I’ve got some new observations on this whole Adderall thing, for those of you keeping track. (And I know you’re out there, because I pay you damn good money to pretend to be interested in me.)
Creativity: I was worried that Adderall would bring my creative side to a dead stop. This has turned out not to be true. I think. Feedback from my most reliable critics on my last direct mail piece was excellent, so that’s good. My friends (unpaid) have also been unfailingly excellent in telling me that I’m simply a less distracted version of the same ol’ idiot I’ve always been. And THAT rocks the house.
Caffeine: Holy crap. I used to drink a lot of coffee. Now I only have a small cup in the morning, and a small cup in the afternoon. There is definitely a synergistic effect between Adderall and caffeine, and if I have that small cup at 4pm, I’ll be up until midnight. Also, it seems that a small cup of coffee in the afternoon.
Weight: Still dropping. Since May 12, I’ve lost 20.5 pounds. Simultaneously, though, I’ve increased my exercise about threefold. I’m up to 30 miles a week running, and I’ve been doing the most serious weight circuit I’ve ever done.
Mood: This has been the hardest thing. Since Adderall affects mood directly, but also causes sleeplessness and lack of appetite (two things which can affect mood as well), I’ve had to be really careful to try and maintain balance while I adjusted to the stuff. The last 4 days have been such an improvement, though. So, yay.
Focus: It’s a freaking gift, this medicine. I’ve completely revamped my work life (I’m not finished, but hot damn, am I making progress), and my desks at home and work have both been clean for 41 consecutive days. It’s absolutely unbelievable. My colleagues are happily amazed, and I feel that, whatever sparse talents I may have, I’m bringing them fully to bear.
Overall, I’m going to say that this has been a really amazing thing for me to do. If the moodiness hadn’t started to level out, though, I would have quit the stuff. I’d rather be happily married and utterly distracted than completely on-task and divorced.
And that is quite enough from me.
Love to all. Even you, the expectant-poppa who was so unadmittedly nervous that he threw his back out on his wife’s due date.
5 comments:
That's awesome news. Glad to hear the moody side effects are evening out, and you (AND your family) are simply getting to enjoy the benefits of the "new" you!
I'm not sure I believe you about all this Adderall-induced focus: your unfinished sentences tell a different story.:P
20.5 pounds since May 12th?!?!?!
Oh my... we need to talk. What's your secret?
Shqipo, I don't know WHAT you are talking about.
:-)
I just wanted to say that I started Adderall around the same time you did - and have also had a very eye-opening experience. I work for myself, online, and have actually been able to organize my website, complete with notes, diagrams, outlines, things I never could do before!
Heck, I couldn't make and stick to a grocery list let alone a meal plan for a week - what an improvement. :)
That said, you're right, if some of the adjustment side effects didn't wear off I'd stop in a second. For me, I can't tolerate caffeine with Adderall. Once I learned that things got better.
I guess my post is to just say "good for you!" and let others know that if you have ADD/HD don't be afraid to look into your options. My only regret is that I didn't do this years ago. (I'm 31)
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