HELP..Adderall XR problem!! | ADHD Information

Hi,

I'm 22 and in college. Let me give you a little about my ADD history. I was diagnosed at 15 with ADD and was put on Adderall IR 20mg 1x a day. I had severe appetite suppression with the IR and had to force myself to eat. But, I never lost weight. So I had been on the Adderall IR for over 4 years. But I decided to stop the IR in March of 06' and tried the Holistic method to help my ADD, but it didn't work. After going without meds for quite a few months, I decided to try Strattera in June of 06'. I went on Strattera and built up to 100 mg, it didn't work but I took it until December of 06'. I went to my primary docter and asked what else he would suggest I take and he suggested Adderall XR. I was put on 20 mg. because since I was previously on the 20 mg IR that it would work for me. The first week to XR worked for about 3 hours and now it doesn't. But now, I have been taking it over a month and I don't feel it is working. After the first week, it has been wearing off after 3 hours. I am in school for at least 4 hours a day, plus homework, studying and work on the weekends. I don't know if it is wearing off fast because I previously took the IR version for so long or what! I started ususally wake up at 6 am. and eat either a bowl of oatmeal or 2 pieces of toast. Than take 1 20 mg XR about 15 minutes later. I have stopped drinking caffeine as soon as I took it. I tried a cup of coffee once I started taking the 20 mg XR and I felt weird. So, I have only been drinking water. I don't know if it's because I'm eating BEFORE I take it or what.  But now I'm not eating before taking the pill, but I'm eating about 2 hours after. And still it's not working at all. Anyone know if I should raise my dosage or not eat before I take it? But, I don't know if I have a very acidic stomach or what. I am desperate for advive, so any advice would be great. By the way, I am 5'5 and am 152lbs. If that matter at all! But, I am DESPERATE becaues my classes are getting busy, with lots of tests. Right now, I can barely concentrate in lecture and my notes are horrible! I need advice badly! Thank you in advance!

Melissa ADD3139125.8130671296

 

Here are a few of my thoughts ADD31...

* Adderall XR has a much different "feel" to it...for me it's no feel, as compared to IR, which is easy to feel both when it kicks in and when it leaves my system.  You may be expecting to feel more than you are with the XR.

* By taking one Adderall 20 mg XR (half, 10 mg.,  releases immediately, the other 10 mg is time released later) you're getting HALF the effective dose you were getting with 20 mg IR

* It sounds like you might be better going back to Adderall IR, 20 mg. (cheaper too, isn't it??)

* If you stick with the XR, you probably want to up the dose.

* Sounds like you also need a second dose of XR... a number of us take the XR twice a day as its effectiveness wains far short of the claimed 10-12 hours (for me it's 6 hours). 

Seriously, I stopped eating anything because I really believe that having food in your stomach makes the medicine less effective. Im not hungry because I have a cup of water and the pill next to my alarm clock and take it as soon as I wake up in the morning. I'm in college too and I know how important it is to go to school everyday and hope the medicine works because you might as well not even go if it doesn't. Less food, more water.

Hello again,

Thank you all for your advice and support.

bman30-I completly agree with you about not increasing my dose with out my doctors advice.  I wouldn't attempt to do that.  I would be too scared too!!  I actually went back to my doc and told him everything.  And he upped my script to 30mg XR 1x day.  So I just started it Monday.  So I'm hopeful it will work for me!  

Thanks again to all of you!

Melissa

ADD31

 Do not, by all means, DO NOT increase your dose without Doctors order.  talk to him or her and tell them it is not working effectively anymore. I believe 20XR is not the correct dose for you. You were on Adderall IR at the age of 15. You're 22. Thats 7 years. I agree with John D , you're expecting to feel that same  "IR" feeling. This corresponds with tolerance to your dose. I also believe you are having anxiety because of the dosage. (IE. - No concentration, feeling the need to increase your dose, being pre -occupied with this situation, coffee making you feel weird and so on.)

My advice to you (I'm in college too.)  Your college should have free psychiatrist or doctors who obviously know what to do for you. JUST PLEASE don't self medicate or increase your dose w/out talking to a specialist. I cannot stress that enough. Make an appoitment with your colleges health services ASAP  

bman3039166.9053703704