Adderall XR or Adderall? | ADHD Information
Hi....I'm 26yrs old and currently on 30mg of the Adderall XR(have been for a month now), which I take daily as soon as I get up (around 7-9am). I've noticed that it doesn't last long enough for my days of class and work and then studying in the evening and I've already mentioned this to my doctor. I've also noticed that my concentration isn't as good as it could be either....I'm wondering if anyone has had better experience with taking regular Adderall several times a day over taking the XR? I've asked my doctor about adding a dose of immediate release in the afternoons to help get me through studying for the evening but he seemed to think that if just the 30mg of XR doesn't work for me, that I need to try a different medication. Any opinions on what to do or which medication to try next? Adderall XR was great for the first month or so but I've got this foggy feeling and still problems with concentrating most of the time - but mostly the meds have worn off when I'm able to really get down to getting studying or homework done.Sorry if I'm rambling - I'm just lost and frustrated and feel like my own doctor doesn't even really care or understand what I'm going through......
....thanks for your help
Hello Nika,
I think it is really important that your Doctor hear you. If the Adderall works, then it is best to continue to work with various doses and dosing schedules. I have tried so many combos, one of which included Adderall XR twice daily to cover the full day. (The best results I have had with consistency has been with the Adderall immediate release. I can only take the Shire brand. I have tried three generic versions with poor to ok results. )
Each med is different and will effect each person uniquely. Only you can say what "feels right" and balanced. If your Doctor is not hearing you and is not willing to work with you, get enough meds to last you until you can secure an appointment with a different Doctor.
Lori
PS Is this your general Doc or Psych?
Nika,
Glen mentioned something which is often not stressed enough; a form of therapy. The meds really are only part of the solution. Initially it is somewhat of a panacea. However, it is critical to learn about YOUR symptoms and how they affect your life and goal completion (or incompletion, haha).
There are quite a few books available which are helpful in understanding ADD/ADHD;some of which are directed towards women and our own presentation. It is important to learn which tools help you and when to apply them. This board is also a great place to find support and learn from others' experience.
Regards, Lori
One more thing....if you try methylphenidate to "test" its effects on you concentration you may want to initially try the immediate release to get a "taste" of how it effects you. There is nothing worse than struggling through a day just waiting for a med to wear off so you feel better. 
Lori
Booster dose of regular Adderall in the late afternoon gets me through studying in the evening after the XR wears off.Alternatively you could try a methylphenidate based med to see if your concentration is greater than on amphetamines. Concerta tends to last 10-12 hours for most because of the ascending profile delivery. Adderall XR last 7-9 hours most of the time.I agree with Lori. Stick to your present med - and work on scheduling and consider raising the level of daily intake.
I started on dexedrine XR - 10mg twice daily. It worked for a couple months - and if you graphed it you could see a steady drop from it's full strength to around 50 percent strong. Went up to 20mg - and fantastic for a couple more. Finally though I went the option that many work with - taking "drug vacations". You take your meds at the strength that works great - usually for 2 to 3 months. Then - you take a scheduled one week hiatus med free. It will coast along fine until you get back on.
Are you getting scheduled therapy too? It helps - gives you new ways to fight the urge to go off track and ways to keep focus when the meds either aren't there or aren't working all as well.
Good luck - keep us posted!
nika - keep shopping for a doc that listens to what you say!! A doc that doesn't deal with ADHD will most likely fall into the trap of thinking that the meds are an excuse - a way to escape the real world. Just like the anti-med group here - that kind of doc would much rather see you with no meds and miserable.
There are lots of qualified docs with ADHD experience. Keep walking until you find one. Remember - it's still a consumer market and they don't know everything. You are the customer - and have a say in what goes in.
Lori,Thanks for the advice! The doctor I've been seeing is a psych dr. that I was given through the Student Health center at my university. I've also seen another doctor when my original doc was out of town - she also seemed cautious about raising my dosage from 20mg to 25mg - when I complained about the med not lasting long enough, she said the increase might help.....I'm thinking I might switch back to the female doctor and try to work with her and maybe try the regular Adderall too..... I really would like to find a doctor in the area that specializes in ADD and medicating - my doctor now kind of makes me think he thinks I'm just some kid trying to get the Adderall so I can sell it or abuse it so he doesn't want to mess with the dosage too much.....plus, I don't think they really understand how I feel anyway.
Thank you again for your advice!
- Nika
It is all trial and error. Sometimes you will do worse, sometimes better, other times you may notice no change.
Either way, if your dr thinks adderall is not helping, maybe he is right.
See what he has in mind as the next step, before making a decision.
I would seek a second opinion. It never hurts to have two people looking at this.
I just hope you don't wind up with conflicting dx. Then you have to figure out which one is right...
bugzappers38669.7659490741I have only been on medication for 3 weeks and it seems to work well. I know there are a lot of other things that play into treatment such as counseling, exercise etc. My doctor started me on 2- 15mg IR/day and it was too strong. I take 1/2 pill 3X/day before 2:00 P.M. and it seems to work well. I don't know if I should get him to prescribe 7.5mg IR 3X/day or 20mg XR once daily.