Posted by katekite on July 6, 2002, at 18:10:57
In reply to How to Work With Psychiatrist on Dosage, posted by jazzaholic on July 5, 2002, at 18:49:27
At the beginning of dosing stimulants it is normal to have to play around with it, and it is normal to have to increase the dose some.
One option would be to call and leave a message saying that it just doesn't seem like the 20 is as effective as it was, and ask if it's ok to take more, 30 or 40. He will most likely call back and say fine. Then you can honestly talk to him about what dose was best and what he thinks in the next appointment, without squirming around looking guilty.
Having to increase the dose once does not necessarily mean you will find you have to keep upping it to get an effect, but some people do find that, and in that situation you would risk addiction.
One way to combat having to increase the dose is to take frequent holidays from it, if you can function without it. For example weekends off.
There is usually a minimum effective dose and an optimal dose. The optimal dose will work even when you haven't slept well, for example. So it does take some experimentation at the beginning.
If your doc is not comfortable with the higher end doses of adderall you could potentially try dexedrine spansules or one of the ritalin-type formulas: different people need different amounts of the different stimulants.
So there are many options: the key is to get on the level with your doc as quick as possible. You will want to make sure you are clear with him in the future on whether you should call for permission to play around with doses or whether that is something he feels comfortable letting you do on your own. It is hard enough to get medicated for ADD as an adult that you don't want to get him worried about you. Although it does seem that he trusts you quite a bit if he's giving you 5 months of prescriptions.
Good luck,
kate
poster:katekite
thread:111518
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111591.html