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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Adderall?
Question: Hello,
I am a 49 year old male who has been on Adderall for ADHD (never have been certain of that diagnosis) since May of this year. My prescriber had me on a very high dose of 80mg per day. In reality, I probably averaged 60mg per day.
In July I had a gastric bypass and have lost 50 pounds since then. Not sure if that is relevant, but I thought I should include it.
The Adderall always had me somewhat over wired in my mind. But in late September, it got worse, I started to get horrible insomnia that nothing would help. I was up 3 days at a time. I was able to get that under control with breathing techniques. A few weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I reduced my dosage for a week then stopped. before a week went by the insomnia came back stronger, and I went to the ER because I was feeling numbness on my left side and high blood pressure. Also a metalic taste in my mouth. The ER ran an EKG and blood work. My heart, thyroid, and electrolytes were fine. I went back on a small dose to see if it was a too abrupt withdrawal. But the side effects and tension from the adderall were too much. my last dose was last thursday. I am still having the numbness, the tingling, the taste and sometimes disorientation and irritability. But my overall body is more relaxed and I can sleep if I set my intention to (I could stay up all night - but I force myself to sleep) I stopped seeing the other provider and my doctor has given me zolpidem to help until I get another sleep study done next week to adjust my CPAP and hopefully get better sleep.
Is what I am experiencing a part of withdrawal? Should I go back on a smaller dose and taper, or tough it out at this point (today is day 4 without)? I should also mention that I was given propranalol and gabapentin for side effects. I am still taking the propranalol, but the gabapentin doesn't seem to do anything and I read that it can raise blood pressure so I stopped. Also on .5mg klonopin for anxiety (not enough) and 200mg zoloft for depression. On my bariatric multivitamins daily and have a good diet going. I don't get much exercise though.
Can you suggest anything or help?
-overmedicated.
I am a 49 year old male who has been on Adderall for ADHD (never have been certain of that diagnosis) since May of this year. My prescriber had me on a very high dose of 80mg per day. In reality, I probably averaged 60mg per day.
In July I had a gastric bypass and have lost 50 pounds since then. Not sure if that is relevant, but I thought I should include it.
The Adderall always had me somewhat over wired in my mind. But in late September, it got worse, I started to get horrible insomnia that nothing would help. I was up 3 days at a time. I was able to get that under control with breathing techniques. A few weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I reduced my dosage for a week then stopped. before a week went by the insomnia came back stronger, and I went to the ER because I was feeling numbness on my left side and high blood pressure. Also a metalic taste in my mouth. The ER ran an EKG and blood work. My heart, thyroid, and electrolytes were fine. I went back on a small dose to see if it was a too abrupt withdrawal. But the side effects and tension from the adderall were too much. my last dose was last thursday. I am still having the numbness, the tingling, the taste and sometimes disorientation and irritability. But my overall body is more relaxed and I can sleep if I set my intention to (I could stay up all night - but I force myself to sleep) I stopped seeing the other provider and my doctor has given me zolpidem to help until I get another sleep study done next week to adjust my CPAP and hopefully get better sleep.
Is what I am experiencing a part of withdrawal? Should I go back on a smaller dose and taper, or tough it out at this point (today is day 4 without)? I should also mention that I was given propranalol and gabapentin for side effects. I am still taking the propranalol, but the gabapentin doesn't seem to do anything and I read that it can raise blood pressure so I stopped. Also on .5mg klonopin for anxiety (not enough) and 200mg zoloft for depression. On my bariatric multivitamins daily and have a good diet going. I don't get much exercise though.
Can you suggest anything or help?
-overmedicated.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. You seem to have gone through many drugs and changes, and it is hard at times to assess how much each drug has contributed to symptoms, some time may be needed to restore neurotransmitter balance.
Looking at the evolution of the symptoms I do believe the issue to be related to the abrupt Adderall withdrawal, it should have been a more gradual process. As for gabapentin producing high blood pressure, it isn't much of a concern with that drug, I have never encountered that side effect in my patients and even when it's listed as a side effect its frequency is less than 1%. Anyway since you felt no relief from it and you are taking many different drugs, it's ok not to take it.
As for recommendations if you are set on interrupting Adderall I do not think you should go back now, since you already altered the dose before and are off of it for 4 days, I think the acute stage has passed and should gradually improve.
As for the other medications I wouldn't raise the Zoloft dose anymore, it's the highest dose allowed. Klonopin is at the lowest dose and if anxiety persists it can be raised to 1 mg per day, but it should be for a limited period of 2-3 weeks to help you overcome this stage, not longer as it has potential for tolerance and dependence.
Multivitamins, healthy diet and exercise are always an effective means to cope with depression and anxiety and should be part of your daily activity.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. You seem to have gone through many drugs and changes, and it is hard at times to assess how much each drug has contributed to symptoms, some time may be needed to restore neurotransmitter balance.
Looking at the evolution of the symptoms I do believe the issue to be related to the abrupt Adderall withdrawal, it should have been a more gradual process. As for gabapentin producing high blood pressure, it isn't much of a concern with that drug, I have never encountered that side effect in my patients and even when it's listed as a side effect its frequency is less than 1%. Anyway since you felt no relief from it and you are taking many different drugs, it's ok not to take it.
As for recommendations if you are set on interrupting Adderall I do not think you should go back now, since you already altered the dose before and are off of it for 4 days, I think the acute stage has passed and should gradually improve.
As for the other medications I wouldn't raise the Zoloft dose anymore, it's the highest dose allowed. Klonopin is at the lowest dose and if anxiety persists it can be raised to 1 mg per day, but it should be for a limited period of 2-3 weeks to help you overcome this stage, not longer as it has potential for tolerance and dependence.
Multivitamins, healthy diet and exercise are always an effective means to cope with depression and anxiety and should be part of your daily activity.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
A followup question.
I was prescribed propranalol at 20mg up to 3 times a day for side effects from the adderall. Am I ok to take that to deal with the blood pressure spikes as well? I have been, but at 20mg it doesn't seem to do much or last very long.
Thank you.
I was prescribed propranalol at 20mg up to 3 times a day for side effects from the adderall. Am I ok to take that to deal with the blood pressure spikes as well? I have been, but at 20mg it doesn't seem to do much or last very long.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Can be raised
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
60mg a day is a very low dose of propranolol. It can be raised higher than that to a maximum of 240 mg a day (although I personally do not usually go over 160mg in 3 or 4 divided doses). So it can be raised both for your symptoms as it has a beneficial effect on anxiety, as well as for high blood pressure.
As you probably have been informed it does slow heart rate, so any raise should be gradual and by checking your pulse rate, if on the low side, around 60, then shouldn't be raised any further.
I hope to have been of help.
Can be raised
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
60mg a day is a very low dose of propranolol. It can be raised higher than that to a maximum of 240 mg a day (although I personally do not usually go over 160mg in 3 or 4 divided doses). So it can be raised both for your symptoms as it has a beneficial effect on anxiety, as well as for high blood pressure.
As you probably have been informed it does slow heart rate, so any raise should be gradual and by checking your pulse rate, if on the low side, around 60, then shouldn't be raised any further.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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