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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tim mayo on May 27, 2002, at 6:33:00
im a 38 male diagnosed with add. my doctor put me on adderall. the dosage is 20mg 4 times a day. this seems high to me? im 6'4'' 240 lbs if that makes a difference. it is only my 3rd day but am having problems with the sleeping. yesterday i only took 60mg rather than 80. any help would be great.
tim
Posted by Phil on May 27, 2002, at 7:14:38
In reply to adderall, posted by tim mayo on May 27, 2002, at 6:33:00
Hi Tim, My doc won't write for over 60mg a day. I'm 6' 205# but not sure that matters, come to think of it. I think it depends on metabolism more than anything. I'm taking the XR, 30mg when I get up and 30mg around noon.
I took Ritalin for years and never had trouble sleeping while on it. Sometimes Adderall, if taken too late, with keep me tossing and turning for hours. I take Klonopin also but still can't sleep.
I'm surprised a doc would start that high and it's good to drop the dose to 60mg. With schedule II drugs, most docs don't mind if you can get by on less.
How are you spacing out(no pun intended)the doses?Phil
ps..Adderall is a good drug. Most seem to like it.
Posted by Katalina on May 27, 2002, at 9:08:27
In reply to adderall, posted by tim mayo on May 27, 2002, at 6:33:00
Hi there,
From what I understand, body size and weight have little to do with the amount of stimulant needed. I am 5'4" and about 95 lbs. I usually take between 30 - 40 mgs. of Adderall a day. This amount doesn't make me speedy at all, just calm and able to be productive and feel "normal". I started out at 10 mgs. twice a day (what I believe is an initial starting dose, some even start on 5 mgs.) and it wasn't until I accidentally took 2 10 mg. pills in the a.m. that I felt instantly better. I called my pdoc and told him of the improvement and he agreed to raise it.
My insurance/prescription plan will not cover more than 30 mgs. per day of Adderall. I don't know if that is some sort of expectation that 30 mgs. is on the high end of a dosage or not, but I thought that was kind of rigid. Anyway, I think it's the degree to which one suffers ADD that dictates how much of a stimulant one will need. Those with mild attention problems will probably do well with 5 or 10 mgs., and those of us with major issues coping with the small stuff and getting things done will need more. Just my opinion!
Katalina
Posted by katekite on May 27, 2002, at 15:58:45
In reply to adderall, posted by tim mayo on May 27, 2002, at 6:33:00
I think its just very very individual what doses and times are best. Some people find it helps them go to sleep, others find if they take it after about 6 pm its really hard to get to sleep.
Maybe leave a message for your doc just saying you are going to play with the doses, taking less, and then do so.
People of the same size and weight who have the same degree of ADD find doses of 5 mg to 20 mg have equivalent effect -- just depends on the individual.
kate
Posted by tim mayo on May 28, 2002, at 14:42:28
In reply to adderall, posted by tim mayo on May 27, 2002, at 6:33:00
thanks for the replies, being the good worry wart that iam i was nervous, i backed it down to 60 and it seems fine, may try 50. typical me, do it backwards.
Posted by Christina on May 29, 2002, at 14:25:19
In reply to Re: adderall, posted by tim mayo on May 28, 2002, at 14:42:28
you might try switching to the Extended Release version. I take mine (30 mg) in the morning, and I'm good to go until about 5 or 6 p.m.
When I was taking the regular version 2x a day, I would forget to take second dose or take it too late, and I would get "downtime."
I haven't had any trouble sleeping either.
It's been great (but I think it's more expensive).
Posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 3:16:53
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by Christina on May 29, 2002, at 14:25:19
As I understand it, Adderall, et. al., are prescribed both as a stimulant AD, and for ADD.
As a stimulant AD, it may cause problems sleeping, and if so it's best to take it early in the day, not beyond afternoon.
For people with ADD, it has a different effect- it calms them down and can help with sleep.
Cece
Posted by Hattree on May 30, 2002, at 9:05:48
In reply to Adderall XR, posted by Christina on May 29, 2002, at 14:25:19
Hi. What time in the AM do you take your XR?
Posted by tim mayo on June 1, 2002, at 10:29:21
In reply to Re: adderall » tim mayo, posted by Phil on May 27, 2002, at 7:14:38
its been a week now, things have evened out! i was really freaked out for a few days, ive found mainly due to the fact im in a 12 step program and didnt feel "right" about meds. after a week and a good talk with my sponsor plus dropping the dosage to 20mg 3x's a day it had gotten much better. its still an adjustment being able to do things other people consider normal, like sit at my desk for more than 5-10 mins at a time!
thanks for the posts.
tim
Posted by Cece on June 1, 2002, at 21:16:19
In reply to Re: adderall, posted by tim mayo on June 1, 2002, at 10:29:21
I was in a 12 step program when I began meds, and mostly I just kept my mouth shut about it in meetings, except in general terms.
A woman who attended a meeting that I went to regularly committed suicide because she felt guilty about meds and stopped taking them (I think that she was BP). Anyone who thinks that was the right choice does not understand the basic intent of the 12 steps in my opinion. The whole idea is to get well. Meds are not an addiction. Suicide is not 'getting well'.
Cece
Posted by Christina on June 3, 2002, at 21:44:42
In reply to Re: Adderall XR » Christina, posted by Hattree on May 30, 2002, at 9:05:48
I take it about 7:30 am, and then I'm ready to work by 8 am.
This is the end of the thread.
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