So you're treated with amphetamines for ADHD? I'd like to see how that works for me. I've had ADHD since a young child and never gave medicine a chance to work (always was afraid of side effects, etc..) If I can try an ADHD I'd love to, since I could really use the concentration and motivation aspects. Your post in the other thread about dopamine was really useful and interesting, too, I appreciate that. Please share more info on your ADHD treatment if you get a chance. Thanks man. You guys rock.
BTW, welcome back! We missed you! And absolutely I can share my experience with you.
Currently i'm taking Lisdexamfetamine (or Vyvanse as the brand name). The big plus of this, is that it's a Prodrug. If you're not familiar with a Prodrug, it means that it's only activated once it's metabolized, and not when it's digested. In other words, it has ingredients that make your body produce the active compounds, rather than getting the active compounds straight from the pill. This sidesteps issues with digestion and tolerance. Instead of just introducing a foreign object, it's essentially giving your body instructions on what to produce properly. This makes it much more tolerable for many people, with less side effects.
Originally the drug was created for children. So my doctor started me off on very low levels (average effective dose for children is around 50mg). Since every body is different, it takes a few visits and tries to get the right dose. I've also found since my body metabolizes it very fast, what should last 12 to 14 hours, only last about 6 for me. I started off at a 20mg dose for the entire day, but now do a 30mg dose in the morning, and 20mg dose in the afternoon.
When I took my first dose, I got pretty emotional. Not because it messed with my mood, or because I was upset, but because of the moment of realization I had. For the first time I was able to say "Whoa. So this is what it's like to feel normal." And for the first time in what seemed like years, I was able to complete a day of work without this mental struggle of finding ways to keep myself motivated. I'm able to focus and concentrate on normal everyday things, that others probably take for granted.
I've always been envious of other people's lack of energy required for getting things done, but I didn't realize that was because I actually had a problem. I envied people that could be given an assignment in school, and complete it on time with detail. I envy people at work that can just keep working and do their damn job, instead of being distracted and lethargic all day. In elementary school, I was often in the principals office or detention. My peers would even mention this too "Man, you're always in trouble". Yet I couldn't understand how I got there. I was brought up with a strong moral compass, and tried to be nice to people. Everyone else was doing the bullying. Why weren't they in detention? The problem was I didn't have proper control over my emotions and impulses at a young age. I learned coping mechanisms however, so when I reached junior high, I faked it with sheer willpower. Tests and exams were very easy for me because the pressure and intensity was enough to stimulate my brain for properly working concentration and memory. I could give you the correct math answer, but I was lost if you told me to show my work. It was the massive homework projects, the self-directed work at school, the group projects that I couldn't complete. Give me something that i'm passionate about though, i'd get an A. That didn't happen very often though, and when I graduated, half my classes were hovering a few points around failing. I had some understanding teachers though. I had 2 cases where I was about couple percentage points from graduating, and they helped me get some extra credit projects so that I ended up graduating. I've been lucky enough to have jobs that I enjoy, so i've been able to keep them long term, but for years it's been a struggle to keep motivated, even with interesting jobs.
Having ADHD means we have a handicap (it's not always a bad thing though, and there's advantages we have, if we know how to use them). There's no way around that. If they took an MRI of our brain, our prefrontal cortex would not look that same as a "normal" brain. We've developed coping mechanisms to deal with it, that's our wheelchair. Life is stairs. Other people can walk up them with ease, while we have to either find another way, or suffer as we tackle it head on. Taking ADHD medication was my wheelchair ramp. "So this is what it's like to go up the stairs so easy!". After being this way for decades though, we have advantages. A paraplegic who uses their (non-motorized) wheelchair on a regular basis can probably out-bench / out-pull-up the average person (apologies if there are any paraplegics reading this that my comparison is stereotyping).
I guess the point i'm getting at, is that our ADHD isn't going away. Giving someone else ramps and wheelchairs won't make their life better, but it will make ours better. This is why i'm taking the medication.
I haven't had any side effects other than than the the initial headaches when adjusting to it, or the crash when first coming off of it (very similar to adjusting and/or withdrawal from coffee), since it's a stimulant. It doesn't feel like depression medication like SSRIs or SNRIs, where you need to be taking them for weeks before they take effect. The results should be immediate, within 1 to 2 hours (if you have the right dose), unless the dose is too low. Also, have to remember to eat/drink. This will kill your appetite (but make you ravenous when it wears off).
I can see amphetamines possibly being an issue for people with anxiety or hypertension. I take a few natural calming supplements/aminos so that I get proper sleep, such as 5-HTP, L-Theanine, Vitamin D as well as melatonin at a specific time, so as to keep my circadian rhythms in check. I haven't had any sleep issues yet (other than sometimes forgetting how late it is).
It's also allowed me to keep regular physical activity, and eat properly too. And since sleep, exercise and diet, is one of the lowest hanging fruits for regulating hormones and neurotransmitters, it's producing a good runaway effect.
Anyways, sorry. Large wall of text. I feel like I hijacked this thread too, so mods feel free to move it. It was strangely therapeutic to write it though. Let me know if you have any questions.
