Dr. MOM - I have been on Adderral for about a year now. My dosage actually changes based on the day I am having. On days when I really don't have to be focued, I wont take any, just to give myself a break... but then other days I will take the maximum that my Dr. has suggested.
Adderral isnt' like the antidepressants where it takes 3 weeks to kick in. It really can be regulated on a day-to-day basis. Somedays when I am in a great mood and the weather is awesome out, and I just feel GOOD, I can control my ADHD without alot of medication. I have found though that my depression and anxiety seriously affect my ability to deal with it though. If I am having a really stressful week, I am going to be supremely ADD which will just add to my frustration. This is when the Adderall helps the most. It lets me at least get rid of the ADD stressor, and focus on the other things that have to get done and the other stress I have to deal with.
Adderral generally starts to work jsut about immediately... I always end up just feeling "calm" once it "hits" me. You know you have taken too much if you start feeling kind of high, or insanely focused. What I mean by that is like the time I sat down and just completely zoned out to everything expcept my screen in front of me for about 3 hours. My co-workers kept calling my name and I just didnt even hear them. I got alot of great work done, but felt like butt later when I "came down."
As for dosing, mine has gone consistantly up over time. About every 3 months or so I increase about 5-10 mg per day. Adderral is Amphetamine, so your body builds a tolerance to it just like it would any other stimulant. Make sure that if you are taking it "religiously" every day, that you dose yourself down if you are going to stop taking it. Adderral IS addictive and you can have really bad side effects if you just stop completely without stepping yourself down.
As for it not feeling like it is lasting as long as you want... try not taking a single dose, but breaking it up. If you are like me, you can feel when it is starting to wear off. That is when you take the next one. Break your dosing down into smaller doses and spread them out. I will take one at about 7 in the morning which will last till about noon or so, then take another at noon, which gets me through the rest of the work day, then take a much smaller dosage, about half of what I would take at 7 or noon, around 4-5pmish. This gets me till bed time around 9ish with it wearing off just in time to be able to fall asleep. If you need to stay up later, adjust accordingly. This DOES NOT work for ADDERRAL XR!!! Only do this if you take tablets. Know your dosage and see how it affects you. You are the best judge of when you would need more.
UBEGGS - START SMALL in dosage, but expect that after the first 2 weeks you will increase, then at about a month, then at about 2 months, and at about 3 months you will find really where you function the best. Like I said before though, you build up a tolerance, so you will most likely up again at about 6 months, just to maintain the effectiveness. You and your doctor will be able to discern the best course of action based on the severity of your ADD and your health.
Also, expect to eat ALOT less. This is something that you really have to watch, especially if you are really petite like I am. You can drop weight really quickly. If you dont feel hungry, try drinking an Ensure, or eatting constantly through the day. I keep small baggies of Goldfish crackers and Easy-Mac in my drawers at work so that it is convenient for me to eat. Also protein and energy bars help you keep at a healthy weight. Sometimes, the Adderral will upset my stomach, so I keep a small bottle of TUMS in my desk. It's not too often, but know you might get that.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! These are just MY experiences, so I am sure yours could be very different, but I figured I would pass on the info
Thanks for the reply. I just got my RX today. I will start my dosage tomorrow. He has started me off with 10mg a day for a week or so and then told me to go to twice a day.
I can't wait to see if I will be able to focus tomorrow.!!!!!!
Thank you so much for the great advice! I really appreciate it!Dr. Mom, I encourage you to keep working with your doc to figure out the optimum dosing schedule for you. Perhaps an evening dose would help with the cooking, etc. that you seem to have difficulties with when the meds have worn off. Some people also find that this helps them get to sleep without the racing thoughts.
Hi,
I just found out that I have ADHD as I went through the testing for my son. Wow, all the pieces came together for me. I need some help though. I am taking Adderal twice a day. I am working with my doctor to find when and how much to take. I am taking very little right now and it is helping alot, especially with sensitivities (light, sound, touch) as well as focusing and balancing out my mood and activity level, actually I am very calm and feel focused. But...at the end of the day, my symptoms are back in full force and I am having challenges still with basic tasks (cooking, homework, etc.) I am also having challenges sleeping still (excessive movement in my legs and agitated/cant stop thinking.
What do others do?
Thanks
I will be starting Adderal soon. I would love to know the answer as well. Anyother advise would be great as well for someone who will be starting out. How long does it take to notice anything? How long do you "give it a chance" before you ask for an adjustment in the dosage or the number of times a day?
Good luck! I honestly love it. I jsut feel more like ME. :)