Adderall for Narcolepsy User Reviews (Page 2)

• Hus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2016

"I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea when I was about 50. I have been tired most of my adult life, so I assume I have had apnea a long time. Tried CPAP, forget that, got a Somnodent mouthguard which stopped almost 100% of my apneas, but I didn't feel better. Put on Provigil like 5 years, not really much better, same with Nuvigil. Finally, doctors and I were fed up, I could not make it through a day without at least 2 to 3 short 5 to 20-minute naps and always felt like I had a cloud in my brain, and my PCP recommended to sleep doctor to try Adderall. I had no idea what Adderall was, I knew it was used for ADHD, but really didn't care, just went home and took it. Results have been unbelievable. Almost never take a nap, feel way more refreshed, no brain fog."

• tir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 19, 2021

"I've been taking generic Adderall for 11 years. In my opinion, Teva is the most effective generic, Mallinckrodt has been the worst. It makes me tired and gives heartburn, which I never have normally. I just picked up a refill, new mfg, Alvogen. Took it an hour ago and keep nodding off. Looks like another generic to avoid."

• Sei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2014

"I gave Adderall an 8 out of 10 because it is very effective. Anyone who is narcoleptic (which is why I use this medicine) will stay awake completely. Depending on the dosage, you can stay awake anywhere from 5 hours to even more than 12. The downside to this medicine, and let me be clear that it is just with my experience, is that it can make you jittery and excited. It also gave me 'false confidence' and just overall made me more outgoing than I usually am. Also, I found that the first time I used it, it gave me quite a high, which I eventually got used to. After several days, I started hallucinating things and got paranoid. There are definitely some psychological side effects even more than the ones that I've experienced."

• jjh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2020

"I was switched to Adderall, but after 2 years, switched to Ritalin. Adderall seems to open up parts of your brain best left closed. I started to see a 12-year-old boy in the yard during the day, he would be gone when I went to talk with him. My neighbors told me that in the 1970s, he died here. You have to watch the dosage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 28, 2014

"Insurance didn't cover the Extended Release (XR) form, so I was taking multiple regular Adderall pills a day. It was pretty obvious that they worked, but over time, I developed a tolerance that made me need to take one every 2-3 hours, rather than the standard 4-6. Only side effect was feet so cold, they tingled."

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2008

"Adderall has really helped me stay alert and concentrate, as I have chronic pain issues which leave me sleepy and unfocused. I have the energy to enjoy life again. I do have difficulty sleeping, and also since I do not take XR, I can 'crush' it if I forget my second dose. I have noticed it makes me most irritable and difficult to be around. This side effect seems to have waned over time, but I am still occasionally cranky when it wears off."

• MD1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2017

"Adderall has helped me greatly, though it is not perfect. Many doctors have suspected that I have narcolepsy, but my insurance company won't pay for the sleep study because I'm only in my 20s (what??). Anyway, my doctor prescribed Adderall because I simply could not stay awake in class, driving, riding the bus, watching movies, doing homework, etc. Basically everything. I remember the first dose I took. I felt like a normal person. Not hyper or overstimulated (my doc was worried about this because I also have bipolar I), just normal. I just went about my day and did my homework and washed the dishes and read a book like a normal person. This drug has really changed my life. I gave it an 8 because I still have to take naps throughout the day."

• Anonymous
• April 21, 2008

"My stomach couldn't handle the normal Adderall, so I tried Adderall XR. It took a while for me to really enjoy the medication, but with the combination of Cymbalta, I don't have real ups and downs. I take 90 mg, I am a muscular 255-pound male. I would recommend Adderall: side effects, dependency, dry mouth, less hunger until you come down at night."

• Kat...
• April 10, 2012

"I fall asleep at the drop of a hat and experience sleep paralysis. There are times I know I'm supposed to be awake, and I simply can't wake up. Adderall helps so much. I've taken it for about a year, however, it is wearing off. I hope to find a substitute that will help me stay awake soon."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2019

"I'm 72 years old and was having problems maintaining concentration and focus. Kind of like ADHD, but instead of being hyperactive, I was falling asleep. The doctor gave me 5 mg of Adderall once a day. It seemed to help a little, and after a couple of months, I started taking 10 mg 1x day. Works much better. I have not noticed any particular side effects. They say it helps with weight loss, but not for me."

• jdv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 7, 2023

"I've been on generic IR and XR for 15 years. Teva is better than the rest, but they do have bad batches. Anything orange seems to work best. Had Epic Pharma pink IR last month. Had to break them up to kinda work. Pink/yellow XR were useless, had to open the capsule and use like an IR."

• Log...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2019

"I read a lot about this drug, and it is hard to find anything about the side effects I have gotten. So, I have taken Adderall XR 10 mg (once in the morning) just for a few days now. The first time was amazing, and I actually had a road trip to take that day, and I drove a whole 12 hours with no problems! That is really good considering I need a nap just an hour after waking up usually. There were still the positive effects, but the side effects are just so bad. Food just doesn’t seem appealing anymore, and I have constant headaches and stomach issues. That's not even the bad part, I have had terrible hallucinations, and it makes me very paranoid and scared to do anything in my day. At some points of the day, I feel fine, but others I feel those side effects and episodes of tense muscles that tremble when I hallucinate and increased heart rate and heavy breathing. I keep reading all these amazing things about this drug, and I want that for me too. If anyone has experienced, I would love the feedback :)"

• ska...
• July 20, 2018

"I was diagnosed with narcolepsy after about 5 years-1995 to 2000. A sleep study doctor diagnosed me as having this disorder. After trying methylphenidate and then Provigil, I still had EDS. I even had a doctor prescribe Desoxyn, which didn't help. Adderall XR also was not effective enough, so I was prescribed 30 mg of Adderall I.R. once a day. Narcolepsy causes sleep deprivation, causing anxiety, depression, and nights of no sleep at all. Most doctors hesitate to prescribe medication for these side effects. I finally found that Belsomra helps on those sleepless nights. Adderall is not the 'magic bullet' by itself, and the stigma of having to take Adderall, Klonopin, Wellbutrin, and Belsomra gives narcoleptics anxiety and fear to ask physicians to prescribe medications that almost make us feel normal."

• Jam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2022

"I take generic Adderall for narcolepsy, and I have for 10 years. I have tried almost every generic available, and although sometimes you can find one that’s better than the other, I have found the most efficacious is Teva. Beware, however, of a manufacturer called Camber."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2012

"My life was sleep before I started Adderall, taking 15 mg twice a day, and I'm still tired but not sleeping like I was before. Only been taking it for a few days, but has helped a lot. I only slept and worked, and sadly that was my life for 5 years."

• Lex...
• October 9, 2020

"I have been so sleepy for the past 15 years of my life. I finally found a PA that listened to me about my sleepiness. She has been great. I cannot afford the recommended sleep study. I am currently taking 10 mg extended release. It has helped, but I am still falling asleep at work. My PA will meet with me in after a month on it. I’m not sure if I need an increased dosage or if it’s not working on me. It’s a struggle still. I don’t want to feel hopeless that I can’t find help."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 8, 2019

"I was recently diagnosed with narcolepsy in early 2019. I was started on Adderall, but it took about 6 months to get the regimen that worked for me. I was quite sick at the stomach for about 3 months with nausea and headaches. I take 30 mg at 9 a.m. and 10 mg at 1 p.m. Finally, it's working well to a certain degree. I still need at least two naps during the day and have most of my energy in the morning and early afternoon. Come 7-8 p.m., I'm literally exhausted. I realized how well the medication worked after I missed a dose. I wondered why I was yawning all day and barely able to stay awake. It was because I had forgotten to take my Adderall. Despite how well it works, I still seem to yawn almost constantly. I would not be able to get through the day without it. It's not a 100 percent fix, but I can function for most of the day using it. So, that's a plus for me."

• Chr...
• April 30, 2015

"I have narcolepsy, and I take 20 mg three times per day of quick release tabs. Mornings are great, but mid to late afternoon I tend to nap, and then take my last dose after the last nap. Adderall helps great for keeping me awake and alert."

• tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2017

"I have been taking Adderall for now 5 months. This medication has completely changed my life. It is one of the most effective smart drugs out there. Adderall improves concentration and ability to focus on your work. I suffer from narcolepsy. I take 30 mg Adderall after a week. It works very well. I have personal experience with Adderall, it is absolutely great for me!"

• Mjf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2016

"I was diagnosed as narcoleptic at the age of 50 following my diagnosis of sleep apnea. I first tried Provigil, and it was a game changer. I had spent the last 30+ years developing my own coping mechanisms to mitigate my EDS. After 6 weeks on Provigil, I experienced progressive allergic reactions to the drug and sadly had to quit taking it. When I reported this back to my sleep doctor, he put me on the time release 20 mg of Adderall. Love it!!!! I do get sleepy in the late afternoon... might need to take a second dose... will discuss with my doctor. My daughter was diagnosed with severe narcolepsy and cataplexy about three years ago. She also had Graves' disease. She recently had her thyroid removed and just started daytime meds."

• Rox...
• January 2, 2018

"I've been on Adderall for EDS and narcolepsy going on 10 years now. I feel my continued heavy use of Adderall will essentially kill me. All of your stories are completely familiar, and Adderall absolutely does all that's being said that it does. The reality, though, is that taking this drug at high doses over an extended number of years is shameful to many parts of the body. You become essentially the same as any meth user, this drug is simply a 'cleaner' form, if you will. The drug has rotted my teeth despite extra care taken, and I now have dentures. I'm not even 40 yet! It has caused numerous skin conditions, including adult acne, rashes, and a constant nagging itch (skin crawling feeling). Because of the itch, I have 'pick marks' all over."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

"I was diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia and ADD in May, and this was taken with Modafinil twice a day (10 mg). While Modafinil is a different story, Adderall has been wonderful for me. I take amphetamine salts, and those worked a lot better than the generic, dextroamp-Amphetamine. It's a nice boost in wakefulness, and it's changed my life being able to finally focus on daily activities and classes too. I'm quitting Modafinil because it interferes with my asthma and really screws with my heart rate, and will look into either 20 mg twice a day or maybe even Adderall XR. But the salts have worked great for my sister, and same for me!"

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 31, 2015

"Took methylphenidate SR (Ritalin sustained release) 100 mgs a day for years for major depression, was still tired, could still sleep at any time, but not too bad. Dr. retired, new Doc doesn't want to prescribe that, he switched the script to Adderall 90 mgs a day. Worked at first but not well, now it is worthless. I can hardly get out of bed, and it is almost impossible to stay awake all day. Did the sleep study a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy, prescribed Modafinil to take with the Adderall, a little better. In my case, the Adderall must go. Very good that it works for others, as no one wants to feel like they are sleeping their life away."

• Sap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

"Thank goodness for Adderall, it has changed my life for the better. I take it for narcolepsy. I needed it. I was taking Ritalin, then the pharmacy changed brands from the yellow pills to blue, and they didn't work anymore. I take 20 MG daily."

• dri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 30, 2013

"I could not get out of bed without Adderall. I have been taking it since 2000. However, I developed a severe spinal disease, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. I had to give in to taking pain meds, which interfered with my Adderall dosage. I currently take 40 mg. I have found this dose ineffective for the past several years. My family doctor prescribes my meds and doesn't feel comfortable titrating up to 60 mg. I weigh 335 lb as well. I am frustrated and feel exhausted most of the day."