I've been taking like 20 mg of adderall most days for the past week or so, and I decided that 20mg was just a bit much. It made me too calm. I felt almost stoned I was so calm for the first two hours or so. Though I was quite productive and able to function better than usual.
Today I decided to cut down to 10mg instead of 20mg during work, and I had the exact opposite reaction that one would expect. Instead of just being less calm, I was actually edgy and keyed up and really snippy. It was a very uncomfortable experience. I ended up taking another 10mg, and I calmed down again afterwards quite a bit. It's worth pointing out that work today was very...uncomfortable for a variety of reasons, so that may have been making things worse, but it certainly wasn't the reason for all of it.
Anyone have an explanation for this? Was it just a fluke? I know that too much adderall can make even an ADHD person keyed up, but too little?
15 ended up working really well. Unfortunately I'm now out of it, and I can't get in to see anyone until April 15th. My normal doctor (free doctor from the Dep of Mental Health, so not exactly quality) decided I don't have ADD because I wasn't diagnosed as a child, and the fact that my mother has it means nothing since ADD isn't genetic (oh boy). Then she decided I was bipolar even though I don't suffer from depression, mania, or mood swings. She immediately tried to put me on mood stabilizers because I told her my mother was also bipolar.
Scary! I found an ADHD Clinic here that specializes in "gifted" adults and ADHD (i.e. they won't disregard my symptoms just because I went to Stanford) who find out later in life about the disorder. So I get my official test April 5th, and then another clinic will give me meds for free. Hurrah.
Wish me luck!
I think the 20 may have been just what you needed, the 10 is not enough,,,, I take adderall as well. 10 is just not enough and 25 is TOO DANG muchIt may be when you are taking it - or how you are taking it. Make sure you eat before you take your meds (just avoid citrus and antacids). Taking adderall on an empty stomach can make you edgy irritable and shaky. It's like taking super shots of espresso on an empty stomach - same effect.
Take your med earlier before work too. I find if I take it just before work I end up either drowsy or yappy for the first hour. I try to take it one hour before I head out - and if I take a second dose it's usually at the 6 to 7 hour mark after dose one.
Importantly also don't vary your dose - or the time you take it! Take it same time every day (or close to it) and every day. If you start at 10 take only 10 every day. Unless your MD approves it. The body must become accustomed to it - takes from a week to a month. You may have to ride through a little edginess or irritability but it goes away and everything smoothes out.
Thanks for the advice!