Andyd2

Hey all, I’m officially 2 years clean after 11 years of Adderall use (25 mg XR) and I'm 32 years old. This community has been a true gift and I’m so grateful for everyone here. I’m feeling like myself, random bursts of goofy energy is back, and my motivation has mostly returned. The biggest issue I’m still having is that I’m still insulin resistant and have a lot of trouble losing weight. Sugar sets off instant bloating and makes it really hard to get back to a healthy weight. Sticking to a keto diet is helpful but it’s tough to do for so long when the results aren’t what you expect. If anyone has any suggestions on resetting your metabolism or pancreas or weight loss - I would love any input. To everyone new on the journey, the first year is BRUTAL, but then every month life gets more colorful again. You got this and don’t compare your “performance” on adderall to everyday life. It was an artificial and unnatural, comparing yourself will drive you crazy. Love, Andy

That's really great to hear about joints getting better! So weird about the sugar though. I wonder what was damaged by Adderall that affects sugar digestion/breakdown. Pancreas damage? CNS damage? Vagus nerve? If only there were more unbiased medical studies!

Great suggestions - thank you so much! Why is it that sugar is so extra destructive to the folks here in this community? Does Adderall screw up our digestion that much? I wonder if it ever gets better where we can enjoy things in moderation like everyone else or if it's going to be our kryptonite forever. sigh!

Hey all, A few years into taking Adderall I noticed that my joints were always cracking and my neck was always stiff. I took adderall xr 30 mg for 11 years from age 18-29. I’ve been off Adderall for 15 months now and I still have these symptoms. I just feel like all my joints are inflamed and a little achey. Has anyone else experienced this? Did it ever go away for you? Have you done or taken anything that helped? Would love any insight because it’s been a huge stress for me. Thank you so much!

Hey all, I'm 15 months off of 11 years of Adderall use (25 mg XR) and I'm 31 years old. The hardest part of Adderall withdrawal is that I lost key elements of my personality - enthusiasm, curiosity, passion, hustle, and even my hyperactivity (which I took for granted). Does anyone relate with these identity issues? Does it ever return? When did it return for you? Did anything help? So much of my career was formed around these aspects of my personality and it's really been a gut punch to lose them. Would love any and all thoughts! Best, Andy

Hello, super weird and random question. Nobody in my family has this, so I feel like Adderall has thrown off my hormones so much that I formed man boobs. Does anyone relate to this? If so, did anything help? Did it get better the further away you got away from Adderall? Maybe I’m just reaching here but I know man boobs are related to hormone imbalances. Would love any insights if possible! I’m 13 months clean of 11 years of Adderall XR 25mg. Age 31.

Thank you @quit-once! What supplements did you find that helped your digestion? Do you feel like you’re more tolerant of foods and sugars now? You mention your stomach got better after 2 years then you said 5, did it get steadily better? If you wouldn’t mind sharing, I’m curious about the timeline of your digestive improvement, it’s always nice to have a reference. Sorry for all the questions

@quit-once Oh wow that's so interesting! What did you do to help your stomach get better during those 2 years besides diet? What were your symptoms during those first 2 years? Do you feel like your stomach is more resilient now when you do eat something carby/sugary during the day? Thank you - so so grateful for this forum and everyone here!

Hello all! I just hit one year off Adderall, I was on it for 11 years at 20mg XR daily use. I’m 31 years old. I don’t know if it was all the anxiety/panic symptoms from Adderall or just metabolic issues Adderall caused but my gut/digestion is seriously messed up regardless of clean diet (I basically have been on and off Whole30 diet for 6 months). I’m so sensitive to carbs, sugar, and dairy (way more than ever before). Instant bloating, gas (even when eating healthy). If I eat anything bad my movements get loose and my stomach hurts. I feel like I’m barely getting any nutrients from my food anymore. Like my stomach thinks everything is a foreign invader. Has anyone else noticed issues like? If so, do you know how long it took to feel better? Is there anything you did or took that helped you repair? Thank you!

Hello, For context: I’m 7 months off adderall (I took 20mg XR for 11 years and I’m currently 30 years old). Has anyone else become Insulin Resistant from long-term adderall use? During my last year on adderall I took Zoloft then Cymbalta (I’m off it all now) which I don’t think helped but my doctor says my insulin levels are too high. I’ve been on a no sugar/carb diet for almost 2 months which has definitely helped me lose weight (in addition to take Metformin and Inisotol supplement). I’m hoping my markers get lower the further I get along my recovery because I’m genetically not pre-diabetic or anything. Does anyone relate to this issue or have any advice on if some of these insulin/pancreas issues are tied to adderall use and if they will get better? Most people in adderall withdrawal say they have metabolism issues so I’m wondering if this is the same thing (insulin resistance used to be called a metabolic disorder). Curious to hear anyone’s thoughts, direct or tangential Thanks, Andy

Very, very well said - thank you @Jacob! Out of curiosity, what types of exercise did you find helpful for your symptoms? I feel like my body is so worn down that HIIT exercises/workout classes don't give me the kind of boost that it gives people at baseline. Were there any supplements you found especially helpful as you were pushing through withdrawal?

Hello, I was on Adderall XR 20mg for about 11 years (starting end of high school). About 4 years ago I had my first panic attack. It turned into a full-fledged panic disorder and totally screwed up my digestion. Granted I was a workaholic on adderall, I never really sweat the stress, in fact I enjoyed stress and problem solving. The panic attack first happened when I wasn’t even that stressed. I went on anti-depressants (on top of adderall) which helped mask the panic but I balloooned 45 pounds (thanks to adderall wearing down my metabolism). Thanks to EMDR I was able to get off antidepressants and decided to also get off adderall. It’s been 6 months off adderall and antidepressants and the panic attacks have returned. Has anyone else had this experience? Anyone else experience panic attacks toward the end of long-term adderall use and see them pop up again during withdrawal? Will they eventually go away? I’ve tried all the therapeutic options but I tested for low norepinephrine so I think it’s biological more than psychological at this point (which is how it started in the first place). If anyone can relate or have any advice on dealing with long-term adderall-induced panic attacks I would love to hear from you! Thanks, Andy

@DC011381 have you tried it yet? I’m curious if it’s given you temporary or lasting benefit - and if so, what symptoms have you found relief from? I’m trying to decide which med spa to choose from (I live in LA and a lot of them are glorified beauty spas and seem like moneysucks). @SamJo have you ever heard of Cienega Med Spa? They said 3-4 treatments of 250mg NAD + Myers cocktail and glutathione “should last 6 months”. I’m more interested in permanently undoing adderall’s damage but they seem to speak of it like it’s a car tune-up that people come in periodically for. What symptoms do you think it’s given you lasting/permanent relief from? Thank you!

Has anyone else tried Bromantane since the last post in March? Curious what experiences other people have had with it. Thank you!