<p>I am a freshman in college and was diagnosed with ADD (ADHD) about two months ago. I was initially prescribed 15 mg of generic Dexedrine once a day. I am currently on 40 mg of Dexedrine a day (20 in the morning, 20 in the afternoon). I have been on the 40 mg dosage of Dexedrine for a month now and I think my body has already adjusted to the dosage because I no longer feel that it is effective. When I initially started Dexedrine I noticed a huge improvement in my lack of day-dreaming and thinking about a billion things at once. I was also excited to do school work and was able to get work done. Now I feel like the Dexedrine is no longer effective despite the fact that I am on such a high dosage. (I'm a female who is 5'9 and weighs 160 pounds btw). My prescription runs out in about two weeks and I am thinking about switching to Adderall because I feel like Dexedrine is not very effective and I still am not able to focus that well. I was also thinking that I should increase my dexedrine dosage to 50-60 mg a day but I feel like my doctor would not be willing to prescribe such a high dosage. My ideal dosage would be (20 mg - 3x a day). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>
<p>Theoretically after a while you "adjust" to it and don't notice it directly anymore but it is still there doing its thing. Dex is just generic adderal for the most part so there shouldn't be a big difference although the Dr. can certainly have you switch just to try it out.</p>
<p>Do you feel that it is wearing off too soon now in the afternoon?</p>
<p>I feel like it just isn't as effective, like it doesn't make me focus like I used to. I do think it does wear off too quickly which is why I wanted to take it 3x a day. (Once when I wake up, once in the afternoon and then another dosage around like 6 pm). Does anyone else have any advice?</p>
<p>I have thought about trying long acting stimulants but I feel like they would take to long to kick in as I need something to be attacking my ADD constantly.</p>
<p>As far as long-actings taking time to kick in, that's not usually the case; the extended release medications I am familiar with are designed to deliver a steady stream of medication. The absorption and excretion of drugs, in general, can vary a lot from person to person, so I wouldn't assume your doctor would be unwilling to change your dose. You really should just talk to your doctor.</p>
<p>I am not suggesting this applies to you, but I sometimes find this pattern in someone who takes regular, significant doses of stimulants, and does not have ADHD.</p>
<p>Try another medication. My kids both had to try several before finding the ones that were best for them. Sometimes you have to change after a while. Are you under the care of a psychiatrist? I would really recommend it. They are usually not as skittish about prescribing controlled drugs because they have more experience with both the drugs and the dosages than a general practice doctor.</p>
<p>I like that you're trying to take charge of your treatment... after all, only you know exactly what happens when you take this medications...</p>
<p>However, just as you wouldn't undertake the internal re-wiring of the electrical circuits in your dorm room because one outlet doesn't work, don't try to be your own prescribing physician. Keep detailed notes in a diary about the effectiveness of the medication, report it to your physician, and let him/her do their job! All a good physician needs is good, specific, detailed information to work with.</p>
<p>Oh, and agree with the poster above.. a specialist (this is, a physician specializing in medication that affects the brain, which is a psychiatrist) is more appropriate than a GP or internist.</p>
<p>Hi everyone thanks for all the advice. I have made an appointment with my school's wellness center so I will be meeting with a psychiatrist to discuss my treatment. I have been keeping notes on how the medication has been affecting me. About two days ago I decided to try taking 60 mg (3x a day) and I felt like it was an improvement, although, I don't think that really means much because I only did it once and don't plan on doing it again without getting a new prescription. I also tried taking 30 mg (2x a day) and I think that is what will work the best because I am much more efficient in my work and would therefore not need to take an additional dosage later on. </p>
<p>Another question I have is that I feel like I am becoming more anti-social as a result of the medication, is that a side-effect? Prior to taking Dexedrine, I was always very outgoing and loved hanging out with my friends but now I feel I am less outgoing and I don't like being around people as much anymore.</p>
<p>A bit of a stale thread, but that was a worthwhile question at the end about not being so social.</p>
<p>I started Adderall in August and have noticed many, many changes in how I live my life on vs. off the medication.</p>
<p>The big picture is that I no longer seek out the really stimulating things when I’m medicated. In the past, I needed something intense (emotionally, mentally, physically) to get my happy brain chemicals released. On the medication, they’re released more steadily. This means I can focus and do my homework, but it also means things like not spending all day hyper-focused on a random project, sex is nowhere near as good, and I don’t seek out the kinds of things I used to because they don’t offer the “reward” of a flood of neurotransmitters.</p>
<p>In your case, it’s probably that socializing was your way of getting those chemicals flowing. Without the big release, you aren’t feeling rewarded by it, so you don’t socialize so much.</p>
<p>Back to your original question… you might be overmedicated. For me, I overmedicated on the Adderall and ended up totally depleted of dopamine. I didn’t get anything done because I didn’t have anything left to stimulate my reward center. I went off it for a few months, and now am doing well by taking it only on days I really need it. I’m going back to my doctor to see if there’s something else I can try that might be better for me.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply EvoViro. I totally understand where you’re coming from and that’s exactly the way I feel. I am currently on 70 mg of Dex a day. (3x in the morning, 2x in the afternoon and 2x at night). I have decided that I am just going to have to make myself be more social, which after taking a 2.5 week drug holiday has been fairly easy. </p>
<p>You wrote:
“The big picture is that I no longer seek out the really stimulating things when I’m medicated. In the past, I needed something intense (emotionally, mentally, physically) to get my happy brain chemicals released. On the medication, they’re released more steadily. This means I can focus and do my homework, but it also means things like not spending all day hyper-focused on a random project, sex is nowhere near as good, and I don’t seek out the kinds of things I used to because they don’t offer the “reward” of a flood of neurotransmitters.” </p>
<p>This is exactly how I feel! Although, I must admit that when on the medication, I do experience euphoria which helps get the creative juices flowing and allows me to want to be more social. I think it’s more of me not letting the medication numb me socially, which hopefully won’t be too hard. I also must admit that since going on dex I am a lot less motivated by sex which is both a good thing and a bad thing lol but at least my grades are improving haha.</p>