Greetings all!


I live in Sydney, Australia and I was recently diagnosed with ADD and prescribed 20mg of dexamphetamine sulfate (4 tabs @ 5mg each at 4 times during the day), which I have been taking for the last 14 days.


My problem is that I really do not notice any major changes in my daily interactions and activities. I truly cannot say that the medications are helping me at all. I do notice that I am getting more aggressive and less motivated. I seem to be sleeping a lot.


Now, I am thinking that maybe my dosage is not right. However, the problem is: how do I actually work that out? Do I go back to square one and start with 5mg per day and log what I feel during the day? Then do the same with 10mg etc? If I work based on calculating my dosage on how I am feeling day by day, I find that that evaluation differs greatly due to the subjective nature of my feelings each day. Is there any objective way of calculating the right dose?


I would be most obliged to hear as to how others have worked out their right dose. How do you know what is the right dose? On what basis do you make this evaluation?


Thanks.

Some stats:
Male, 37yr, Post-grad student, Height: 5'8", Weight: 70KG

I am still trying to work mine out.

I am on Ritalin however, and I have to wait for my psychiatrist to increase my dose.

I was started on 5mg a day, then increased to 10 after a couple weeks. I need mine increased again, and I have to wait to see him.

I have no idea how a proper dose is calculated. I wish I knew, then I wouldnt have to go through the step by step process.

This happens with every type of medicine...I'm having a similar problem with Adderall. I guess its because of the addage "start low and go slow!" It just takes time evidently!

Thanks for the replies, greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Let me make sure I understand what you're saying. You were recently diagnosed, and your Dr. started you off at 80mg a day? Wow! That is quite a large starting dose, if I understand you correctly. I have been taking one stimulant drug or another since 1992, and I am currently up to 60 mg a day of Dexedrine. I find that Dexedrine works best for me at the moment, but it was quite a long road to find the right drug, and then it even took awhile longer to find the right dose.

When you say, "Do I go back to square one and start with 5mg per day?" are saying that you have already been there and done that? or, are you saying that you are thinking of doing that for good measure? My Dr. told me many years ago that if I find myself too sedated that chances are my dose is too high. I have found that to be very true with most stimulant drugs, but not with all of them for some reason.

Granted, we all respond to these drugs differently, and as such it is important to discuss any concerns you have with your Dr. before making any changes to your current drug therapy.

I have been taking one stimulant drug or another since 1992, and I am currently up to 60 mg a day of Dexedrine.

I was started on 30mg in one dose in the morning 7 days ago. Never taken it before and Its really to early to tell what that is going to be like for a long time, however I can already see that after about 8 hours thats the place that is the best for me. Dont like the 'climb' to much but at the 8 hour mark its perfect. At the 8 hour mark I am relaxed and feel at my best.
How would I keep that going.

Is your 60mg spread out over the day and at what intervals?

Is your 60mg spread out over the day and at what intervals?
I take 3 doses of 20mg throughout the day. Usually between the hours of 9:00am thru 6:00pm.

Thanks for your comments. I am sorry for not stating my dose correctly. I take 20 mg per day - 5mg tabs 4 times a day. I am still finding it too strong, and I really do notice that I am getting more aggressive in my conversations and interactions - little things get me really fired up! Others have noticed this too. I am getting really worried.

I just started on dexadrine too. I take 10 mg 3 times a day. I was on 20 mg adderall 3 times a day and the dex doesnt seem as strong to me. I switched from adderall cos I was convinced it was causing sores in my mouth and grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw. But after stopping the adderall, even tho the sores healed...I continued to clench and grind my teeth. I did some research and asked around my wide circle of friends on psych drugs (I am part owner of a mental health chat on MSN) and then suspected it was the 300 mg (which is the max dose which they started me on) of effexor XR causing the problems. My psychiatrist switched me to cymbalta and in a day or so I totally stopped clenching and grinding my teeth!!!! I am planning on staying on the dex cos my poor doc is prolly tired of me asking for changes even tho he's super cool about it. I may need to go up some on the dex...maybe like 15 mg 3 times a day. My doc is very easy to talk to but I will hang in there at 30mg a day for a while. :p