Side Effects or Withdrawal from Adderal/Ritalin

[maplsugr]

My doc and I have been trying to find the right med for me between Adderal and Ritalin. It helps me with the chronic pain I have and (rarely) my mood.

I take 60 mg in the morning of the IR then another 30 split in two the rest of the day. I feel anxious, depressed and generally miserable. I tried Ritalin as prescribed and recreationally. Ritalin didn't make anxiety like Adderall did but didn't give me motivation like I had a couple of times with Adderall. I'm hoping to get those effects from taking it properly but it doesn't seem to be doing what it's supposed to. I'm often drowsy on it and have no trouble sleeping.

I was wondering if another med I take, Risperdal, counter effects the amphetamines? I also take Wellbutrin, are either of those known to reduce efficacy?

So are all the awful symptoms I'm having from times that I took more than prescribed and thus withdrawal, or side effects? Wondering if anyone knows, thank you.

 

[kokaino]

I'm not quite sure what you are saying here. Are you on both Ritalin and Adderall or just one of them or are you going between the 2 to find out which one is the right one?

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

Risperdal can reduce the effects of Adderall, as its a dopamine antagonist. Wellbutrin isn't known to reduce efficiency, if anything it can increase the effects but also make you more anxious.

 

[maplsugr]

I spent a few days on each and it seems like I have a high tolerance for both. I used to take Provigil, liked it and would take that except my insurance won't cover it. I don't want to abuse these meds a lot, just every now and then when I'm bottom out depressed and need a life line.

Sorry to be confusing. So I'll be more direct in my question, is the anxiety and depression from withdrawal because I took more pills yesterday, or is it side effects that I happen to have with this kind of drug? It seems like it doesn't work the way it's supposed to; I had maybe 2 days in a month where I felt energetic like I could get things done. I increased hoping to get that back again. As a side note I think the risperdal is interfering with it's methods of action...after all that's what you take when you've had too much.

I'm going to try Dexedrine next and if no luck I'll have to appeal the insurance to get back on Provigil. I still need some amount of stimulant for pain control though.

 

[maplsugr]

Sorry K'D thanks for the information, would a higher dosage (of stimulants) make up for the risperdal or is it going to happen no matter what?

 

[kokaino]

I don't think it's the risperidone, as that drug is more of a serotonin antagonist than it is a dopamine antagonist (too minimal to have an effect). I think You should try Dexedrine because it won't have the peripheral effects of Adderall (anxiety, rapid heart beat, etc). Dexedrine will have a more cerebral effect - your focus will be like a laser beam and you will find that it causes less side effects than both Ritalin and Adderall. The depression that you typically feel coming off of Ritalin and Adderall is also softer with Dexedrine.

I have been on Dexedrine for years now, it is the best of all the meds I have tried.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

It will pretty much happen regardless.

Abusing amphetmines for a few days in a row shouldn't cause withdrawal symptoms. The anxiety is more likely just a side effect that can come from most stimulants. I will feel anxious and depressed sometimes when coming down from the Adderall during the day.

 

[maplsugr]

Thanks for all the help I'm going to ask him about dexetrine on Tuesday. He seems pretty open to trying new things so it should help. (and now I have lots of leftovers)