New to dexamphetemine

[Compton1]

I am 54 and only recently diagnosed with ADD ( inattentive ) in early 2022- I had no luck with Elvanse ( too anxiety inducing ) or antemoxetine ( no response at all ) but the dexamphetemine I have been taking for a few weeks may be helping. ( currently 20 mg in morning and 10 mg in the afternoon - this feels like plenty)

I can feel the strength of the med ( in fact it gives an hour long mild high feeling initially which feels weird ) but not sure if it is really working as I have heard it described. I feel more energy but I am not sure it is as focused energy as maybe others have described. Seems to depend on how my mood is on any given day.

Very interested to know how you know the meds ( or dex specifically ) are "right" in the first few weeks of taking. Also, how long might it all take to settle down?

Thanks

John

[mrsm68]

Hi John, I am in the same situation as you. I’m 54 yrs old and was diagnosed earlier this year.

I have tried Ritalin, Medikinet and Elvanse.

I have found Elvanse to be the best of them but I’m still not convinced it’s working as it should or maybe I need to manage my expectations.

In the first few weeks of Elvanse 20mg I felt it kick in and I felt less overwhelmed and life just felt a lot easier. I was still unfocused, forgetting things etc but it didn’t bother me as much. I just felt able to cope.

However, I am now finding that it is wearing off early and I am crashing hard.

I have a follow up appointment later today so hope to get more answers then.

Sorry I haven’t helped you but just wanted to say that I can relate x

[Compton1 in reply to mrsm68]

Many thanks for your reply! I can update you on my progress as and when. I sometimes think that the meds just won't work for me in the way that I read they can for some - frustrating. Having said that it appears it can take a long time to get the meds right. I have to say that my ability to focus etc on the current meds varies as much day to day as it does off the meds which cannot be right...I have not tried ritalin yet. I guess just keep going until one finds something that works. Hope your follow up appointment went well.

[NeuroDivergentFairy]

I am on the XR version of this. I never did well on the immediate release. there is an intense high or increase in energy for the first few hours and then I crash hard and I get massive headaches and clench my jaw as it begins to wear off. extended release may be more subtle and more for your liking. Though I think 30-60 days is required for our bodies to even out on these meds and to see how it will help you manage symptoms long term. It's a frustrating process but don't get discouraged! You're on the right track!

[FindingTheAnswers]

Hi John. I take generic Adderal. (2) 30mgs a day-I break the 30’s in half, so (4) 15mg doses a day, if need be. I guess I was lucky in that the 1st Rx I was prescribed was the one for me. It also acts as a (great!) Anti- Anxiety for me and also as an Anti- Depressant… until it wears off. Then time for another 15mg. A couple of other things. Ive experienced the ‘High’ you’ve felt. I wonder if it’s just the feeling of have my mind stop running 100mph? This stopped happening soon after I kept talking it. Also, I still have 47 years of ‘Bad Programming’ in my head from not being diagnosed late in life. Of which I’m still working on (possible you also have some ‘Bad Programming’?). It may take a while to find the correct Rx at the correct dose. The correct Rx and dose for almost everyone is trial and error. A Dr can’t base it on sex, age, height, weight, etc. and then there’s the differences that each generic manufacturer has to ‘tweek’ the formula to prevent patent infringement. Hang in there. And don’t give up!

[AlphaGeekBoy]

Compton1 - My experience is similar to FindingTheAnswers . I was diagnosed in January at 52 with Inattentice type. Started on AdderallXR at 10mg. Noticed a difference right away. But struggled with is this the right dose or do I need to increase. We were in the titration phase so would go about a month increasing about 5mg every month.

I am at 30mg right now. I think it might actually be too much and I should go back to 25. I am finding it easier to stay up later and not getting as much sleep as I should.

I do find the medication is working and tasks I used to avoid are easier. I have very few side affects, biting/sucking on my lip, which I find chewing gum helps. I did have initial issues with starting to urinate but that seems to have disappeared.

Since I seem to focus better and stay in task more (almost like hyper focus on demand), I haven’t tried any other medication. I am interested to see what an increase in dosage would be like and if I should keep going or try going back to 25mg and comparing.

To answer your question. It took me a few weeks to feel confident that the medication was working and then a few months to find what might be the optimal dosage. I just wonder if I should keep experimenting or be thankful I found something that works on the first try. Feel free to a DM if you want to discuss more as I am happy to share my experience. I find it very difficult to find ADHD content directed towards adults diagnosed later in life and want to try to do something about that.