1826
05-13-2009, 09:51 PM
We just started our 14 year old son on adderall. It has taken 7 years for us to succumb to medication, but we could not wait any longer. He just started a couple of days ago and I would prefer that he take the lowest dose possible. Does anyone think that 10 mg will be enough for him?. The first day he was encouraged. The second day he said he was not sure. Any opinion will be appreciated.
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janewhite1
05-13-2009, 10:22 PM
Generally it's best to start with a low dose and then go up if the low dose isn't working.
10 mg is enough for some people, including me.
At the "right" dose, the patient shouldn't notice much. Jane on meds is just regular Jane having a productive day. I can't lift tall buildings in a single bound, I don't see purple haze, but I don't have to sweat and stress to get daily tasks done.
Since children are sometimes less self-aware than adults, you might need feedback from teachers, or need to observe him while he is on meds.
All that being said, if the 10s are obviously doing nothing, you should probably try a higher dose.
10 mg is enough for some people, including me.
At the "right" dose, the patient shouldn't notice much. Jane on meds is just regular Jane having a productive day. I can't lift tall buildings in a single bound, I don't see purple haze, but I don't have to sweat and stress to get daily tasks done.
Since children are sometimes less self-aware than adults, you might need feedback from teachers, or need to observe him while he is on meds.
All that being said, if the 10s are obviously doing nothing, you should probably try a higher dose.
1826
05-13-2009, 11:30 PM
Thank you. I appreciate what you said and would be much happier if this dose was adequate. He "thought" that his first day was good. Today being his third day he did not take it due to an out of school, school day. Is adderall one of the better medications, in your opinion, for add?
janewhite1
05-14-2009, 01:49 AM
Many people find Adderall works very well. Others have no effects, or intolerable side effects, but find that another drug works great.
If you get an infection, the doctor can do a culture and figure out which antibiotic is best and how much is needed. Mind drugs are a bit more complicated than that.
Psychiatrists have yet to come up with a really reliable way to predict which mental health drugs will be right for which patients, so the smart ones are prepared for a little trial and error.
If you get an infection, the doctor can do a culture and figure out which antibiotic is best and how much is needed. Mind drugs are a bit more complicated than that.
Psychiatrists have yet to come up with a really reliable way to predict which mental health drugs will be right for which patients, so the smart ones are prepared for a little trial and error.
mod-anon
05-14-2009, 02:07 AM
Please note that this thread is moved to the ADD Board.
1826
05-14-2009, 08:17 AM
Does the person's weight effect the dosage?
janewhite1
05-14-2009, 11:11 AM
Absolutely, weight affects dosage. The dose that worked great for an 8-year old is not going to work when he is in high school and is two feet taller and weighs three times as much.
There seem to be other factors involved too, though. I suspect some of them are genetic, having to do with how the drug is metabolized and used.
I take 5 mg of Adderall. There are other people on here who take 30 and get exactly the same effect.
There seem to be other factors involved too, though. I suspect some of them are genetic, having to do with how the drug is metabolized and used.
I take 5 mg of Adderall. There are other people on here who take 30 and get exactly the same effect.
1826
05-14-2009, 10:25 PM
Does dosage corrolate with severity of symptoms?
ALSO, What is the specific difference between extended day Adderall and regular Adderall? Can some people continually do well on regular Adderall?
I am concerned about extended day as I am concerned about everything!!!
ALSO, What is the specific difference between extended day Adderall and regular Adderall? Can some people continually do well on regular Adderall?
I am concerned about extended day as I am concerned about everything!!!
LaStryker
05-15-2009, 02:58 AM
We just started our 14 year old son on adderall. It has taken 7 years for us to succumb to medication, but we could not wait any longer. He just started a couple of days ago and I would prefer that he take the lowest dose possible. Does anyone think that 10 mg will be enough for him?. The first day he was encouraged. The second day he said he was not sure. Any opinion will be appreciated.
I'm going to sound like a walking pharmaceutical ad, but I firmly believe in medication therapy when needed. (I totally support exhausting all other options first!)
Yes, 10mg should be enough.
I started out on that twice daily (the XR wasn't available 15 years ago) and it did the trick for a few years.
For me, I really needed adderall to focus in school..be able to calm down and function in a productive manner.
By the time I reached an age where I could decide for myself (I am my biggest supporter of my medication therapy) my mother let me choose when to take adderall.
I basically took it every school day and days where I felt I needed it.
Most weekends and during the summer, I generally did not take it, initially so I could 'play' and later on (by the time I was 15 & 16) because I realized my dosages were steadily being increased because of my body becoming accustomed to it.
I was my biggest advocate in my medication therapy because I felt the changes. I still do (This is why I sound like a walking advertisement) and also because I was a foster child..and virtually alone.
Make sure to ask for his input.. how it makes him feel, if he notices any differences and so on.
You may notice changes too but if he doesn't you may want to tweak the dosage or explore other options.
Good luck!
I'm going to sound like a walking pharmaceutical ad, but I firmly believe in medication therapy when needed. (I totally support exhausting all other options first!)
Yes, 10mg should be enough.
I started out on that twice daily (the XR wasn't available 15 years ago) and it did the trick for a few years.
For me, I really needed adderall to focus in school..be able to calm down and function in a productive manner.
By the time I reached an age where I could decide for myself (I am my biggest supporter of my medication therapy) my mother let me choose when to take adderall.
I basically took it every school day and days where I felt I needed it.
Most weekends and during the summer, I generally did not take it, initially so I could 'play' and later on (by the time I was 15 & 16) because I realized my dosages were steadily being increased because of my body becoming accustomed to it.
I was my biggest advocate in my medication therapy because I felt the changes. I still do (This is why I sound like a walking advertisement) and also because I was a foster child..and virtually alone.
Make sure to ask for his input.. how it makes him feel, if he notices any differences and so on.
You may notice changes too but if he doesn't you may want to tweak the dosage or explore other options.
Good luck!
1826
05-15-2009, 08:25 AM
Thank you. We are on board together and his inut is very valuable to me. I have literally exhausted all options. I have saved him form medication for 7 years. Being at the end of his Freshman year in H.S. it is critical that he start and so he has. He never admits to any problems and we feel that being as bright as he is he continually underachieves in a huge way. I can not decide if the 10m is sufficient. I also do not know when the Adderall is done working. My voice is sore as I type because he just does not move in the morning and I have to literally scream to get him on his bus. He just thinks I'm a lunatic, but I am just so frustrated. Otherwise he is a totally sweet wonderful boy that is becoming delusional when it comes to realizing what it takes to succeed.
Hello!!! And thank you!!!
Hello!!! And thank you!!!
addprogrammer
05-15-2009, 12:13 PM
1826,
Try breaking down morning tasts into steps. See if that helps son. We can't keep a list in working memory long enough to complete it. Start with a written list freshly deliverd every AM. Tell son to follow it. First couple of days he may need help.
Example list:
1) Brush teeth
2) Get dressed (You may have to sub list getting dressed for a while. List where/which drawer pants, shirt, socks, etc. are located.)
3) Sit at table and eat breakfast.
4) Go to school (via whatever transportation method employed).
The routine if followed consistently will become habit in about three weeks at which time you can scrape the morning lists.
Let me know if it helps. Lists and sublists are how I manage life. Happy to say that at age 57 I no longer need a morning "boot" list. Some people just take longer to grow up than others. :D
Bob
Try breaking down morning tasts into steps. See if that helps son. We can't keep a list in working memory long enough to complete it. Start with a written list freshly deliverd every AM. Tell son to follow it. First couple of days he may need help.
Example list:
1) Brush teeth
2) Get dressed (You may have to sub list getting dressed for a while. List where/which drawer pants, shirt, socks, etc. are located.)
3) Sit at table and eat breakfast.
4) Go to school (via whatever transportation method employed).
The routine if followed consistently will become habit in about three weeks at which time you can scrape the morning lists.
Let me know if it helps. Lists and sublists are how I manage life. Happy to say that at age 57 I no longer need a morning "boot" list. Some people just take longer to grow up than others. :D
Bob
1826
05-17-2009, 08:26 AM
My son only takes 10m mg of regular adderall once daily. We are searching to see if we see any difference. He honestly does not know if there is a difference. However the first day he felt more alert and energized. That was just the first day however and does not mean much to me. I have a Dr. appt. on Thursday for an assessment. I have made the decision to start him on this medication, yet I am scared to increase the dosage. For 155 lb kid, what seems like a likely doage and does anyone have experience with Adderall not working.