NEWBIE!!!! +question about adderall dose | ADHD Information

well, it's never good to seem OVERLY eager to increase your meds.  Also - it may take a week, maybe two to metabolize what you are taking.

Give it a two week trial, make sure you are not taking anything with it that will negate the effect.  A lot of greasy food, or heavily acidic drinks/food (citrus, vitamin C tablets) will lessen the effect.  Antacids increase the effect. I know , sounds opposite but it does do that.  If you are taking vitamin supplements make sure you gap it so you take the Vitamin after your med has worn off at night.

You may not feel that chorus of angels and the light shining from above.  It may be more that you see yourself saying no to urges, and the chatter quiets down so you can think.  But who knows? Give it a fair try and then go to the doc and just explain that you feel something - but feel you'd like to try going up 10mg.  My doc was totally supportive of when I asked to try upping.  I went from 10mg twice/day, to 20mg twice/day and now at the end of one year I stick to 20 to 30mg once a day, and when working overtime or needing after work attention then twice. 

Good luck to you!

 Hi all,

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD after 26 years of thinking I was a lazy, day-dreaming, uninspired, "dumb", slacker.   I've always been joked with about being the posterchild of ADHD (hence my nickname of HYPEractive that i was given), but i've always been too scared to visit the psychiatrist (i didnt wanna be labled).

But now, after years of struggling... I found out its not my fault!!!!  The weight that was lifted off me is incredible.  After all these years of struggling through school, work, everything!!  It's the damn chemicals in my brain!

I was given adderall xr 20mg, but i really think i need to up it (as i'm writing on this board when i have a test i should be cramming for), but the simple fact is that I am so relieved to find it out.

Quick question.  How soon should i tell my Dr that i think i need my dose to be raised?  I dont wanna seem like a druggie or anything, but i really dont feel much of an effect with the 20mg dose.  I JUST started taking this yesterday, but read that i should be seeing effects instantly (like i said, i'm here posting when i SHOULD be studying).  Should i wait to see if it changes? or should i notify the doc asap?



Thanks Glen, I'll give it a shot. 

I'm brand new to Adderall,and not sure how i'm supposed to feel on it.  From reading some forums online, I was under the impression that all my jittering, racing thoughts, and mind wandering would just completely stop.  I guess it makes more sense for them to be tolerable...

Again, thanks for the advice!!!

You are welcome! Glad to have you in the "family" LOL!!

It makes more sense to slowly work into it.  Many docs I hear about start adults and kids on a high dose and work their way down.  Kind of backwards to me! Better to go slow - build it in your system.

I started at 10mg dexedrine and it was still quite extreme how it came on.  I understand now that's because I'm severe inattentive (some say sloth like before LOL) and the amphetamines jump started my life.  It was like "WOW - how the hell do people take being so aware and "with it""??  But in a month or two it began to lessen and I had to move up a notch.

You will either find that you need to take it daily every day for the rest of the time you are on it - or find that a short week or two off every two months keeps you from needing a larger dose.  For me - a vacation does the trick and I rarely need above 20mg.  Sometimes 30 as the MD prescribed it as such - but that's when I'm cycling very very low.  You'll find after a couple months likely you'll coast - and a week off will be like this - day one is normal, day two is a little less energy but still all there, day three and it's a little more difficult to concentrate, day four and you work at it but it's still there, day five and you are a bit cranky and would rather sleep a bit, day six and you are ready to get back on and then back on day seven!

Good luck and keep us posted!