How did you know you were at the right stimulant dose?

[shesellsseashells]

This might seem like a silly question, but under the assumption that there are no stupid questions I decided to ask anyway.

 

How did you know you were at the right dose of your ADHD med?  I started Adderall a couple of months ago.  I titrated up to 20 mg IR slowly, and I definitely noticed the way it affected me.  (No more daydreaming in boring classes or zoning out during dull conversations.)  Once I'd been at 20 mg for a week or so, my pdoc switched me to 20 mg ER.  We then began working on my AD, and since pdoc only makes one med change at a time, it's only now I think we need to refocus on the Adderall.

 

I noticed that I haven't been quite as focused with the ER, and also that I didn't have the energy crash in the afternoons.  I understand that people usually need more of the ER to achieve the same effect as the IR.  How did you know when enough was enough?  Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

[dancingteapot]

I kinda have the same issue as well.

I take Concerta and I literally feel *nothing*

On Adderall I felt more productive and positive

I also took Ritalin IR and felt nothing

They won't put me back on Adderall for some reason

So I hope they find the right dosage for me

...except I can possibly get more psychotic

Tough call

But I would like to know what the right dosage feels like

I mean at least to get the thoughts organized. idk

[shesellsseashells]

I'm right there with you.  If I figure it out I will let you know. 

[Velvet Elvis]

You can take up to 60 mgs of amphetamine based stimulants a day or 120 mgs of methylphynidate based stimulants a day.  

 

For me, IR adderall lasts about 4 hours and ER lasts about 6 hours.  If I take the ER I take 30mgs 2x a day and if I take the IR I take 20mgs 3x a day.  Either way gives me 12 hours of stimulant coverage a day, but I prefer the IR because it kicks in faster and wears off faster, which makes it easier to slip meals in between doses.  

 

It makes sense that 20 mgs ER will be less effective than 20mgs IR, because it's the same amount of medication stretched over a longer amount of time.

[shesellsseashells]

You can take up to 60 mgs of amphetamine based stimulants a day or 120 mgs of methylphynidate based stimulants a day.  

 

For me, IR adderall lasts about 4 hours and ER lasts about 6 hours.  If I take the ER I take 30mgs 2x a day and if I take the IR I take 20mgs 3x a day.  Either way gives me 12 hours of stimulant coverage a day, but I prefer the IR because it kicks in faster and wears off faster, which makes it easier to slip meals in between doses.  

 

It makes sense that 20 mgs ER will be less effective than 20mgs IR, because it's the same amount of medication stretched over a longer amount of time.

 

Thanks for the info., VE.  Pdoc nixed my Adderall increase request because he wants me to have a physical first, but hopefully I can wear him down next time.  I don't believe I am getting enough benefit from my current dose.

[writehellarandomshiny]

I think this is actually a really good/interesting question. Pdoc and I played around FOREVER with this. For me, the right dose is 30mg adderrall XR, period. No more, no less. It helps keep me focused throughout the day and keep me going - it just "feels right." 

[shesellsseashells]

I think this is actually a really good/interesting question. Pdoc and I played around FOREVER with this. For me, the right dose is 30mg adderrall XR, period. No more, no less. It helps keep me focused throughout the day and keep me going - it just "feels right." 

 

Thanks write.  I hope to get to the "right" place, too.

[Mirazh]

I actually found my proper dosing both on Concerta and Dexedrine by gradually increasing the dose until it was a *bit* too much, and then reducing to a dose just below that. I'd feel a bit "speedier" for longer and in a few additional ways than what is, for me, fairly regular speedy-ish feel when I *start* or *restart* a stimulant medication.

Basically I found after a week or two at a certain dose, I'd be pretty much fully adjusted to side effects, and any "extra" boost (positive or negative) from starting the med or increasing the dose would have worn off or leveled out by that point. So my pdoc would allow me to boost my dose by a small amount until I hit a point where I felt I was receiving full benefit with fewest side effects. This was 99mg Concerta/day for me (54mg AM/45mg PM) after a brief trial at 108mg/day, and now 50mg Dexedrine/day for me (30mg AM/20mg PM) after a brief trial at 60mg/day.

When I have had the two-weekish adjustment period I don't "feel" the med at all. Notice when I have to stop for whatever reason (usually financial?) You bet. But at the "slightly too much" dose I would notice it even after the adjustment period, for one thing. So.

[shesellsseashells]

I actually found my proper dosing both on Concerta and Dexedrine by gradually increasing the dose until it was a *bit* too much, and then reducing to a dose just below that. I'd feel a bit "speedier" for longer and in a few additional ways than what is, for me, fairly regular speedy-ish feel when I *start* or *restart* a stimulant medication.

Basically I found after a week or two at a certain dose, I'd be pretty much fully adjusted to side effects, and any "extra" boost (positive or negative) from starting the med or increasing the dose would have worn off or leveled out by that point. So my pdoc would allow me to boost my dose by a small amount until I hit a point where I felt I was receiving full benefit with fewest side effects. This was 99mg Concerta/day for me (54mg AM/45mg PM) after a brief trial at 108mg/day, and now 50mg Dexedrine/day for me (30mg AM/20mg PM) after a brief trial at 60mg/day.

When I have had the two-weekish adjustment period I don't "feel" the med at all. Notice when I have to stop for whatever reason (usually financial?) You bet. But at the "slightly too much" dose I would notice it even after the adjustment period, for one thing. So.

Thanks Mirazh, that is helpful.

[shesellsseashells]

I'm not sure whether anyone will see this since it is the continuation of an old thread but it made more sense to me to return here than clog up the forums with a new post.

 

I'm up to 40 mg/day of Adderall ER.  I have noticed that I've been multitasking less and seeing things I've started through to conclusion.  The other thing I've noticed is that I am more bored.  Does that make sense to anyone?  It's like I want to be engaged in something, to do something, which is good, just different.  I don't feel that this dosage is too high for me--I may have hit my "just right" spot.  I thought I'd check in to see what others think.  Thanks!

[ovOidampUle]

That's interesting about the boredom. I would expect that. 

 

I just started adderal er 20mg. I'm mostly surprised with the effect it has on my mood and motivation. On average my focus is better, but I experience it more as an improved mood that helps me focus. It also gives me a little boost to go out and take the dog out for a walk which adds the benefit of exercise to my mood. That sounds similar to what you're experiencing. 

 

Do you think maybe you're bored because you're out of things to do? Maybe there are things you'd like to do, but you never had the energy for them, and so you never got into the habit of doing them. I'm running across a similar thing for myself. I have energy now, but I haven't the slightest what to do with it. It's been so long since I've seriously entertained any pastimes that required focus or drive that I've quite forgotten what they were. 

[shesellsseashells]

That's interesting about the boredom. I would expect that. 

 

I just started adderal er 20mg. I'm mostly surprised with the effect it has on my mood and motivation. On average my focus is better, but I experience it more as an improved mood that helps me focus. It also gives me a little boost to go out and take the dog out for a walk which adds the benefit of exercise to my mood. That sounds similar to what you're experiencing. 

 

Do you think maybe you're bored because you're out of things to do? Maybe there are things you'd like to do, but you never had the energy for them, and so you never got into the habit of doing them. I'm running across a similar thing for myself. I have energy now, but I haven't the slightest what to do with it. It's been so long since I've seriously entertained any pastimes that required focus or drive that I've quite forgotten what they were.

I know exactly what you mean.  I think you're right: I'm not depressed because the Prozac/Lamictal combo is working and I am more focused and perhaps seeing some mood improvement from the Adderall, too.  I suppose I need to find a hobby.  This is a good problem to have.  I'm feeling too bouncy to sit and read.  Maybe I'll try some jogging in a bit.  Thanks!

[jt07]

I don't take Adderall, but I knew what the right dose for my Ritalin was because adding any more did not produce any added benefit and instead just made me feel wired (like I drank too much coffee).

[ovOidampUle]

Exercise helps neurotypicals settle down, too! 

[shesellsseashells]

I don't take Adderall, but I knew what the right dose for my Ritalin was because adding any more did not produce any added benefit and instead just made me feel wired (like I drank too much coffee).

Thanks jt.