Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Klathmon 3567 days ago
The way you talk about it exactly mirrors my experience. I have ADD as well, and I take Adderal-XR. Without it I'm scattered, "double back" on my thoughts a lot, can't focus, and generally have no motivation.

With it I'm a different person. I can focus, I can finish a thought process, I'm motivated, things become clear. I can actually "keep up" with others in "normal life", and it makes me a great programmer.

It really does feel like the magic pill from limitless.

Now, I tried alternatives when I was younger, and none really worked that well. Vyvanse put me to sleep, concerta (sp?) Didn't work at all. adderal-xr worked, but the "come down" sucks, it ruins my appetite, and its almost impossible to get around here (every place never has it).

I'm afraid to start trying others as I feel entirely useless without my medicine, and I know that because of the legal issues around these drugs, trying one out but keeping my backup of my old medicine is not going to fly. So I just deal with it.

1 comments

    > Vyvanse put me to sleep, adderal-xr worked, but the "come down" sucks
Adderall does have a bad come down. Often depressive even on low XR doses.

Vyvanse is still amphetamine, so if it put you to sleep, are you sure you took enough?

20mg Adderall XR is about equivalent to 50mg Vyvanse, which is what I take.

Everyone I know switched from Adderall to Vyvanse and we all report the same thing -- much more gradual curve throughout the day and far less depressive on the come down. I'd consider Adderall XR to be a real tweak compared to Vyvanse and far less therapeutic for a day-to-day drug.

I may be mixing them up, I was around 15 when I last "experimented" with the different drugs.

I might talk to my doctor about my options next time I'm in there. The comedown doesnt bother me all that much, but I think it is starting to bother my wife as I can get a bit "cranky".