Long term effects of Adderall. Should I be worried?
Question by Eric: Long term effects of Adderall. Should I be worried?
I have been taking ADHD medication for almost 12 years now (from 3rd grade to my junior year in college) It started with Ritalin, then to Concerta, then to….yada, yada, yada.. many different kinds, but now I have been on Adderall for about 7 years. I started sometime around my freshman year in high school. It seems to work the best. I weigh about 205 lbs of muscular build plus “college-stress-fat”, I was probably 140 when I started adderall.
Recently, I have begun to notice problems (progressively in the last 2 years). However, I am also an Aerospace Engineering student in his third and final year of FOUR… I’m graduating a year ahead because I’m stubborn and take summer/winter classes without breaks. This may be the problem, but my family is worried it is the adderall – [25mg XR (once a day during school).]
My symptoms so far:
-This last semester, it feels as if my heart is working very hard, almost as if it is pumping molasses. (however, upon drinking a lot of water, it seems to go away. i may just be dehydrated)
-Occasionally my heart will flutter very fast for no apparent reason, then suddenly slow WAY down and I black out for about a minute.. Out of nowhere. Twice I have urinated myself when this happened. (However, my friends say I did NOT have a seizure).
-I find it very difficult to find any enjoyment, or laugh unless something is EXTREMELY funny. (skydiving is the only way I feel any kind of pleasure or excitement.)
-My orgasms are MUCH weaker, and my ejaculations are also MUCH weaker. (I used to be a shooter)
-I find myself having to Force emotions, Forcing myself to love people or be sad.
-I feel incapable of love. I find it harder to love others. I haven’t felt the feeling of being “in-love” since sophomore year of high school, although I have had many AMAZING girlfriends. I have to FORCE myself to love my current girlfriend because I believe any normal person would, based on how long we have been together and everything that we do for each other.
-I feel like I don’t fit in with my anyone, (it’s been a problem since grade school) but I don’t even feel like I fit in with my family!!!
-My dog of 13 years is about to die of old age, and I feel nothing!! Remember, this is MY dog!! And I can’t even feel sad!!!
-I only feel good for the first hour that I have adderall in my system.
Has anyone else been on ADHD medication this long? Anyone else experiencing these side effects?
Do you think its the medication? Would an extra L-tyrosine supplement help? Do you think I have a dopamine depletion (like a meth user)?
My blood pressure is usually around 145/90 – 150/95
Best answer:
Answer by Martin L
My friend it’s not the drugs. You are suffering from life.
You say that love is tremendous effort, this is always the case.
The feeling of being “in-love” is an illusion that supports procreation.
Your health issues (such as hear flutter) are likely because of your weight gain.
You need to take days off from the drug, and do some exercise. (don’t exercise under the effects of Adderal as it will stress your heart)
The black-out, urination thing is concerning. Get medical advice on this. As to your detached feeling, you are overloading your brain with calculaitons. I suggest you read some fiction, it will reconnect you to the emotional side of your brain. This will enrich you. I have a website for books that have helped me at http://www.wovenlore.com
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