Tell me what to expect and maybe thyroid??

[Got2babetterway]

I have decided to quit the adderall! It's been a solid 2 weeks and honestly I'm feeling "fine". But after 2+ years, I began to get very depressed, no motivation, oversleeping, dragging everywhere, can't force myself out of the house, so forth. I tried treating it for depression with meds by my MD and it wasn't depression. This started 1 year ago. In November I was diagnosed hypothyroid and started thyroid meds, doing a bit better but still depressed and no motivation. Something deep inside me says it's the adderall. 

Will I ever get my zest for life back? My old pep in my step? I'm working on also healthy sleep, vitamins/minerals, and forcing myself to get stuff done. I'm hopeful making it routine again will encourage the return. I just can't take the depressed, unmotivated, no energy/life drained zombie anymore. 

How long did it take others to regain their old self? I took 40mg XR basically 3 or 4 days a week for the past 6ish months. Before that it was daily use. I don't feel any withdrawal issues, sometimes I crave the "calm" and less anxiety adderall gave me, but it's not worth this depressed unmotivated state. 

Also, is there any link to adderall and hypothyroid? I've searched but can't find much. 

[SleepyStupid]

hi @Got2babetterway

welcome to the forums! it's interesting you mention hypothyroidism - Adderall withdrawal can very easily be mistaken for this condition. and if you look up hyperthyroidism, those symptoms mirror what Adderall use/abuse presents as! I'm unsure whether Adderall actually affects the same neuro pathways, and I'm certainly not a doctor, but I would be cautious about this diagnosis. I presume the doctor that diagnosed the hypothyroidism knows about your Adderall use, and I HOPE there was some actual lab test to confirm the diagnosis. the worst case scenario is a misdiagnosis where you're taking thyroid meds that can interfere with your recovery.

20 hours ago, Got2babetterway said:

Will I ever get my zest for life back? My old pep in my step? I'm working on also healthy sleep, vitamins/minerals, and forcing myself to get stuff done. I'm hopeful making it routine again will encourage the return. I just can't take the depressed, unmotivated, no energy/life drained zombie anymore. 

you will get your zest for life back! but it may not present as the "same ole pep" you used to have. keep in mind that you are moving forward in life, so seek to discover new things, interests and excitement rather than trying to "recover" a former version of yourself.

20 hours ago, Got2babetterway said:

How long did it take others to regain their old self? I took 40mg XR basically 3 or 4 days a week for the past 6ish months. Before that it was daily use. I don't feel any withdrawal issues, sometimes I crave the "calm" and less anxiety adderall gave me, but it's not worth this depressed unmotivated state. 

i'm a little hazy on your total timeline of usage, but expect the first few months to really suck. it's quite variable from there depending on your total time of usage, whether you truly have hypothyroidism, and your habits - expect great improvements through the first year of recovery.

gl and keep us posted (:

[DelaneyJuliette]

It gets better.  I know bc I was adderall free for 5 years.  Now I'm 14 days and I feel determined to make this time stick!

[Got2babetterway]

On 4/14/2022 at 9:51 AM, SleepyStupid said:

hi @Got2babetterway

welcome to the forums! it's interesting you mention hypothyroidism - Adderall withdrawal can very easily be mistaken for this condition. and if you look up hyperthyroidism, those symptoms mirror what Adderall use/abuse presents as! I'm unsure whether Adderall actually affects the same neuro pathways, and I'm certainly not a doctor, but I would be cautious about this diagnosis. I presume the doctor that diagnosed the hypothyroidism knows about your Adderall use, and I HOPE there was some actual lab test to confirm the diagnosis. the worst case scenario is a misdiagnosis where you're taking thyroid meds that can interfere with your recovery.

you will get your zest for life back! but it may not present as the "same ole pep" you used to have. keep in mind that you are moving forward in life, so seek to discover new things, interests and excitement rather than trying to "recover" a former version of yourself.

i'm a little hazy on your total timeline of usage, but expect the first few months to really suck. it's quite variable from there depending on your total time of usage, whether you truly have hypothyroidism, and your habits - expect great improvements through the first year of recovery.

gl and keep us posted (:

My hypothyroid was diagnosed in November, I was still on my adderall then. I quit my adderall the end of March. Sorry I stated it confusingly. 5 months after my hypothyroid diagnosis is when I quit adderall though. Yes I've actually had full blown thyroid blood draws 4 times now along with other vitamin/mineral levels.