Short acting vs. long acting meds

[RoseZen]

Has anyone ever switched from the short acting to the long acting meds? Specifically dexedrine and dexedrine spansule? I am trying the long acting med after being on the short one for almost 15 years. I find myself feeling Zombie like, feeling more tired. I'm playing around with the dosages too. At bedtime I crash and sleep for 12-14 hours...

[Soton4ever]

Do you still use the same daily dosage as before?

[RoseZen in reply to Soton4ever]

I'm not sure what the equivalent is based on the short acting one. Either way I'm tired, not as productive/focused, unmotivated..

[AuDHD3245]

If you have 3 cups of coffee in the morning between 8 and 9am, for 15 years, and then all of a sudden switch to 3 coffees sipped throughout the day, your body is going to get tired.

Your body has to do more work because it has to re-adapt to the new way in which it's being stimulated, get rid of the old way it's used to, and work out what it needs to do with these new amounts in the brain.

Being tired is your body's way of telling you, it's being overworked. Sleep is where the body fixes itself.

My advice is to stay on the same drug as before but have a week off, or Monday to Friday. That way your body will clear itself, return to neutral, you'll probably still be tired and sleep alot, but that next hit will pull all the focus and attention back

All the best

[STEM_Dad]

It may take a few days or even up to several weeks for your body to adjust to the new medication.

Some people respond much better to one form than the other, between short and long acting medication. (Others respond basically the same to either.)

Any time you start a new medication, I think it's helpful to keep daily notes of your experience on it. This can help you when you talk to your doctor about how you are doing on it, so that you don't have to try to remember on the spot.