[KaliKali]

Hi all, I’m new here so apologies in advance if I lack forum etiquette!
Diagnosed ADHD few days ago, psych prescribed me Dex and I’m having an awful time. Feel a bit of a ‘high’ when it kicks in (anxious, edgy high – not particularly nice) which lasts an hour or so before it starts wearing off, where I’m left feeling even more sketchy, paranoid, anxious, difficult talking properly (brain not working) and tired. I have no interest in doing anything, and struggle with even simple tasks like folding clothes as it’s too confusing to work out the different piles for each of us and even typing this post is proving very difficult to think and type (I’m sure you can tell!). I’m also left feeling like I want more when it wears off, just to take away the bad feeling. This is happening after each 5mg (twice day) and went up to 10mg twice day today as prescribed, and feeling much the same, maybe slightly less negative feelings but more lost and not myself. Also not sleeping at night and never have any trouble sleeping. I called pharmicist today and she suggested sticking it out just back to 5mg twice day for a while. So my question is, has anyone had a similar experience first days taking their meds, but it ended up getting better? And if so how long did this last? Not sure I can continue functioning like this for much longer! Thank you!

[Cocosurviving]

Hello there,

I’m sorry your suffering. With my two kids that were on ADHD meds their symptoms were not the ones your having. But the symptoms they would get would last a week or two. They did not take their meds in the summer so right before school started they would start back on the meds. I think you should go to the manufacturers website and read more on the side effects. I have bipolar disorder so I know what it feels like to have problems with insomnia, anxious, difficulty getting task done. We call that hypomania.

In my experience, any activating type of reactions when I started the drug completely leveled out after a couple of months. At this point, I cannot tell I am taking a drug. I even sleep better while taking this drug. But if I took it more than twice a day, I would probably have trouble sleeping too. I take 10 mg. twice a day. Since I have the tablets, I cut them in half or a fourth if needed. It's not like antidepressants, where you have to take the same amount consistently every day. My psychiatrist never seems to mind that I adjust my doses as needed.

This drug is very short acting--it usually works for about 4 or 5 hours. It's not the most consistent drug either, so keep that in mind. Some days it works better than others and same as you, sometimes it makes me more tired. It took me a long time to realize there are inconsistencies with effectiveness, but I have taken other drugs and this has the least amount of side effects for me and it is more effective. What time to you take it? I take 10 mg. at 7 or 8 am then again at 12 or 1 pm; 2 at the latest.

I believe this is one of the cleaner drugs out there, but it's odd a psychiatrist would prescribe this drug to you before trying some of the others. Paranoia is a known side effect for some. If i had that side effect, I would simply lower the dose like was recommended to you. I think this is a drug that is good to start out at 2.5 mg. for a few weeks before moving up to 5 mg. then 10. Psychiatrists can't predict how someone reacts exactly as with most psychotropics, but perhaps even moreso with this drug as again, the effects are not consistent even with the same person. Very curious why you were prescribed this drug right off the bat after your diagnosis, if you don't mind saying.

I noticed what you said about folding clothes-that is definitely not something I experienced from this drug, even in the beginning. If anything, the drug can lead to hyperfocus when it comes to those type of tasks. It sounds like you could possibly be experiencing mania to some extent. Are you bipolar too? I'm very surprised a pharmacist would give dosage recommendations. The 'space' between paranoia and psychosis is rather small. Maybe you should talk to your psychiatrist about all of this.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by guileless

In my experience, any activating type of reactions when I started the drug completely leveled out after a couple of months. At this point, I cannot tell I am taking a drug. I even sleep better while taking this drug. But if I took it more than twice a day, I would probably have trouble sleeping too. I take 10 mg. twice a day. Since I have the tablets, I cut them in half or a fourth if needed. It's not like antidepressants, where you have to take the same amount consistently every day. My psychiatrist never seems to mind that I adjust my doses as needed.

This drug is very short acting--it usually works for about 4 or 5 hours. It's not the most consistent drug either, so keep that in mind. Some days it works better than others and same as you, sometimes it makes me more tired. It took me a long time to realize there are inconsistencies with effectiveness, but I have taken other drugs and this has the least amount of side effects for me and it is more effective. What time to you take it? I take 10 mg. at 7 or 8 am then again at 12 or 1 pm; 2 at the latest.

I believe this is one of the cleaner drugs out there, but it's odd a psychiatrist would prescribe this drug to you before trying some of the others. Paranoia is a known side effect for some. If i had that side effect, I would simply lower the dose like was recommended to you. I think this is a drug that is good to start out at 2.5 mg. for a few weeks before moving up to 5 mg. then 10. Psychiatrists can't predict how someone reacts exactly as with most psychotropics, but perhaps even moreso with this drug as again, the effects are not consistent even with the same person. Very curious why you were prescribed this drug right off the bat after your diagnosis, if you don't mind saying.

I noticed what you said about folding clothes-that is definitely not something I experienced from this drug, even in the beginning. If anything, the drug can lead to hyperfocus when it comes to those type of tasks. It sounds like you could possibly be experiencing mania to some extent. Are you bipolar too? I'm very surprised a pharmacist would give dosage recommendations. The 'space' between paranoia and psychosis is rather small. Maybe you should talk to your psychiatrist about all of this.

I would have to agree. I was put on a antidepressant and it kicked me into mania. This was before I knew I had bipolar. I started acting funny too much energy and could not focus and complete anything. I went for a second opinion and when the psychiatrist spent time with me over the next few weeks. She knew what the problem was.