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this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2023
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ADHD Women
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Finally got an evaluation and my diagnosis. The specialist I was working with said I scored high and recommended amphetamines. My PCP gave me a very low dose extended release Adderall. Today is my first day on it... I feel weird. I don't feel wired or anything. My blood pressure is lightly elevated, I have a slight headache, and I feel like someone put one of those lead blankets from the dentist's office on me. I feel calmer and like I should be sleepy... but I'm not sleepy. This is a strange feeling. It slightly feels like when I was on Zoloft, which I liken to walking outside into heavy snow and everything is dampened... but it's not quite like that either because Zoloft made me into a lazy potato. So, how long does it take for me to get adjust to this? My PCP told me I don't have to take it daily. I plan on having "off" days when I'm not working or doing grad school stuff.
Congratulations on having clarity when it comes to diagnosis! I hope it's helpful to have a name for the beast.
What you are describing sounds like a pretty typical response to stimulants for someone with ADHD - you feel calmer rather than more wired. The silence can be deafening at first... I remember sitting there thinking "what now?" I'm not sure how long it took me to get used to it - I remember loving the feeling of inner calm almost immediately. I felt way more focused, and like I could prioritize and order things in my head, which I cannot do without meds. I could "map out" my entire day in my head, which was unheard of before.
Keep in mind that this dose may not be a therapeutic dose for you (that's a dose that takes away symptoms to the point where they are completely gone or barely noticeable), and you may need to go up or even change meds. I just want you to have realistic expectations that the first med you try may not be exactly right. Here's hoping that you find what works fast!
Thanks for the kind words! I have a feeling I may need to go up a dose or change/add meds. It's still messing with my blood pressure and I'm noticing the inner calm part less. It's been giving me weird aches and pains, though. And My sleep is fucked up. I'm still trying to figure this out both internally and practically.