Could anyone with regular Adderall experience tell me if the below dosage sounds right? I think it does but wonder about other opinions. Sorry for the length but for some reason feel compelled to explain myself. (Honestly, i think i feel the need to justify because there is shame and guilt left over from beating myself up for not performing at work or home for a long time.)
I have been taking celexa and wellbutrin for about 1.5 years for generalized anxiety and depression. It has been consistently helpful and adaquate until about the last 6 months. The last 6 months have had the most positive and negative stress in my life (I am 38). Then about 3 months ago I hit the fan and didn't realize it. I couldn't work, just stare at the computer, play video games, surf the web, eat sweets, etc. I have been blaming myself until about 3 weeks ago when I finally through my hands up in defeat and surrender and realized something was wrong, duh. I went to get some help.
I am now seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner for medications after I went past my primary doctors more generalized prescription expertise. They have both been very helpful as we try to figure out what the hell is wrong with me.
I started taking Adderall about 9 days ago. I was given 5mg pills and was instructed to take 5mg morning and 5mg early afternoon for 3 days. On the fourth day if I tolerated the medicine but didn't feel much change I could go to 10mg morning and 10mg early afternoon for 3 more days. After that, I could increase in 5mg increments every 3 days but to not take more than 20mg in the morning and 20mg in the early afternoon. Is 20mg twice a day a large dose? That is what I am due to start tomorrow. The 15mg twice a day is pretty effective but I am hoping the 20mg x2 is even more so.
If I pay attention I can feel when the adderall starts to work and it has been very effective at focusing and concentration, it seems to last 4-6 hours. I am thinking about trying smaller doses more often through the day for consistency. Like 10mg 3-4 times a day depending on how late I am working. I have had a few nights that it was difficult to go to sleep but it hasn't been too bad at all.
A week or so before the adderall I was prescribed proprononal (10-20mg 3x a day) for social/performance anxiety. Wow, I didn't think the proprononal would help but it just proved how well I WASN'T paying attention to my body. I have been blocked at work for 3 months, unable to concentrate, immobilized. My wife was at her wits end. I now am pretty sure that my problem with starting things is very anxiety related and has totally exacerbated my procrastination, focus, and concentration related to ADD.
I'm new to this great forum.
Sorry for rambling a bit and Thanks for listening..<deep breath>
Jason
To answer your Adderall question it sounds very dose appropriate. My daughter took Adderall way back when we first started meds and we did the same dose increase, every three days. I would not start just taking it at different times unless you discuss with your doctor. I would stick to the plan until you reach your ideal dose then discuss tweaking from there. It is very difficult to differentiate side effetcs, symtpoms, especially with co-exisitng conditions. best to do by the book every step of they way.
Good luck!