6+ years ago I was on amphetamines (Adderall, Ritalin, etc, dunno what else) for ADD. I stopped. 3 months ago I started back up. Initially 10mg Adderall XR, then a month later 10mg Adderall instant release (cheaper), and for the past month I've been taking 20mg instant release (half in the morning, half in the afternoon).
I no longer feel it, really. When I first started, even the 10mg was great. The effect quickly diminished, but when I upped to 20 it was great. Now I'm having my old neurotic tendencies again. Beyond psychological effects, I don't even notice the decreased appetite, etc.
I expressed tolerance concern to my doctor, but he (as well as his nurse and the pharmacist) told me it should be the type of medicine that, once you find a dose that works, it shouldn't need to be adjusted and should continue to help.
But now, a lot of what I'm reading online seems to indicate that there IS a tolerance, and it's best to take the medication sparingly instead of daily. I feel a bit like a coffee addict-- I have to have my Adderall just to feel like I wouldve 6 months ago unmedicated, and if I don't take it I feel worse.
I worry that the reason I needed it in the first place is because I took it long-term as a kid. If my current psychological abnormalities are due to the long-term effects of Adderall from back then, perhaps I'm just making matters worse by taking it now. The amphetamine topic in the basic drug info forum here said some people believe there are long-term effects.
I tried to see another doctor, but my health insurance is through my school (college) and my college doctor doesn't deal with amphetamines. He referred me to a psychiatrist that would be covered under my insurance, but she wants to have me reevaluated for ADD before treating me. It's all been a huge hassle when all I want to know is whether or not this drug is giving me a short-term fix in exchange for long-term damage. I want to increase the dose again, but not if it'll only help temporarily and possibly hurt later.
I no longer feel it, really. When I first started, even the 10mg was great. The effect quickly diminished, but when I upped to 20 it was great. Now I'm having my old neurotic tendencies again. Beyond psychological effects, I don't even notice the decreased appetite, etc.
I expressed tolerance concern to my doctor, but he (as well as his nurse and the pharmacist) told me it should be the type of medicine that, once you find a dose that works, it shouldn't need to be adjusted and should continue to help.
But now, a lot of what I'm reading online seems to indicate that there IS a tolerance, and it's best to take the medication sparingly instead of daily. I feel a bit like a coffee addict-- I have to have my Adderall just to feel like I wouldve 6 months ago unmedicated, and if I don't take it I feel worse.
I worry that the reason I needed it in the first place is because I took it long-term as a kid. If my current psychological abnormalities are due to the long-term effects of Adderall from back then, perhaps I'm just making matters worse by taking it now. The amphetamine topic in the basic drug info forum here said some people believe there are long-term effects.
I tried to see another doctor, but my health insurance is through my school (college) and my college doctor doesn't deal with amphetamines. He referred me to a psychiatrist that would be covered under my insurance, but she wants to have me reevaluated for ADD before treating me. It's all been a huge hassle when all I want to know is whether or not this drug is giving me a short-term fix in exchange for long-term damage. I want to increase the dose again, but not if it'll only help temporarily and possibly hurt later.
