ericjak258
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2016
- Messages
- 19
Hey everyone!! I know some of the questions I'm going to ask are scattered about but i'd like some fresh thoughts and all questions in one place. Sorry if things get repetitive.
First off, a little history. I was diagnosed with ADHD prominently inattentive about a month and a half ago. After deciding to see a therapist, he tested me and diagnosed me. I had never considered I had adhd, not knowing you could have it w/o hyperactivity. This explained all my symptoms I've struggled with my entire life and why anti depressant and anti anxiety meds never worked. My PCP then put me on Adderall 10mg IR/ twice a day as suggested by my therapist. The improvements I've experienced have been remarkable on many symptoms, however I still have my concerns/questions. After the last visit I had with my therapist, he thought my dose might be too low and requested my doc move me to 20mg IR/ twice a day. This was 2 weeks ago but I haven't started taking that dose consecutively yet (tried 15 and 20 twice a day). The 20mg dose was very effective and seemed to work immensely w/o feeling wired/jittery or anything like that. In fact, I felt much more calm, less anxious w/ highly improved focus, motivation, self control, organization among many other improvements. I have done a bit of research recently about ADHD and the meds prescribed and this is where I have some questions:
1. My therapist said my 10mg IR/ twice a day dose was a very low dose. Thought I would do better with 20mg/ twice a day. However, from what I've read, my new dosage is the maximum dose prescribed. Is this really a high dose?
2. After researching add, I've read that tolerance does develop over time. This is why I am hesitant to up my dosage as that dosage seems to speed tolerance up. Is it common/safe to be prescribed a higher dose in the future when this occurs?
3. From reading forums and such, it seems a lot of people are prescribed much more than 40mg in a day as the norm, even though 40mg is the max recommended dose. It's a bit of a confusing contradiction. Why is that?
4. I'm having a bit of trouble with duration of effects, which seems pretty common. How likely/common is it to be prescribed a 3 times a day dosage or an XR dosage along with an IR booster?
5. I've seen a lot about other ADHD meds. I experience some side effects from adderall that seem to be of the norm, but I could possibly benefit better from a different med. However, I don't want to make a switch and regret it, esp this early on and adderall is very effective. How do other ADHD meds compare/ are they really any different? If tolerance occurs, does switching meds really help?
6. I typically don't take adderall on the weekend, just during the work week and sometimes Sat when I have work but never Sun. I understand that when tolerance starts to develop, a break may be the only thing to help, but there were some side effects in the beginning I would rather not have return. What are some tips on improving/maintaining efficiency with diet/vitamins?
7. What are the typical effects/side effects you personally experience with adderall?
I would appreciate any and all feedback you guys could give. Sorry if I got repetitive or off track (been several hours since my adderall lol). I also apologize if this post has repeated questions from other forums, I just wanted some newer feedback/experiences. I would love to hear all about people's different experiences with ADHD and ADHD meds. I know I have more questions I wanted to ask but I'm really distracted right now and it's taken me forever to write this post. I'll just add any questions I think of as they come up and if anyone has any questions they'd like to add, please feel free. Thanks for reading guys!!
-E
First off, a little history. I was diagnosed with ADHD prominently inattentive about a month and a half ago. After deciding to see a therapist, he tested me and diagnosed me. I had never considered I had adhd, not knowing you could have it w/o hyperactivity. This explained all my symptoms I've struggled with my entire life and why anti depressant and anti anxiety meds never worked. My PCP then put me on Adderall 10mg IR/ twice a day as suggested by my therapist. The improvements I've experienced have been remarkable on many symptoms, however I still have my concerns/questions. After the last visit I had with my therapist, he thought my dose might be too low and requested my doc move me to 20mg IR/ twice a day. This was 2 weeks ago but I haven't started taking that dose consecutively yet (tried 15 and 20 twice a day). The 20mg dose was very effective and seemed to work immensely w/o feeling wired/jittery or anything like that. In fact, I felt much more calm, less anxious w/ highly improved focus, motivation, self control, organization among many other improvements. I have done a bit of research recently about ADHD and the meds prescribed and this is where I have some questions:
1. My therapist said my 10mg IR/ twice a day dose was a very low dose. Thought I would do better with 20mg/ twice a day. However, from what I've read, my new dosage is the maximum dose prescribed. Is this really a high dose?
2. After researching add, I've read that tolerance does develop over time. This is why I am hesitant to up my dosage as that dosage seems to speed tolerance up. Is it common/safe to be prescribed a higher dose in the future when this occurs?
3. From reading forums and such, it seems a lot of people are prescribed much more than 40mg in a day as the norm, even though 40mg is the max recommended dose. It's a bit of a confusing contradiction. Why is that?
4. I'm having a bit of trouble with duration of effects, which seems pretty common. How likely/common is it to be prescribed a 3 times a day dosage or an XR dosage along with an IR booster?
5. I've seen a lot about other ADHD meds. I experience some side effects from adderall that seem to be of the norm, but I could possibly benefit better from a different med. However, I don't want to make a switch and regret it, esp this early on and adderall is very effective. How do other ADHD meds compare/ are they really any different? If tolerance occurs, does switching meds really help?
6. I typically don't take adderall on the weekend, just during the work week and sometimes Sat when I have work but never Sun. I understand that when tolerance starts to develop, a break may be the only thing to help, but there were some side effects in the beginning I would rather not have return. What are some tips on improving/maintaining efficiency with diet/vitamins?
7. What are the typical effects/side effects you personally experience with adderall?
I would appreciate any and all feedback you guys could give. Sorry if I got repetitive or off track (been several hours since my adderall lol). I also apologize if this post has repeated questions from other forums, I just wanted some newer feedback/experiences. I would love to hear all about people's different experiences with ADHD and ADHD meds. I know I have more questions I wanted to ask but I'm really distracted right now and it's taken me forever to write this post. I'll just add any questions I think of as they come up and if anyone has any questions they'd like to add, please feel free. Thanks for reading guys!!
-E