ADHD and Adderall

I can't speak to anything regarding Adderall but know that it's actually a banned substance per USADA/WADA and would require a T.U.E. (which will likely not be approved) for use in competition.

I'd be willing to bet 99% of AG'ers that use Adderall have/will never seek a TUE because the likelihood of being tested is pretty much zero but it's still the rule.

then if you race you will be cheating. just sayin.

First, good work taking care of your health, treating what you need to, and being concerned about possible effects.

And yes, the person you really need to discuss this with is your doctor.

Here's just my $0.02 and experience.

While you're starting out on it (and there may be adjustments in dose and/or any other medications you take), I'd hold off on any high-intensity stuff. See how your body reacts with how you're currently training, go through the adjustment process, and then if your training plan/coach/etc. calls for high-intensity stuff, work it in a bit at a time. If you have any focused high-intensity stuff planned, depending on how you personally work with the medication, you may want to refrain from taking it beforehand.

You only need a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) if you plan to take it as you normally do before or during a race. I would not recommend taking it around race time anyway for the same reason as above, and as stated before, because of possible cardiac/blood pressure/other effects, because of nutrition/hydration effects, and because it may actually give you a (non-permitted) advantage by reducing perceptions of fatigue and pain. And while that may give you the unfair advantage, it's actually to your disadvantage because you may push your body beyond what it should do and is prepared for.

x2 what Yanti said.

It's banned in competition, but not in training:

http://www.globaldro.com/us-en/search/BrandStatus.aspx?brandid=50761&countryid=3&sportid=102&exact=0&searchid=1762899&userid=3&show=All&search=adderall&newSearch=false

Especially the emphasis on discussing it with your doctor.

I hear you. 

You want to know how you silence the other folks you are racing against and keep your mental well being in tact?  You tell the race director immediately after you finish that you are taking a banned substance. As you say, it won't make any difference to you, and nobody who finishes behind you will have a beef with anyone but the race director if he/she doesn't adjust the finish.

Everyone should be able to live with that and be happy.....of course, some won't....they just can't. (you might want to pull the RD off to the side so you don't get stoned) 

Good luck! 

bingo

I feel like this is starting to get blown out of proportion.  

The health issues are what I would be concerned with.  I wouldn't want my HR rising too early at any point, as I can push my HR pretty high as it is when racing.  As long as your doctor is OK with your regimen, then you're good.

As for competition, C'mon guys!  If I got 2nd in my age group, and I found out that the guy that beat me took adderall I wouldn't bat an eyelash.  If the HR thing is true then it's probably banned in competition to reduce potential health hazards that the RD would have to deal with.  

I'm pretty sure that someone taking Adderall for a health issue, finishing BOP, absolutely PALES in comparison to the people taking PED's who are finishing at the FOP.  The fact is.......nobody at USAT cares about the top end, in AG racing, much less the BOP.  So now we're going to get our panties in a wad about a guy who just wants to finish a triathlon and stay healthy??

I get the point.....and Shane covers it well......but seriously??  .....we're going to worry about a BOP Age Group racer with legitimate health issues who just wants to stay as healthy as he can and run a few triathlons?  I'm not coming over to that side any time soon....  I've got pigmies in New Guinea to worry about.