My doctor recently put me on adderall 20mg once a day, he told me to adjust the amount as needed to see what works for me. After a week I upped it to 20 in the am and 10 in the pm. That seems to be working well for me. I am amazed at the differences the medicine has made in my life. I was wondering what the "usual" dosage is for an adult. I know it is different for everyone, but I was wondering about the range. Also, do more people prefer regular or XR?

Okay, so I've been refusing to take meds.... But what exactly do they help?  I mean will I stop doing really stupid things like ....oh say messing up an internal file for the whole company (that, granted was easily fixed and did damage only because it stressed a couple people out and caused unecessary confusion for about an hour) just because I didn't read ALL the instructions on how to use it and didn't take the time to figure out how not to mess it up??? I mean...I feel like an idiot (this just happened) and I know it was because of my ADD. I also know people make mistakes, but the WHOLE company seemed to know how to not mess it up.  Would medication help?  I've been taking Ginko.  It worked for about a week, keeping my head kind of clear, but it's not doing anything even though I've upped the amount significantly.  I also want to be able to talk in a large group without feeling so confused that I choose to clam up or say the most basic thing because I can't get my thoughts in place.

Anyway, if medication really helps with these types of things...I'll talk to my doctor a little more about it.  Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!

Okay, so I've been refusing to take meds.... But what exactly do they help?  I mean will I stop doing really stupid things like ....oh say messing up an internal file for the whole company (that, granted was easily fixed and did damage only because it stressed a couple people out and caused unecessary confusion for about an hour) just because I didn't read ALL the instructions on how to use it and didn't take the time to figure out how not to mess it up???

Maybe.  Meds don't help everyone, but if they work you should be able to concentrate better and slow you down a bit so you can pay better attention to details.

I mean...I feel like an idiot (this just happened) and I know it was because of my ADD. I also know people make mistakes, but the WHOLE company seemed to know how to not mess it up.  Would medication help? 

Again, maybe.  It definitely has the potential to make a huge difference.  Just remember it won't change your personality, just give you more control over your thoughts and actions.

I've been taking Ginko.  It worked for about a week, keeping my head kind of clear, but it's not doing anything even though I've upped the amount significantly.  I also want to be able to talk in a large group without feeling so confused that I choose to clam up or say the most basic thing because I can't get my thoughts in place.

I never tried Ginko.  I think a lot of the supplements help some but not others.  Sometimes I think a person just needs something STRONG.

My meds (Wellbutrin/Prozac/Focalin XR) help me a lot in social situations.  Also work situations.  I feel more confident to contribute to discussions.  Before I would do the same - clam up and just try to follow the conversation.  

Anyway, if medication really helps with these types of things...I'll talk to my doctor a little more about it.  Any advice would be helpful.

Go talk to your doctor.  If the meds don't help, you can always stop taking them.

Good luck!

Thanks!

Thanks!  In social situations, I'm really good one on one because it's easy to focus...with so many I feel really confused.  I definitely do NOT want my personality to change!  I like the way I am.  I just want to not make so many silly mistakes and...at times, share my thoughts with others.  Sometimes I have some good ones. LoL.

Well, thanks again! I will talk to my doctor.

I weigh 124 lbs & am 5'3" & just turned 43 last week.

I started on 2Omg Adderall XR 3 years ago & was crashing too much by the time I got home to the twins after work. My doctor switched me to 5mg of REGULAR Adderall 4x a day so I could titrate it.

Actually he upped it to 25mg=5mg 5x a day, but I try to only take 4 so I always have a reserve, in case I have to pull an all-nighter @ my 2nd job & then show up @ the law firm 2 hours later for a full day.

Or for when I drop the damn things down between the seats of my Jeep cause they're so freaking tiny.

Why on earth are crucial items like contact lenses, birth control pills & C-2 medications so freaking microscopic in the first place,LOL?

Remember your dosage is based how you body metabolizes the meds and symptom control.

Rebound symptoms/afternoon crash--are you eating during the day? Your body is running out of fuel at the sametime it is running out of meds. Try a protein bar or a fruit smootie with protein powder in the afternoon. Your gas guage is on empty and your body is trying to tell you that.

Terrie, you made me laugh with the little pill comment. I hate little tiny pills and it seems like every prescription has been little tiny pills. One of my blood pressure meds (HCTZ)  was a little pill that I had to split to make it even smaller. It was like taking a bread crumb.

I was complaining to son's doctor about a sample pack of pills and how hard it was to get them out without crushing them. I was on a roll about the whole situation when he said,"Did you know that you are ADHD?" I lost my whole train of thought and asked the stupidest question, "Is it really that obvious?" He just chuckled and said yes!

 It was like taking a bread crumb.

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