Some very basic questions - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Ringbill · 07-08-2004, 09:11 PM

Hi,
I am new here and, frankly, kinda nervous about discussing ADD with anyone. But, I have a couple of questions that I think y'all can help me with. The story of my diagnosis is long, but suffice it to say I am a 29 year old male, and had a fairly extensive evaluation. My doctor put me on 10mg 2x daily instant release adderall. The first week was amazing; I was a changed person. A few individuals I spoke with told me I might even have been 'hyperfocused'...and that's possible but I didn't care because for the first time in my life I: 1) Listened, 2) Didn't interrupt, and 3) Stuck on a task until completion. I also was much calmer than in the past. Side effects for me were mild, but included cold hands and feet and trouble sleeping.

Okay, well that abilty to focus has gone away. I am sort of scared of addiction, so I don't take it on the weekends and the occasional day I don't need it (about 1x every 2 weeks). I spoke with my doctor, but he didnt' want to up my dose. He instead changed me to 20mg adderall XR. It does seem "smoother" to me...but I don't really focus that much better. In other words, I notice the drug, it keeps me alert, it gives me some focus ability, but it's not like it was.

Therefore, my questions are: 1) from everyones experience, was my first week abnormal in terms of focus ability? and 2) If not, do I need to push for an increased dose? I have heard Adderall has a 'sweet spot' where too much actually is detrimental.

Thank you for your help. I feel like admitting as an adult that I have ADD is like admitting a personal failure or problem. But treatment has made me a differnet person and one I much prefer. I hope I can 'fine tune' this treatment some. I know y'all can help...and I thank you for your advice.

Ringbill

lateeth · 07-08-2004, 11:29 PM

My experience is with my son who took adderall since 6th grade and now is taking strattera (in 10th grade), so i am not sure how much this will help. For years he said he could not tell the difference when on the adderall and i think the difference is very subtle to him. He was able to compete in school and went from being thought of as a stupid, written off student to being considered one of the best in his class. He still misses a lot of what others say to him and still has problems focusing but is a lot closer to "normal" and "normal" enough to be able to get good grades and survive high school with the medication. I only notice the days he has no medication when I have to ask him something 110 times instead of 10 times. He is not hyperactive and i like the smaller change in him better than i would like him to be a completely different person with lots of drugs in him.
The reason we switched to Strattera is because my doctor says it is not addictive at all and continues to work if you miss some days. I cannot see that it is better myself but if you are worried about addiction, ask about it. You also do not need a triplicate prescription for it so i guess the medical community does not consider it to be addictive either.

Ringbill · 07-09-2004, 06:57 AM

Thank you for the reply. I have been considering Straterra, and I think I will give it a try before long. My doctor and the psychologist who diagnosed me told me that they didn't believe Straterra worked well. However, from reading here it seems to work quite well for some folks, and mabye I should give it a try.

Thank you for your advice again.

index.html · 07-09-2004, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringbill

...Therefore, my questions are: 1) from everyones experience, was my first week abnormal in terms of focus ability?...

I think that it isn't unusual at all to have a "honeymoon period" with the stimulants when you first begin treatment or when your dose is increased. I know I did.

I think you have to judge your results by how you function after that period is over. It's quite possible that 20mg isn't a large enough dose for you. But, you are right to be concerned about the risk of addiction if you seek to consistently feel the way you did that first week.

Just my humble opinion, of course!

Ringbill · 07-09-2004, 07:49 AM

index.html:

Thanks, you echo my thoughts. I thought it was too good to be true, but now I dont' feel much different than before in terms of work and social improvement. I appreciate the advice. If I ask for an increased dose I believe I will be very careful and take breaks from the meds.

Thanks again.