Females and Adderall

[Theduckmayswimon]

I currently take 20mg XR with a 10mg as needed booster dose. I use a booster dose, usually in the middle of the day and I explain needing it as "the coffee craving" starts. It feels like I get one good week on my medication a month and then it's so inconsistent. I only take it during the work week and skip weekends, unless there is something I really want to get done.

I'm struggling figuring out PMS and ADHD I guess?. My therapist recommended changing the dose a week before my periods. So, I started to take both the 10 and the 20 together this week, then a booster as needed. But, it feels like I need a booster every 2 hours some days! So basically, I'm taking like 3 boosters a day before and during my periods.

Also note, it's as needed because if I don't let it wear off gradually, my tics become really bad: lip biting, hair pulling, scratching, etc. just wandering how many times a day others take there's because it's seems like a lot.

I also have thought about talking to my provider about birth control for mood regulation but I've heard this could also affect how Adderall works??

[BlessedLady]

A study was done about 25 yrs ago that you might find helpful. It showed increasing your Calcium intake before you start can help with PMS. I choose to eat yogurt. It was so helpful my husband and kids made sure we always had yogurt in the fridge around that time of the month. Put PMS + Calcium in google.

[ValkyrieAngelic in reply to BlessedLady]

Interesting. I'm wondering how much calcium is actually in yogurt tho? Probably not tonnes. I'm thinking you could have seen such a benefit because you most likely improved your gut health from the yogurt! Which has been shown to dramatically improve mental health. Super cool though.

[BlessedLady in reply to ValkyrieAngelic]

If I remember correctly it was several a day for 2 weeks before due to start date. I happen to live yogurt. I also ate the low calorie, low fat type.

[Theduckmayswimon in reply to BlessedLady]

Thanks, I'll check it out. The vitamins I currently take that I heard would help are magnesium, D3, and B6. But I can't really tell if it's works yet.

[ValkyrieAngelic]

A naturopath actually told me to take Claritin of all things. A week before my period. Twice a day. It worked! So strange I know.

[Theduckmayswimon in reply to ValkyrieAngelic]

Interesting! I use to be on hydroxyzine which I know is also an antihistamine. And I know midol has antihistamine properties as well. I wonder if it's all related.

[BlessedLady in reply to Theduckmayswimon]

Hydroxyzine, brand name Visteril, is also used to treat anxiety.

[BlessedLady in reply to ValkyrieAngelic]

My youngest daughter got sick with respiratory symptoms before she was due to start. Her doctor told her to take a drug prescribed for allergies. I can't remember which drug. I am 71 yrs old. I had never heard of that before.

[Tigger4me]

Even though I am not a therapist, I recently attended a 2 day on-line conference for therapists to learn more about ADHD for their practice's. One of the sessions was specifically about women and ADHD entitled "ADHD in Women, Hormonal Influences Across the Lifespan". The presentation was given by Jane Indergaard, RN, who teaches nursing and is on the National Board of Directors of CHADD plus other ADHD associated organizations.

While I don't believe that I could send you a copy of her presentation I just looked her up on line and found a quite a lot of information that she has posted on this topic. This might be a good resource for you to check out.