Rocket, when prescribing the meds for you , what did your doctor tell you??? Mine said something like..."try this amount and let me know how it's working when you come back for your next appointment."
As you know, the dose of Adderall in your system is supposed to be only 10 mg at any one time with the 20mg xr you're taking, so it's a minimal dose and your doctor is probably starting at this level to see what effect you get.
When I started taking Adderall, I thought that it would be a panacea and remove all the ADD traits that had been plaguing me. Unfortunately, that's not how it worked for me, and from what I read, most find that the medication helps significantely but is not a cure-all. Adderall works wonders for me in the area of patience, for example, but I'm still a world champion when it comes to procrastination! I guess it assists everyone a bit differently so don't give up and give it some time. Most important, stay in touch with your doctor--it may do well if you keep notes so you can describe clearing what the meds are and aren't doing for you on your next visit... and try to be patient!
I was diagnosed with ADD almost 10 years ago when I was in college. I went through behavior modification and had a series of tutors help me through college. It was rough but I made it through it and graduated. I recently went through a dramatic even in my life and felt it necessary to begin a medication treatment of my ADD symptoms and really help my life get on the right track. I have always felt not quite up to my potential becasue of my own obstacles that I place in front of me intentionally or unintentionally, for example relationships with people.
So last week I started 20mg's of Adderall XR and since have not felt too much change. On the first day it made me feel like my mind was reacting slower, processing more thoroughly, but since then I have do not feel that there is much of an impact and I am feeling very impatient. I read all 16 pages of posts here regarding ADHD medications and all that had to deal with Adderall XR, few I can relate with, but most I cannot. I never seem to have that rush or extreme level of focus that I have read about. I want this to work, my family wants this to work.
I am asking for any feedback that you can provide. Do I need to ask to increase my dosage, should I switch to the IR formula, what do you all have to say, because we all have something to say.
Thanks for your time.
When I was on XR my dose worked better if I had a little something to eat and also water with the pill. Have you been taking it on an empty stomach?
I'm surprised that you're not feeling any helpful effects....
Dan R-
Thanks for the reply.
No, eat breakfast before I take the medication. Usually a bowl of oatmeal with a slice of toast. I also workout early in the morning. Medication has been being taken between 0730 and 0830 everyday.
I only drink water with the medication and have reduced my coffee intake to 1-cup a day, before the medication is ingested.
I can relate. I started 20mg of Adderall XR s couple of weeks ago. I've been through the med. adjustments with my son, so I know it's trial and error, but my problem is that now I need to call my doctor back. Only I have this huge anxiety issue centered around the phone (long story). So, no relief from the symptoms till I call the doc, but anxiety gets worse without relief from the symptoms, so I aviod making the phone call, which only causes more anxiety. You get the picture.
So, anyway Rocket, you should just ask your doc for a higher dosage. He'll most likely raise it till you get relief from the symptoms or experience side effects, at which point you try something else. If you've read this board than you know there are tons of meds out there.
missmom- I've actually not lost on Adderall, but I lost 15lbs on Stratterra. My doctor was really suprised there- he said he's not had any patients on that lose more than a couple of pounds cause it's not a stimulant. Of course I'm not exactly on an effective dose of Adderall, either, so that may make a difference. I actually can't lose any more weight or I'm afraid he won't want to give me a higher dose. I didn't technically need to lose the 15- not that I'm complaining.
Anyone lose weight on Adderall? I'm starting in a few days, just curious..Rocket,
Abt 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with ADD, bi-polar & ocd (obcessive compulisve disorder) and started on Lexapro 10mg. Since taking the Lexapro I have gone from a size 10 to a size 18 (Im a small framed 5'4 woman). Im also on Abilify for the bi-polar.
When I was first diagnosed I was put on 10mg Adderall XR, 2x day. For some reason back then the Adderall made my ocd worse. Now after 4 different meds in 2 years, Im back on Adderall because for me its the only med that seems to work for my ADD. Last month was my 1st month back on the Adderall the dr started me at 20mg XR with a 10mg IR for the afternoons. I just went back to her today & told her we needed to increase my dosage. So we are now trying 30mg XR, 2x a day (6am & noon). My dr was concerned that 30mg, 2x a day is alot but I am close to weighing in at 200 lbs + Im short. I explained to her that my body or mind has a high tolerance to meds. (It takes 75mg of Benadryl or 40mg of Sonata to put me to sleep at night).
I cant say enough good things about the Adderall/Lexapro combo. I works for me, the only draw back is the weight gain. But I wont live without either 1 of them.
Hope this kinda helps. Good luck
Everyone-
Thanks for keeping this forum going. It has been an enormous help knowing that there are other like me out there and what has worked for you and what has not.
I went back to the Dr today and he increased my dosage to 30 mg and he wants me to experiment with twice a day, becasue it feels as though it wears off in the early afternoon. He want to see how this disrupts my sleep pattern if at all.
I have also been diagnised with depression and we are working on possible medication. I will likely go on either Zoloft or Lexapro. Has anyone taken these with Adderall XR and seen any effects?
Rocket,
if I could give you any advice...be patient young grass hopper!..you'll find the right med and dosage that'll help you feel motivated and life-balanced.
I can only speak from experience but regular adderall works best for me. I started at 20mg 6 yrs ago when i was diagnosed with ADD. My dosage is currently at 50mg. (30mg in am and 20mg in afternoon)
I tried stratera and concerta but they both made me moody
I started taking XR along with regular adderall 6 months ago and t h i n g s s l o w e d d o w n w a y t o o o o m u c h. My mind felt detached from my body and I didn't realize it until I switched back to regular Adderall again....scarey huh?. I have been off XR for 3 weeks now and couldn't be happier. my blood pressure is also down.
trust your Dr. and listen to your mind and body.
good luck!
Franco
Everyone-
Thanks for keeping this forum going. It has been an enormous help knowing that there are other like me out there and what has worked for you and what has not.
I went back to the Dr today and he increased my dosage to 30 mg and he wants me to experiment with twice a day, becasue it feels as though it wears off in the early afternoon. He want to see how this disrupts my sleep pattern if at all.
I have also been diagnised with depression and we are working on possible medication. I will likely go on either Zoloft or Lexapro. Has anyone taken these with Adderall XR and seen any effects?
Thanks for making this forum what it is.
Take care,
Rocket
Here is a brief rundown of my exp with AdderallXR & IR. I started with Instant release-(IR) at 10 in the am and 10 in the pm. By day 3, it was as if I was taking nothing. Then IR- 10 in the am, 20 in the pm. Pm was good for 2 hours tops. 10 had no effect. Then switched to XR- (extended release) 20 am, 20, pm. Presto! The added length of time in release and in dosage kept me covered longer with greater effect. Fast forward to now, I take Adderall XR- 90mg- 30 in the am, 60 in the pm. I'm aprox. 5'6", 175 lbs. I have also found that diet plays a crucial role in the efficiency of any medication. If we don't fuel ourselves properly, no amount of medication will do any good if our system cannot properly utillize the medication. All that and a rigid adherence to not only diet and med, but also remember to feed your head with mas quanities of mental stimulation. peace K_R44
Everyone's different...for me, Adderall IR lasts about 4 hours, the timed release XR lasts 6 hours. Yes, I get very sleepy -- if I take it all week and then don't take it on Saturday, I'll take a nap mid morning and mid afternoon if I have the opportunity! I avoid the sleepiness by just taking a much reduced dose if I feel like laying off the meds over the weekend.
I started Adderall about two weeks ago. Overall, I feel great. But when the meds wear off I feel like I could go to sleep where I'm standing. It makes me soo tired. Does anybody else have symptoms like this when the meds wear off? The good thing is that I've been sleeping like a rock.missmom,
Does the Adderall give you enough coverage for your day? If not, ask the doctor for a low dose short acting form to get you through to bedtime. Since the med is not interferring with your sleep, this may be a good option for you.
I have another appt. with my dr. next week. I'm only on 10mg twice a day to start. I think I need to up the dose a little. It def. wears off after 3 hrs or so. That's probably why I'm so tired.John-
Thank you for your feedback!
I am not looking in particular for a cure-all, but a cure-most and I believe that it can. I too share the stage with you when it comes to procrastination and I'd like to include avoidance.
I have been keeping track of my thoughts and feelings on a calendar in order to discuss this with the doctor when I see him next. We decided to go with the 20mg becasue that is what Shire recomends adults starting out the medication should begin with and then gradually increase or decrease based on sideaffect strength and symptom assistance. Because of my hesitation with starting on medication I did a ton of research and wanted to start out with the manufactures recommended dosage. Have you seen any research that would conclude body composition affect the absorbstion into the body? I am 70 inches 210 pounds, husky, about 20% body fat, but not large.
I just want to focus on my tasks for as long as I can, juggle a 100 balls and not get stressed to the point of total confusion. My mind is like a garden hose, squeeze the nozzle just slightly and my thoughts look like the fine fan of mist. But, I'd like to get to the point when you squeeze the nozzle hard and have a nice focused stream of thoughts and feelings.
Again, thanks for your feedback and I will follow-up after my next visit.
nope, haven't seen any research linking Adderall dosage to body weight or composition. good luck -- I hope you find that "just right" amount -- and let us know!