This is my first time being on any type of ADHD before; they have started me on 30 mg of Vyvanse. At first it was perfect, I started it on 12/8, but now about 4pm I seem to drop off. I want to up my dose but I’m afraid my Pdoc wouldn’t like if I did it without letting him know. My next apt. isn’t until Jan. I think I could wait that long but I know how it feels when it’s working just right and I want that feeling back.

<O:p

I had to basically get into this big debate to even get on a stimulate. I don’t want him to think I am abusing it that is why I want to up my dose. He knows I use to be addicted to uppers but he also knows I’ve been clean for almost 5 yrs. Too.


Have any of ya’ll experienced problems with wanting to up your dose but scared about your pdoc’s response?

Your concern about increasing your dose without discussing it with your MD is valid. My experience has been that doctors generally do not like to feel like the patient alone is calling the shots. This would be particularly true with your substance abuse history.

HOWEVER, this is your life, your symptomology that you are trying to treat, and you are responsible for telling the MD what you think you need. I completely understand the hesitancy to give the impression that you are simply drug seeking for recreation. I too have an intense history of substance abuse (which he knows about), thankfully not with stimulants, but it has really sensitized me to these issues when talking with my MD.

I recently told my MD that I wanted to try a bump up in my dose, told him that I wanted his input and feedback on my reasoning. He told me that he thought trying an increase was not unreasonable. He then explained his view on this issue which has been very helpful to me. He essentially said that generally any of the stimulants, in his experience prescribing them, will continue to enhance performance in a direct relationship to amounts taken. He pointed out that the issues of physiological accomodation and dependence increase with higher doses, uninterupted dosing, and longer use. His point was that the challenge seems to be to find a dose and dosing schedule that can help get us to a point of acceptable performance and symptom control, but at the same time minimizing the dependence.

This was helpful for me because it really put the ball in my court. I don't know if this helps, but I would encourage you to be very upront with your MD, be aware of all the voices in your head that encourage you to be shy and self-councious about telling the MD what you think you need, and go ahead and tell him anyway. Doctors, in general, tend to respond to reasoned positions and evidence. Be well.

I never had an issue, when mine wasn't working I would open one of the capsules and put half in water and drink it. I also don't have the history that you do either. BTW this is my first time on a stimulant medicine as well. So far in my experience he doesn't have a problem with it - he likes me to be actively figuring out what works for me and what doesn't. It makes his job a little easier because he can't physically "know" how the medicine is effect me...he can guess but I'm the only one that can say yes it's working or no it's not.

With your history I would at least call him and ask him if it's okay...just out of respect for his concern about the abuse.




This is my first time being on any type of ADHD before; they have started me on 30 mg of Vyvanse. At first it was perfect, I started it on 12/8, but now about 4pm I seem to drop off. I want to up my dose but I’m afraid my Pdoc wouldn’t like if I did it without letting him know. My next apt. isn’t until Jan. I think I could wait that long but I know how it feels when it’s working just right and I want that feeling back.

<O:p

I had to basically get into this big debate to even get on a stimulate. I don’t want him to think I am abusing it that is why I want to up my dose. He knows I use to be addicted to uppers but he also knows I’ve been clean for almost 5 yrs. Too.


Have any of ya’ll experienced problems with wanting to up your dose but scared about your pdoc’s response?

Almost a month now… This med. Has helped me in numerous ways. The only thing I can’t stand is the come down. I don’t feel like I am there, that everything is going on but I am up in my head.



I am waiting till I see my P-doc on the 4<SUP>th</SUP> of Jan. to see if I can up my dose. I take it at 9am and about 3/4pm it’s worn off.

<O:p
Only bad affect is that I get major loose bowels or gassy.