Bipolar Experiments: Adderall
This begins a series of Bipolar Experiments. These experiments will include research and personal accounts of how I feel about the effectiveness of each drug or homeopathic remedy that I use to stabilize my Bipolar I Disorder.
I asked my PDoc to add Adderall to my cocktail to help me get over the hump of post partum. I've taken the drug previously with good results. She cautioned me that it's not good to use uppers and then downers, but I insisted. I asked her to let me try it.
I've done a bit of research on the drug. Research has shown that it can be good for medication resistant depression/bipolar. I'm hoping it will work for me. Since I've taken the drug before I can hypothesize that the drug will have a positive effect with careful use. I plan to tread lightly and use the drug as needed and not every day.
Here's a bit of research that I've done on amphetamines, aka Adderall. The following excerpts are from Drug Info Clearinghouse (ADF) and Wikipedia (click on the link to see the entire article):
Amphetamines belong to a group of drugs called "psychostimulants". Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system and speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body.
Along with methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, etc.), amphetamine is one of the standard treatments for ADHD. Beneficial effects for ADHD can include improved impulse control, improved concentration, decreased sensory overstimulation, and decreased irritability. These effects can be dramatic, particularly in young children. The ADHD medication Adderall is composed of four different amphetamine salts, and Adderall XR is a timed release formulation of these same salt forms.
When used within the recommended doses, side-effects like loss of appetite tend to decrease over time. However, amphetamines last longer in the body than methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, etc.), and tend to have stronger side-effects on appetite and sleep.
Amphetamines are also a standard treatment for narcolepsy as well as other sleeping disorders. They are generally effective over long periods of time without producing addiction or physical dependence.
Soon after taking amphetamines, the following effects may be experienced:
Regular use of amphetamines may result in chronic sleeping problems, anxiety and tension, high blood pressure and a rapid and irregular heartbeat. In order to combat these drug-related effects, people who use amphetamines may also use alcohol, benzodiazepines, other sedatives/hypnotics, cannabis and opiates.
- Speeding up of bodily functions
Amphetamines speed up the body’s activity. Heart rate, breathing and blood pressure increase. A dry mouth, increased sweating, enlargement of the eye’s pupils and headaches may occur.- More energy and alertness
Users may feel energetic and full of confidence, with a heightened sense of well being. Other effects include feeling wide awake and alert, becoming talkative, restless and excited, and having difficulty sleeping. Panic attacks may also be experienced.- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
Some users become anxious, irritable, hostile and aggressive. Sometimes people feel a sense of power and superiority over others.
This will be interesting...and a great idea! (to keep track of how each thing works, and what else you are taking at the time)Helpful, not just to you; but for others. BTW, latest studies I've read say that adderall does not induce mania....also, need the secret on the three column blogspot layout ;)