Focalin XR | ADHD Information

Hello.. I've been taking Focalin XR 30mgs (2-15mgs caps) in the am. I'm finding that it really does help me focus and calms me down w/o making me sleepy but gives me the energy I need. Which is great. The only concern is that it seems to wear off pretty quickly. I heard that it's supposed to last 8-12 hours? It's only lasting me 4 hours (if I eat anything in the morning or lunch) or 5 hours at the most if I don't.

I was wondering if this is normal? I have seen some Archived posts that said it wore off soon for some. Would this be the same if the Dr upped the dosge? (I know it's different for everyone) but I'm just wondering if it's wearing off too soon because it's not enough? I know the Dr upped the Strattera because it was wearing off too soon when it was supposed to be a 24 hour med.

I've also found that when it does wear off (around noon or 1pm) I get this terrible headache on the top of my head and at the base of my neck (not like a regular headache, but more like pressure like my head's in a vice or something). The only way to make this go away is to take a single 15mg cap of the Focalin XR and it will help me until around 4-5pm to last a normal work day, but not if I work my normal 12-16 hour days. Strange thing is that when I have taken that extra 15mg when it wears off it wears off smoother for me. Then I'll take .5mg of Tenex to help then.

Has anyone else experienced this or know if this sounds like a dosage issue?
I go back to my Dr on June 11th and I'll definitely talk to him, but in the meantime it's hard to get ahold of them since they only use Voice mail.

Thanks in advance.
I do not experience with Focalin XR, but did notice for my daughter when she took a 5 mg of Ritalin in the afternoons it did help ease her rebound form the Ritlain LA. This may be whats happening when you add the afternoon dose. Our docotr did tell us we could actually add another Ritalin LA in the afternoons. For example 20 mg Ritalin LA in the am (a 10 hour med), then add a 10 mg Ritlain LA at lunch time to ease her past rebound and to accomodate late afternoons with no meds left in her system. Sounded great,  but I did not want her having an increased dose during the early afternoon, FOR US too many side effects. So maybe you could ask about adding another dose after lunch? Might be nice to have some of your own idea when you see the doctor.A higher dose may last longer, but may increase side effects (worth a try). My kids are allowed the option of an after school dose if needed. Look at what would be ideal for your schedule and then discuss it with the doc. Treatment should be taylored to your needs.Thanks ladies, I left a message on the VM telling the nurse what's going on. The good thing about Focalin XR so far for me is that I don't really have any side effects while it's working.. only when it wears off.  I think the only thing I notice is a slight stain in my left eye (and only that eye). But it's really hard to tell if it's the meds or the brand new disposable contacts I've gotten.  I'm not used to the really thin contacts and it seems to dry out faster than my old non-disposable ones that I had.

I doubt the nurse/Dr will do anything before my appt, and I don't have enough meds to keep doing that 2nd 15mg dose until then. I'll be running out as it is on the 7th (appt is on the 11th).