Adderall Xr tolerance | ADHD Information

angela- i had that frequent urination thing too but it went away after about a week. im taking adderall 15mg 2x day. I am a 36 year old female with ADHD.  I've always known I had it, but was only diagnosed 6 months ago.  I've tried just about all of the stimulant medications (Adderall XR, Focalin XR, Concerta, Dexadrine spanules) and Adderall XR is my choice.  Here's my question- do we build tolerance to stimulants?  I started out on Adderall XR 15 and just last week, went up to 20.  Am I going to keep needing to up the dose?  I hope not, because this medication works so great on me and has greatly impoved my life.  I don't want to get maxed out. Also, I've noticed lower back pain and extremely frequent urination.  I have been to my urologist to rule out  a UTI, bladder, or kidney infection.  Does anyone know if this is normal and if there is anything that can ease these symptoms?  BTW, I am new here and LOVE this forum.  Y'all are great. [QUOTE=Angela H]I am a 36 year old female with ADHD.  I've always known I had it, but was only diagnosed 6 months ago.  I've tried just about all of the stimulant medications (Adderall XR, Focalin XR, Concerta, Dexadrine spanules) and Adderall XR is my choice.  Here's my question- do we build tolerance to stimulants?  I started out on Adderall XR 15 and just last week, went up to 20.  Am I going to keep needing to up the dose?  I hope not, because this medication works so great on me and has greatly impoved my life.  I don't want to get maxed out. Also, I've noticed lower back pain and extremely frequent urination.  I have been to my urologist to rule out  a UTI, bladder, or kidney infection.  Does anyone know if this is normal and if there is anything that can ease these symptoms?  BTW, I am new here and LOVE this forum.  Y'all are great.[/QUOTE]

Is Adderall XR the only med your on?  I takeAdderall xr 20mg  + 150mg of Wellbutrin XL.  Think 20mg is realitively a low dose though.  Know many who take 30mg.  Some take a break from it every so often to prevent maxing out, I hear


GLEN!!!  WHERE ARE YOU???  KNOW YOU GOT THE ANSWERS!
(There I go yelling again, sorry:) 

Hey!  Thanks for the responses.  Actually, I also take 25 mg. of Seroquel at night and have been for about a year.  I was taking Lexapro, too, but once I started the Adderall, I didn't feel like I needed the Lexapro anymore.  I think it almost dulled my feelings.  Anyone else take seroquel?

We do
develop tolerance to stimulant medications...I am on
Adderall XR 30mg and I am a bit tolerant, it only
lasts for 6 hours or so instead of 8-12.
It is normal to start low then go higher. 15mg is a low
dose. I started on 10mg (Adderall XR), then went to
20mg in just a week. I have been on Adderall XR
varying doses for 18 months.Shelly,  You and I seem very similar.  We both don't have appetites and take seroquel!  LOL  I wonder if the seroquel has anything to do with the appetite suppression.    Anyway, how long have you been taking seroquel?  I have been on it for about 8 months.  I've been on Adderall XR for 5 months.  I also tried Ambien and Lunesta and just like you, they knocked me out!  Does your doc think you may be a touch bipolar as well as ADD?  Mine does, however, the psychologist I'm seeing says that taking Seroquel and Adderall together is kinda like stepping on the brake and the accelerator at the same time.  Just wondering what your thoughts were about that.  Thanks for taking the time to answer my posts.  Much love 2,  Angela

Very similiar.  I look forward to hearing more from you and your expiriences.  I SO much like the seroquel better, and my doc did go over the fact that YES, I am taking a stimulant to help focus during the day, and then taking something to slow me down.  Not everybody needs the sleep aid, but I have had insomnia for almost a year, so I do need the extra help at night.  She explained this is VERY common, but she was the one that actually took away the lunesta, which I have been on for 6 months.  In her opinion, for the adhd, the seroquel compliments the symptoms much better.  (believe me I freaked when I first learned about losing my blue little friend) but it was so much worth the switch.  I do feel more refreshed in the morning.... 

Shelly

I too take seroquel at night to help sleep.  I started off with Lunesta then ambien, then back to lunesta, which just knocked my out cold, but I didnt' feel "rested" in the morning.  (this is while I was just being treated for anxiety.  Once I went to the psychiatrist and was diagnosed with ADHD she put me on Adderall xr, and the seroquel at night to help sleep.  I find I am having a much easier time getting up in the morning, since the seroquel makes me sleepy and allows for some good rest, vs just being knocked out cold at night.  Just my personal expirience!!  (and just an fyi...I take 50-75mg of seroquel at night, still a very low dose compared to what you would take if you were being treated for bipolar, etc) So doc says it's safe and not to worry.

 

hope this helps!!  Good luck!! 

much luv

Shelly

the adderall is the suppressor. I lost 20 lbs on adderall. And that was all I was on.

 You won't get sleep with the adderall. The adderall is stimulating you to the point of no rem. the blood plasma levels are still in you. So if you don't get to dream, and past that to rem , your going to be drained.

 Sleep is paramount. I know you sleep lighter taking adderall. I do. You can hear a fart in the wind, and your up.

 I am using total darkness to sleep. I have everything off, and leds are covered. I have a fan on and that is it.  I used to not be so sensitive, but I am now.