Dosing and Refills | ADHD Information
First of all, let me start off by saying I am newly diagnosed with ADHD. Without going into all the gorey details....after many months of struggling, many different specialists and testing, this is what I finally have been diagnosed with. (and ironically, I was relieved to just have a diagnosis finally)
I have been on countless meds to treat insomnia, anxiety, tachychardia, and even had two MRA's done. Nothing was working. Finally I was sent to a pcychiatrist. I did some reading on symptoms of adhd in adults, and I had all the symptoms to the n'th degree, so she agreed that we should try a treatment plan for this.
I am currently taking Paxil 20mg, Adderall xr 10mg once a day, and Seroquel 50mg at night to help with sleep. I am also weening off of valium right now since this was prescribed for anxiety and didn't do a darn thing. She told me that she is starting me off on a low dose, and to call her in a couple days to see if I need my dosage of adderall increased to help.
I do notice a significant difference in the morning. I feel so much better and focused, and can actually get excited about getting out of bed (I was to the point of not wanting to do anything because I felt so terrible) but around 11-or noon, I slide back and crash. That being said, I am assuming that she will increase my dosage (or prescribe me the IR for the afternoon to get me through) BUT, with all the laws and guidelines for filling a prescription for a controled substance, how will this work out? If I increase my meds, then I will run short for the month...then what? I also must say I did have to pay full cost for my precription because my doctor has to call my insurance in order to get it approved and for me to get reimbursed.
OK....the two questions....finally.....
What happens when your doctor increases your dosage in regards to getting another prescription filled?
Also, I am curious as to whether or not I will have to pay full cost each time and get reimbursed, or is this just because it is my first time being prescribed the meds?
Sorry so long, it is my first time here, so I needed to give a bit of a history, I promise not to rattle on so much from here on out. This board is great! I can't seem to stop reading all of what you have to share!!!
Thanks!!
Shelly
your classic adhd.you ask us these questions instead of your dr.
WELCOME.
We do it too.
Oh yeah, I am poster child adhd...lol That's why I was so excited to find a diagnosis for me feeling like I was insane half the time, or just plain feeling like crap. I do plan on calling my dr, just wondered what other's expirience with this was. I have read MANY of your post, and really enjoy your insight!!! Thanks for the welcome!!!
Shelly
Maybe you need the Immediate release of the pill.I would ask her to try adderall IR x2 a day, before jumping the XR dose increase bandwagon.
I would go for the low dose, say 5-10 mg of IR twice a day .
You can always go up later. going up is more of an option than going down.
Shelly,
Welcome! Every prescription plan is different so you do need to check with customer service for yours on how it works. When my kids need adjustments in dosing, I am allowed a whole new month's worth, even if the previous prescription was not finished. And yes, I do pay a new co-pay every time we get a new prescription.
Thanks Smallmom for your post! The initial pay for the prescription and get reimburse was a killer on the checking account, especially so close to christmas. Don't want to do this every time my doctor changes meds or does adjustments...... The pharmacist just said that since I have never used this before the age of 18?? that my doc has to call the insurance first. I would hate to have to do this EVERY time..... And, do keep us up to date on your status
dexedrine is cheaper than adderall. as are the IR versions.
bugzappers38704.4765509259
I will most definitly!! I did have a question for you bugzappers....I have read alot of your postings, and alot of you great insight, but was just curious as to what you are diagnosed with? and what is working for you? Sorry, don't have to share, but I was just curious, because you really seem to know what you are talking about! 
Thanks!!
Shelly
Yes, it is all an illusion.I am as clueless as a newborn baby.
I just relate alot.
Thanks for your compliments. There are many here that are more attuned than I am.
Me? I have been dx with hyper since 7, then I stopped from 14 on the meds till a year ago. I was re dxed with adhd. beyond that, I don't know.
just stay small with the adderall till your more used to it.
nothing really works to control the symptoms yet.
adderall had signs, but I went up, instead of going lower mg's..
clonidine helped for anger, but I stopped them since I read too much about sides and afters... I want to know more about tenex. so I have to wait....
Strat.. nope
ablify...nope
zoloft...nope
wellbutrin... nope
adderall ir.. the 20 mg worked, but had issues..not enough time to see
then I got bumped to 25 mg of xr.. then 30,,,, nope
bugzappers38704.4855555556
so what is working for you for the adhd? How old are you? I haven't done anything with my dosing, just was curious how they go about it if they do decide to increase. (my doc already said that would be the case, just wanted to start me off small)
The compliments are well deserved, I have been reading this forum for a week now, and finally got the courage to post, but your postings always stood out.
redhead. I edit most posts, you have to give me a few to get it right, then see.not a problem, but just reread my above post.
It has changed.
bugzappers38704.4863773148While I'm not refuting that you have co-morbid ADHD, you also must have other problems with it. Paxil is an antidepressant. I've taken it for over ten years now and it's very effective for depression, OCD and anxiety, but in no way is it an ADHD med. Seroquel is an antipsychotic often used for kids for raging, sleep, etc. It also is not an ADHD med. So all your symptoms are not due to ADHD or else the doctor is giving you some very odd ADHD meds..lol. YOu should be used to controlled substances.Valium is one! Also, I can't multi-task at all. Don't know if it's ADHD or not, but my main diagnoses are bipolar II, mild OCD, panic disorder and anxiety disorder.psm090438704.4885763889That is the adhd.
I can't focus on many things more than a few minutes , if at all.
that is why I edit.
I forget the questions and have to change the post to address them.
I GO , DUHHHHHHH
Hi Red-
I was originally given an Rx for Adderall XR, but my ins. co. would not pay for it, so I never took it but decided to try the regular Adderall which does have a generic. I find it is working very well for me. Doc gives me 30 mg which I split in half and take 15 mg in the morning and 15 mg at lunch time. The downside is remembering to take a pill throughout the day, but I can live with that since it is so much cheaper and I love how it's working. I think at my 1-month visit I would like to see if I can get 10 mg pills which I can take three times a day, because it doesn't quite last long enough.
I'm not sure how changing doses will work with your ins. co. I decided just to pay for the generic myself and not hassle with trying to get them to pay for the Adderall XR and/or waiting for doc to get it approved through insurance. I have ADD, I can't wait!
I also take something at night called trazodone for sleep which is an older drug that has been around a long time...it is anti-anxiety/antidepressant but has the side effect of sleepiness. It does not give me morning grogginess or weird dreams or knock me out cold, it's nonaddictive...and it's really, really cheap (like .00 a month) if you are concerned with costs. The Seroquel sounds like it is working well for you, though.
Sassee
Thanks Sassee!! Cost is ALWAYS an issue with me. Of course they warned me that I could wait to fill my script till they heard from the insurance, but nope, not me, I wipped out the checkbook and wrote a check for 130.00. my copay for seroquel is 60, still expensive, and I have a friend that uses tazodone and it really helps her. I will have to discuss with my doc.....if I can save 55 dollars a month, that much better....
Cost.you can go to many websites, any manufacturer, such as shire/adderall and a few others have reduced and free pills.
adderall is 5$ a month. xr only.
some are free.
You have GOT to be kidding? Do you just order your script online then?how old?
I am 36. was 35 , will be 37.
Although I am actually between 12-21 at any given moment...
your mileage may vary. very well spoken, I know the feeling. I was just curious, at first I really didn't like the idea of just being diagnosed, nice to know I am not the only one.
your far from it, far from it.
Expand and search the forum. You will find many that are, and are not.
You will see for yourself who has this, and who doesn't. It becomes so evident and clear when you have it, that you see it in others.
That is how I know I have it.
bugzappers38704.4980092593you can ask at pharms. shop around, some are cheaper than others.
some will compete. cvs and wal greens might, try walmart... never hurts to ask.
anytime you need to talk to me directly with no posts,,, use the pm button on my posts, down below...
thanks for the post psm, I was/am on the paxil to treat anxiety which is how they originally diagnosed me with. The doc did say as the adderall xr takes affect, the paxil will be discontinued since it isn't a help at all for adhd, you are correct. At that time if something is needed, she suggested may wellbutrin or effexor. The change to seroquel, was simply because I do not react as harshly to it as I do with the lunesta or ambien. I am resting much better, and not just being knocked out cold and feeling like mush in the morning. Just still trying to find the right balance is all......
Thanks!! Shelly
AND, bugzappers, I was just curious as to how old you are, simply because I wasn't diagnosed till I was 28. (did you forget lol, or did you not want to answer??)This one has generics listed as wellhttp://www.needymeds.com/
This is the best site to use.
no, you have criteria and your dr helps by filling out some information, most all of the info is on the needy meds site. my last script of adderall was 124.00
adderall xr 30 mg... walgreens.
I have prescription coverage. mine is 3$.
I think it is just a matter of the doc calling in on the first prescrip (hopefully) to my insurance in order for them to approve, then I will get reimbursed. If they decline the script, then I will really have to do some shopping around. I too use Walgreens.
Thanks Auntie!!
Heyl, red! Just want to warn you about Paxil withdrawal. I've never done it, but I hear it can be REALLY bad...so don't get scared if you get dizzy or "brain zaps" or act PMS all the time...lol. It is the hardest antidepressant to withdraw from and, if I had any intention of going off of it, I'd make sure it was within a period of six months, unless I just started it. You may want to google up Paxil withdrawal because, unfortunately, many pdocs don't tell anyone about SSRI withdrawal syndrome and, again, Paxil is the absolute worst. Effexor is similarly bad on withdrawals. I was very upset because it was a few years after I'd been on Paxil that I even knew they had withdrawals at all, but it works for well for me...I'm glad I didn't know too, or else I wouldn't have taken it! So I wish you tons of luck, but don't freak out if the Paxil withdrawals are bad. Hey...I edit ALL MY POSTS because I go so fast that I always misspell a word, leave out a word, or put in a wrong word. In my case, I think it's the hypomania is the problem...lol. I always thought I had co-morbid ADHD too, but, heck, I'm already on Paxil and Klonopin and don't want to add any meds. Stims make me "high" anyways. Hey, glad you're on the right track! If you're like me, it TOOK LONG ENOUGH...lol.
A little bump here, a little bump there, here a bump, there a bump, everywhere a bump - bump. 
,
Edited: I just got to thinking, newbies are going to think I'm totally wacko! Well, I am but that is beside the point. 
Newbies, bumping a topic is done for a couple reasons. #1. If it is a good topic it makes it easier for newbies to find. #2. Trolls are posting lies and using scare tactics and we do this in order to get their comments so they aren't the first thing you see and scare you away. 