I haven't been on the forums in a while. The last time I was, I was recently prescribed Adderall.

I was prescribed 10 mg x 2 times per day at first and when that did next to nothing, my physician upped my doseage to 20 mg in am and 10 mg in the pm. That left me feeling "cracked out" all day. I don't even know if I could concentrate better because my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest.

So I stopped taking anything at all for a few months. Hey, I may not be able to think but at least I didn't feel like I was having a heart attack, right?

So I went back to the doc for something else this past week and she asked me how life was off the Adderall. I told her it was miserable again. It takes me twice as long to get anything done. I feel like a prisoner in my own overactive head.

So we discussed other options. I asked about Strattera since it has no stimulants and I've never been a fan of stimulants. She pretty much told me that it's absolutely useless. Especially for a guy my size I'm only 5'7" but I'm 195 lbs (not fat, I just work out :)).

So she suggested Concerta. I just shrugged and said "ok." She prescribed me 54 mg and handed me a coupon for a free month's worth and off I went.

Short story long: This is kinda hell. I can think a wee bit better but that's no good at all since I feel like crap. My heart is racing, my skin crawls, and I have backaches. Today was the 4th day I took it, hoping that I would adjust to the medication but I just can't do it anymore.

And I came here and saw that many people start at 18 mg/day. I guess her reasoning with starting me at 54 mg/day was that I'm a guy and that I have a little more mass on me so I would need more. But as I'm writing this my hands are shaking. I'm literally cracked out.

So I know I'm not going to take any more but I wanted to know if anyone else had this problem? Should I go down to 36 mg? 18?

Thanks.

I don't feel like reading all of that. But since you took the time to type all of that out, I'm pretty sure you're on too high of a dose too.

Haha. Thanks.

that is an awefully high starting dose, especially for someone who was basically "stimulant niave." call your doc ASAP and let her know what's up, especially about the racing/pounding heart. don't take anymore meds until you hear back from her. it can definately be a struggle to find the right dose, but you really can't give the med a fair chance without doing so.

usually your doc will start you low and titrate the dose up until you get the best response or until side-effects stop you from going any higher. so starting at 18mg and then going to 36mg sounds like the way to go. good luck! let us know how it works out for you.

Yeah, I'm definitely not taking any more. Like I said, today was the 4th day but I wanted to make sure that I wasn't just being a "wuss" the first three days. No more. I'm thinking of just ditching these and getting her to write me a script for 18 mg so I can start at 18 mg/day and then if that doesn't work just move up to 36 mg/day.

Does that sound like a reasonable course of action?

What does she have against Strattera, it didnt work for me, but for some poeple it works great. You should try it, its odd that she didnt go for strattera frist, most docs will always try it frist. And if it does work for you, its better then a stimulate because it works 24/7. Good luck with what ever you try.

I don't know what she has against it - if anything at all. She just said it doesn't work, in her opinion. I'm going to be more adamant about my distaste for stimulants when I see her again. I'm not blaming her or anything, but I know what I don't like and being sped up to the point that I am miserable is filed pretty securely under "things I don't like."

It's actually a little funny when I hear about people wanting MORE of Adderall and Concerta when all I want is LESS.

I don't know what she has against it - if anything at all. She just said it doesn't work, in her opinion. I'm going to be more adamant about my distaste for stimulants when I see her again. I'm not blaming her or anything, but I know what I don't like and being sped up to the point that I am miserable is filed pretty securely under "things I don't like."

It's actually a little funny when I hear about people wanting MORE of Adderall and Concerta when all I want is LESS.
If you want less, directly tell your Doctor you want less. You know your body, you know when it is too much. Talk to your Doctor, be candid, tell them exactly what you are feeling and don't be affraid to suggest a different co****.

Yeah that's what I plan on doing.

My question is, has this happened to anyone else? Were your symptoms similar?

I read that with stimulant meds you should not base dosage on body weight. Some children may require 20mg three time daily, while some adults have good response with 5mg tid. Don't get to rapped up with dosages and weight, rather look for good response with minimum side effects. To high a dose will prevent you from getting the most out of the medicine.

18mg concerta = 5mg x 3 daily
72mg = 20mg x 3 daily

I would start low and increase dosages slowly.