HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Extreme Tiredness After Taking Adderall?

default
Posted on Fri, 10 Jul 2015
Question: I asked a question last night concerning taking adderall (legally prescribed by my doc, though she is on 2 week vacay and can't answer question). Adderall makes me so terribly tired. The smallest dose did and I increased a little too. I yawn constantly and can't stay awake. It's so frustrating. However, I have been trying to figure out if I should eat before, during or after taking the meds and if there is anything I should avoid eating. I am a huge Dr. Pepper drinker. Will this have an affect? Please Help! I am really wanting to get this to work for me. My doc said you really have to play around with the dosing. I take zoloft daily and xanax at night as needed without issue.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It all depends on the doses, XXXXXXX It's an easy one to fix.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I request you to write back to me as regards the doses of Zoloft (Sertraline),
Adderall (Dextroamphetamine) and Xanax (Alprazolam) That you are taking.
As you know XXXXXXX these drugs interact with each other. Xanax potentiates GABA
chemicals in the brain. Adderall increases DA chemical levels and Zoloft increases
5-HT chemical levels in your mind, XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX .. It's not that simple. That's where your web doctor comes into the picture.
Especially when your real life doctor is away on a vacation.

So, now, you understand, that it all depends on how much, in milligrams, that's
say 10mg or say 5mg of the medications that you take, and most importantly,
when you take them (the drugs).

I'll work out a good schedule for you.

In confidence,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Doctor,
Healthcaremagic
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (29 minutes later)
Thank you so much. I take 100mg. of zoloft per day (usually at night right now). I take 1mg of xanax at night. Sometimes, I try to start with .5mg xanax to see if It is going to be enough. Usually, I end up taking the other half within an hour. The adderall is regular (not extended) 10mg. It is brand. I really wonder if eating habits (which are not impressive) have something to do with it. Today, I did set the alarm and get up and eat a little peanut butter (weird, I know but I was thinking protein). I did not drink my normal morning Dr. Pepper, but I did have gatoraide and bottle of water. I probably stay slightly dehydrated from drinking soda so much. I'm 5'3 110lbs, weight isn't an issue. I do feel that I feel a little better right now. This morning after the initial 10mg dose, I started yawning, so I took another. I don't feel as tired, but don't feel focused much either. When I look at articles on the internet, everyone it seems is trying to get "high" and not give good sound advice to make this properly work. Thank you so so much for helping me. I appreciate it so very much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Do you really like Adderall? Be honest. Few people really do. Here's help.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Adderall (Dextroamphetamine) is a drug that is used to treat ADD and ADHD, from where you come from, at least. ADHD basically means, a person cannot focus on
anything, for a long time. This makes a person non functional. Imagine not being able to concentrate on anything or get anything done. It affects the job, the family and the social circle.

The 8 time XXXXXXX Olympic champion XXXXXXX Phelps, has ADHD. He does not use Adderall. I can name more XXXXXXX celebrities, you would not believe who have ADHD and still made it to the very top, without Adderall.
XXXXXXX do you really judge yourself to be an ADHD or an ADD case? Think carefully.

Adderall is the drug of last resort, if everything else fails.

Why?

Well. Adderall is almost the same as "Meth" sold illegally in the US. "Meth" is
methamphetamine and Adderall is Dextroamphetamine. Rings a bell?

Adderall can drive people crazy. It's that simple.

OK.

Why not stop Adderall and take a nice pill called as Clonidine? It's called as
"Catapress" in the US, and in most states does not need a doctors prescription.
If a "buzz" is what you are really looking for, then let me inform you that Catapress comes close to Adderall, but it really does not drive you crazy.

Believe me.

Secondly, you can quit Adderall without any pangs, thanks to Catapress.
100mcg twice a day will be fine for you. No more side effects of Adderall.

Most people say that Catapress is "smoother" that Adderall. In fact they like
Catapress better than Adderall. No addiction. No withdrawals. Just results.
Safe and sound, proven results. It's a guarantee.

The trump card? Catapress is used to cure ADHD and ADD. It's so safe kids take
it. You cannot overdose on it either.

Catapress works great with Zoloft and Xanax too. It increases the potency of the
psychological effects of Xanax. I mean to say that greater psychological effects of
Xanax are achieved with lower doses (of Xanax) when combined with Catapress.

Ironically, as a "side effect" people find Catapress better than Adderall, ever.
Catapress is also nice for your heart and blood pressure. It's really good for
people who drink Dr. Pepper all day (risk of hypertension). Nothing wrong in
drinking Dr. Pepper, though.

No more time, money and energy wasted in getting prescriptions.

However, if you still wish to take Adderall, then I can always advise you on how to
tread the fine line between the stimulation you get (which is also a good thing) and
not losing your marbles (Getting really paranoid after taking Adderall for a while, inability to sleep for weeks on end, needing fistfuls of Adderall pills to get the same effects, losing your "cool" while convincing your doctor to write down Adderall for you, and the like).

Read the above carefully. Now, I need your permission to give you instructions on how to safely use adderall.

In confidence,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Doctor
Healthcaremagic

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (55 minutes later)
Thanks for your response. This is my first try at Adderall (this prescription). I don't want a high at all from taking it. I didn't convince my doctor to write a script. I truly am all over the place in my head and don't focus. This has been me all my life. I have failed in most every attempt I have had to do something positive because I can't stay with something. I have had a long time doing Psychotherapy. Years ago, 2 doctors (out of the blue) asked me if I had ADD. I had never asked them or suggested. I was kind of stunned, that each one of these ask me (within a year of each other). I really want to focus. Do I like Adderall? I have only taken a few days and the answer thus far is NO, I dislike it very much. But I have to think I am doing something wrong to be dead tired. I just took a nap again and woke a few min. ago. I will look at the other thing you suggested. I just truly want to get better. I started a little business after becoming divorced and it has gone amazingly well, except I can't focus enough each day to get things done. My little business actually has the potential to be something quite good for me economically and self esteem wise. Yes, I give you permission to give me direction on how to take my meds, at what times and with or without foods and what not to take with them. Thanks so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please print this out and show it to someone who cares for you.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I have 11 years of solid medical and psychiatric experience.
I am totally confident about my final opinions as regards this matter.
It is upto you, as a responsible adult to handle the situation that you are facing.
You are now facing a cross roads in your life.

Oh, yes, your answer first: Titrate Adderall. This means that the way, the only way to take Adderall is to use it SOS (as called in medicine). This literally means take it as you wish, when you feel the need, as much as you wish.

Adderall, henceforth referred by me as "amphetamine" will effectively destroy your sanity, finances and probably everything a human being could hope for, because, years henceforth, it will destroy even your power to hope.

FDA classified Schedule H substance Amphetamine is something we could disinvent.

Used by the US as a chemical that has only one modality of therapy, a disorder called as Narcolepsy. In which a victim "nods" off during say, driving a car at top speed, or say doing any activity that can threaten her life or the lives of others.

US FDA has authorized usage of this chemical as an "off the shelf" use in terminal cases in psychiatry where there is no other way, or means of treating the case. This means that to qualify for Adderall, you have to be in an asylum.

If you have ADHD the you have safe choices like Strattera (Atomoxetine), This drug was created by the US pharmaceutical industry because of the ruined lives of thousands of amphetamine victims, ending up wiping out all their social security checks, living rough, in jails, institutions or even dead, literally through overdose.

Catapress, Stablon, Nootropil, Vinpocetin are all used as treatments of ADHD. All of them are friendly and safe. Kids take 'em for ADHD. Why would the US FDA, the toughest agency in the world, give explicit permission to the pharma industry and doctors to give them to kids, the most vulnerable?

Let me tell you the truth, If you are taking Zoloft, this means that you have either an anxiety, obssessive or depressive issue. Sertraline (zoloft) takes weeks and months to heal these issues. This does not mean you are crazy or defective in some way. It just means just that. Take Zoloft or Prozac or Paxil for a couple of months and get over it.

Lack of focus is due to Zoloft issues. Xanax can cause it, as a drug interaction.

Let's summarize.

If you want to take Adderall;
1. Take it as you wish. This is a scientific fact. Take another opinion if you wish.

If you want to focus and build your business, your life, and all that's worth for:
1. Get reevaluated for depression : It's common. A depressed person is NOT crazy.
2. Xanax is a mood elevator. At 1mg dosage it works great. It's addictive, but easy
to taper off.
3. You have options of strattera, catapress, nootropil and Vinpocetin.
All of them are "smooth" and do not interfere with your life. Rather, they
augment it.

1. I was trained to save lives and not take them.
2. I refuse to be the executioner of all that you care for and have struggled
for in your life.
3. I have explained these facts to you.
4. If you can't control yourself, and feel like hopping some Adderall, and have
premonitions, or wish to stop but cannot, you have the option of phoning or
logging into helplines, do it now.

My opinions are final, and are based on not theory or some fancy academic opinion, but 11 years of watching amphetamine victims act out. I want you to be happy, healthy, wealthy and wise.

Take care of yourself, XXXXXXX
In Confidence,
Dr. Neel Kudchadker
Doctor,
Healthcaremagic.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (1 hour later)
Thank you very much. I have pretty much have such a "sour taste" in my stomach for this junk after hearing you talk about it and after reading so many people looking for ways to get high. I don't want any part of that. I just want to get better and it sounds like this stuff is evil. I'll ask again when my doc comes back to try something more. I have taken zoloft and xanax for years, they work well for what they work for. Thank you again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It's been great knowing you.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I'm so grateful to you for having saved yourself. Your wisdom has reigned supreme.
You are justified in taking Xanax with Zoloft, because people who take Zoloft develop
a few unpleasant side effects that, among all medicines, only Xanax can solve best.

I really wish you the best for your business. I hope you go!, grow... and glow, with it.

Imagine how nice you'll feel after success mounts on success, in terms more than money
can buy, though money is the yardstick of success, which you will make anyway, in your
little enterprise.

Then, perhaps months later, you'll probably find that you don't need any medication,
your inner strength bringing all worldy problems into solution and total focus.

You're going places, XXXX

:)

In confidence,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (2 hours later)
Thank you. You are one in a million doctor! So grateful that you were the one to answer my questions. :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (46 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Regards.

Detailed Answer:
Have a nice day XXXXXXX
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 532 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Extreme Tiredness After Taking Adderall?

Brief Answer: It all depends on the doses, XXXXXXX It's an easy one to fix. Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX I request you to write back to me as regards the doses of Zoloft (Sertraline), Adderall (Dextroamphetamine) and Xanax (Alprazolam) That you are taking. As you know XXXXXXX these drugs interact with each other. Xanax potentiates GABA chemicals in the brain. Adderall increases DA chemical levels and Zoloft increases 5-HT chemical levels in your mind, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX .. It's not that simple. That's where your web doctor comes into the picture. Especially when your real life doctor is away on a vacation. So, now, you understand, that it all depends on how much, in milligrams, that's say 10mg or say 5mg of the medications that you take, and most importantly, when you take them (the drugs). I'll work out a good schedule for you. In confidence, Dr. Neel Kudchadkar Doctor, Healthcaremagic