Hello. This is long but pls bear with me for I am so confused. I have a few questions that I can't find any answers to on a 2 week web search and hope to get some info here. In a nutshell I was diagnosed with ADD in college, prescribed Ritalin, didn't like side effects and didn't pursue it since It wasn't that bad. Now , 13 yrs later, with a full time job, divorced and 3 kids under 8 I have so much on my plate that my (same one) psych. had me try Adderall 10 mg with adjusted dose flexibility..aka 2 or 3 a day. I also pursued it because the only seriously bad yearly review comment at work a few months ago was that in our weekly meetings with my direct and co-teachers (4-5 people total) I seem very "uninterested ,focused ,bored and overtalk others off subject impulsivly" My boss said she observed most of this in my body language. I was clueless to this behavior. I know each person is different and no one is a doctor but at this point anyone with thoughts or advice would help so much . My questions are random9one end of the spectrum to the other) so I'll list them for easy copy and paste...

1) How do you really know you have a need for treatment? I know there is no testing but I'm confused. I got major euphoria for about 5 days and then it leveled out. I heard that is you get rushes then you don't have ADD and that is why it's abused. Do I not need it or did I just need to level out my system to work w/out feeling wierd? I know you can't answer that but has anyone else gone through this?

2)due to the roller coaster, headaches and mood swings I was switched to 30 mg of xr. Does that mean I am getting 30 mg twice a day or 15?

3)at first I was very nervous (I teach and need to function well) that the jump from 10 to 30 as well as constant flow was going to be too much but I honestly feel ZIP! No highs,lows. I don't even feel a bit foggy or over focused ...even on the first day when I would expect basic side effects ..it's like a placebo. Has anyone had this? No negative effects just nothing. I am less short fused and more patient on the xr and actually the ir as well (if I keep my blood level constant until bed) I just don't know if it's the meds or just one of those "good weeks". It's been too short of a time frame to say if anything is working with my ADD at this point (it's only been 2 weeks and I haven't had to do anything that needs major focus or heard feedback from anyone who knows me)but I can tell a difference in side effects. Is there a difference between generic and the real thing (I've heard there is but my case seems significant to the bits I have read...aka is it simply that the generic may not be right for me?)

4) Has anyone taken xr and needed ir on top of it for important meetings,papers, large gatherings or ....a problemI have...quickly (close to 8 hour total benefit) metabolized xr? Is it normal or will my doctor think I'm an addict when I am just trying to find the right dosing for me? I'd be nervous to take xr 2 times a day since, without negative side effects, I wouldn't know how to time it and I'm afriad it might lead to insomnia which I don't have.

5)I have panic disorder and I was concerned about a stimulant effecting my attacks. my pcych. asked if a drank coffee and I have about 8-10 8oz cups a day! She asked how I felt and I said fine. She explained my brain's need for stimulants and that coffee was my focus ir. If I'm overtired (the one side effect I have is energy in the day that wears me out but doesn't give me insomnia..not sure if I'm getting solid sleep though) I may get very anxious but other than that I'm doing well with attacks.

I'm just trying to figure out if I'm putting a drug into my system that isn't harming me but also not doing any good. Since my meds and doses keep changing I'm always stating from scratch and not sure how long to wait it out. I know this post either screams ADD(so scattered) or Adderal working since I can focus for this novel. ANY answers, comment, suggestions on any topic would be so helpful. I feel so lost. Thank you, Jacaboon also feel free to pm me if it's easier

Welcome to the forums, jacaboon!!

1) How do you really know you have a need for treatment? I know there is no testing but I'm confused. I got major euphoria for about 5 days and then it leveled out. I heard that is you get rushes then you don't have ADD and that is why it's abused. Do I not need it or did I just need to level out my system to work w/out feeling wierd? I know you can't answer that but has anyone else gone through this?Only you know if you need treatment. If being ADD is limiting your functioning in life, limiting your abilities, treatment is usually a good option. If you're happy with how you are with your ADD, then skip treatment.

When you take a stimulent, your body will take about a week, give or take a day or two, to adjust to the med. You may feel euphoria the first few days, but after the med settles, you should not feel euphoria!! If you feel euphoric, you are on too high of a dose. You shouldn't feel the stimulent in your body. You should just get the effects of the medication - mainly focus.

2)due to the roller coaster, headaches and mood swings I was switched to 30 mg of xr. Does that mean I am getting 30 mg twice a day or 15?
I don't take Adderal XR, but I know that when you take 30 mgs of XR, it is slowly being released into your body, so you're getting about 15mgs at a time. You're getting 15mgs released 2 times during the hours it works if you're taking 30mgs Adderall XR.

3)at first I was very nervous (I teach and need to function well) that the jump from 10 to 30 as well as constant flow was going to be too much but I honestly feel ZIP! No highs,lows. I don't even feel a bit foggy or over focused ...even on the first day when I would expect basic side effects ..it's like a placebo.
Has anyone had this? No negative effects just nothing. I am less short fused and more patient on the xr and actually the ir as well (if I keep my blood level constant until bed) I just don't know if it's the meds or just one of those "good weeks". It's been too short of a time frame to say if anything is working with my ADD at this point (it's only been 2 weeks and I haven't had to do anything that needs major focus or heard feedback from anyone who knows me)but I can tell a difference in side effects. Is there a difference between generic and the real thing (I've heard there is but my case seems significant to the bits I have read...aka is it simply that the generic may not be right for me?)
Adderall XR does not have a generic, only Adderall IR does. I've not noticed a difference between generic and regular Adderall IR.
It's great if you're not getting any side effects. Again, you should not feel the Adderall doing its job (within your body), but you know it's working when you're more efficient, focused, remember things better. It's good to not be overfocused. Ask friends and/or family if they've noticed a difference in you for feedback.

I don't understand what you're saying about side effects. In the beginning of this question, you said you expected side effects, but you didn't get any, then at the end of the question, you notice the different side effects??
Are you experiencing side effects?

The only side effect I've ever experienced with Adderall IR is dry mouth when I first started taking it. Otherwise, I don't have any side effects from Adderall. I'm lucky :D

4) Has anyone taken xr and needed ir on top of it for important meetings,papers, large gatherings or ....a problemI have...quickly (close to 8 hour total benefit) metabolized xr? Is it normal or will my doctor think I'm an addict when I am just trying to find the right dosing for me? I'd be nervous to take xr 2 times a day since, without negative side effects, I wouldn't know how to time it and I'm afriad it might lead to insomnia which I don't have.
I have never taken XR, I am only on IR. All you need to do is be honest and communicate with your doctor. If he/she understands ADD and has dealt with the trial and error med stuff before, he/she should understand you're still trying to figure out what meds and dosages work best.

I suggest not worrying about getting insomnia (or any other possible side effects) if you don't have it at this point. There is no use worrying about it unless it happens. I think some people take XR in the mornings and IR in the afternoons, especially to combat insomnia, if you continue to be concerned about it.

5)I have panic disorder and I was concerned about a stimulant effecting my attacks. my pcych. asked if a drank coffee and I have about 8-10 8oz cups a day! She asked how I felt and I said fine. She explained my brain's need for stimulants and that coffee was my focus ir. If I'm overtired (the one side effect I have is energy in the day that wears me out but doesn't give me insomnia..not sure if I'm getting solid sleep though) I may get very anxious but other than that I'm doing well with attacks.
I'm just trying to figure out if I'm putting a drug into my system that isn't harming me but also not doing any good. Since my meds and doses keep changing I'm always stating from scratch and not sure how long to wait it out. I know this post either screams ADD(so scattered) or Adderal working since I can focus for this novel. ANY answers, comment, suggestions on any topic would be so helpful. I feel so lost. Thank you, Jacaboon also feel free to pm me if it's easier
Jacaboon, you've explained a lot in this post, which is great; it helps to give you the best response I can. But, you didn't tell us how you're doing on Adderall.
The biggest question you need to ask yourself is:
What is Adderall doing for you?
Is it increasing your ability to focus?
Is it helping you complete tasks better?
Are you remembering things better (because you can focus)??
Has your attention span increased?

Then, you need to think about the side effects. Are they pretty bad? Are they causing you to re-think taking Adderall?
in other words, are the negatives (side effects) outweighing the positives of Adderall?

If the answer is yes, then look into another med. If no, then stick with Adderall a bit longer and see what happens.

I, personally, think a person should stay with a med for a month to 2 months to see if it's working, unless you can't deal with the side effects from it. If you're on it at least that amount of time, you have a good idea how the med works with you.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me, Jacaboon!

Court

1. I cannot answer for myself as I am untreated as of now. My son did go thru a phase when the meds were working really well were he didn't want to take them anymore; because, his ADHD/Depression were gone. ADD doesn't go away but you do learn to deal with it, use it and control it.

2. If the capsule is 30mg. then you are getting a constant dosage up to 30mg. a day. I believe its constantly releasing the med. I'll ask my pharmacist for you, he's really good about answering such questions.

3. Its most likely the meds and less stress. Just wait until the school year starts and the **** starts hitting the fan then judge yourself. The thing to remember is ADD does NOT go away you just learn to manipulate it to your benefit.

4. I'd try the second dose when it doesn't matter before taking it before a big meeting. You don't know how its going to affect you and what if you end up snoozing thru a major work related meeting? *scarry*

5. I have an anxiety dx as does Dakota. He went to lamaze classes with my husband and I as he hoped like heck he was going to see his brother born. Yoga has helped me learn to calm myself quietly and lamaze breathing techniques have helped in those spur of the moment attacks.

To me it screams of denial. My son denies being ADHD when on meds because he is able to function at a high level with little or no prompting. I scream denial when all my BMPs are working for me and I have several days when I function highly~see I'm not ADHD. Then the **** hits the fan and I realize how far I have to go.

I'd give the med a little longer, wait until school starts and see how your functioning then before even thinking of changing your dosage, times or quitting.

Good luck!!!!! We're rooting for ya.
Cherity

Hi Jacaboon. I just started taking adderall IR on Monday, so I can't give you much advice. I think the others are correct when they say only YOU can decide if you need treatment. Your body needs time to adjust to any new medicine. I don't know if I'm THRILLED with the RX, but I'm not going to stop taking it unless my psy tells me to. The only medicine I ever STOPPED taking without the advice of a physician was Prozac...that made me just a tad...oh...suicidal. I would weigh the benefits of being on the medicine vs. how you feel OFF the medicine.

Thank you so much. I have to go to work and your email leaves me with much to think about. The side effects I mentioned were between the xr and generic ir...I have yet to try non generic Ir. I have been with my doc for 15 yrs and she heads Boston psych group. I trust her and will ask questions. I just wanted some ideas from those going through it. As I said you gave me lots to think about and I appreciate that. I will let you know how things go. Thanks, Jacaboon

:) Thank you so much for your time responing. I have much to think about no and finally some info to go by. I am off to work and ponder your posts. Thanks again, Jacaboon