Dose Increase over time | ADHD Information

TX269, I understand I really do! I have been taking ADD Meds since 1985. This includes Ritalin, Adderal, and now Daytrana. Now 21 years later and still taking ADD Meds which have helped me complete my BS Degree and hold down a good job. I still do wonder if I need a dose increase? The ADD mind is constantly going! It's like a Tornado! Your never satisfied until you can focus for more than a few minutes or longer. You take more medication thinking you will be able to concentrate better (OH Yes how I know) but it only made me feel Paranoid, speedy. Don't take more! Switch Medications! If your doctor won't allow you to try another ADD medication then say GOOD BY! WHY? Because there are other ADD meds out there that may help you better. One medication is not meant for all!

I've been giving a magnesium supplement to my son with his Adderall 15mg, and it seems to give it a boost of effectiveness. You might try that first if you don't want to increase the adderall.

We have had a similar experience. My daughter was on adderall XR for 3 years. She started at 10 mg and gradually was increased to 30 mg (over the course of 3 years) b/c each dose began to lose effectiveness after 6-7 months. Each time we bumped the dose up by 5mg it worked like a charm again and she never had any new or increased side effects. Then early this fall when the old ADHD symptoms starting showing up again her dr. did not want to go higher than 30 mg so he switched her to Daytrana which is working pretty well but we still prefer adderall. She has been on Daytrana for 8 weeks now and we are going to try to return to adderall over the holidays. Maybe I should add a magnesium supplement? Any advice on what brand and how much? Where can I read about it?

Also, I've read that the best way to restore effectiveness is to take a break from the meds if possible. Even a week or two break might help if you can swing it.....That is very hard for us esp. during the school year!

Good luck and thanks for the info. 

Taking her off all meds?  Daffodil couldn't be any righter.

There's a big long thread in the Alternative section on magnesium with the different types and dosages, we use magnesium oxide (which is supposed to be the lousy kind) but it works for us. I give my 10-yr-old 250 mg and he weighs 100 lbs.There's an article that you can click on to read about Adderall and various supplements. It says you have to be careful though when giving magnesium with Adderall because it increases the blood level of the amphetamines. For my 10-yr-old, it just makes it work a little better.  Then I make sure he has plenty of calcium later in the day.

 

Daffodil  Thanks, Aurora!Thanks Daffodil, I will look for that thread on magnesium.  
   Im taking 20mg Adderall XR, and have been for 2 years. I am beginning to notice the medication has very little effect on me, and its obvious I need to increase the dose. Does that mean my body is building up a resistance to the medication, and I will have to continue Increasing the dose for the medication to have an effect. The reason I ask is because I dont want to keep increasing the dose.