the rush of blood and your heart beating faster. Well, one day I finally realized what the drug was doing to me, and haven't taken it ever since (this was about 10 months ago or so.) After i stopped taking it, for a couple months I still had no change in how i was. I even broke up with my girlfriend of 2 and a half years. That was when i reached rock bottem. After that, everything has been extremely great in my life. My relationship with my parents has improved. I am now open and go golfing with my dad and spend a lot of time with them again. After reaching rock bottem, I realized that I had broken up with an awesome girl, and I wanted her back. She said no, but that we could be friends, because throughout me taking adderall I treated her badly... as in emotionally... i was never there for her. Well, now I talk to my ex-girlfriend, and she sees that who I am today is the person who I was before I started taking adderall, and she is falling back in love with me again, and we will be getting back together in the near future. All that being said... yes adderall helped me at first, but it caused a lot of pain on my parents, my girlfriend, and my friends. Even though I still have ADD, I will never take adderall again in my life, because the better grades to me is not worth causing pain to other people. if you have any more questions feel free to email me.

[SublimeKid]

I have been taking Adderall for the eight years. I just relized just yesterday that if i go a day without adderall.. the next day I get ill. I think i have developed an addiction to it. is there any way to stop this addiction with out just stoping cold?[?]

*Michelle*
"You're a butterfly in the wind without a care"

[maidenspg]

quote:Originally posted by SublimeKid

I have been taking Adderall for the eight years. I just relized just yesterday that if i go a day without adderall.. the next day I get ill. I think i have developed an addiction to it. is there any way to stop this addiction with out just stoping cold?[?]

*Michelle*
"You're a butterfly in the wind without a care"

I'm surprised that you either didn't read material on the medication or ask your prescribing physician about it before you swallowed the first dose! Adderall is a Schedule II med upon which one will become quite dependent. You shouldn't stop taking it abruptly, but taper off of it with the knowledge and the supervision of your doctor. To do otherwise would be risky indeed, Michelle. When taking mood altering medications one can hardly afford to be "a butterfly in the wind without a care". [:0]

[SublimeKid]

I was only 11 when I got prescribed to it. So I really didn't have the intelligence to read material on the medication. At the time, everyone in my family was taking it. So I thought if it was "okay" for everyone in my family to take it, that it would be okay for me. Plus it was my mom would requested that I take it.

*Michelle*
"You're a butterfly in the wind without a care"

[johnnyscott]

quote:Originally posted by ladyz4real

Hi --

i don't think there is a generic for Adderall on the market. I wonder what you're taking?

The "generic" is the dexadrine stated above.

[Burton]

I saw that most of the replays on this message board were from parents of kids that take adderall so I decided I would give some insight into what it is really like to take it. Previous to taking adderal, I was a struggling student who barley got by. I’d never even dreamed of going to college. In seventh grade I began taking the adderall and it turned my world around. I started understanding the material and before I knew it, I was getting mostly A’s. High school was a breeze for me. A lot of people looked to me for help in math and science. My senior year I took a college math class (calc 1). I am now a freshman in college and I am doing great. I believe adderal is an excellent drug but there were some drawbacks to it. One is my decreased appetite. I am a 6 foot two inch male that weighs 165 pounds, but when I am taking adderall I can go an entire day without eating a single thing and not even feel hungry. I hate not eating but the adderall makes food very unattractive. The other side effect is irritability. I notice that I “snap” a lot easier when I am taking the medication. I don’t consider myself dangerous by any means, but I am a lot more irritable. I would like to conclude by saying that I believe adderal opens ones eyes to the world. It’s like finally opening your eyes and understanding the world.

[erp0033]

I'm wondering how quickly a 20mg dose of adderall (not XR) would metabolize to levels undetectable (<2000ng) in a drug screen. Say for an adult male, weighing about 200 pounds. Anyone know where I could find this information?

Thanks.

[Legend]

Hi. this is my first post here. My main complaint is Chronic Pain (against which I'm an activist) but, as I have trouble concentrating, and I'm now in a deep depression, my psychiatrist is thinking of putting me on adderall (Ritalin did almot nothing, even the extra strength kind). But I was told that I have to have a test first. I assumed that he meant a blood test, but he said no, it was a test in how I perceive shapes, or something like that.Has anyone had the test? BTW, I'm a mature adult, wasn't sure about the Ritalin, and just hope this can help me. Glad to be on this forum.

yours in freedom,
Legend

[jellister]

I'm 20 and just started taking adderall 2 weeks ago for narcolepsy. I'm on birth control and have still been spotting ever since...any other women experience this?

[marnie b]

quote:Originally posted by mrtoledo

Seems to work good. I am taking Adderall XR. Notice some highs and lows througout the day. (part of the extended release function). Seem a little jumpy and impaitient at times. Somestimes hard to sleep at night.

[marnie b]

quote:Originally posted by mrtoledo

Seems to work good. I am taking Adderall XR. Notice some highs and lows througout the day. (part of the extended release function). Seem a little jumpy and impaitient at times. Somestimes hard to sleep at night.

Hi, I am new to all of this and hope that you get this. I live in the uk and have been prescribed (dexedrine - adderall). I have tried slow release and normal. I think it is a totally individual thing. Everyones metabolism is different. I prefer the normal dose as the slow release makes me feel unhappy and jittery at times.

[popcat69]

hi, i was just wondering... I know this is a weird question, and i apologize before hand... I had final exams this week at college, and my Adderall didn't work AT ALL. Here is why, everytime the week before I get my menstrual period, and couple days after I start, my adderall doesn't work... Anybody know why this is? This isn't the first time, it happens everytime! I don't even feel a slight tinge of effect from my adderall... this really sucks, because i couldn't hardly concentrate during my studies for my finals... if anybody can give me some info i would GREATLY appreciate it!! thanks!!

[Legend]

quote:Originally posted by Legend

Hi. this is my first post here. My main complaint is Chronic Pain (against which I'm an activist) but, as I have trouble concentrating, and I'm now in a deep depression, my psychiatrist is thinking of putting me on adderall (Ritalin did almot nothing, even the extra strength kind). But I was told that I have to have a test first. I assumed that he meant a blood test, but he said no, it was a test in how I perceive shapes, or something like that.Has anyone had the test? BTW, I'm a mature adult, wasn't sure about the Ritalin, and just hope this can help me. Glad to be on this forum.

yours in freedom,
Legend

I had the test, which the doctor says he has to study some more. But I got the prescription, and although it's only been two days, I feel much better. I'm not nearly as depressed, got my Christmas shopping almost done (I started late, which I almost never do, so I mut have been depressed). I had trouble sleeping last night, but I took my pill quite late. It was pretty early this morning-so we'll see. The test was only copying shapes and drawings. BTW, I'm 51, obviously older than a lot of you. If there' anyone else over30 or so, I'd appreciate hearing your experiences. 'bye for now

yours in freedom,
Legend

[Casey55]

Once a brand drug goes generic, it can be made my several other companies and each companies pill will look different. It depends which drug store you go to and which companies generic they use. You might go to one drug store and get a pill that looks completely different from the generic you got at another drug store. You can always, and I have, call the Pharmacist where you had the prescription filled and they will be able to verify what you have.

Not always, but it is possible when going from the brand to the generic, that you may notice is doesn't work quite as well as the brand did. You could either go back to the brand, or sometimes upping the dose some on the generic will solve the problem. This has been my experience.

Nomi,
I am really sorry for what happened to you, I just hate you had to go through that. Have you had to go on meds for bipolar?

sublimekid,
Maidenspg is absolutely right, these meds are addictive and you should never stop them cold turkey, unless of course you have a medical emergency. You can go through some serious withdrawal and get very sick. You should always consult with your doctor before going off medicines and they will be able to instruct you the proper way to wean off the meds. It is done over time, reducing the dosage over time.

Borcutt,
I agree with you that it is best to see a psychiatrist for psych meds. They work with more people who are on these meds and they have more experience with these drugs and are more familiar with the make up of the drugs, with side effects, drug interactions and other disorders these drugs may affect, etc.

popcat,
Is a psychiatrist prescribing your meds for you? Have you told them about the meds not working around your period time? You really should let them know this is happening.

latus,
I just have to say I am so happy for you that things are finally going better for you and you are living a better life now. It is great you are getting along better with your parents and I am especially happy for you that you and your girlfriend are getting back together. She must be very special.

Best Wishes,
Casey

[popcat69]

Yes, I have told the doctor before. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago. Since being back on adderall after having my last child (I don't take it while I'm pregnant) I have noticed that this happens during and right before every period. She (my doc) has no idea why this happens. It's really strange, and I have asked other people if it happens to them, as well. My guess is that my hormones during that time interfere with the medication... I have also asked a couple of pharmacists, and they are clueless about it also. They said it might be hormones, too... I have been on and off adderall ever since I was diagnosed, and since I have been put on the generic version this past year, I have noticed this happening. I can notice a difference between the generic and the true adderall... there's not much of one, but it does exist. It seems that the true adderall helps me concentrate for a little longer, and a little better focus than the generic and my periods do not bother with the effects of the medication. Strange.... any info? thanks!

quote:Originally posted by Casey55

Once a brand drug goes generic, it can be made my several other companies and each companies pill will look different. It depends which drug store you go to and which companies generic they use. You might go to one drug store and get a pill that looks completely different from the generic you got at another drug store. You can always, and I have, call the Pharmacist where you had the prescription filled and they will be able to verify what you have.

Not always, but it is possible when going from the brand to the generic, that you may notice is doesn't work quite as well as the brand did. You could either go back to the brand, or sometimes upping the dose some on the generic will solve the problem. This has been my experience.

Nomi,
I am really sorry for what happened to you, I just hate you had to go through that. Have you had to go on meds for bipolar?

sublimekid,
Maidenspg is absolutely right, these meds are addictive and you should never stop them cold turkey, unless of course you have a medical emergency. You can go through some serious withdrawal and get very sick. You should always consult with your doctor before going off medicines and they will be able to instruct you the proper way to wean off the meds. It is done over time, reducing the dosage over time.

Borcutt,
I agree with you that it is best to see a psychiatrist for psych meds. They work with more people who are on these meds and they have more experience with these drugs and are more familiar with the make up of the drugs, with side effects, drug interactions and other disorders these drugs may affect, etc.

popcat,
Is a psychiatrist prescribing your meds for you? Have you told them about the meds not working around your period time? You really should let them know this is happening.

latus,
I just have to say I am so happy for you that things are finally going better for you and you are living a better life now. It is great you are getting along better with your parents and I am especially happy for you that you and your girlfriend are getting back together. She must be very special.

Best Wishes,
Casey

[mrstevo]

hey i just joined this site... ive been taking adderall (45mg, 3 15mg pills per day) for about 5 months now. i had some difficulty sleeping for a while and because of my lack of sleep, i would be in a constantly grumpy, negative mood. i started to excersize more often, and as a result i can get to sleep much easier. ive found that with more sleep, adderall works much more effectively and the bad mood goes away... just incase anyone was experiencing a similar problem.

[syntheticsue]

hi i'm new.
i'm 25 and i've been on adderall for about 4 years now. i'm currently taking 45mg a day for ADD and narcolepsy. i love it. it has done wonders for my grades and i've been able to hold a job for almost a year now. it has also kept me awake at work, school, and while i'm driving (thank god! LOL!)

anyways, i have always felt hot/clammy accompanied with cold feet for as long as i can remember taking it but i have developed a bad habit of picking at my skin over the past year and it is really concerning me now because i cant seem to stop.

as i said before, i always feel hot/clammy/sometimes sweaty even when its really cold outside, (especially at the end of the day when my final dose is wearing off). it feels like my pores are literally flushing out all of the sweat/grease from my body so i feel all sticky and dirty. this leads to constant inspection of my skin and picking at zits/blackheads/whiteheads or anything that may resemble them.

its really embarrassing because its gotten so bad that i have little sores all over my arms and legs. i'm so self conscious now that i wear long sleeves and pants all the time to cover the self inflicted sores.

has anyone else experienced anything like this or know of anyone that might have? does anyone have any idea if this is even related to my adderall? or am i just a freakshow? i feel really stupid talking about this on a forum but i dont know where else to go. my doctor thinks it may either be an OCD or some kind of skin allergy. i'm confused. please help.

[jossquartz]

i have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with schizophrenic tendencies, and while adderall sometimes makes my highs a little higher, i never get that depressed. i've been on it for about 6 months now, and except periods of time that i dont take it (about a week before my new prescription) i always find that im productive. i take 20mg twice a day of XR, although there have been times that ive taken double that at once. yes i am a drug user, both legal and illegal, sometimes for recreation. sometimes i do find myself thinking that i cant do anything without my wonder drug, or 6 hour coke high in a capsule, but its only because my thoughts become so clear that i get everything done. its a scary drug, and i definitely do get prickly skin, hot/cold flashes and sometimes confusion among other things. however the pros still outweigh the cons for me.

[2Bcrazed]

I wonder if I actually have ADD because of how I react to Adderall. It's a stimulant for me and while it does help me to stay more focused and to complete tasks on the 1st day I take it, after that, I become extremely fatiqued and am unable to take it for more than a few days at a time. I am bipolar (too). I have many of the symptoms of ADD but the stimulants...I'm not sure they are for me.

I do remember reading about a psychiatrist who would always ask his patients (that he thought might be ADD/ADHD) if they had ever tried cocaine and how they had reacted to it. Without fail, the ones who were truly ADD/ADHD had not really been affected by it. That was my experience. I tried cocaine about 10 times and I never could figure out what all the fuss was about. It did nothing for me. Everyone around me was high and I actually fell asleep a couple of times!

quote:Originally posted by willowbreeze

The thing about taking any stimulant medication is that you have to be sure that you actually have ADD or narcolepsy. If what you have is actually a bi-polar condition, or Tourette's, or a type of pervasive personality disorder, the drug can potentially make things worse. Somtimes it takes a while for doctors to figure out who has what.

[Legend]

quote:Originally posted by 2Bcrazed

I wonder if I actually have ADD because of how I react to Adderall. It's a stimulant for me and while it does help me to stay more focused and to complete tasks on the 1st day I take it, after that, I become extremely fatiqued and am unable to take it for more than a few days at a time. I am bipolar (too). I have many of the symptoms of ADD but the stimulants...I'm not sure they are for me.

I do remember reading about a psychiatrist who would always ask his patients (that he thought might be ADD/ADHD) if they had ever tried cocaine and how they had reacted to it. Without fail, the ones who were truly ADD/ADHD had not really been affected by it. That was my experience. I tried cocaine about 10 times and I never could figure out what all the fuss was about. It did nothing for me. Everyone around me was high and I actually fell asleep a couple of times!

yes, I've been on 25 mg. for almost a month, and my experience has been similar to yours. The first 2 days were just great, I could concentrate, stay awake, etc, and wasn't depressed, which is also a problem for me. But the next day it was a little less effective; I thought I might just be "leveling off" i.e., starting to feel"normal" rather than enjoy a mild high. But in 2 weeks, I was back to where I started; I also have a cold, and mild ear infection, but that's a recent development. My doctor only gives up to 35 mg a day. I wonder if that would make a noticeable difference. When I called him, he said to try and take it as prescribed until my next appointment (early next week), and we 'll see how it goes from there.
I sure hope something works, as those first 2 days were great!

I also had similar reactions to cocaine' except that instead of getting tired, I just did'nt feel any effects at all. I don't think I'll try it again, as I try to stay away from most illegal drugs.

Well, I wish you the best, and am hoping you, and others on this board, do o likewie to me. If the doc re-prescribes it, I'll keep the board informed. It's immportant to know how different people react to the same medication

yours in freedom,
Legend

[peg]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with bipolar 3 years ago. I will be starting Adderall for attention deficit disorder. Is there anyone who is bipolar taking Adderall XR for attention deficit as well? If so how is it working for you?

[unknown]

Re: syntheticsue

I have been dealing with the same problem for years now. I have no desire to pick at my skin when I am off Ritalin. I have learned that I either deal with my ADD with out drugs or I do nothing.

I use makeup to keep my problem a secret.

Sorry I can not offer advice!

[romj1000]

The picking at skin can be a symptom of OCD. If you find you can't control the behavior--stop when you catch yourself at it--you should probably tell your doctor. Adderall can cause OCD behavior as a side effect, or reveal a disorder that you already have. I have OCD and one of my doctors refused to prescribe any of the amphetamine-derived medications; although I cannot stay awake during the day. He prescribed Provigil, which stopped working after about a month. I have just started taking 20 mg of the XR form of adderall; so far it seems to just make me a little manic, but not as awake as I would like to be.
So, if you recognize your behavior is a problem, call your doctor.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.-HST

[Fox5411]

Adderall seems to be one of the safest medications currently prescribed for ADHD. The dosage ranges vary between 5mg upwards to 50mg daily. An individual patients successful outcome with this medication depends largely on the correct initial diagnosis followed by adjustments and correct tritration of the dosage by the clinician until the best responce is achieved. Family members as well as the patient need to be part of a team that help physcians know where the best balance lie in controlling side effects.
I have been taking Adderall 30mg XR for several years. It has been a wonderful agent in helping me focus and control symptoms of ADHD.
It also does not react with many other medications that patients take on a daily basis.

[sunshine101562]

quote:Originally posted by syntheticsue

hi i'm new.
i'm 25 and i've been on adderall for about 4 years now. i'm currently taking 45mg a day for ADD and narcolepsy. i love it. it has done wonders for my grades and i've been able to hold a job for almost a year now. it has also kept me awake at work, school, and while i'm driving (thank god! LOL!)

anyways, i have always felt hot/clammy accompanied with cold feet for as long as i can remember taking it but i have developed a bad habit of picking at my skin over the past year and it is really concerning me now because i cant seem to stop.

as i said before, i always feel hot/clammy/sometimes sweaty even when its really cold outside, (especially at the end of the day when my final dose is wearing off). it feels like my pores are literally flushing out all of the sweat/grease from my body so i feel all sticky and dirty. this leads to constant inspection of my skin and picking at zits/blackheads/whiteheads or anything that may resemble them.

its really embarrassing because its gotten so bad that i have little sores all over my arms and legs. i'm so self conscious now that i wear long sleeves and pants all the time to cover the self inflicted sores.

has anyone else experienced anything like this or know of anyone that might have? does anyone have any idea if this is even related to my adderall? or am i just a freakshow? i feel really stupid talking about this on a forum but i dont know where else to go. my doctor thinks it may either be an OCD or some kind of skin allergy. i'm confused. please help.

Dear Syntheticsue,

I know exactly how you feel. I have been through the same thing but it when i was addicted to methamphetamine (crank). I believe what is occuring is that you are hyper focused and cant stop what your doing...like obsessive compulsive. I remember walking around with scabs and scars all over. I had so much makeup on my face in was a joke. After I got clean (16yrs), it took years for the scarring to lighten up. I is permenant damage you are doing to your skin, I would talk to the Dr about lowering your dose. I was diagnosed with ADD 8yrs ago and have been on Ritalin and now adderall. I have never experienced the problems i did when i was using crank (thank God), and if i did i would be off the meds in a heartbeat. Good luck to you, I know how ashamed you feel and how you have no one to talk to about this. It is very embarassing but i will go away with lower dose or med change.

[Belen]

Hi,
I have a step-daughter who has been taking Adderall for about 1 year. She has been diagnosed with Personality Disorder, Biopolar and has been under therapy for many years. Since taking Adderall, she seems to be very hyper, suffering Insomnia and is glued to her computer 24/7. Seems at time to be paranoid. In addition to Adderall, she is taking Zanax for Anxiety, Percosat for pain and has been give Seroquil and Topomax. Has a history of illegal drug abuse and mother has a history of the same.
I see that Adderall is prescribed for ADHD but is it also used for her disorders that I have listed above. At times she seems to be in her own world with a glazed look and we the family feels it must be the various medication that she uses. I feel that she too is abusing these drugs but you cannot talk with her as she tends to strike out at her family. WE are just concerned!

Thanks for your imput

[Miles]

Belen:

Stimulant drugs, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate) and amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine) were first approved for the control of behavior in children during the mid-1950s. Since the early 1990s, North America has turned to psychoactive drugs in unprecedented numbers for the control of children.

Stimulant medications are far more dangerous than most practitioners and published experts seem to realize. Note that the DEA and drug enforcement agencies worldwide classify methylphenidate and amphetamine in the same Schedule II category as methamphetamine, cocaine, and the most potent opiates and barbiturates.

Schedule II includes only those drugs with the highest potential for addiction and abuse. Furthermore, their addiction and abuse potential is based on the capacity of these drugs to drastically, permanently change brain chemistry. Studies of amphetamine show that short-term clinical doses produce brain cell death. Similar studies of methylphenidate show long-lasting, occasionally permanent, changes in the brain’s biochemistry.

All stimulants impair growth not only by suppressing appetite but by disrupting growth hormone production as well. This poses a threat to every organ in the body, including the brain, during a child’s growth. The disruption of neurotransmitter systems adds to this threat. These drugs also endanger the cardiovascular system and commonly produce many adverse mental effects, including depression.

It is important to understand how these drugs work on your stepdaughter. First, they suppress all spontaneous behavior. Second, they increase obsessive-compulsive behaviors, including very limited, overly focused activities.

[u]What is really happening here</u>? Children become diagnosed with ADD/ADHD when they are in conflict with the expectations/demands of parents and/or teachers. By so diagnosing a child, blame for the conflict is placed on the child. Instead of examining the context of the child’s life, the problem is attributed to the child’s “faulty brain.” Both the family and the classroom are exempt from culpability or from the need to improve. The medicating of the child then becomes a coercive response to conflict, in which the weakest member of the conflict, the child, is drugged into a more compliant or submissive state.

As appears to be the case with your stepdaughter, she is taking multiple psychiatric drugs. May I assume the drug treatment began when she developed conflicts at home or at school? I have found that it is generally the result of pressure from the school that parents acquiesce to put their child on stimulants. When these children develop depression, delusions, hallucinations, paranoid fears and other drug-induced reactions while taking stimulants, their physicians mistakenly concluded that the children suffered from “clinical depression,” “schizophrenia,” or “bipolar disorder” that has been “unmasked” by the medications. Instead of removing the child from stimulants, the doctors mistakenly prescribe additional drugs, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and neuroleptics. Children who were put on stimulants for “inattention” or “hyperactivity” ended up taking multiple adult psychiatric drugs that caused severe adverse effects, including psychoses and tardive dyskinesia (tics).

It is time to recognize that the supposedly increasing rates of “schizophrenia,” “depression,” and “bipolar disorder” in North American children are often the direct result of treatment with psychiatric drugs. They should be classified as adverse reactions, not as primary psychiatric disorders. As long as we respond to the signals of conflict and distress in our children by subduing them with drugs, we will not address their genuine needs.

It has been my experience that children can usually be taken off all psychiatric medications with great improvement in their psychological life and behavior, provided the parents or other interested adults are willing to learn new approaches to disciplining and caring for the children. I wish you well.

Here is a link that will give you additional information on the side effects of the drugs your stepdaughter is taking: http://groups.msn.com/SIDEEFFECTS/_whatsnew.msnw (in the left column, scroll down and click “ADHD medications)

Regards,
Miles

[Belen]

quote:Originally posted by Miles

Belen:

Stimulant drugs, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate) and amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine) were first approved for the control of behavior in children during the mid-1950s. Since the early 1990s, North America has turned to psychoactive drugs in unprecedented numbers for the control of children.

Stimulant medications are far more dangerous than most practitioners and published experts seem to realize. Note that the DEA and drug enforcement agencies worldwide classify methylphenidate and amphetamine in the same Schedule II category as methamphetamine, cocaine, and the most potent opiates and barbiturates.

Schedule II includes only those drugs with the highest potential for addiction and abuse. Furthermore, their addiction and abuse potential is based on the capacity of these drugs to drastically, permanently change brain chemistry. Studies of amphetamine show that short-term clinical doses produce brain cell death. Similar studies of methylphenidate show long-lasting, occasionally permanent, changes in the brain’s biochemistry.

All stimulants impair growth not only by suppressing appetite but by disrupting growth hormone production as well. This poses a threat to every organ in the body, including the brain, during a child’s growth. The disruption of neurotransmitter systems adds to this threat. These drugs also endanger the cardiovascular system and commonly produce many adverse mental effects, including depression.

It is important to understand how these drugs work on your stepdaughter. First, they suppress all spontaneous behavior. Second, they increase obsessive-compulsive behaviors, including very limited, overly focused activities.

[u]What is really happening here</u>? Children become diagnosed with ADD/ADHD when they are in conflict with the expectations/demands of parents and/or teachers. By so diagnosing a child, blame for the conflict is placed on the child. Instead of examining the context of the child’s life, the problem is attributed to the child’s “faulty brain.” Both the family and the classroom are exempt from culpability or from the need to improve. The medicating of the child then becomes a coercive response to conflict, in which the weakest member of the conflict, the child, is drugged into a more compliant or submissive state.

As appears to be the case with your stepdaughter, she is taking multiple psychiatric drugs. May I assume the drug treatment began when she developed conflicts at home or at school? I have found that it is generally the result of pressure from the school that parents acquiesce to put their child on stimulants. When these children develop depression, delusions, hallucinations, paranoid fears and other drug-induced reactions while taking stimulants, their physicians mistakenly concluded that the children suffered from “clinical depression,” “schizophrenia,” or “bipolar disorder” that has been “unmasked” by the medications. Instead of removing the child from stimulants, the doctors mistakenly prescribe additional drugs, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and neuroleptics. Children who were put on stimulants for “inattention” or “hyperactivity” ended up taking multiple adult psychiatric drugs that caused severe adverse effects, including psychoses and tardive dyskinesia (tics).

It is time to recognize that the supposedly increasing rates of “schizophrenia,” “depression,” and “bipolar disorder” in North American children are often the direct result of treatment with psychiatric drugs. They should be classified as adverse reactions, not as primary psychiatric disorders. As long as we respond to the signals of conflict and distress in our children by subduing them with drugs, we will not address their genuine needs.

It has been my experience that children can usually be taken off all psychiatric medications with great improvement in their psychological life and behavior, provided the parents or other interested adults are willing to learn new approaches to disciplining and caring for the children. I wish you well.

Here is a link that will give you additional information on the side effects of the drugs your stepdaughter is taking: http://groups.msn.com/SIDEEFFECTS/_whatsnew.msnw (in the left column, scroll down and click “ADHD medications)

Regards,
Miles

[Fightingillini]

About 3 weeks ago my psychiatrist just started me on Adderall XR (for adult ADHD). She is working me up to 100MG all taken in the morning (that's 5 20mg pills).

Does this seem a bit too high to anyone else? she said it can take a high dose for adult males. I am a pretty big guy, tall and about 225 lbs., mid 20's. I thought the max dose was 60 mg...

Any ideas? I've also been started on Effexor. She gave me Xanax to take short term also...I feel like I'm being over prescribed.

Oh, and with the Adderall XR, I have ZERO appetite. I have to force myself to eat, eating is actually very unappealing. Dry mouth is getting better though.

[syntheticsue]

quote:Originally posted by Fightingillini

About 3 weeks ago my psychiatrist just started me on Adderall XR (for adult ADHD). She is working me up to 100MG all taken in the morning (that's 5 20mg pills).

Does this seem a bit too high to anyone else? she said it can take a high dose for adult males. I am a pretty big guy, tall and about 225 lbs., mid 20's. I thought the max dose was 60 mg...

Any ideas? I've also been started on Effexor. She gave me Xanax to take short term also...I feel like I'm being over prescribed.

Oh, and with the Adderall XR, I have ZERO appetite. I have to force myself to eat, eating is actually very unappealing. Dry mouth is getting better though.

100mg?!?!?! my doctor told me the maximum recommended dose was 40mg unless you have narcolepsy too. i am 5'0" tall, 120lbs, and 26 years old. i am currently taking 45mg of regular adderall daily, and i was under the impression that was a high dose; i guess i was wrong. to be honest i could really use 60mg but i've also been taking it for 5 years so my tolerance is higher. (oh and i also take effexor XR).

the only reason i can guess as to why your doctor is starting you out so high is due to your size. however, the most i would have expected you to start at would have been 40mg. but hey, i'm no doctor :shrug:

oh and the loss of appetite is to be expected and happens to be my favorite side effect of the medicine.

none of this really answers your question but i know from my own experience, its nice to hear what other people have to say on the subject. hope it helps.

-Sue