So I just started Dexedrine 5mg (3x/day) today. I was on Concerta before (my first drug) and it was no benefit at all, it just made me tired and foggy. So my doctor decided I should try this, an IR, and said I would probably notice it working right away.. Except I haven't noticed anything.

I don't know if I'm expecting too much from it. And everytime I think maybe I'm paying attention better, or that I can actually tune out a distraction, I started thinking its just a placebo effect, and I notice this because I desperately want it to work.

I was just wondering if anyone has found they took a couple days to really notice a change, or if I should already be able to tell. One thing is I'm seriously sleep deprieved- when I was on concerta I was only sleeping about an hour a night. Is it possible I'm just too tired to feel the full effects?
Im obviously gonna give it more time. I'm just afraid my doctor will think I'm making stuff up if yet another drug fails, and stop working with me. I'm even more afraid I'll fall in that small category that can't be helped by any drug. If thats the case I don't think I'm going to make it. :(

I'm sorry this is so long! Thanks anyone who has actually read it, I know I start to get grumpy reading long posts.

Lack of sleep can absolutely impact how your medication works. Extreme stress or lack of sleep can both pretty much elimate much benefit from stimulent medication. Does your doctor know you're sleeping so little? I would encourage you to tell him.

Things you can do to help improve your focus include regular sleep, aerobic exercise, Omega III fatty acids and a balanced diet. Stress reduction is also helpful like deep breathing, listening to relaxing music (research especially find classical music helpful for the brain), and staying connected to other people.

Why aren't you sleeping?

oh this wasn't so long :)
I cant imagine that your doc will think that you're making up stuff about drugs failing. Why would s/he?
Don't be too fast in concluding that no drug will work. There's still a whole lot that you haven't tried: Adderall, Strattera, Wellbutrin etc etc etc, and all sorts of combinations. Sometimes it takes a fair amount of work to figure it out. And there also may be room in upping the dosage.
I think you should be open and talk to your doc about these worries, and also about the lack of sleep. I don't know what that can do, but sleep is important.

And whether you may or may not be expecting too much .. what do you expect?

Ask your doctor to try 10mg, because 5mg is a starting dose. You have to be titrated correctly before you can say the medication doesn't work. Just curious, how high of a Concerta dose were you on?

Taking Dexedrine three times a day is very typical so you are on the right track. Now you need to figure out what amount of Dex (mg) is the right dosage for you. And you will know within thirty minutes of taking it ie. clarity and the feeling that the fog is lifted...... that you have found your dose.

Finally if 10mg, for example, works pretty good, don't be afraid of asking your doctor to try 15mg. If 15mg is too much, then you would probably go with 10mg. This is called titrating your dose until you find the most effective dose to manage your ADHD symptoms. Good luck.

And one last thing I would recommend to you. Whatever time you get up or set your alarm in the morning. Say it's 8am- tomorrow or asap set it for 7am and have a glass of water and your first dose of Dex next to your bed. At 7am take the pill and go back to sleep till your alarm goes off at 8am. At 8am you will know if the Dex dose is the right dose. Just the pill and glass of water- no food, OJ, etc. Eat after you get up at 8am. Just something to think about. Peace.....

yeah I like doing what Watts describes with regard to taking it in the morning.

I feel that dex changed a bit in character after a few days of using it. With many meds this is called a honeymoon effect because they might seem perfect at first -- of course this is totally opposite for you but the point is that your body does change in response to the meds even if they are instant release!

Lack of sleep is almost definitely the problem, speaking from my own experience.

And one last thing I would recommend to you. Whatever time you get up or set your alarm in the morning. Say it's 8am- tomorrow or asap set it for 7am and have a glass of water and your first dose of Dex next to your bed. At 7am take the pill and go back to sleep till your alarm goes off at 8am. At 8am you will know if the Dex dose is the right dose. Just the pill and glass of water- no food, OJ, etc. Eat after you get up at 8am. Just something to think about. Peace.....
funny you should mention that. Without meaning to this is how I found it out as well. I just would wake up a bit early, take the dose & a shower and go back for 30 minutes .. and indeed, when the alarm goes it is dead clear whether it's working. Sometimes I didn't really sleep but just doze a bit and then I would feel it kicking in. Much more clearly then when you're busy starting the day, traveling to work/school etc.

love&light

dexedrine has a short half life of 12 hours so it hits steady state in 2-3 days. However your brain adapts to the change in D/NE from dexedrine over 2 weeks+. While you can definitly feel the effects from dose 1 you really dont know how it will effect you in the longer term for at least 2 weeks @ the same dose.

I strongly feel 2 seperate effects from stimulants

the ability to focus (stay on task, think clearly)

and

adrenal stimulation (improved reward valuing, improved perception, muscle tension, sweating, etc...)

For me dexedrine hits the focus side alot more then the adrenal side.

BobC

I think it might actually be working! I was able to focus and concentrate during my midterm today, where I'm usually distracted even by the fluttering of paper. Its such a relief to think this might actually work. Its subtle, so I'll probably asking my doc about going to 10mg. Thanks everyone for your suggestions

5mg is nothing...