June 11th
2009
6:12 AM
My Strangest Experience with Adderall Yet
First off, my deepest apologies if this post is way too long for it's own good. If anything, I'm surprised that I was able to write this much in the condition I'm in. I just strongly feel that people who are currently taking adderall should take get the chance to hear from a first-person experience while it's still fresh and some pointers from them, ESPECIALLY those who are new to taking the medication. This just may come in handy in the near future...
So for starters, I am currently a highschool student, as you know, the use of drugs such as adderall and other amphetamines are common in high school, and even in college. I currently have finals that I CANNOT afford to receive NOTHING BUT flying, perfect straight A's. Then again, schools and getting into colleges with so much competition have gotten much harder over the few years. Honestly, no really, honesty. I used to be straight-edge goody-two shoes, but the constant, beating high pressure of my grades and the dire need to receive straight A's cannot be helped and I eventually caved and gave in.
Grades mean everything to me... I gave up my sobriety for the grades, I mean, would you say that's unforgivable? Straight A student, responsible, healthy, and ambitious? Bad kid? I think NOT! So if you're in the same place as I am, I can't blame ya and people have no right to criticize your right to choose what are your priorities are and the sacrifices that must be given up. Don't feel guilty if that's the cause; you are not alone.
This reason for taking adderall is quite common actually, in the previous recent years. "A fall 2007 American College Health Association study found that over 90 percent of college students felt overwhelmed by all that they had to do.So it’s not surprising that some turn to illegal prescription drugs to boost their ability to study harder and longer. " (Source: http://www.bu.edu/today/campus-life/2008/05/02/other-side-adderall) In my case, due to the constant pressure from parents and the constantly-stressed beliefs that school, college, and your career is EVERYTHING, that's just how I am and I'm willing to take risks for it, even if it's my life FOR the sake of my future life.
I'm pretty sure there are those of you out there, who are going or have gone through the same experience completely understand and know what I mean. So for all you criticizing people! (Mainly those adults, who keep insisting that ALL drugs are bad for you and try oh-so hard to keep kids of drugs. You've had your time with all the bud and psychedelics, and whatnot, at least we didn't judge you! We're doing this for our future, so enough with criticism or cut the pressure.
We're not that much of mindless ignorant, juvenile delinquents that you think we are, cut us some slack, jeez. We're not stupid, we are well-aware that drugs have their side effects and consequences. I mean wouldn't believe that after years of programs school's offer such as D.A.R.E., that we get the big picture and we'd know by now? Lol when you really think about, programs like that become ineffective once a child has gone through his/or her teenage phase. It's the impulse to try things, to experiment. To do things for yourself, what makes you feel good and NOT doing what adults are telling you to do OR vice-versa, doing what they tell you NOT to do :P (ah, the first signs of teenage rebellion).
So what if they are bad and harmful to ourselves? We already know that, yet people all over the world continue to take drugs, despite the dangers and risks that they have to one's life and health. The warnings dont' stop them. You know why? Of course you do! Because people make decisions for themselves. It's the way of life. And that means, even if it takes some drugs to reach those goals. At least SOME of us, take certain drugs to get ahead and pursue something of value, so at least take that into consideration and believe that not ALL of us are drug addicts or miscreants because truth is, we're all really not that bad. So it makes you wonder, is it REALLY that wrong for people like me to take adderall for educational purposes?
Lol Eh, in most cases, blame it on the parents or the fact that it is extremely difficult to get into a good college or university :P No really. Duh. Thing is, there are also the psychological reasons behind why a person takes drugs. Whether it's for the high, the escape for emotional problems, or the just for the sake of taking them. I, on the other hand, had to make a choice on this. It was my decision, my reasons, by my hand. I chose this method. As a person, I rarely drink, smoke, blaze, or take any other drug as the matter of fact. I'm just taking adderall for the sake of college and other demands/requirements (No, it DOES NOT mean that they're encouraging students to take it, so don't take it the wrong way). I mean, I think I'm a good kid overall and I know taking adderall is not really the right way to go or path to choose; that it is a wrong, bad decision and abuse of medication. But again, hey I chose this, and it's my way of getting through parts of life.
I don't know about you but to me, it's completely worth the risk, side-effects, and the results.. I mean really, it's not like I overdose all the time or that I'm addicted (pray that I don't) on it all the time, truthfully this this only my 3rd time taking adderall. The last time of which went smoothly and pretty well, received nothing or any strange, out-of-the-ordinary side effects such as today. So, in case your wondering... No, my life so far has not become demoralized or unmanageable nor am I addicted to the substance, but I will admit that I have a slight tendency to rely on it sometimes. (Slight addiction or dependency?)
I took exactly 2 pills of adderall, rx capsules both of which are 20 mg.. which in total, equals 40 mg. I just want to know from what I mentioned above, what (like what kind of side-effects I should keep an eye out for) could pose as warning signals that I may have overdosed and perhaps, overlooked the effects, unaware of the risk I may be in. Maybe a few pointers and tips if you will, on how to lessen the effects, because as of right now, the numbing sensation is a little too much than what I expected and more than I asked for.
Unfortunately, I thought the first one got out out of my system but I'm starting to have rapid/heavy breathing, numbness (more specifically a tingly feeling) in my face/chest, both of my hands, and every time I get up to walk, my legs feel really numb/loose/weak, and it's starting to spread ALL (almost entirely) over my body, which obviously CAN'T be a good sign. Like I can barely get a hold of my head (feels like everything's spinning around) or my balance to even stand, never mind being able to walk :/ I was so woozy and dizzy, I almost fell on my way to the bathroom, which is only a few steps away! I can surely tell that I am not able to walk in a straight line. (Lights kind of dim when I'm woozy as I walk, like barely so it's not really scary, kind of trippy I have to admit). I am panicking but I'm willing and able to keep myself calm, the more self control I struggle to get the less numbness.
Despite all these things happening all at once, and that I should be panicking, I'm not afraid. I was well-aware of the consequences and the side-effects, i just never knew I would feel it so strongly. However, I am concerned with the the deafening of my ears. It occurred twice in the same hour, except just in the past 4 minutes ago as I was typing this, instead of everything becoming muffled, I only a constant grainy sound which kinda went with the rhythm of my numbness. All these prickly, numb feelings kinda synchronized with the grainy deafening.
I kinda like the feeling. And I am quiet satisfied with the extra push that I need for school, and the high that it's giving me. I won't say it makes you smarter, but it definitely helps me in my case. I was suffering from a major writer's block, but adderall definitely increased my productivity and made essays, test studying/taking, and just any tedious assignment a breeze, really. I apologize if it sounds like I'm trying to advertise this drug, but at least I'm being 100% honest. Really, couldn't have done it without and it really saved my life, now let's just hope if I DID overdose (cross my fingers that I didn't!) that I'll still live!
Again, sorry for coming off as if I'm taking this lightheartedly when important issues such as health/life is involved. Haha this really shouldn't be a joking matter, I just don't see the reason to panic. Blame the funny feeling that's causing me to behave this way.
Just from the past hour, I realized I started to worry a little, that worry grew into a slight concern, to a mild panic. And as my body quickly but gradually progressed in the numbness, I also noticed that my breathing gets even faster, and the numbness starts to travel in larger waves, which is not a feeling of which I enjoyed. So my advice, even though you're panicking, or if you feel to start get anxiety, TRY to remain cool. Doesn't matter what you do, a slap or two to the face to trying to out shake the numbness or just keep your body moving, (which I've done in the past 30 minutes, you'd be surprised that it helps a little).
But the one method that works for me is focus, let me try to explain the feeling when it starts to get a little overwhelming. Try imagining yourself like a camera, doesn't matter which (video or just camera). Picture that you're seeing through lens and maybe add the feeling of a something resembling to feeling slightly tipsy (but not exactly). It feels as though you're out of focus, try controlling, as spiritual and cheesy as this may sound, instead of panicking because as we all know, once a person starts panicking that's all they're focusing on.
One can only try to keep it together before his/or her anxiety levels worsen, which may have a possible amplifying effect of causing someone to believe he/or she is undergoing a seizure/heart attack. If anything, if a person was about under the point where they really believe they're going to have stroke, the MORE crucial and imperative it is to remain calm. The faster your heart beats which by the way, is a common side-effect, so don't panic just yet. You'll only make it worse. So the more you slow down your breathing, the slower your heart. And the less you panic, the less anxiety that causes your heart to beat faster.
So really try to focus on just focusing (if that makes sense), tell yourself to get a hold of yourself, and stay calm. As difficult as this may sound while in the state of panic, slow down your breathing. Your body is going to automatically breathe hard and fast, so it's really under your control. To help ease the numbness/tingly feeling if it's getting way out of hand, I recommend sitting flat on your butt, with your legs stretched out infront of you, this way the numbness/tingly feeling decreases and calms down just a little. While sitting in this position, lean forward, as if you're doing a pancake stretch or open pike. No need to overdo it, just stick out about 20 degrees from your hips, head over center-line. (Meaning your head has to pass your stomach).
To see if you're able to support yourself, try standing. Have something near to grab a hold on, or your legs will almost collapse like mine on my trip to the bathroom. If you can walk without toppling over or lose your footing, proceed with whatever you're doing, you're clear ;) However, if you're wobbling all over the place, I strongly suggest you take my advices above. I'm in this position as we speak, with my macbook propped between my legs, infront of me :)
IF ANYTHING, the very most important advice I can give you if you EVER take adderall or any other drugs similar to it, ALWAYS HAVE LOTS OF WATER IN REACH AND NEARBY. I DON' T CARE IF YOU HAVE TO KEEP A GALLON IN YOUR ROOM OR IN A CLASS WHILE TAKING A TEST, HAVE WATER WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES AND PLENTY OF IT. I REPEAT, THIS IS A MUST! I almost GUARANTEE you that you WILL get dehydrated and the effects of dehydration may worsen your state, more importantly your health.
So please, be safe. I thought 2 whole cups and 2 7.7 fl bottles of arrowhead water was enough, but boy was I wrong. My mouth and throat would get so dry that I would take like 1 swig every 5-10 minutes, so all that water disappeared shortly. Because I ran out of water, and still was unable to walk properly, I had a strong feeling that using the stairs wasn't a good idea.
Fortunately for me, I have an awesome older brother (who had also taken adderall and other medications before, might I add), to bring up a bottle of water for me. I'm so relieved that he was awake when I needed some assistance (Thank god he stays up late like when I do). I would've been ROYALLY screwed trying to climb my way down my huge, seemingly never-ending, staircase. Then my parents will definitely find out what I've been taking and that would lead to a huge disappointment :( ...unless i found some way to crawl back upstairs in time, which I honestly have to say may be the most impossible thing yet while under the effects of adderall :P
Anyways, this last bottle should do the trick and hopefully, last me for the rest of the night. I'm not positive but I may be coming down a little, so that's good news. I think.. Well there ya have it. My semi-scary, strange, odd-feeling experience ever.
As much as I was happy to give all that out to you guys, it all leads to one important question. From what you've read above and my detailed experiences, or even from your own experiences, the big question is... Did I overdose? Could it be possible that these signs and feelings/reactions are/were warning signs OR just part of the enjoyable high? Because I need to know whether I'm okay or not, despite that I'm calm and content. Truthfully, I can't tell and that I am unable to distinguish these 'feelings' from each other.
Because if the case is that I did overdose, that could be a big problem, either now or in the future that is, if I make it out of this one (Hopefully, its not life-threatening). I really need to know the body's signal(s) that will definitely let me know that I could possibly be in a bad situation, especially in case that this happens again and who knows, I may have really been in a dangerous state but really couldn't recognize it. So your opinions and sayings really do matter :) Not just to me, but to all the people who are asking themselves the same questions, worried out of their minds and in seek of help and advice.
So please, feel free to drop a sentence or a few. It would really help a lot. This way, I am more cautious taking the pill(s) and depending what your responses are, possibly lower my intake a tad bit. Or at least, just taking enough to get me working. Just the constant, tingly feeling makes me all giddy inside... So maybe realistically, I SHOULD be freaking out and panicking... Maybe even calling for help! :P But hopefully, someone out here will be kind to let me know your opinion and feel free to add suggestions before I resort to the sudden panicking and help :) Lol I bet by the time SOMEONE is finished reading this post and typing up their reply, I probably sobered up. Oh well, this ain't just for me, it's also for the rest of you guys out there, so this post will not be in vain :)
P.S. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU TAKE ANY OF THESE KINDS OF MEDICATION. SCRATCH THAT, DO RESEARCH ON ANYTHING GIVEN TO YOU, EVEN IF IT'S PRESCRIBED BY YOUR OWN DOCTOR! Trust me on this, it'll really help clear up thing and answer your questions, and more importantly, answers to questions regarding your health. I'm doing my research, why not do yours? It will only take a few measly minutes. As always said, better to be SAFE than SORRY!
R.-R. "nickname"
-- By charismatichype1 | Reply | Private Message me
February 10th
2009
5:45 PM
I have been taking zoloft for 14 years for panic disorder with mild depression. various doses, but now im at 200 mg, and have been at that dose for a long time. it was like a lifesaver from my previous med, imipramine. i did have really vivid dreams, weird ones, for a long time, but not so much anymore. i think that the long term effect of taking it has taken a toll on my mental clarity/concentration, though. I feel like i can't concentrate on anything or complete a thought anymore. even typing this i feel like i'm getting lost. like i'm constantly in a fog. or it could be that i have 5 month old twins, lol, i guess. but really, its never been this bad.
i too feel like i have had some loss of emotion, not feeling sad when its completely appropriate to. and i've also had way too much emotion at the wrong times, flying off the handle at people and such. the worst thing is my dr. would ask me "what makes you happy, what do you do for fun?" and i would just stare at him with a blank look cause i had no idea what that felt like anymore. or maybe i couldn't think enough to answer him. physically i think zoloft makes me twitch - eye twitches, nose twitches, throat clearing. and i can't have an orgasm to save my life :(
recently i've been having some breakthrough anxiety and my dr. wants to add wellbutrin to the zoloft. if anyone has experience with this please send me a message. i'm kind of scared to do it.
August 25th
2008
9:22 AM
SINGULAIR AND ZYRTEC SAME MEDICATION made by different companies. Be careful!
-- By frightenedmother | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
March 28th
2008
9:54 PM
To mlkeene:
I went back and read your entire post. My apologies; you do have a child which is even more shocking that you're not sympathetic to what's going on with Singulair. That is unreal to me for such a "well educated" person.
-- By matthewct1 | Reply | Private Message me
March 27th
2008
3:13 PM
I came to this forum 2 or 3 weeks ago, looking for a reason for my 17-year-old son's chronic insomnia (every morning, he felt like he had been awake or half-awake all night and was exhausted). I thought maybe he should start taking his Singulair in the morning rather than at night just before bed, and I wanted to see if others had had similar experiences.
I couldn't believe how many of these side effects my son was having! My husband and I had assumed his occasional fits of rage (followed by tears and apologies) and his angst and depression (not severe, thank God, though there were times when he said he hated himself) were just part of being a teenager and possibly helped along by the stresses of high school and impending college. He had been on Zyrtec and Singulair for nearly three years. I had read the labeling when he first started, but of course, Singulair just recently added the warning about depression and suicide.
He stopped taking both medications the same day, and he feels so much better. He's sleeping again, he's more cheerful, more energetic, and much less angst-ridden. He has been going out with our family and with his friends more often, too; he used to just want to stay home in his room.
I'm so glad I did some research.
-- By sky42966 | Reply | Private Message me
July 11th
2007
5:39 AM
I am so surprised by the posts here! I have been on Reglan (10mg) for years now and I have only had a positive experience. I have IBS and the Reglan has been prescribed so that I may sleep at night and have regular digestive "movement"...it has done just that and I have no complaints!
-- By purplepillow | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 14th
2007
10:07 AM
I have been taking Toprol for about a year for elevated heart rate. It slowed down my heart allright, and my metabolism slowed down with it! I've gained 20 lbs in a year! I joined Weight Watchers 9 weeks ago expecting to lose about 10 lbs by now. I keep a food journal, eat per the program and exercise 5 times a week. I have lost NOTHING. It is very depressing when you do everything that you're supposed to to lose weight and nothing happens. I am going to discuss other alternatives with my physician.
-- By seafan56 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 11th
2006
10:28 AM
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September 5th
2005
1:36 AM
Not too good with computers so apologies for the first effort! :o)
Right.......I have Antiphospholipid Syndrome (also known as sticky blood and closely related to Lupus), I have Primary Sjogrens Syndrome and Ankylosing Spondilitis (Lucky Me!). I have been taking 10mgs of Pred' for 3 years now and I go through periods of weeks when I suffer really bad dreams - my children dying, my wife, me. I am usually an extremely happy, out-going person who - although reasonably ill - sees the best in life etc etc. I am also in constant difficulty with stomach and bowel pain (nice :o/).
It would be great to hear from anyone who has also been on the drug for a prolonged period and also experiences these side effects? Thank you.
-- By vinny | Reply | Private Message me
Singulair (3) PredniSONE (1) Mirena (1) Geodon (1) Reglan (1) Adderall XR (1) Toprol-XL (1) Zoloft (1)
July 22th
2009
10:30 AM
I am SO glad I ran across this site.I am not crazy! My Mirena was put in about 3 months ago after my gyno finally put it together that my birth control pills were causing menstrual migraines. I will say the Mirena helped with the headaches, but lately I have not felt like myself. I have gained 10 lbs. in 3 months (even though I have been eating well and exercising more to avoid this side effect), my hair is oily, I have little dry itchy patches on my skin, fatigue, joint pain, no interest in having sex (after we do have sex sometimes I get horrible cramps and pain, like when the Mirena was inserted) I am super moody, and have anxiety/depression/anxiety problems, bloated almost constantly, and I feel like I can't focus or concentrate on anything! I called my gyno this morning because I do not want to feel like this anymore, and told her about all my symptoms. The only thing that makes sense to me is that Mirena is causing all my problems, since I never had any of them until I got it put in. The gyno tells me its not Mirena, that it definitely does not cause all that, and to get my thyroid checked because that is my problem. However, after reading all these stories, I am convinced that it is Mirena, and I am definitely getting it out. There is no way so many women can only have Mirena in common and have the same problems, even if they are not listed as side effects on the Mirena brochure.
-- By kuroneko | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message meSo I am definitely getting it taken out, but I am curious about experiences after having it removed. How long till you feel like yourself again? Do the side effects go away quickly? Does it hurt more or less than getting it put in? Does the weight come off easily?
Hopefully this post helps someone as much as the other posts helped me. Thank you all for taking the time to post.