jmma,

I copied from your post the following ...

"feeling like things weren't real", top of head was tingly, he sometimes sees black dots in his vision.

They are classic symptoms of amphetamine intoxication.

I am trying so hard not to be the bearer of bad news but years ago I abused methamphetamine. As difficult as it is, the only solution is to face the truth. I know the symptoms. Detachment, tingling head and/or the sensation of bugs crawling under skin. And the black spots are from through-the-roof internal eye pressure. Those symptoms only come from a very high intentional overdose.

What to do?

jmma, I hope other members that have dealt with problem chime in.

And I hope that I am dead wrong.

Bob

jimma,

the symptoms you described like the unreality of things and tingly limbs or head and black spots…they are definitely signs of abuse of amphetamine. However, they are not necessarily intentional. But he is definitely overdosing, its great he’s off them.

i have been on dexedrine (one of the harshest amphetamine drugs on the market) on and off since I was 12, and for the first 2 years i was prescribed 30 mg of dexedrine. i experienced all the symptoms you describing the boy is experiencing, as well as i grew extremely paranoid, suffered hallucinations, intense anxiety, black spots and blurry vision, headaches lightheadedness, bugs crawling all over my skin, dizziness, out of body experiences and ticking and twitching and bad withdrawl symptoms, where I was like a vegetable and couldn’t move and was exhausted.

HOWEVER... it wasn’t until I was 16 that I went on the internet and realized all the symptoms I had been experiencing were signs of OVERDOSE...and my doctor prescribed it to me. I went crazy for 2 years and was "stoned" on the drugs and numb to the world...i hope your step son hasnt been on them for too long.

i got off dex for 2 years, because i couldnt handle the psychological and physical side effects... did horribly in school and went back on when i was 16 to give it another shot. This time, i was on 15mg and i didnt experience those side effects described earlier as intensely, however, i still experienced them. I am now 22 and on 10mg, and I still suffer from many of the psychotic symptoms- that out of body experience and bugs, and so on...and unfortunately, its a reality that i have to deal with. So I am very sympathetic to your situation and that of your step son.

I hate to say this...but many of the side effects have become long lasting, even when Im not on medication. (i go off it in the summers) i really hope the boy recovers without permanent harm, but experiencing them after having stopped taking them is normal.

I STRONGLY advise that you take your son off of any type of amphetamine and NEVER put his back on it again. From experience, they are too dangerous for use under age 18...please, for the happiness of the boy do NOT put him on those....they are addictive and brutal on people with hyper-sensitive nervous systems (like it sounds like the boy has)....

Those “episodes” you described are classic amphetamine overdose. I still get headaches that feel like hot bolts of lightening that flash intensely and I lose touch with reality and see spots… Im sure your doctor over-prescribed him, or if not, and he was intentionally taking more, its not his fault...the boy cannot help it because of the strong addictive factor. it should not be used on kids, the effects are way too intense.

Please, tell your doctor to start him VERY small dose and work his way up if he so needs.
Sorry about ranting. It’s a passionate subject for me. I feel for the boy.

jmma, alexgirl,

I looked up GSC Prescribing Information Sheet for Dexedrine.

Under Overdosage ...

" ... toxic symptoms occasionally occur as an idiosyncrasy at doses as low as 2 mg, they are rare with doses of less than 15 mg; 30 mg can produce severe reactions ... "

The above applies to dextroamphetamine sulfate, one of the four amphetamines in Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts).

How many doctors know a few patients will get "stoned" on 2mg of d-amphetamine and it is likely many patients will get "wrecked" on 30mg?

I have this "feeling" that amphetamines are being prescribed in doses too high with the resultant side-effects mistaken for lack of ADHD symptom reduction response. Then the good doctor does the "right thing" - ups the dose again.

Good grief, I hope I wrong. But so many experiences including my own suggest I'm right.

At any rate, this thread has been an eye opener for me. Thanks alexgirl.

Bob