Benjamin8585 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 hello all, my adderall absuse began in college when my friend gave me a 30xr to cram for my calculus exam. I had never experienced such clarity and focus ever in my life. The test that I had been dreading for months, I aced it. And so I was hooked. I Faked the symptoms of adhd at a psychiatric training clinic and got a prescription for adderall 20mgxr. Over the course of the next 7 years I would spiral completely out of control as the dosage increased. Delusions of grandeur. Striving for perfection in my music, school, personal life. I've known a whole lot of people who use and abuse the drug, but nobody as feverishly as myself. 4 nights without sleep was a weekly occurrence. for 7 years I treated my brain and body like hell. It was like an experiment to see how far I could push the limits. Lsd, marijuana..,and always the adderall. I was trying so hard to elevate my life and to live life to the max, and to accomplish everything under the sun. I didn't realize that I was destroying myself in the process 21 months have gone by since I quit. I eat a vegan diet and excercise daily. This helps. My physical appearance is much healthier. Everyone tells me I look great. Some days I feel like myself again and it's amaZing. Some days I feel complete exuberance for life and I feel hopeful and excited. But of course, it's not easy. My emotional side which used to be vibrant and complex is very dull. I'm afraid to connect deeply with another girl right now. So I occupy my time with other things like sports and chess and work. I'll get there eventually. What worries me the most is my neck. I know it sounds strange. But the most damaging effect that the drug has had on me is from all those sleepless nights and tweaked out days, my neck and shoulders have completely tightened up and the muscles are hard. Hard to the point where I spend hours each day manipulating my head and neck to break up the hardened ligaments and cartilage to releive the pain. And to restore mobility. I have spent countless hours researching the causes and possible cures for this condition, but to no avail. If not for the neck and shoulder issue, I would be sleeping much much more and my recovery would be on a much better track. I would love any helpful advice on how to manage the neck and shoulder issue. it was definetely caused by the adderall abuse. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hey, I have the neck and shoulder tension as well. I had it before Adderall, but Adderall definitely exacerbated it. I've tried a lot of things to get rid of it, and what has helped me the most (by far), is to actively pull my shoulder blades back, down and together whenever I'm standing or walking. Pull them back, then down, then sort of towards each other to the point where it feels strange and unnatural (but doesn't hurt or anything), and just hold like that as long as you can. I do this whenever I remember. When I make it a habit, it greatly reduces the knots and tension. I have a neck traction device I use sometimes if I want a good neck stretch. It works well for temporary relief. It's this one (I bought it secondhand for $75) http://www.sourceortho.net/saunders-cervical-traction-device?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=293&gclid=CJntmqi9msYCFcdhfgodZF0CLg I got a new mattress a few months ago, and that's helped too. Try sleeping on your back with a cervical pillow or rolled-up towel under your neck (I'm a chronic stomach sleeper but I try to at least fall asleep on my back). Yoga and massages help too, but these are all temporary relief. Actively pulling my shoulders back and down throughout the day helps the most. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin8585 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hey Cassie thank you for responding I just tried the exercise you reccomended. Pulled shoulder blades back and tried to pinch them together, then pulled them down and held it there. You're right... it does feel weird, but it stretches out the trunk of your neck and into your shoulders quite nicely. I will definitely be doing this exercise many times throughout the day. The neck stretching device that you posted a link for is something I will be looking into. Expensive but well worth every penny I'm sure. I have been to several physical therapy sessions which of course only provided temporary relief. Being able to get that relief without an appointment would be amazing. I recently visited a spinal specialist. He suspects that extreme repetitive movements and lack of sleep are the main factors into my neck and spine issues. The extreme repetition was surely from the countless nights I spent NOT sleeping and instead hunched over my computer or over my guitar. I am also a stomach sleeper which, as you damn well know, is the biggest curse. I can't fall asleep on my back unless I'm super medicated or just outright exhausted. I have an MRI scheduled for July to scan my spine so hooefully this will give the Drs the info they need to start treating the problem at its source. Cannot thank you enough for taking time out of your day to give practical helpful advice to a complete stranger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 You're so welcome! I've come to believe that the all-day-long downward shoulder stretch is the key to alleviating this type of daily neck/shoulder pain. In fact, when I get into the habit of doing that stretch every time I'm standing or walking, I start to crave it. It goes from feeling strange to feeling normal, like that's the position my shoulder blades want to be in. You've got to retrain your posture from hunched over to lengthening. I meditate often, and when I sit cross-legged on the floor, instead of placing my hands on my knees, I now tuck my hands underneath my thighs (while sitting up straight), simply because I crave the shoulder lengthening stretch it provides. I struggle with stomach sleeping as well, and it also takes time, but you can slowly train yourself to sleep on your back or side. The problem I have is that now I've trained myself to fall asleep on my back, but I wake up on my stomach. Not sure what to do about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin8585 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Cross legged with hands under thighs... ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘. Big fan of this. Forces you to have perfect posture to get the most out of the stretch. realized after like 10 minutes doing this... I'm basically meditating...Maybe neck and shoulder exercises will transition into mindfulness and meditation lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Its interesting this thread came up...I also had extreme neck tension and shoulder tension post quitting...I got a neck and shoulder massager from sharper image or brookstone..looked something like this http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Heated+Vibration+Neck+Massager+with+6+Soothing+Sounds/202446 And I bought a package of sessions with masseause at the local mall, and had them massage specifically my neck area...and shoulder area... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I forgot to mention, if you turn your palms up while standing, it makes it easier to roll the shoulders doen the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin8585 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Thanks Greg. That thing looks like something I need in my life asap. Surprised by the affordability too. On the journey towards getting limber /reducing stress anxiety, every little thing can make a big difference. My neck is such a mess lol. 7 years of tweakin on addy 😖. Cassie great tip. I see exactly what you mean. 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 This is another good exercise, a good counterstretch to the one I explained: http://www.breakfreefrombackpain.com/?p=145 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nouedis Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 If you need something to get in to, but don't wanna get addicted by it, there is a website I know of. Same effects as Adderall, but without the side effects that come along with the territory of Adi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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