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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Is This A Typical Reaction To Adderall?

maddiemax

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
49
So I picked up some Adderall IR from a pharmacy with a prescription from a sketchy doctor as a study aid. I thought because there is a history of severe anxiety it's be best start with a small dose - 5mg. Maybe 30 minutes later there was some extra focus or it was just a placebo effect? I took another 5mg. I could literally just stare at a wall for hours if there wasn't studying to be done.

I felt like a zombie so and took another 10mg. Still could probably go to sleep. Another 10mg (30mg in all now) and I thought I'd be bouncing off the walls!! I've been diagnosed bipolar so I know what it's like to feel manic and this is not it. I feel slow. I do get kind of a rush in my head like dizziness maybe slight euphoria about 30 minutes after each pill.

So does this mean I havr ADD? This isn't a typical reaction from what I've gathered online... I really thought that because I'm bipolar it would make me insanely manic. Maybe I'm not bipolar then... I really don't think I have ADD though. I've always been a good focused diligent student. But this is so weird and upsetting. This Adderall experience has been pretty lame and disappointing.Obviously it's a question for a doctor, but I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience or has any knowledge?

Would taking a higher dose at once help or is it my brain chemistry just not cut out for this type of high? Will I have to wait until I naturally get high from bipolar whenever that will be??


**** ALSO, I'm in the middle of a bad head cold. Have been taking cold medicine as prescribed. Sudafed, tylenol cold, etc. Could this have effected the way I reacted? (all non-drowsy medicine)
 
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Firstly, do not take amphetamine with the cold medications you have indicated; the load of norepinephrine caused by most types of the these sinus/cold medications is not what you want while taking amphetamine, because amphetamine, itself, has a strong activity on norepinephrine's release, especially with Adderall because it is not simply dextroamphetamine, but rather a quarter levoamphetamine and three-quarters dextroamphetamine. Now, even dextroamphetamine (AKA d-amphetamine) still exerts powerful effects to cause the release of norepinephrine, however levoamphetamine (AKA l-amphetamine) is a very potent releasing agent of norepinephrine, in particular. Could this effect your experience? Yes, but to what extent I do not know; however, the combination is not safe, really. All the norepinephrine puts a lot of strain on the nervous system, particularly the peripheral nervous system, and within that, causes stress by causing constant activation of the subdivision of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system; however, all of the nervous system is affected, and the central nervous system is not spared. In essence, it is just too much for what I would say is generally safe for someone with no amphetamine experience, and it could be quite dangerous.

Now, I don't think your reaction can really indicate what psychiatric diagnoses might be applicable to you and your condition. It is a very, very common falsehood that amphetamines somehow operate in the opposite manner for those with ADD. Amphetamines do the same thing for anyone, regardless of their illnesses, however it is true they can help, or worsen, certain symptoms of certain psychiatric illnesses. For example, if you do suffer from Bipolar Disorder, whatever the type, there is a good chance you could be thrown into mania, but the actual mechanism of action of the amphetamine does not change - someone who experiences manic episodes might simply be sensitive enough for a bit of amphetamine to send them spiraling into a manic episode.

Your experience, I will say, is not the typical experience for a first time amphetamine user, however I have read more than one accounts of others experiencing atypical reactions to amphetamine, so I am not in shock by what I am reading in your post. Amphetamines, with no tolerance, should create a certain set of symptoms (or effects, if you prefer that word) that are fairly expected and 'normal'. Usually, you would have experienced a nice boost from the 5 mg IR you initially took. At that dose, I would expect a marked elevation in mood and a shift toward positivity in your mindset, but nothing out of this world, though you would feel that quasi-natural/quasi-artificial feeling of general mental wellness and capability. I would expect an increase in activity, even if seemingly unremarkable activity, as well as an increase in desire to perform and perform well. I would expect a boost in confidence, as well as a hyperawareness of your surroundings with particular clarity. I would expect a desire to do things like organize your things, clean up, rearrange things, write down lots of thoughts/ideas/plans, socialize (and socialize with much less anxiety, because of the feeling of an almost iron-clad confidence and certainty of the self), smoke more cigarettes if you smoke cigarettes, and simply be productive in any way that presents itself as most desirable. I would expect a nice increase in the ability to be productive, with sharpness, decisiveness, and quickness of the mind. HOWEVER, you did not experience this, so I'll ask a few questions that might make sense of what you experienced in the next paragraph.

I am making an assumption, here, that you do take an anti-depressant; why? - almost every psychiatric patient is put on a regimen with some anti-depressant, and this could make your experience more dull due to the mechanism of action of anti-depressants. But even still, what would make your experience even flatter, I would guess, would be benzodiazepines, especially if you are not fully tolerant to them, you took more for the sedating effect, and/or you dosed a benzodiazepine while the amphetamine was active or supposed to be active. One thing, above either of the two types of drugs I describe above, that could nearly fully take away the good and normal effect of amphetamine would be an anti-psychotic (AKA a neuroleptic), because anti-psychotics are designed to decrease activity of the neurotransmitters which amphetamine activates, and some anti-psychotics do a particularly good job as some can, at relatively low doses, easily cause a blockade of dopamine's activity, and it is the release of dopamine, primarily, to which we can attribute most of the pleasant effects (and most of the whole of the effects) of amphetamine. Another type of drug which could add to make amphetamine duller would be the 'mood stabilizers'.

So, I am curious to know if you are on any other drugs, prescribed or otherwise, to better inform you of why your experience is not quite how you would expect it. But, it is true, to a fairly small extent, that natural tolerance to amphetamine varies from person to person; I don't think this is untrue, but the variation I would guess is quite minimal. Set and setting are things which are usually pertinent to the psychedelic experience, however I do believe they are rather influential on the nature of the experience of amphetamine, as well. So, tell me more about why you want to take amphetamine, the setting in which you choose to do it, and the mindset you have going into it. I am curious about your case and anxious to help the best I can.

Also, 5 mg IR should do you good, as you have no prior experience with amphetamines, although up to 10 mg IR is not unreasonable. I would still advise to wait, see if this site can help, than proceed with the amphetamine, after you know a bit more about how and why you respond as you do. I would strongly advise a break on account of your collective 30 mg dose, as well, so you have time to reset your mind and personal expectations a bit. I am fairly confident whatever it is, Bluelight can help. So, until you share more information, particularly answers to my questions, I would just leave the bottle of Adderall alone - just for a little while.
 
Thank you for your very detailed message, I really appreciate it!

I take Lamictal 150mg at night (but I didn't take it tonight). I don't take any benzos. Last time I took Lamictal was two nights ago.

Timeline:
3 - two tylenol cold&flu non drowsy, 24 hour sudafed
5 - one regular strength tylenol (head still hurt)
9 - 5mg adderall, two tylenol cold&flu non drowsy
9:30 - 5mg adderall
12 - 10mg adderall
1:30 - 10mg adderall

I do feel a tiny bit shaky, but I would have expected much more. As I said, I have severe anxiety (I haven't taken any meds for that in about a year though). One energy drink will send me flying. I did notice however after about 30 minutes of each time I took an adderall I got this kind of dizzy rush in my head for a couple minutes - felt pretty good actually (dopamine rush?) i can really see how it's addictive, i would just keep taking it for that

I have Bipolar Type II. I've never been full-blown manic - just hypomanic. I was expecting the adderall to make me feel how I feel when I'm hypomanic but better: very creative, energized, lowered social inhibitions, etc. Sometimes when I'm hypomanic I'll feel a little euphoric other times I won't. I thought adderall would be a perfect solution: I get to choose when I'm hypomanic.

So perhaps the cold medicine and Lamictal maybe had something to do with this abnormal reaction. But all in all, right now I basically feel like I had half an energy drink.

Thanks so much for your extremely detailed comment, I appreciate it so much!!!!!!!
 
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***So, tell me more about why you want to take amphetamine, the setting in which you choose to do it, and the mindset you have going into it.***

Forgot to answer this part of your question!!

OKay so.... I just transferred college to a much harder school. I have been a straight A student all my life. I'm premed and need to keep the As up. Right now I'm just in a winter philosophy class. I have these boring papers to write every night and I lose focus every time I try to sit down to work out them. I got the prescription to help with the final 8 page essay I'm dreading and to help with all the studying once my science classes start.

Basically, I study alone in my apartment and I am naturally a very motivated person. I started studying before I took the Adderall cause I read that's what you should do. I'm also really looking for it to help me get these papers done faster and also for me to stay awake longer. Without at least 7 hours of sleep I'm so tired. I've been on and off my bipolar meds for a few months now.

Actually since you were so detailed, I'll be really detailed... Over the summer I detoxed off of like 8 different meds. Benzos, antidepressants, antipsychotics, everything you name I've been on it for about 4 years for ptsd/anxiety/bipolar. (actually the bipolar diagnosis came along with the detox)I was just left with the simple regime of Lithium and Lamictal. I however got bored of feeling stable so every few weeks for the past several months I would go off my meds to get a little hypomanic then depressed and then back on the meds. I stopped the Lithium all together about two months ago (under doctor supervision) because of the side effects. During winter break I wasn't taking the meds and I was slightly hypomanic. It's been about two weeks now that I'm back into a normal sleeping pattern (minus tonight of course haha). For that month I was home for winter break I probably averaged about 3 hours/day. I didn't want to go crazy (that's where this normally all leads) considering my new school was starting soon so I started taking the Lamictal before the hypomania went away.
Now here I am, stable. I kind of miss the hypomania (I just wish it would last longer than a few weeks, I have rapid cycling bipolar). I guess more than anything, I'm just anxious that I won't be able to keep up with school.

Anyway, I guess this whole website is promoting harm reduction. So yea, I know adderall is probably one of the most terrible drugs for me in terms of mania and depression but I'm the type of person who has to learn by experience. So I'm sharing this because I really appreciate all the time you clearly put into writing that essay for me!!!


****In terms of meds effecting my experience, do you think the extensive benzo use in the past could have contributed? I've learned that it can make lasting damage to the brain. I was addicted to it. I was taking it daily for about 4 years (low doses though). This time last year was at it worst, probably about 2-3mg/day and some weekly 10+mg binges (combos of klonopin & xanax). Good amount of Ambient to sleep. Maybe it had lasting damage? I don't know? I guess I really just want to know that my next experience with adderall will be like what its supposed to be. I have taken antipsychotics in the past (Abilify). Not for long though. About 2 years ago maybe for a year. Oh!!!! I just remembered!!!! My doctor gave my 30 seroquel for sleep recently. I probably finished them earlier this month. I don't know if that would still effect it? They were 25mg. I will try again once I'm off the cold medicine!!
 
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I think the fact that you are on Lamictal, even if you skipped a night, might have had an effect to dull the amphetamine somewhat, though I am not advising you discontinue the Lamictal; that is not for me to advise or endorse. Like I said, the cold medication preparations are not all that safe to mix with amphetamine, and there, too, could have been a dulling effect or a distracting effect from the amphetamine's activity. You did feel it; I am getting that, now - you just didn't feel the typical range and degree of effects I would have expected it to exert.

I would suggest you disregard the fact that you took the amount you did with little positive effect as a result, take a few days to a week break, and then try either 5 mg or 10 mg (as a single dose, with no re-dosing) when you feel well mentally and physically and when you are in a comfortable place where you know you could expend some extra energy and just have a good time. Go into it without much expectation; it shouldn't really worsen your anxiety at a reasonable dose, so long as you realize anything that feels like anxiety is just on account of the way the amphetamine works so that you can dismiss any potential anxious feelings because you know they are just part of the drug's range of effects. I wouldn't expect an increase in anxiety, though. You might feel a general excess of energy within your mind and body, which can become bothersome, especially after the bulk of the nice effects have worn off. However, your anxiety might let up some, on account of the drug and your experience. This varies. With practically no experience, the next time you take it, as I have suggested, you should not really be bothered by a significant comedown, and might even have an afterglow, instead - might. It is a feel-good drug; I would not anticipate anxiety beforehand - that is just setting yourself up to be anxious over nothing. If any negative emotions of that type should arise, it would probably feel more tense, more sensitive, perhaps a bit nervous, but again, this is worst-case scenario, really. Also, when you do take it, do so on an empty stomach for better absorption and quicker onset, and better feeling, on the whole. That said, you won't want to eat while on it - it is hard to explain, but trust me. So, if you have healthy sugar levels and aren't prone to fainting and the like, you would just go a little longer than usual without food, but do keep as hydrated as possible.

I hadn't read your last post, when I wrote the above part of this post, here, however it still applies. I applaud you for detoxing off all of those drugs; I bet it wasn't the easiest thing in the world! And, although I am not your doctor, and haven't enough information to really give too much advice, I will say that if you feel better without the lithium, that is wonderful. Lithium is just not - well, it has a place in psychiatry, but, in my opinion, a fairly small one. Lamictal, though, is a pretty 'clean' mood stabilizer as far as they go, and I have heard anecdotal reports suggesting that Lamictal has some pretty good anti-depressant properties, too.
 
So do you think the low doses of seroquel could contribute to not feeling the adderall as much? It's been a few weeks since I've taken them, it should be out of my brain by now right?
 
If it has been a few weeks since you have taken the Seroquel, you are cleared of it.
 
ok Good, it might also have to do with the fact that I am sick, sinus infection, fever -- just generally not feeling well
 
p.s. maybe this is actually a normal reaction: does your mouth get really dry after amphetamines?
 
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