[Laura88]

I have been taking adderall for the past 3 months now and yes it helps but i have changed. I miss the extra energy and the high feeling of life. Everyone around me thinks i'm so much better to be around and that only hurts my feelings. Really what is so wrong with the old me? I don't kno if there is really an anwser to this, just need to get it off my chest.

[LibertyBelle]

I've been taking it for 8 years. Before I got help, I was a wild beast, that's not to imply you were a wild beast, but I was totally a rabid baboon.

I'm pretty sure the people around you were trying to compliment you. If they know about your condition, and you're comfortable talking to them about it, you could ask them why they see this change as a good thing.

As far as energy levels go, I've found a little bit of Red Bull helps perk me up a little without making me hyper. Contrary to popular belief, it actually has less caffeine then coffee. Mayo clinic lists the caffeine content of an 8oz cup of coffee as 95-200mg, Red Bull has 80mg per 8.4oz. There is no High Fructose Corn Syrup in it, instead it contains real sugar (Sucrose and Glucose) and vitamins B12 and B6. There's also less sodium in it then the seemingly healthier sports drink, Propel (my Boyfriend's favorite drink). This is only my personal experience, your mileage may vary, and I don't work for or profit from Red Bull.

[AniManiac]

I don't mean to be insulting or upsetting here, and I'm not a doctor, but... Extra energy and high feelings the first couple months, with that effect wearing off and leading to people complimenting your less energetic behavior, suggests that the Adderall had the exact opposite effect on you than it should for most people with ADD. No offense intended here, but it suggests that maybe it wasn't needed in the first place, or is the wrong medication.

Everyone finds that stimulants "help" but the way they help is different for people who do and don't have ADD. What you're describing is a stimulated response, but most ADD people get a calming, focused effect instead. Adderall has never in 10 years made me feel high or energetic, just calmer and less distracted.

If you're getting a stimulated response, then it naturally tends to lessen because of the fact that most people need more and more drugs over time to maintain the high as their tolerance goes up when they are addicted (which Adderall has potential for), whether the drugs are legal or not. I have never felt a different effect from the same dosage of Adderall over time, with the exception of really high stress situations.

It is only natural to enjoy that feeling but if the medication isn't needed or is the wrong one, it is not healthy and could cause long-term problems for you that you could avoid by changing things sooner rather than later. I would suggest talking with your doctors - a different medication might be better, and non-stimulant treatment like Strattera might also be an option.

If you're just seeking a high and extra energy, though, that's generally considered abuse of prescription medications. Again, I'm sorry to say it and I don't mean to offend or hurt your feelings, but it's probably worth considering that as a possibility. It might also be worth revisiting the ADD diagnosis as well, just to be sure, since there are other conditions that can mimic those symptoms. If you can get access to a computer-based ADD test, that might provide a little more certainty.

[Laura88]

I meant the extra highs i had before i started the adderall. It has seam to calm me down a lot. I'm not moving at fast speed anymore or jumping around from here to there.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by Laura Applegate

I meant the extra highs i had before i started the adderall. It has seam to calm me down a lot. I'm not moving at fast speed anymore or jumping around from here to there.

Oh, OK! Then yes, that's the normal reaction to being on ADD meds. You shouldn't be jumping around and moving at fast speeds.

No wonder people are complimenting you - they probably enjoy being able to talk with you instead of trying to keep up with you! It's nothing against who you are, it's just that your behavior has probably been difficult for them at times. We all get that. My hubby gets very irritated with me if I forget ADD meds and am distracted all the time!