Dexedrine and my Girlfriend

[dt57]

Hello everyone-Well I'm new and what inspired me to finally find a good forum is my girlfriend of only about 3 months has ADHD and I obviously have some questions and concerns coming from the outside on this whole matter..(I'd really love your responses and answers! Thank you in advance!) (BTW-She's 20yrs. old..)Since the beginning-she's been very honest and up front about her ADHD and recently we really got into it over the pills she takes and every little querk/glitch that seems to go along with her ADHD..The main thing is that when we met she was taking 3 Dexedrene a day (15mg each)..About a month later she went down to 2..Now she's been on 1 a day since Sunday and I and her are both concerned about any sort of 'quitting side affects'..or withdrawals..She says she's been kinda 'shaky' like at work handling papers and products..Can anyone enlighten me on what she might go through or beware of in the process of slowing it down/quitting altogether? Besides that-does anyone know of any adverse side affects to dexedrene besides the typical-dizziness-irritability-insomnia-etc..I've heard it could possibly damage reproductive organs; cause a greater risk of cancer; and also cause a greater risk of heart failure... I've also heard it said that there hasn't been enough time to get a full 'side affect' analysis on dexedrene for adults..
Well obviously this stuff freeks me out-like completely. I care for her so much-but geez-sometimes I wonder if I'm even cuddling with HER or a body under the influence of dexedrene.. Thank you all so much for your time-I'd really love to hear from anyone on these issues and questions. Thanks again~!

[Amsmom]

dt57 and welcome to our forum family.
i can understand your concerns about your gf's symptoms since lowering her meds. did she do this under her dr's supervision? it's really important that she speak to her dr if she hasnt already. many meds must be weaned slowly, otherwise uncomfortable side effects may result, which may be what's going on now. may i ask, why did she lower her meds? how was she doing on the 3 dex a day? the most important thing of all is for your gf to call her dr. she needs to get his/her assistance in determining the proper dose and how to wean, if that is what is decided.

i dont know of the long term adverse effects that you mentioned, as long as your gf takes her meds according to dr's orders. i understand that it is scary for you that she takes meds, but try to think of it as if she were a diabetic, she would need her medication just the same.

good luck to both of you and keep us posted.

[dt57]

Hey there! Thanks for the reply!
Well when she first went down to 2-she talked to her dr. about it-and he said just do whatever you feel your body is telling you to do. He supposedly in time wants her off of the dex too. But no, she hasn't talked to her dr. about going down to 1. We had another big talk about it all last night and she said she lowered again because she's feeling like the dex has helped her the last year 1/2 (the amount of time she's been on it) and that she might not be needing it as much. She knows all the side affects that it comes with and really doesn't like them of course-so she's trying to wean off..When she first started with 3-she just felt like she could finally concentrate and basically simmer down and focus..I understand that is common..
As for now-She says that she's feeling great and stable-so I've just been telling her I'm not going to force her in any direction or even bring it up all the time..at the same time-of course-my hope is that she can eventually-one day-be off the meds.. Thank you so much for the reply and encouragement!

[Linda]

Good Luck to you and your gf...but keep in mind that some ADHD'ers stay on meds well into adulthood. It sounds like she is doing fine now. She is a very lucky girl to have someone so concerned about her.

[dt57]

Thank you so much..! She's doin really well and I'm really proud of her..She's doing great! Thanks for your support you guys. Keep ya posted. !!