I take Adderall XR, a 12 hour slow release, and that actually helps out quite a bit. If I experience a "crash" its somewhat random. I am not familiar w/regular Adderall. One thing to note w/XR is that 12 hours is a an approximation, it may be more or less depending on the individual and how long you've been taking it.

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Sorry, I failed to mention I am already on the XR. Because I have been on it for years (it's what works best for me) and because I matabolize medicine very rapidly, I actually only get 4 hours out of each dose. At that time, I crash. Any suggestions?

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I wonder if you are taking enough medicine. You may need another dose at noontime and you may need something for depression or anxiety...For a while, I took just 30 mgs of Adderall XR around 6:00 AM and hoped it would last all day. It didn't!! Around 1:30 PM, I started to get off task, and then around 2:00, I became majorly grouchy. Since I teach school, this was not a good thing, because I started being grouchy to the kids. I wasn't able to do my job and how could I expect the students to do their jobs. I could just feel myself change from an energetic person, fun-loving, kind and encouraging person, who was somewhat organized, to a tired, grouchy, impatient, and frustrated teacher. I don't know if I would call it crashing, but I wasn't able to perform my job adequately. I nearly got fired as a 4th grade teacher. But my Psych/nurse practitioner, with whom I meet once a month, worked with me on adjusting my meds. Now I take a second dose of Adderall XR 30 mgs, at lunchtime (around 12:30) which helps amazingly. I don't lose my temper, and I can actually stay on the subject I am supposed to be teaching. However, by the time I get home, I don't focus very well. I work at all sorts of stuff during the evening, but my house is still a mess. My NP already says I am at the maximum dose, so I just put up with it. But the big thing is, I still have a job. My principal worked with me and realized that I was extremely creative, yet very random; that I work well with the parents, and I love the kids. He saw in me what I didn't see in myself and he moved me to kindergarten where I can be as random and creative as I want to be. I love absolutely love it. It fits my ADD perfectly! I am moving all day long, if I get off task, the kids say, "Teacher, Teacher, it's time for the computer lab." They help to keep me on task. However, to make sure I don't get too far off task, my principal and I have agreed that he will monitor me to make sure that I am still teaching the basics. That is fine with me, because I know that I need someone to keep me on task! I thank God that I still have a job!!

I've read articles that talk about comorbid conditions, and I realize that I have several. Besides ADD (the inattentive type), I have depression also. My Nurse Practitioner put me on welbutrin and celexa to help with that. I am overweight, because I self-medicate with food. I have a thyroid problem, high blood pressure and restless legs. You may have several things going on also. Sooooooo... Please go see a doctor of a psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you with your symptoms!

During the summertime, I can actually take a nap after taking my noon dose.

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What specific symptoms do you have that you refer to as "crashing"? As someone else pointed out, there may be other comorbidities (additional disorders such as depression or anxiety), which is quite common with ADHD.

My husband takes 60 mg. of Adderall in the morning. Many times the ranges listed are not the maximum dosage allowed. I don't think some of the doctors realize that. Some of the ranges listed are based on children and not on adults or adolescents.

I take 140 mg. of Vyvanse but I have seen 70 mg. listed as maximum. I know that our doctor follows the scientific studies and recommended doses of experts, such as Dr. Joseph Biederman, the director of Pediatric Psychopharmacology at Massucheusetts General Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Something interesting I had learned from my doctor. Children who have ADHD and undiagnosed/unrecognized depression, when put on Ritalin, will become hostile. The Ritalin unmasks the depression and unlike adults with depression, children with depression become hostile. However, if the same child is put on Adderall, once the Adderall wears off, they become hostile and aggressive. The reason is that the Adderall treats the depression while they are on it, but once it wears off, hostility emerges.

I don't know all of the manifestations and symptoms of different disorders and reactions to medications. However, it is helpful to deal with a doctor or clinician who is well trained in the area of psychopharmacology and in the diagnosis of additional comorbidities, and multiple comorbidities as well. Some individuals can go for years with undiagnosed disorders that were missed by doctors. If something is still wrong, it might be time to get a second opinion with a well qualified expert. I've seen this happen with numerous family members and friends and myself as well.

Optimal medical treatment requires an accurate diagnosis (or diagnoses, when additional comorbidities are present) and a thorough knowledge of psychotropic medications.

Elaine

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