Well unpredictable isn't really the right word for it, but I work in a restaurant so my hours are 9-5 one day and then 5-1AM another day. I'm trying to figure out how to manage medication with a schedule like this. I know 9-5 I can just take 10mg at 9AM and then 10mg more at about 1PM, and it generally covers me pretty well (though if I don't do all my managerial paperwork before the last dose wears off, the rebound makes it REALLY difficult). I'm switching over to Adderall XR in a few days, so I'll just single dose when I wake up. But how would people suggest dosing for the late night shifts? On one hand I don't want to be awake for hours afterwards (though I'm such a night owl that may be a moot point, heh), but on the other hand I need the meds to cover me through the very last half hour when I have to do all my paperwork and have to be incredibly detail-oriented (my rebound after adderall can be pretty bad after I've had more than 10mg in a day). Should I ask for an extra prescription of 5mg pills to take on nights like that just to ensure that I get appropriate coverage near the end?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Timing when you do night shifts can be tough I know. I work 2-week rotating shifts and can be crazy to keep the meds smoothly functioning.
When I'm on graveyard (11PM to 7AM) I usually take my dexedrine XR about 4 hours before work (7PM) which gives me the first 6 hours (until 1AM) then the next dose at 1. That keeps me going until the last second of work with enough energy left to shuffle on home.
I can't see 5 mg being a problem for your doc to Rx unless you've shown troubles with dosing before.
Can't hurt to check!