I'm an ADHD adult who was diagnosed at the age of 12 now I'm almost 33 and medication free. I have only taken DEX. 11 yrs (12-23) no problems, just a few minor side effects that I could live with. My oldest daughter is also ADHD, diagnosed at 5 and now 13 and has been on everything, ADDERAL, CONCERTA, METADATE, STRATTERA, & FOCALIN. Her DR after 5 yrs. of pleading and arguing has given the ok and put her on DEX. What is the stigma? I don't understand. Today is day one and she has had a wonderful day at school compared to most. I'm not a fool either I also realize that first couple of days are usually when someone with ADHD is calmest and most focused when trying new meds.- their bodies have to adjust for a few days, but she seems a whole lot calmer maybe I'm just too hopeful - we will soon see. She was started on 20mg spansules. I know that may seem high to start out on but she seems to have very high tolerence to meds. Her DR says 40mg is the highest recommended dose but from the blogs I'm reading I'm hearing 60mg. I was told growing up that 40mg was the highest as well but times and studies make changes so I am not sure. I also remember my meds being increased in 5mg increments when adjusting me to the right dosage does this still seem right. I want her on the lowest dose possible of course. I guess I may be asking questions that I think I already know the answers to, maybe I'm looking for a little support - I seem to be the only one who understands where she is coming from and she just wants to be happier and wants to slooooow down.

You stuck with this Doctor for 5 years? Whoa! If he didn't accept my request to at least try a different medication for a 30 day trial I would have told him how I felt about that and sought out another Doctor. I would first let the Doctor try 2, maybe 3 meds on his own before insisting he try my request (as long as it's a reasonable, viable and on-label use).

Just because someone is an M.D. doesn't mean that they are open-minded or empathetic and understanding. Neither can they be experts in all areas or be completely unbiased. They are still human after all.

I would do a search on here about the past and present stigma of Dexedrine. This topic has been covered many, many times already.

Hope that helps! :)

I have taken Adderall and now Dex and think Dex is far easier on my body then Adderall. It seems like doctors never hesitate to write a scrip for Adderall over just about anything else for ADD. My guess is that it actually has to do with the economic incentive for doctors to push the latest drugs that are not yet generic.

Her DR after 5 yrs. of pleading and arguing has given the ok and put her on DEX.

I'm slowly learning that doctors really do highly regard the medication they use in their practice. It's the basis for what they can do to offer treatment. When a patient says that one simply doesn't work, then they may just not be getting through. It would be like telling a carpenter that a hammer just isn't driving nails in.

IMO, that is completely fine. No need to argue or plead. This is the USA, and we have choices :). Why didn't you go to another doctor ages ago?

The problem is that doctors don't have enough information, nor can they gather enough to really treat neurological conditions like they can treat physical conditions. The treatment basis now is not far beyond trial and error. We have a very long way to go, but to be fair, these meds to have a high response rate. Though, the most logical way to proceed is "if it doesn't work, try something else." If the doctor doesn't want to try that something else that may work, then maybe another doctor will.

I believe the 40mg is a rule of thumb relating to tolerance. Generally people taking less then 40mg/day have less problems developing tolerance.

On an individual basis doctors need to look for signs of above normal dopamine like euphoria, sleep disturbance, paranoia etc... The correct dosage for a person is highly variable.

BobC

Maximum Daily Dosages for ADHD medication's isn't an exact science.... You'll find the Majority of doctors find it to be 40mg-60mg for Dexedrine, 60mg-120mg for Adderall IR, and 30-60mg for Adderall XR. If you feel you're doctor's not doing their job perhaps it's best to search for another...

i couldnt get my doc to give me dex either. he just said its too old and not really perscribed anymore. he said adderall is much better anyways so i unno. and yes searching for another doc is a good idea. thats wat i had to do

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Maximum Daily Dosages for ADHD medication's isn't an exact science.... You'll find the Majority of doctors find it to be 40mg-60mg for Dexedrine, 60mg-120mg for Adderall IR, and 30-60mg for Adderall XR. If you feel you're doctor's not doing their job perhaps it's best to search for another...

I'm on Dex 20-25 mg a day but the doc is very cautious given my coexisting atrial fibrillation. I've read about how sometimes people on stimulant medications develop a tolerance to the medication has anyone else heard of this?

why is adderall xr only 30-60mg and adderall ir 60-120mg . I've heard this before. Thus, my question is if your trialing adderall and don't know what your dose will be and your a high dose responder on ritalin meds then wouldn't it make sense to trial adderall ir and titrate up to a more reasonable dosing schedule which would allow you to get a better idea of the correct dosing and allow you to increase to a therapeutic level since xr's dosing maxim is basically half of ir's maxim?