How long will I have to keep taking Adderall XR?

You raise a great question for those living with life altering mental illness.

I'm living with mood disorders, where I'm taking 2 major meds that have prolific effects on my energy levels - essentially I feel somewhat contained and limited in my flight of ideas - which for me is quite discering. What I've learned to do is weigh the costs and benefits to taking meds. When analyzing the results of my social life, financial status, family relationships, health and overall sense of selfe, I feel much more comfortable staying on the meds as the benefits far outweigh the costs. It's taken me a while to get to this point, through extensive med management and psychotherapy - but the answers are clear as day for me.

There may be other underlying factors that contribute to what you define as an optimal state of well being. However, from what you wrote, you seem to be in good health and depending on how you value your relationships with your family, will determine the value of taking the meds vs. not taking them.

From your other question, it appears that you may be experiencing withdrawal effects from amphetamine (which is what adderall is essentially) but this is something to discuss with your Dr.

Good luck to you.

I took Adderall XR for about a year and like you, I lost some weight, my concentration was so much better and I had more energy. I didn't experience any anxious feelings or insomnia, though. The only reason I stopped taking it is because it was a lot of trouble to go to the doctor every month to get a new prescription. What dosage do you take? I took 30 mg and it did wonders for me. Maybe you should take a smaller dose. I hate to tell you, but I did go back to my "old" self after I came off of it. I was initially prescribed Adderall XR for energy, as I suffer from chronic fatigue. It worked like a charm, I did have more energy and like I said, lost weight. Within 3 weeks after coming off of it, I was tired all the time and my weight did start coming back. You could try 15 mg and see if that works for you.

That sensitivity is the hallmark of advanced thought, it is acctualy the neural chatter of your subconcious mind which most people have no access to. Because of this sensitivity the amplification of signaling that takes place under the effect of the adderal ( which is a profound Central Nervous System stimulant [dextro-amphetamine a.k.a. Speed]) causes your nervous system to basicly overload and reduces your state to average baseline. This can have undesirable psychological effects internaly while relieving other people of having to deal with the beheavoiral effects your excess energy. With the Benifit your family is already recieving at your current dosage, I would not suggest increasing the dosage. I would however recomend reading the "Davincci Method" (not to be confused with the davincci code) as this may provide you with some insight on living more advantageously with ADHD.

If you havent freaked out yet with what i have said you might also consider exploring "Tibetan Buddhist Tranquility and insight Meditation". This does not involve abandoning your beliefs, but merely gives one useable tools with which to poise the mind amidst the chaos we all experience as ADD/HD genotypes.

GOOD LUCK!!!