Dextroamphetamine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Lam...
• July 30, 2020

For Fatigue "I have been on 5-15 mg (max) of dextroamphetamine per day for 2 weeks now, an off-label treatment for depression/PTSD with excessive daytime sleepiness and inability to control impulsive behaviors. I have tried many SSRIs, SNRIs, as well as Lamotrigine and Quetiapine and been non-responsive or experienced intolerable side effects (most notably they would make me fatigued and literally suck the remaining life out of me, as well as completely ruin my sex drive). With the dextroamphetamine, I have noticed a positive change in my motivation, concentration, and energy levels, which has led to an overall improvement in my mood, as I am able to participate in activities that I had previously lost interest in due to my depression. My work ethic is also better. The only downside is I suffer from occasional anxiety, which has worsened since starting the medication. I am going to see my psychiatrist again to see what I can do about that. Hopefully, my experience will help anyone else with medication-resistant depression."

• fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2013

For Drowsiness "Of all the different ADHD meds out there, the dextroamphetamine works best for me. I don't get shaky or jittery while on it. I take it very early in the morning because it takes at least two hours for it to begin to work, I can't get out of bed until the dextroamphetamine begins to wake my brain up. In fact, I sleep very deeply while on this medicine and wake up feeling very rested and alert. I don't know what I would do if I didn't take this to wake up. Without it, I sleep 18 to 20 hours a night and still feel groggy and in a haze when I do finally get out of bed."

• Hus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2023

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "I have been on Vyvanse, prescribed for over 8 years prior to taking Dexedrine, and it does have a plethora of side effects. Vyvanse caused intense anger and anxiety, and it made me feel different and just zombied out. Dexedrine, to me, is the cleaner version of Adderall and Vyvanse. It is not as intense as both of them and just seems a lot better."

• Tre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2022

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "It sort of worked for me. I have been using Dexedrine 20 mg, prescribed in two 10 mg pills. Before that, 15 mg, one pill. Before that, one 10 mg pill. A problem I've had is with how my body metabolizes it. Rather than a smooth and consistent maintenance of focus, I experience peaks and valleys of it. It takes effect after 45 min, then it lasts for about 1-2 hours before I get incredibly sleepy for 1-2 hours, then it takes effect again, then I get sleepy again, then it takes effect again. I've talked with my psyche, and with the 20 mg split I take the first dose, then the second 10 mg dose 45 minutes later, and this has mostly, but not completely, solved the issue. Also, (consistent with all of the stimulant medications I've tried, though) is that it stops having any effect after about 3-4 days of usage straight. So I need to calculate for a day or two where I can't take the medication in order to allow for it to work later. Side effects: dry mouth, less hunger, nervousness."

• rbw...
• November 12, 2011

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "I have ADHD and mild-to-moderate anxiety. Dexedrine 20 mg (2 x 10 mg) taken in the morning allows me to focus for about 8 hours, but I experience negative side effects including increased anxiety, raised blood pressure, and difficulty sleeping. I used to experience moderate-to-severe depression at the end of the day when it would wear off, but I've been able to avoid this using buspirone 5 mg (taken once an hour for 4 hours starting 7.5 hours after I take the Dexedrine). Also, I take trazodone 12.5 mg before bed to help me sleep. Due to the side effects, I only take Dexedrine once or twice a week when I need to get lots of work done. Adderall made me more anxious, and methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) didn't help me."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For ADHD "I recently started this medication at the lowest extended-release dose for ADHD after having multiple symptoms and trouble with school. I have been on Adderall IR previously, which caused horrible anxiety and palpitations, so I researched thoroughly here and saw that people said this was the least anxiety-inducing. It works the same for me. I had to bump it up to 10 mg, but I am still able to take naps if I want to, and I don't feel manic. My pulse is normal, too. The only thing is, it is difficult to get the prescription filled. It's so old that not many pharmacies carry it. Only one does, so I have to order it well in advance."

• ret...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2021

For ADHD "I have ADHD with comorbid depression and anxiety, and this is the only drug I've tried that combats all three symptoms at once; SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and other stimulants like Adderall, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine were all ineffective. Methylphenidate gave me anxiety and irritability on the comedown, whereas lisdexamfetamine was barely noticeable because it's a prodrug that is slowly converted into dextroamphetamine in the body. I have zero side effects from this 'dangerous' drug compared to all the SSRIs I tried, which gave me concentration issues, sexual problems, and extreme tiredness. Dex, on the other hand, has given me my life back and is smooth as butter."

• Dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2020

Dextroamphetamine for Narcolepsy "I have never had a worse experience on a medication. After having limited success on modafinil, armodafinil, Sunosi, and Adderall, my doctor prescribed me this Dexedrine dose at 10 mg, and it is terrible. I go two- to three-day stretches without sleeping, have had the most debilitating anxiety of my entire life, and feel like I am going insane. Yes, I’m staying awake, but it has been the worst time of my entire life."

• Lco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2016

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "Dexedrine is okay! When I first took it, I was excited and hoped to feel something. I was instantly in a good mood, more focused, and patient. However, the come down off this drug is horrible. The depression and sadness start to come back, and it's just discouraging that only a medication can band-aid those emotions. I have felt overstimulated as well. I had a gastric bypass four years ago, so my doc said no XR, but he put me on four 10 mg a day, which I feel is too much. I become agitated, irritable, paranoid, panicky, crying, etc. I decreased it to two a day. I feel that this might be too strong of a stimulant for me. I want to try Adderall since it's cheaper on my insurance and it has less dex. We'll see what he says at my next visit."

• Bak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

For ADHD "I have tried all stimulant types and formulations out there, and dextroamphetamine is by far the best. The other stimulants would make me depressed and anxious at the end of the day, dextroamphetamine wears off very smoothly and doesn't cause any anxiety or depression."

• Mic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 27, 2019

For ADHD "This is a review for the long-release generic after 15 years. It feels great at first, very smooth. However, it's socially isolating, and in the later years, it gives anxiety at the same dose, and it's very hard to be motivated and focused. This is the only thing that helped me, though, for severe ADHD, 10 120 pills a month. Another problem is that for rare drugs with street abuse potential, the manufacturer and availability is problematic. The brand, when it's too strong, will have you sitting in your chair, staring, acting very pleasant with no thoughts in your head. Now the brand is $2665 more than generic for 120 10mg. In the long term, if you don't take little breaks of reducing quantity, you will develop tolerance. This means long-term depleting dopamine receptors. If you can take a faster release low dose, so less fillers, of a brand medication. Try something weaker before building tolerance to one of the strongest meds."

• Loo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2019

For ADHD "I found the boost it gives you really useful for executive dysfunction. Makes me more likely to get up and do stuff. However, I also suffer from GAD, and this medicine exacerbates the anxiety by a fair amount, especially during the comedown."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2021

For ADHD "I will keep this short. I have been wanting to switch to dextroamphetamine ever since Vyvanse was introduced, and Vyvanse just being the prodrug version of dextroamphetamine. Vyvanse worked so well that I was confused why the drug itself is not prescribed more regularly. I take 50 mg of Vyvanse with 20 mg of Dex split across the day or as needed. Adderall feels like it just makes me motivated, not focused, if that makes sense. Dex, if I take it and sit on a task, I will remain on that task. Eveko or whatever is so bad, it just makes me anxious. Like one user mentioned, it's the levoamphetamine possibly that contributes to that. I realized that the reluctance is a historical thing more than anything else. It was synthesized sometime in the 19th century and was heavily utilized by the military with WWI and WWII. Given the widespread availability, abuse followed, and thus it was the scapegoat that eventually led to the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act."

• ADH...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 23, 2022

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "Hands down, the best medication for me, no questions asked. Very little anxiety, super smooth, and super effective."

• Ava...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 14, 2022

Dextroamphetamine for ADHD "Terrific medication, and it is the best ADHD med by a marginal amount, compared to Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta. Smooth effects, no anxiety or come down."

• Col...
• February 24, 2017

For ADHD "Sometimes you feel extra weird and jittery, and sometimes you feel super, super confident like me right now."

• CWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

For ADHD "Works too good! But makes me think I'm going to have a heart attack with the anxiety. So, I use it when I am very unmotivated to go to work."