Some questions about my new Dextroamphetamine script?

[Dexoid]

I was recently re-prescribed stimulants in order to be fully focused for my last year of school. I take 2 30mg generic Adderall ( the orange-y tabs, not capsules) per day, but as this is my first script for the non-extended release (why I was upped to twice a day), the effects start to wear off quite soon (2-3 hours before I need them to) and my tolerance builds superhumanely fast, thus further complicating things. I have seen a few things about a therapeutic dose of DXM to help with tolerance (70-90 mgs), how effective is this? Should I dose the DXM an 45-60 minutes beforehand, for the effects to kick in? And do I have to dose DXM EVERY day to keep my tolerance down? Also, are there any good methods of making my meds stronger/last longer to prevent me upping my dosage? (I could, but would have to wait until a set refill date, so I'd rather just take the normal amount and not have to skip any days.) Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Also, this certain pill (Dex-amphetamine 30 mgs IR) seems to give me a nasty headache, one quite stronger in comparison to the ones I would sometimes get on Ritalin or Adderall XR. Also, I have a noticably harder time getting to sleep (pretty much impossible without a few beers or a joint), but am unsure about asking my doctor about something like Ambien (although it would be nice to have the near-perfect sleep it gives me) because I'm not sure how the stimulant and sleeping pill would react with each other. Thanks again!

 

[Jabberwocky]

Sorry to ask this - but are you using your medication as directed? Do you sometimes take more or snort it for instance
If that's the case - thats most likely why your tolerance builds.

I have been on 40mg of Dexedrine daily for 11 months, and haven't had to adjust the dose once. I suffer from ADHD and have done since a child.

However, I take a magnesium supplement at nigh which I believes stops a tolerance build up. That's just me though.

As as far as DXM goes yes it can reverse tolerance, but you the get to enjoy the disgusting feelings of DXM too. It's not worth it in my opinion and I've also heard it is dangerous.

The drug is clearly not for you. When I take Dexedrine I dont need a sleeping tablet, in fact I find it helps my sleeping issues. Mixing Dexedrine and ambien is a short sure fire way to a horrible lifestyle - stating this because I've been there. I didnt need the ambien i just liked the knock out effect it produced.

Either you're taking too much Dexedrine, or too late in the day as well, or it's just not for you.

 

[Dexoid]

Actually for once, I am using them as prescribed. I'd like to be able to take my normal dose everyday without having to beg my doc. for a refill. I am, however, taking 60 mgs a day (30 twice), which is almost double what i was formerly prescibed (concerta). My bottle just says "generic for Adderall 30 mgs", do you think it could be Dexedrine?(Oval orange tabs.) If so, what effects/side effects should I be looking out for that I didn't get on Concerta? (Pretty much speedy heart and dry-mouth, this stuff gives me a pretty bad headache) Thanks a buch for the help.

Every other stimulant I've been prescribed has been XR, while these are IR. Could that have something to do with the headaches or anything else?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Well then no it's not just Dexedrine, it has Levo-amphetamine in it too which is what is causing these side effects.

I don't really know what you want to use this drug for. It sounds like you want to use it to study, but also recreationally. Have you been diagnosed with a learning difficulty?

Concerta is a completely different drug. If you were prescribed 15mg of methylphenidate twice daily, you're now stepping into the world of amphetamines, which are highly abuseable if used incorrectly, and can lead to some real problems.

60mg of Adderall seems excessive to me. What times do you take it at?

 

[Dexoid]

I was diagnosed with ADHD roughly ten years ago, with trial-and error through multible different stims prescribed by the doc. (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, and a few others I forgot the name of) Through this trial process, Adderall had the most pronounced positive treatment (for my ADHD, and when i WAS abusing them, they were the most fun). I was taken off all stims 5 years ago because I was diagnosed with a some not-so-fun mental disorders: depression, anxiety, insomnia. The (Dexedrine/Adderal/whatever the hell this orange tablet is) is a miracle-cure for the depression, yet slightly hurts the anxiety and increases the insomnia tenfold. I am prescribed to take one right when I wake up and one at noon, but the helpful effects (increased focus/attention span, decreased impulsivity) seem to only last for a couple hours, while the negative effects seem to last ALL DAY.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Well you now need to outweigh if the positives are worth the negatives. If your doctor removed your script before due to abuse e most likely won't give you any type of sleeping medication or benzos.

It seems as if you shouldn't really be taking it in the first place in my opinion, but I'm not a doctor, I think you need to find another way to treat your depression instead of using hard drugs. They are clearly not working as intended.

You could ask for a pure form ofDextroamphetamine, as it is a much smoother and easier to deal with ADHD medication in my opinion. Many prefer it to Adderall, you could even try vyanase, which I'm surprised he didnt give you either due to your past with abusing your meds. If you have lasted 5 years without it - why is it suddenly a problem again? I understand it may help you, but it could lead to some nasty consequences judging by your brief outline.

Perhaps try a lower dose and see if that works, and don't take it at noon either. Perhaps look into and ask your doctor about buspar - which helps me no end with anxiety and sleep and is apparently not habit forming either.

With regard to the ER or IR I have no clue. I'm prescribed 20mg in the morning and 20 at lunch time. I suffer no comedowns or problems with it. They are IR. Concerta on the other hand was crazy.

 

[Dexoid]

My script was never removed due to abuse, I simply couldn't afford it with my insurance at the time. Like I said, this is the first time any ADHD med has given me these type of problems. I have unsuccefully been prescribed Wellbutrin and some other SSRI (they really had NO effect even after prolonged use). Should I ask my doctor about maybe putting me on a medication that has worked in the past, such as the actual brand of Adderall or methylphenyldate like Concerta? And the one med that has ever worked wonders for my anxiety (and in some cases sleep) was an extremely small dose of Xanax. Would it be dangerous to ask my doc about a tiny dose, like 0.25-0.50 mgs, or is that a big no-no with this levo-amp. or whatever it's called? (I really need to find the exact name of this )

 

[Jabberwocky]

Well you're prone to drug abuse, much like me, and my doctor does not prescibe anything other than my Dexedrine and buspar. If you start taxing Xanax for sleep you're going to set off a whole path of destruction. You won't get proper sleep on the Xanax, and is hardly ever prescribed for insomnia but rather panic attacks.

If you're needing a drug to counteract the other drugs effects - I think you should think wisely about taking them.

I suppose it could be a generic brand issue. You could ask to try a different one, no harm in that, but I strongly suggest you don't go down the benzo route. There are no problems health wise taking the two together, they are just very addictive and habit forming.

Try a different brand, your older ones, and see if you are still experiencing difficulties. In my opinion, which once again is not of a doctor but from experience, I would cease the amphetamine or stimulant based medication.

As far as I'm aware there are no such tablets as 30mg dexamphetamine. You do have a mixture of Levo-amphetamine and d-amphetamine in there.

Frankly, if you're having to take more than 40mg and a raid tolerance is building, I don't think you really need to be taking it.

 

[Dexoid]

Vyvanse was the one stim i was never prescribed, and for some reason i abused it most, one time making the big mistake of dosing 420 mg at once. It was really fun, but after the 3rd day of tweaking mad, i told myself no more vyvanse. That was the last time i abused it, a couple years ago. Ive now been through enough life-fucking situations to see the idiocy of stimulant abuse, and i now stick to my weed and beer (with the occasional DXM trip, but rarely, ive od'd twice). Btw i have my bottle right here and it is labled as follows: AMPHETA S/COMBO 30MG TAB BARR. Generic for>ADDERALL 30MG TAB. QTY 60

 

[Alex000]

I would suggest evaluating whether or not amphetamines, or any other stimulants are worth taking, by whatever standards you judge that. If you do stay on amphetamines, I would suggest you either look into a 100 % dextroamphetamine product, like Dexedrine (IR or Spansule) OR look into Vyvanse, even though you said you abused it most out of all the stimulants. You are not taking a 100 % dextroamphetamine product now, because there is 25 % levoamphetamine and 75 % dextroamphetamine in Adderall (IR or XR), generic or brand name. And, you are on a high dose, but have a history of amphetamine abuse, too. If you really want to use amphetamines therapeutically, you must NOT abuse them EVER for best result. Just think about that. I would actually suggest, if you are capable of enough self-control and want to use amphetamines in a therapeutic fashion to look into Vyvanse first over Dexedrine (IR or Spansule), for a few reasons. Vyvanse will provide a generally smoother, less pronounced, but still very efficacious effect for intended therapeutic reasons. It will last a bit longer, likely, than Dexedrine Spansule would, and you would not have to re-dose with Dexedrine IR, which might be a good thing due to your history of amphetamine abuse. Dexedrine, however, should not be ruled out to try on this account. You do need one thing, though, and that is tolerance control, and protection from neurotoxic effects of amphetamines. With a good history of abuse and daily use under your belt, it is going to be hard to reverse some of the already present effects, but try to keep as healthy as possible with amphetamines should you continue with them. I would suggest using magnesium for some tolerance control, also potentially beneficial with anxiety, muscle tension, and insomnia. I would NOT suggest DXM, because it is addictive, and even in low doses exerts psychoactive effects, which, with the amphetamines, could cause a desire to up your DXM use. But, really mixing both is not the safest thing to do, and DXM is neurotoxic in itself. So, magnesium - very good. Also, keep hydrated! Seriously important, esp. with amphetamines. It will reduce the incidence of side-effects, but elimenating the use of levoamphetamine will help with some of the side-effects, a good deal I would guess. Still, keep hydrated, and try to eat a varied diet. Vitamins and other nutrients are a GOOD idea. They promote general health, and because amphetamines do take a toll on the body and mind, it wouldn't hurt to look into some. Vitamins B are important, dealing with energy and endurance and such (don't know exactly how it all works), but others are too. Something else I would suggest - melatonin. It is produced naturally in the body, but can be bought as an OTC supplement to help with sleep naturally. It is actually surprisingly effective (at least for me), and has POSSIBLE neuroprotective effects - a VERY good thing. 3 mg is a normal starting dose, but that can be upped if needed. If nightmares ensue, go back down to a slightly lower dose. But, I would very much recommend it. For sleep, also, I don't see that much harm in a LOW-dose benzo or z-drug to help with the comedown and allow for sleep (still use the melatonin) and less tweakiness. In fact, it would probably make you feel much better by lessening effects of the crash and promoting MORE and easier sleep, as the melatonin would, too. If Ambien helps you, that would be fine. I don't see much problem taking it at night after or while coming down or crashing off the amphetamines. I would start with a low-dose, maybe like as low as 2.5 mg even if 5 mg is rx'd (assuming it is instant-release), and slowly go up as needed, but not too high or exceeding what your script gives you. A natural herbal remedy for insomnia and the amphetmine comedown could be valerian root, sold OTC in tablet or capsule form, which acts on GABA just like benzos or z-drugs. However, I would be careful in dosing that. Start low, and go slowly up if needed. Again, surprisingly effective. Well, that is what I have to say, and I hope it helps.

 

[freehugs]

OP, please not that you are taking generic Adderall (d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine) and not Dexidrine (pure dextroamphetamine.

Insomnia from adderall was one of the reasons I switched to dexidrine. You should check it out.
Oh and 30mg adderall IR two times a day is a pretty high dose for not having a high tolerance.

 

[ErgicMergic]

I don't understand how anyone can pop those 30mg IR Addies whole, especially if they have even the most mild of anxiety and sleeping disorders. Way too much levo-amphetamine, imo, unless you like to tweak and clean your walls and stuff.

I would never take more than 7.5-10mg IR Adderall at once, and even that seems unhealthy on my cardiovascular system. I would recommend for you (higher tolerance) to take no more than 20mg of IR Addy, or just ask to be switched to Dexedrine 15mg spansules or 10mg IR tabs.

I question anyone's need for more than 30-40mg of Adderall/Dex per day, no matter how bad their ADD is. They're just chasing the honeymoon effects, imo (forced procrastination relief, motivation, euphoria, sleeplessness, mood lift), and forgetting what ADD meds are really for: inreasing your alertness and focus, the rest is up to you.

30mg Concerta (your old dose) = 15mg Adderall, so 120mg Concerta = 60mg Adderall

You are on way too high of a dosage, man.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Yeah 60mg of Adderall IR a day sounds like a lot to me. If it's wearing off before your next dose trying splitting your doses. But personally I have bad ADHD and when I was on Adderall I would take like 15mg a day (3 X 5mg), and even that gave me some insomnia if I took it too late in the day. Try taking less, and perhaps more frequently, don't take it too late in the day, and take a magnesium supplement to keep your tolerance from going up. You may also want to tell your doctor about your symptoms and see if he recommends a different med.