Regarding stimulants

Just a question:

How are the meds prescribed for ADD like Dexedrine different from stims like caffeine and nicotine?

I know if I go too long without smoking especially, I get easily confused and I can't concentrate.

The dexedrine is more focused and "cleaner". Would take too much caffeine and nicotine to get the same effect. The smoking is causing the withdrawal symptoms, not the ADD. Ideally you want alertness/clearer thinking without all the health hazards or additional anxiety, physical and psychiatric effects.

Just an FYI, I take Dexedrine, and when I take it, it makes me want to smoke more than usual. Sometimes I don't take it on the weekend and I'll smoke like 5 cigarettes all weekend, then I take it on Monday since I have to work, and I'll smoke like 3/4 of a pack. Adderall had the same effect, Adderall XR made me smoke the most.

Hm. Here's something odd. I stopped taking Dexedrine after only a week (when told to by my doctor, of course) or so because it seemed to heighten my anxiety but it seemed to lessen my need to smoke. Now that I'm no longer taking it, I find that I've been chain-smoking. I normally smoke 1/2 a pack a day, but I've been smoking more than double that for several days now.

It's amazing how these sorts of drugs can affect people in so many different ways.

I think from what you are saying, though, may explain my heavy dependence on caffeine when it doesn't seem to really do as much for to as you might think.

Was able to quit smoking when got on right meds for bipolar 1 (Lithium was wonderful & quit smoking, but had kidney malfunction & had to get off it & go through a yr. of trial & error--a yr. of hell). Also on Concerta for ADHD & Provigil to counteract side effect of intense daytime sleepiness from bipolar meds. Been on them for about 18 yrs. now & have never had to increase dosage & don't feel jittery, etc.--just feel "normal" as if I would know what that was!!

That is such great news. It inspires hope that one of these days I can quit if I can just get on the right med combo. Even though I smoke a relatively small amount (usually) I can't get any lower or quit. I was in the hospital for the first time in my 30's because of a collapsed lung and was trying to go outside to smoke the day of my operation.

Whatever you do, do NOT take Chantix. It made me soooo depressed, and even though I only took it for 3 months, the effects lingered for a year after that. I have taken Welbutrin and stopped smoking while I was taking that.

Trying & Caring ~ Does the Provigil work well? I've been having problems staying awake during the day as well. I've tried spreading out my doses of Dexedrine, but then I'm awake all night.