Been taking a combination of Adderall 20mg XR + 10mg IR since August 30th (when I titrated up from Adderall 15mg XR, which I had taken since August 2nd). So, after a little over a week on 20mg XR + 10mg IR, I feel like it's not working as well :(

When I first started taking the higher dose, I really felt it working (and not in that euphoric rush way, more like, wow, I can take on the world and get lots of things accomplished today! kind of way). Now, after a little over a week, I think it's working but NOT AS WELL. I may be able to concentrate better than without, but after knowing how it feels when I feel like it's really working, you know...I feel that I'm lacking :(

What should I do? Is this normal and do I just deal? Or do I try to titrate even higher? My psychiatrist seems very averse to prescribing more than what he's given me, saying that "all my ADHD patients take 20mg XR + 10mg IR). Like I've said in a different post, I am seriously considering switching to a different psychiatrist if I feel like my current psychiatrist is still "blanket generalizing" on all ADHD patients.

Also, my psychiatrist said that if the 20mg XR + 10mg IR does not seem to work, then he might make me try Ritalin. Isn't it better to keep titrating up on Adderall to find the optimal dose before switching to a new medication? Need advice, thank you...

I think the biggest struggle I have had with Adderall is coping with the "let down" after raising a dose. Nothing seems as great as that first day. I find it sooooo easy to think that the first "rush" is how I should feel. It's....seductive. For me, it also felt like the Adderall was a "magic pill" that had made everything effortless. Once the euphoria wore off, it was hard to realize that I still had old habits which needed changing, and some things just never felt quite like I wished they would.

There is a point where the meds have done their work and you have to consciously try to do what you need to do. It can be hard, because after years of being unable to do it, or unable to even understand how to START, you are asking your brain to do something it may have never done before. However, it's a good way to judge if the meds are working or not, and to what capacity.

With all of that said, it is possible that your dose needs a bit of tweaking. There are so many factors to consider: body weight, diet, severity of original symptoms...the list may be endless. Every one of this doctor's patients might take that dose, but it does not mean every one of his patients is getting the treatment they need.

Could you write down a list of what has improved and what still feels "off"? It may help you to see this, and note any improvements you have felt. It may also help you to discuss the whole situation with your doc. If you feel like you have given him as much info as you can, and he still will not hear you, then finding another doc could be a good option.

A different med could also be an option for you. It's important to listen to the reasons why it might be better suited to your issues, and make a decision based on as much as you can gather from your doc and whatever research you can gather. However, if you are feeling the Adderall is effective, the dose tweaking and/or learning new ways of looking at things might be your best bet.

Why is your doctor giving you XR and IR?

Thank you for the helpful advice/information in this post. It's so hard to know how effective the medication should be, knowing that it doesn't solve everything and that old habits can be hard to break.

I still like to multi-task and have a few (million, haha) things going on at once even though I'm on Adderall. My follow-through is better overall, though.

I think the biggest struggle I have had with Adderall is coping with the "let down" after raising a dose. Nothing seems as great as that first day. I find it sooooo easy to think that the first "rush" is how I should feel. It's....seductive. For me, it also felt like the Adderall was a "magic pill" that had made everything effortless. Once the euphoria wore off, it was hard to realize that I still had old habits which needed changing, and some things just never felt quite like I wished they would.

There is a point where the meds have done their work and you have to consciously try to do what you need to do. It can be hard, because after years of being unable to do it, or unable to even understand how to START, you are asking your brain to do something it may have never done before. However, it's a good way to judge if the meds are working or not, and to what capacity.

With all of that said, it is possible that your dose needs a bit of tweaking. There are so many factors to consider: body weight, diet, severity of original symptoms...the list may be endless. Every one of this doctor's patients might take that dose, but it does not mean every one of his patients is getting the treatment they need.

Could you write down a list of what has improved and what still feels "off"? It may help you to see this, and note any improvements you have felt. It may also help you to discuss the whole situation with your doc. If you feel like you have given him as much info as you can, and he still will not hear you, then finding another doc could be a good option.

A different med could also be an option for you. It's important to listen to the reasons why it might be better suited to your issues, and make a decision based on as much as you can gather from your doc and whatever research you can gather. However, if you are feeling the Adderall is effective, the dose tweaking and/or learning new ways of looking at things might be your best bet.

I take XR and then 5 hours later the IR as a "booster"

Why is your doctor giving you XR and IR?

The larger the dosage, the greater the side effects. You can take 100mg/day and eventually you will be in the same predicament. You will arrive at a plateau. The euphoria always wears off. This however does not mean that the Adderall isn't working. Personally, I'm glad the euphoric effect wears off, because I feel "normal" on Adderall, not like I'm on something.:)

I'd say in part just deal with it. You are not supposed to feel like super workaholic man, just like...a regular person. If it was working at that dose before then just stick witht hat dose as long as you can. Weekends off really help you to keep from getting tolerance, but you basically always feel it work less and less over time, that's just how it is.

Captian Sanity has the right idea IMHO..

I take weekends off and that works great but it's still not like that first dose.. and it really isnt supposed to be.. look at the side-effect profile and I do believe that the effects you are talking about are on there :p

Also, This is my third day taking L-Tyrosine and I have to say it is an excellent product and GREATLY helps in conjunction with the adderall..

Oh, and lastly, make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet.. That is something else that seems to be of great benefit for me as well as many others..

Also, This is my third day taking L-Tyrosine and I have to say it is an excellent product and GREATLY helps in conjunction with the adderall..



Where can one get L-Tyrosine?