Diagnosed at 54, started Adderall 20mg, not feeling it

[an_user]

Diagnosed at 54, started Adderall 20mg extended but I don't think I'm feeling a change or I don't know what should I expect to feel? Can you please give some advise here? Maybe the meds are not working? Thanks!

[123Procrastinate]

Welcome! A lot of times when you start taking medication it's trial and error, adderall may not work for you or it may be too low of a dose.

The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor, it's a frustrating process sometimes but when you get on the right meds and the right dosage it's worth it!

[CTNico]

20 mg xr is not a lot. But in general I agree that the extended release is a lot less helpful than short acting, and a poor way to experiment to find the right dosage. Also be careful — if you start to take 2x 20mg with the xr, you are going to impact your sleep.

[Sassyhooper]

That's a low dose. You will definitely know when it's working. They always start super low A) for your own well being B) because of the crack down. You will need to be in constant contact with your doctor about medications for a while. I kept a journal because I ended up going though 4 medications before ending up with Adderall. Then we had to hone in the proper dosage (20mg in morning 15mg after lunch daily). Turns out I can't handle extended release. It was like a roller coaster. I needed control. Instant release is much better. So keep that in mind.

I would call in & say you are not feeling anything. This is perfectly normal & they won't think anything of it.

Good luck & don't ever be afraid to ask doctors for what you need. Society put a stigma on ADHD and the medication but that doesn't define you. One shoe doesn't fit all so don't force it. XOXO

[Flawesome2019]

You’re not going to feel it right away. It took me about 4 visits to my nurse practitioner to get dosages correct for me, and now I am on 60 mil....1 1/2 twice a day. But not extended release, that did nothing for me.

[abbeyainscal]

Hmmm or are you doing well and not thinking it’s working? What are you expecting to feel? If you are add it shouldn’t make you feel speedy or anything like that. It just helps with your motivation and focus if that makes sense.

[Lovinit in reply to abbeyainscal]

I agree with you abbeyinscal, I started out on 20mg of adderall and didn’t feel anything but I could tell it was working because I was able to get though my work day with less struggle

[RenewedAt42 in reply to abbeyainscal]

Great question! By nature of the meds it's easy to think it should make you feel buzzy- but that's usually an indicator of too high of a dose. My best days are when I've been very productive without even realizing it because I didn't have to talk myself into focus or motivation.

[poodlesncats]

I took Ritalin on/off over the years. Dont think it ever helped, even with upped dosages. I now take nothing but sure feel like I could use something to help with focus!

[roghill]

I was diagnosed at 53, of course the only one that was surprised. Was me! Trust me it can be overwhelming, figuring out meds ( extended did not work for me, but regular Adderall does) trying to understand what this all means, excited that you know there is a reason for the things you do, or as my wife said “ oh, your not doing it on purpose “ yet ticked off that it wasn’t discovered sooner in life!! Trying to figure out if your broken or blessed or maybe both. HANG in there, you’ve got this!

[Gorgeous18]

I thought I’d get a med and stay on it. In the twenty years since then I’ve used several different meds (but not adderal); different releases; different dosages; different schedules.

By writing down every change with date and reason for change, I have a very valuable record to answer my own questions and the doctors’ questions.

[virginoliveoil]

I've been seeing a psychiatrist and got diagnosed for 6 months, got diagnosed with depression first and later ADHD-PI. Trying different meds (not Adderal), different dosages, different releases on both depression and ADHD, and I don't think there are any differences of me compared with the old me. But the latest one I was on I've felt that it MIGHT have helped me A BIT even though it's gone after a few days. So I'm still trying to be optimistic and see if the doc will adjust the dosage and how will my body responds.

[andyliving]

I am in same boat. Have you found a solution? TY