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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Asheslee on October 7, 2007, at 17:48:40
I am a college student who was recently diagnosed with ADD. My doctor prescribed Straterra first, but the copay on my insurance was too high so he started me on generic Adderall 20 mg. tablets.
I took 20 mg. on day one @ 2:00 pm. It worked great and I was excited! Then, I did not sleep even for one minute that evening. On day 2, I took 20 mg. @ 7:00 AM. I became ill. I threw up several times and was so dizzy that I had to lay in the floor for long periods of time.
On day 3, today, I took 10 mgs. I still feel nausiated and dizzy. Does this pass? Why did it not affect me this way the first day??? I don't want to be sick, but I don't want to just ignore my ADD anymore. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this better. Does everyone go through this when they first start on Adderall?
Posted by cumulative on October 7, 2007, at 18:25:17
In reply to New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by Asheslee on October 7, 2007, at 17:48:40
Taking the full dose again after you had missed an entire night's sleep was probably your major mistake. Sleep is paramount, and missing sleep will tend to screw up most of the beneficial effects you would get from your ADD/ADHD medication anyway.
Individual tolerance to psychostimulants varies widely. It's very possible that a single 20mg Adderall dose in the morning is not a good dose for you. You'll need to work carefully with your doctor on this. Make sure all of your concerns are made clear -- duration, effectiveness, sleep, etc.
I also want to say that the early euphoria that many tend to get from their medication is NOT the therapeutic effect, and that it's not a good idea to try and chase the euphoria, as it will always slip out of reach. The therapeutic effects (focus, attention) on the other hand, may even display reverse tolerance and there are many people taking the same dose of their ADD/ADHD medications for years, before perhaps switching to another form of psychostimulant for a time.
Posted by Asheslee on October 7, 2007, at 19:11:25
In reply to Re: New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by cumulative on October 7, 2007, at 18:25:17
I just want to be able to focus at school. I don't want to be sick. I feel like my doctor didn't give me any information about the possibility of me feeling this way. He definately didn't tell me not to take a dose if I missed sleep.
Is it normal to feel this sick? I feel like all of the energy has been drained out of me and I could throw up again at any moment.
Posted by KayeBaby on October 7, 2007, at 19:55:23
In reply to Re: New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by Asheslee on October 7, 2007, at 19:11:25
Call your Dr. and ask about trying it in a smaller amount. Sounds like 20mg was too high for you.
Get a good nights sleep and try 2.5 or 5 mg to start with. People who have never been on stims can respond very well to lowed doses and you can move it up until you find the correct amount.
You are looking for a centered and focused feeling. If you are feeling speedy that is too much. Especially with Adderall-more is not better.
Take Care,
Kaye
Posted by War-Face on October 7, 2007, at 21:59:30
In reply to Re: New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by KayeBaby on October 7, 2007, at 19:55:23
I agree with former posts. I would say that a 20 mg tab, instant release, is way too much for your first dose. How does the doctor know how you would respond to that dose and that it wouldn't be significantly more than your body would need? Why not start with a 5 mg tab? Do you have a record of requiring high doses for prior medications to be effective?
I take 10 mgs (5, 2 times per day) and I weigh 200 pounds. I have been on this dose for the better part of two years, with the exception of a few months on Adderall XR 15 mgs per day. I can understand requiring more than what I take, but you should consider starting slower, especially given your reaction.
Posted by Asheslee on October 8, 2007, at 6:31:37
In reply to Re: New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by War-Face on October 7, 2007, at 21:59:30
Actually, I have the opposite problem. I respond more to medication than most people. When I was given medicine after I had my wisdom teeth removed, I literally walked into walls from it.
My doctor never asked these questions. He just prescribed me 20 mg and told me to take it whenever I need it. I assumed that this was standard and didn't question it, but the bottle said take 1 in the morning and one in the evening, so I took one in the morning and found that I was sick (hence I skipped the evening). It really makes me mad that my doctor didn't take the time to give me any instruction or tell me any risks.
Thanks for responding. I will cut the pill into quarters and go from there.
Posted by cmorhoun on October 8, 2007, at 9:43:10
In reply to Re: New To Adderall - HELP!, posted by Asheslee on October 8, 2007, at 6:31:37
sounds like you are extremely sensative to meds, like me. I took the XR version and 10mg was plenty for me. I started buy opening the capsul and taking just half (5mg). You might also consider trying dexadrine instead of adderall. Its a bit smoother and less harsh for some people.
This is the end of the thread.
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