I pretty much have the same back story as everyone here, so lets skip that and get to the guts of it:
-Went to my family docotor to get my first ever eval. for ADD. The Doc gave me a free 30 day supply of Adderall XR.
-Unbeknownst to my Doc, but knownst to you and I, I have sampled Adderall IR three times before, from friends who had prescriptions. Of course this is very bad to do, but without doing so - I may never have made the effort to do something about my ADD.
-When I had taken the IR pills before, I felt more focused and driven than I ever have in my life. I actually started and finished art projects like never before!
-I wish I could have told my Doc this, but was affraid he would be hesitant to prescribe me any kind of meds.
-No time during the cosultation did I mention or suggest Adderall. He just gave me the sample box of XR after reviewing my "symptoms list" which I typed up for him to read.
-It is a once/day dosage of 30mg XR. I took the first pill when I got home from his office. Not more than an hour later, I experience what I had before on the IR 30mg a friend gave me. I got the dry mouth and such, but my speaking was very focused, and I didn't say stupid or not well thought out things. I was also into whatever projects I was working on that day.
-DAY 2 - I actually felt the effects a whole lot less, actually I go tired very quickly. Can't say my focus was much better, but I did notice an increase in my sex drive.
-DAY 3 - The real test was now taking the XR before going to work. This day, I simply felt like I had a lot of coffee. I still felt distracted and unorganized, but very awake.
-DAY 4 - Same results as day 3. Now I get tired after a few hours of taking the pill.
I am currently on DAY 5 of taking this prescription. It is my first prescription, but since I have a fast metabolism, I feel that perhaps my body is burning through the XR too quickly and that I may be better off with the IR???? How much do the IR cost? I'm scared to pay the price, but I need my focus and drive for my new job.
PLEASE! Any help, suggestions would be appreciated.
-JC

I had a similar problem with XR that you're having...that it wasn't lasting as long as it should have been. I switched to IR for that reason, and I'm doing much better. IR is cheaper than XR, however, I don't know the exact prices.

Also, when you initially start meds you're going to notice the difference in ways you never thought possible. Then, after taking the med for about a week, those effects aren't as noticeable anymore. For example, some people say they got euphoric when they first started the med, but that it went away within a week or so. Your concentration should still be good if the med is working as it should, but you may not notice the vast difference as much. Ugh, I hope I'm making sense. If you're doubting the drug is working anymore, maybe you could take a day or two off and then start it up again and see if you still notice any difference. If not, I would talk to you pdoc about a med change. Good luck!

I felt the roller coaster after the first few days, too. It went on until about a week and a half into taking them. After that things smoothed out.

I still had a mid-day "slump" of sorts that also went away when my dose was raised, but you started out on twice what I started on, so I doubt that's the answer for you. I'm currently on 20mg (after 2 months), but I think 30 will probably be my optimal dose.

My advice is to wait it out. If you still feel the slump after a month, see if your doc thinks IR would be better for you. Or, some people take a low dose of IR mid-morning to stave off the slump.

Good luck!

I just recently started taking Focalin XR at 5mg a day. I can't take anymore yet because I'm very sensitive to stimulants. If I don't take it with enough food in my stomache I feel euphoric and then terrible when it wears off, almost like I'm coming down from a high.

Do you think that the Adderall would be better for me? Does it have the same effect as the Focalin XR. I thought that the Adderall was actually stronger and would make me more sensitive, but it seems like from what I'm reading on the forum, more people are having luck with the Adderall.

Anybody have any luck with strattera?

I also can get sick if I don't take my dose of adderall with food. I am on Adderall XR 15mg and it doesn't work for me anymore. Maybe if I ask my psy to be put on IR instead? Or still take the XR and take the IR in case I need it? I don't think she would do it but God she should be able to understand that 15mg don't work for me anymore, some 10-12 years old kids take more then I do and I am in my 20. When adderall work it such a difference, I am me at my best but when I don't take adderall I am my usual sleepy, lazy self. If only I can find the right dose and the right type of med that will work for me!