Has anyone continuously increased their dosage for ADHD meds to the max dose & not feel tolerant to it each time? I'm frustrated.

[capnjazjaz]

I'm new to this forum, but I have been on Concerta and have been increasing the dose. Some doses my APRN kept me on for months after saying I felt no long lasting effects each time I've taken it. I've also been taking brakes from it when I don't need to take it (advised by my APRN) but still saw no changes.

I feel as if I am at the end of the line for taking ADHD medications and I feel frustrated and loosing hope. In the beginning of being prescribed I felt so much better and motivated. I have not switched medications just yet (due to my APRN not wanting to yet) to see what other options will work well, but I'm hoping if I do it will continue to help me focus and keep me motivated in the long run.

Anyone else been in this situation?

[Pianoplayer28]

I have been in this exact situation! They kept bumping my concerta and the only thing it was doing was making me tired. I didn’t notice any real improvement. But after they tried bumping it up and it didn’t work, they put me on Adderall and that is much much better! I wouldn’t stop at concerta

[capnjazjaz in reply to Pianoplayer28]

Thank you for the input! Has the effects of Adderall in your daily life been consist in your opinion? Because Concerta has not for me, or the peak will last at least 30 mins to an hour an hour after I take it (sometimes). It's almost like russian roulette for me, it's a hit or miss.

[Pianoplayer28 in reply to capnjazjaz]

The Adderal that I’m on is an IR so it lasts about 6 hours for me but those 6 hours really count! I’m going to ask my psychiatrist for twice a day instead of once but I see major improvement with my attention span, listening, less fidgeting, and a lot less tired! The problem with concerta was that it came with too many side effects. And I was thinking to myself, if I’m going to have horrible side effects and fatigue then it better be worth it! It wasn’t worth it, atleast for me. Maybe methylphenidate isn’t for me. Dextroamphetamine seems to help tremendously! the Adderall has very minor side effects for me. I do get a little tired after it wears off but it’s a stimulant so it comes with the territory. Keep us posted when you can get on something different! Im curious as to know how it helps you!

[Gettingittogether]

Well no, I haven't had that problem ... now there are a couple of things that I noticed as I was beginning on meds.

For one, my expectations changed. I began to take on more responsibilities and challenges, so to say the med has stopped working wasn't quite right. The fact that I was taking on more responsibilities meant the med was indeed working.

Then there is the issue of lifestyle. I don't think meds can't undo fundamental brain tendencies, and that's why we need to help the meds, with sleep ... with exercise ... with medication ... with treatment for depression and/or anxiety ... with therapy ... with a focus on building good habits ... A close friend of mine had his antidepressant stop, but this friend was so negative and refused therapy ... and my take was that his negativity eventually just overwhelmed the medication. You're supposed to use the energy of a good medication to make life changes ... that support the life you want.

Having said all of that, I've heard of people who spend a year on Ritalin and then a year on Adderall ... and back and forth ...

But my first question: is tell me about lifestyle changes you've made. And about your responsibilities--have they been increasing?