Addiction symptoms and conditions

I love this medication even though it has some side effects: It saved my life. I felt like there was nothing I could do--like there was nothing I wanted to, like I didn't care about anything and that really reality was just something theoretical out there--under the haze of my foggy mind. Hopefully I will go on to help others now that I am headed toward Med School. Adderall has given me the ability to have conversations, interact in group discussions, and finish sentences without having to make up a new ending every couple of words because I'd forget what I'd originally intended (maybe that's where my creativity has sprung from)

I would like to inform you of some facts that keep coming up over and over again. This might clarify some of the side effects you may have been experiencing (remember that not everyone experiences every side effect and that a lack of side effects is a good indication that you are not taking too high of a dose. Severe side effects may or may not indicate a dose that is too high)

ADDICTION:
Yes adderall is just like speed, and surely some idiots are addicted to it, and also to penzoil, computer duster, and glue. The fact that it can be manufactured in a home lab somewhere in Desert Hot Springs makes me wonder why people have scheduled this drug so high--it's not really Meth, it's just Amphetamine; and it's easy to make Meth, the real thing! So don't worry about addiction unless you've always been intrigued by street drugs. The bottom line is it's an old drug so it's well tested and well trusted, so that should be your main concern. Stay away from new designer drugs with lethal side effects and costly brands.

DRY MOUTH:
Adderall causes increase in concentration akin to the increase caused by stressful emotions (anger, fear, etc), and so you end up with the body shutting down or reducing it's non-essential uses. Saliva is not needed during a fight or a flight, nor is an easygoing attitude, a sense of humor, or hypothetical pondering. These are things that will be slightly more difficult on adderall, because normally your ADD self was better at them than the average person at large--that was just an ADD gift. So, you will find that on the medication you are going to be a bit closer to "tense" on the scale of relaxation. This is not a bad thing--in fact, you might find you actually enjoy not being a couch potato every now and then, and that a little ambition and motivation wasn't as impossible as it looked when you saw your non-ADD friends around you getting jobs and focusing so well in conversation. If you don't, there is always an alternative therapy, or your psychiatrist may recommend xanax or another benzodiazepam in order to combat anxiety during your Adderall use or afterwards, or if your anxiety is constant, a long acting alternative like paxil may be necessary)

MOOD SWINGS:
(for one tablet taken during a day--my experience is with the 15 mg because I have severe inattentive ADD but my research is on the effects in general)

0:00 Hours---You take your medicine, preferably sometimes during the day.
4:00 Adderall plasma levels remain high for the first 3-4 hours of its working action (this action begins within 20-60 minutes of taking it, depending on your metabolism and whether your stomach is full which slows the process)
4:15 Blood plasma levels begin to drop, and the drug starts to leave the body. This causes a lull, and a few minutes on the sofa. Sometimes one begins to feel agitated, because of the sudden drop in concentration which causes frustration, as well as the sudden loss of patience combined with a drop in dopamine.
9:00 The Adderall is almost completely out of the blood, though some effects continue, and generally by this point will not cause insomnia. However, the drug may have exhausted your brain's supply of Dopamine...

Dopamine is stimulated by Adderall in the brain. Dopamine makes you want to do things, and it is the sister to serotonin, which makes you feel happy and content. Together these drugs create feelings of happiness both at rest(serotonin) and at work/play(dopamine). This is why us ADD people have a hard time enjoying life a lot of the time and seem lazy; we don't enjoy doing things naturally because we lack the chemical for it.

Dopamine is essential to things such as completing goals, completing tasks, staying on subject, finishing a sentence or an argument, or answering questions. If you don't have dopamine, you become impatient, apathetic, and curt--this is a natural side effect of the decreasing plasma levels of the blood. The sudden jump will throw you off balance unless you adapt by realizing this is not your personality but a side effect. Taking in enough food and water will prevent your brain from becoming too drained (it isn't used to actually working like a normal brain--it's been lazy, not you) and will decrease this effect. Unfortunately adderall might make you feel less hungry and thirsty, or make you focused to the point that you forget to eat. Make sure you plan meals and snacks into your day so you don't forget to eat due to lack of hunger.

VITAMIN C: If you drink vitamin C containing juices or take Vitamin C or Grapefruit Juice, it will have a negating effect on the adderall. Your stomach will break it down before it will be processed into your blood and the medicine will not work, so save orange juice for the evenings.

THREE TIMES A DAY:

I only recommend this if you're like me and tend to never get insomnia.

I actually take adderall 15 mg (not the XR just the regular) 3x daily.
I do not recommend suddenly starting and stopping this medication; too many side effects.

420 helps the most with both anger and depression, but wait at least 6 hours since last adderall dose if you are at all inclined to anxiety. For anxiety, the best answer is valium, xanax, or ativan.

I have also had joint pain, but it isn't really new and the adderall is newer; I also have been diagnosed with HMS which might be the cause.

SEX: sexual desire increases initially, then you will go back to normal, though of course you'll be a more attentive and better lover :D

Wow, it's so weird reading everyone's experiences. I have been on the ring going on month three. my side effects are ZERO sex drive, extreme irritability, and severe depression. I have been social but only if I'm drinking where I can escape what I'm really feeling. I had an extremely high sex drive (everyday) for the last three years and since the ring I don't even want to kiss. It's awful. I have been so snappy to my (now ex) boyfriend who I broke up with a couple days ago. I am even questioning if that was me or the hormones talking and feeling. this has been a nightmare. I kept trying to give it "one more month" but I am at my wits end. Today I was considering going on an antidepressant because things seem so terrible and hopeless. Then, I was reminded about the birth control from the ex boyfriend. I will NEVER recommend this as a form of birth control again.

I am stopping wellbutrin now for the 2nd time. After reading everyones response and the timing of when I started 300mg xl it fits. My skin is so bad I'm on 2 different antibiotics and as of today will not leave my house.

I developed severe asthma at the age of 23 and am now 29. Let me say first that Advair develops an addiction!!! however, if I do not take it within days my body reverts back to the crumpled wheezing mess I was before I began taking it. I was taking puffs on my rescue inhaler every 3-4 hours which we all know is not good on the long term. Albuterol makes the heart race and keeps me dizzy for 15 min or so.
When I first started taking advair a super nice doctor *secretly* advised me to take one puff a day instead of two as a way to save money. that was 4 years ago and I am beginning to feel the need to take the usually prescribed second puff in the evening. I am aware of the long-term effects on the body but honestly nothing else works nearly as well. Everyday things like climbing stairs ends in an attack without it. necessary evil.

I have been on the Yasmin now for nearly three months. I have no energy, chest pains, shortness of breath, tenderness of my breast, ribs and I feel REALLY TIRED even after having a nights rest. I thought this was perhaps after having a toddler and using my energy up during the day from lifting him and swinging him. I feel slightly anxious about different things in my life, sometimes depressed. I though my headaches and chest pains were stress/work related and so was the fatigue. I am popping vitamin tablets like it is an addiction thinking that if I don't have them I am going to feel WORSE( anxious/depressed). I also could not understand why I was feeling so nauseous and having stabbing pains in my stomach. - thought again this was just stress related - acid build up. I am going to see my Doctor today and get off this tablet!!!! I would rather have the odd pimple on my face than feel like this.

I have been on Yasmin for around 5 months now and am absolutely fine for the three weeks of taking the pills, however as soon as i stop taking them on the pill free week i become extremely aggressive and emotional. I cry all the time and feel so depressed and angry. I feel myself become furious over the littlest things. I have also begun to have panic attacks over small things and have become scared of everything. Has anyone else experienced this?

I DISLOCATED MY SHOULDER AND THANK GOODNESS FOR THESE! I HAVE TAKEN THEM BEFORE WITH AN IMPACTED TOOTH AND I LOVED THEM THEN TOO. ITS CRAZY TO SEE ALL OF THESE TESTIMONIES AND THE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAYS LORTAB AFFECTS PEOPLE. THE DEFINITELY "MAKE ME HIGH" TO BE HONEST. BUT HELL I LIKE IT, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ADDICTION SO WHY NOT. =) FUNNY THING IS I CANNOT TAKE VICODIN BY ITSELF. ILL HAVE NO PAIN RELIEF AND AN UPSET STOMACH. STRANGE BUT EVEN FROM READING THESE CLAIMS IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT EVERYONES BODY IS AFFECTED DIFFERENTLY.

These are not new side effects but a confirmation of some I've read. Two most disturbing are: the inability to cry which all my life has been a major way to release tension; weight gain and an inability to discipline myself to stop eating; addiction to sugar; lack of motivation; can't stick to anything. when I first started taking it my body "vibrated" but that stopped after a couple of months. However, my head sings all the time. It does cause heartburn so I have to take an antacid (but I also take other blood pressure meds which may add to this). I do generally feel better and now after nearly two years on Zoloft, my motivation to take on projects has increased. I exercise every day and it has helped with depression and anxiety but not with sleep. I'm afraid to go off it because of withdrawal symptoms I may have to suffer; so for now I'm going to continue taking it. It does cause weight gain and does lower motivation but since I'm 74 years old, I don't need to worry about sex drive. Hope this helps.

Hi everyone,
I cannot live without xanax and its terrible, I have been on them for 5 months and have tried to stop them and its a nightmare. I suffer memory loss, have blackouts that I do not remember what I have said after a few drinks. It does help ease the social anxiety. But I have become moody, sleepy. . Does anyone else have these problems?

I have some of everything above and am in so much pain that I feel as if I am dying a slow, painful death. I am on heavy pain meds and even with those I have severe abdominal cramping. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this pain relief. I am very worried as to what is happening to me internally. They are scheduling cat scans and I am awaiting a phone call to get something diagnostic done. This all started 8/15 and not only are things not easing up, but I think this is getting worse. I also have a urethral discharge, UTI, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. Initially, I had a 102 degree fever and now my temp is low, only 97.1! my husband plans on calling a lawyer today, 8/26. One day I passed brown urine and it shocked me! I'd appreciate hearing from others as I feel so alone in this horrible nightmare which is unfolding! FYI, my doctor feels that my muscle tissue is breaking down...has anyone heard anything like this from their doctor? The stomach and abdominal pains are like labor!

I have been on Paxil off and on now for about 5 years.... the current length of treatment for the past 1 1/2 years. I need to be on it ( or something for that matter ) for my panic disorder. I am a 36 year old nurse/ manager and some days was almost debilitated by panic attacks. Depression was part of it, but not nearly as much as panic. I must say, that I have been experiencing memory loss now for about a year.... I thought maybe it was due to overwork/ stress...which I do understand it COULD be. However, I find it interesting that I am seeing so many more people with memory loss than I imagined. Is it due to stress in this type of people's lives, or is it in fact, the drug Paxil?
Keep in mind this is an SSRI ( Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor ) ~~ even though there is no solid evidence (YET!) this is a side effect of the drug, I would bet my license on the fact that that it is!
I have tried time and time again to wean myself off of Paxil.. ( with and without my Dr's advice )--- I did succeed for a few years to be without the medicine, however being on a slew of other meds in the interim did not help as much for the panic as does the Paxil. Paxil, honestly, scares the hell out of me!
Besides the "numb emotions", memory loss, sexual appetite decrease, yawning, lack of sleep, etc... the side effects of coming off of it are worse! As I read earlier, it IS addictive, indeed! The brain gets used to the drug being there ( as with any addiction ), and the "surges" of dizziness, sweats, and out-of-body-like experiences I experience coming off of the drug are excruciatingly harder to bare than the depression itself. Those above symptoms of withdrawal are just that....withdrawal!
Once your body is "allowed" to reuptake serotonin (as it is supposed to), this is when those symptoms raise their head...sometimes for weeks or months until they subside.
I would welcome anyone with help on this matter---is there another Drug out there that can help with anxiety/depression symptoms, and not cause the plethora of side effects we have all discussed here?
Diane

Well, well, well. I'm glad I stumbled upon this drug in the side effects area. I, too, was sneakily substituted it for Wellbutrin XL! I've been on it for 2 mos now. I couldn't figure out why my moods had gotten worse and I was wanting to cry at stupid stuff on tv. I was thinking bad things were going to happen to my kids. I was having "almost" panic attacks when I was around a lot of people. That doesn't help when you go to church every Sunday. I have to sit in the crying room with the little kids. I just feel "out of sorts". I'm extra tired. I crave sweets and MUST have them. I'm like a drug addict, but with sweets. I thought my side effects were from the other meds I'm on, which I have not changed in many, many months. Now I know It's Budeprion. I am in the process of weaning off anyway because of the sweets addiction thing....I'm trying to lose weight that I gained on other meds over the last 2 yrs and THIS isn't helping. Thank you to all who posted. Good luck!

i have been on Lorazepam for almost 7 months now- I've been weaning off for 3 months. i just want to warn everybody and anybody how physically addicting these pills are. not in the sense where u want to abuse them, but in the sense when it wears off your body goes through wicked withdrawal. It also can cause more anxiety! it causes memory loss, mood swings, depression, ADDICTION, extreme fatigue, headaches, feeling like your in a dream, light headedness... and it goes on from there. Never let a doctor say its ok to take this on a daily basis. this medication should only be taken as needed, for example: only when a panic attack is coming on or happening.
I feel very strongly about this subject because many people, including myself, are misinformed. i have been going through hell being on this medication AND its even worse trying to get off of it.

Check out benzos.org

I was on Paxil for 9yrs, but have been off it now for 8yrs. It was prescribed by my family Dr for extreme PMS. At the time, it was a new drug just on the market, and there were no boards like this to describe any side effects.
After I was on it for several years, I tried to come off it. But the side effects were so bad, every time I tried, I decided to stay on it. I realized I couldn't stay on it any longer when it was affecting everything in my life. Paxil was making me so exhausted I was sleeping up to 20 hours a day. It almost ruined my life. Because I couldn't get to work, I lost my job and was out of work for 2 years while I was trying to come off Paxil. Of course my Dr refused to believe I was going through withdrawl, because he said Paxil was not addictive. We all know now that is incorrect. I had to slowly wean myself off it 1/4 of a tablet at a time over several month, and I still had horrible, very scarry withdrawl symptoms. I suffered from vertigo, tremors, tingling throughout my body, numbness in my hands, feet and legs, brain shocks, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speach, memory loss, heart palpitations and the hallucinations were the worst. I became easily aggitated by everything, unable to stand up without losing my balance. I was seeing floating black waves across my vision when my eyes were open. I can say it was hell, and I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer through it. I'm writing this to warn others that if you are on it for a long time, and then come of it, some of the withdrawl effects never go away. So be very careful how long you stay on it. To this day, 8yrs later, I still get numbness and tingling in my legs and feet. I still get brain shocks every so often. I still get short-term memory loss. The worst part is Paxil ruined my digestive system. Before I was on it I had no problems, now there are only certain foods I can eat. Paxil effects the serotonin levels in your brain, but it also effects the serotonin levels in your stomach and intestines. I went through several thousand dollars worth of health tests only to discover it was caused by all my years on Paxil. So please be careful and only stay on this drug as long as need be. It may have a negative affect on the rest of your life.

Nothing. I just had 2 wisdom teeth and one other tooth exracted. I am taking meprozine at least every 4 hours. Yes I'm a tiny bit off balance and it is making me a little tired AND it is relieving the pain.

Side affects? pain relief and some drowsiness.
Fine with me. I think you'd have to take something else so you can go back to work. Something that doesn't make you drowsy. I hope I don't become addicted by it as someone else stated.
Happy with meprozine.

Thank God for the internet. Seriously.
I am really trying to give Mirena a fair trial, however, some of the side effects are worrying me.
I have been having hot flashes (I just turned 40), my mood swings are disturbing, and my breakthrough bleeding happens often without warning. I also have the weight gain. However, to be fair, I don't know that I can really attribute my weight gain to Mirena. This is pretty important; has anyone else out there experienced addiction feelings? To cigarettes? Alcohol? I have never had strong urges for drugs and alcohol, however, I have lately... Again, can you really say that Mirena is to blame?
The upside is that my periods are, blessedly, light. This is a definite upside for someone who had heavy periods. I also don't feel the strings, nor does my husband. After reading some of the postings on this site, that concerns me.
Thank you.
MaryKay

I am 30-years-old and have been smoking close to a pack a day (usually less, sometimes more) since I was 19. This is my 10th day on Chantix. Well, everyone is right... you cannot take it on an empty stomach. I had to pull over on my way to work and throw up. Anyway, I will definately eat in the morning from now on. I have gotten some muscle pain, but nothing major. The key is to take vitamins - - a good multi and extra potassium and fiber.
As far as the smoking part.. well, today was suppose to be my quit date, but I wound up having 7. I don't feel sick when I smoke on it but I definately don't enjoy it as much. Now, it's breaking the habit, not the addiction.

addiction
I can't sleep without using this drug but as nasal spray

I have had my Mirena since 6/5/06, three weeks after giving birth to my third child. I only opted for it because a paperwork fiasco at the hospital did not get my authorization for the tubal ligation after delivery in time, then went I went for the pre-surgery consult, the doctor highly recommended the Mirena instead of a tubal and even though I told her that I had horrible problems tolerating the pill, I was told that the hormone level was low, and localized, and not to worry about any side effects.

I didn't have pain or cramping initally like a lot of the other posters, and had very light spotting for the first few months, to the point that I couldn't really tell "Is THIS my period, or am I still just spotting?". I thought that would subside, but here, 15 months later, I still "spot" up to 20 days a month. I have tender/swollen breasts almost every day of the month (to the point where even an accidental brush against them is painful and I have to wear my bra even to bed, something I never did before). FORGET about my husband even wanting to touch them! More on that later....

I go to my PCP tomorrow and am asking to have it removed. To help her, I made a list of my symptoms, and have divided them into Physical and Emotional Categories. I am hoping she does not give me a referral to a mental health specialist when she reads it, cause its quite extensive. I am NOT a hypochondriac by any means, just someone who knows my body and knows these are not normal: bloated stomach (still look 6 mos pregnant), weight gain (I am 7 lbs over my weight when discharged from the hospital after delivery. 7 lbs is not alot, but consider that is on top of a considerable pregnancy weight gain that has not come off, add another 7lbs to it despite a rigorous exercise and diet plan, including Alli (orlistat) that resulted in a 2lb. gain). Headaches, blurry vision, acute insomnia in spite of prescribed sleep aids, fatigue, achey muscles, joint pain esp. in wrists and hands, acne, cramping, night sweats, pain during intercourse (when I'm coaxed into having it), a worsening in my hearing and ringing in ears, sometimes a burning sensation in the top of my right foot.

The worst part is the emotional effects. Depression and dispair beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Wild mood swings. I thought "maybe I'm bi-polar?" but no, I don't have manic episodes, I'd say I have two moods: Despair & Self-Loathing and RAGE. I have destroyed almost every relationship I have. I have lost friends, family members that I have alientated with my wild temper, and last week, my husband walked out on me, saying "I just can't take this anymore, what is WRONG with you, you aren't the woman I married". My rage is 99% of the time directed towards him. It can be over something as simple as he didn't push his chair in after leaving the dinner table. I have anxiety attacks, severe daily crying spells, and the thought or suggestion of sex sends me into severe panic attacks. A sexual encounter, formerly a much enjoyed and daily event, has become a MAYBE twice monthly event that ends with me in tears and my husband frustrated and angry beyond belief.

I just hope and pray I am not met with "It's not the IUD" when I see my doctor (not the doctor that put it in, as we have moved across the state). All I can say is NONE of these symptoms were present before Mirena, it just took my husband walking out on me to sit and think and make the connection that maybe there is a coincidence. I started to see a connection to wild behavior while pregnant and years ago being on the pill and then, duh, light bulbs went off in my head. "This is hormonal". Sorry it took me so long and cost me so much pain to figure it out.

After prolonged use, my spouse seemed to loose all feelings and emotions. It was as if he didn't care about anything. Has anybody else had this happen?

I've been on Seroquel for a month now. My dosage was progressively increased from 100mg to 400mg for severe chronic insomnia, a symptom of manic depression.

Within one month, I've gained 20 pounds and I look as if I'm six or seven months pregnant.

I am weaning myself off of it, because my doctor doesn't seem to care much about the weight gain, despite the fact that I eat less than 1000 calories a day.

A symptom of bipolar disorder is also depression, and the more I look at myself in the mirror, the more depressed I get.

I'd rather go without sleep than gain weight at the rate I've been gaining it. It's just not safe, and I can feel it taking its toll on me physically and psychologically.

It's just not worth it in my opinion. I'm giving Melatonin a try. Hopefully, that will work for me. It was suggested by one of my nurses.

It's not easy to go from a 4/5 to nearly a size 9 in a month. It really makes you feel terrible, especially when you exercise an hour and a half everyday and are on a low calorie diet.

Until I'm given something that can counteract the weight gain, I refuse to stay on Seroquel.

I admit I'm having some bouts of insomnia, but they're not nearly as bad as they were before I started the Seroquel. Perhaps that will change once the Seroquel is all out of my system.

I also notice I'm itching everywhere, from head to toe. I suppose that's a symptom of weaning yourself off of the drug.

I was put on yasmin by my doctor to help decrease a ovarian cyst... I love this medication. I feel great, losing weight easily, depression much better. I am sorry for the ones who are having problems... there are always going to be people that dont react the right way to any drug. I have been there myself. I am usually allergic to every thing. I suggest... try yasmin...if it doesnt work for you try something else. Good luck

Ativan can very easily ruin your health and your life. Anyone taking this drug (or any of the other benzodiazepines) is playing with fire. Everyone becomes addicted eventually and that's when the nightmare starts!!! Some people become addicted in a few weeks, for others it can take longer. The debilitating effects of addiction can take years to resolve!

See www.benzoisland.org

@ Guest 37781

How did you stop taking singulair?i mean are you on some alternative medicine or has your asthma subsided?how come?

Actually pregnancy and its complications really really worry me....i am about to be married in a year and asthma frightens me of what future may bring.I have read and consulted many doctors and all confirm that allopathic medicine has no *cure* for asthma though it can prevent it ....and we have to depend upon medicine quite a lot.But many many people say that homaeopathic medicine can completely cure ....all we need is to find the right kind of a doctor...these days i am on homeopathic medicine....and weaning from singulair was really difficult ....with all the terrible results...i just use inhalor these days when needed....it is mucosy asthma with a lot of cough.But the good news is i am improving a bit....and am really hopeful that one day i will do without any kind of medicine.Do pray for me.

With singulair i experienced excessive falling of hair,stiffness and pain in joints and addiction to singulair.

It really disturbs me to see a few months old babies suffering from this ailment. i developed it when i was 21...it is difficult to imagine what misery they go through. May God bless all.

I began taking ambien for occasional sleeping difficulty. It
became a very easy thing to do. Taking such a small pill every night can't really do any harm, right? I believe that long term it can. We know that there are side effects with any drug, but if ambien is not addictive, then why after taking it for more than seven or so consecutive nights, is it suggested that you slowly taper off the drug after consultation with your doctor? If that's not addiction, I don't know what is! Stopping this drug suddenly, (after extended use), can cause negative physical, as well as psychological reactions. How sad it is that, as a society, we have put so much faith in
in the healing remedy of medication. I guess we all must do our part to help grease the wheels of the pharmaceutical industry?