[FilmGuy]

Not sure if this is more appropriate here or in the "Drug" area, but since it is an ADD drug specific inquiry, I chose here!

How do I know if I am on the right dose of my ADD medications, and if I am on the right medication for it at all for that matter? I started on 30mg of Vyvanse, went to 60mg, then my doctor took me off completely due to my complaining about headaches. The problem I thought was the new depression medication that he had switched at the same time as putting me on the Vyvanse. The positive results from the ADD meds was immediate, but since the depression meds took longer to kick in, it was my opinion that it was the depression meds or their interaction with the ADD meds that caused the headaches. The headaches continued even off the Vyvanse, so I am now back on Vyvanse but at the low 30mg dose and I am not sure it is enough. How can I really tell what is too low or too high of a dose? Thanks.

[sunrise]

FilmGuy, what anti-depressant are you on? So did you get a chance to stabilize on that before adding the Vyvanse? I think it is really good to just add one med at a time, even if it seems the slow approach. Since you had the headaches whether you took the Vyvanse or not, maybe the problem is actually the anti-depressant and not the Vyvanse.

I take Bupropion and Vyvanse and was started on 30 mg, a very typical dose. (I think it is a really good medication, by the way--very smooth, not jolty coming on to it, and not prone to abuse.) Later I felt 30 mg might be too much so I asked for a 20 mg prescription. I now have alternate prescriptions when I get them filled: one month 20 mg, one month 30 mg. And I take the amount I feel I need that day. Many days I only want 20, but the truth is, I probably do better on 30. But I like 20. You will get to know what works for you. A big problem for me is that I often forget to take it in the morning, and then past a certain point in the day, it's hard to take because it will keep me up at night.

To know what dose to take, your prescriber will probably give you the behavioral surveys (ability to focus, complete tasks, etc.) and compare your ratings before and after. If your symptoms are not being adequately controlled, she may increase the dose. that is what mine did. It helped her decide to escalate from low Bupropion to high Bupropion, and from there to Vyvanse + hi Bupropion, and from there to Vyvanse + lo Bupropion. It takes a bit of experimentation. Also you can monitor if your dose is too high if you are having trouble falling asleep at night, if you feel too "up" such as feeling boundless energy, talking too much and too fast, feeling impatient with people because they seem to be reasoning or talking or moving too slowly, etc. (If I take too much stimulant, the "slowness" of other people can annoy me.) You will find after a while that you know what the right dose is.

I would recommend to you that you get your AD sorted out by itself so you can figure out the headache issue. (This might not be the right AD for you.) Then add the Vyvanse. To increase from 30 mg to 60 mg sounds like a huge increase to me! According to my PNP, some people with depression who are on stimulants may not also need an AD, because stimulants can help with depression.

Good luck! Go slowly.

[FilmGuy]

Originally Posted by sunrise

FilmGuy, what anti-depressant are you on? So did you get a chance to stabilize on that before adding the Vyvanse? I think it is really good to just add one med at a time, even if it seems the slow approach. Since you had the headaches whether you took the Vyvanse or not, maybe the problem is actually the anti-depressant and not the Vyvanse.

I take Bupropion and Vyvanse and was started on 30 mg, a very typical dose. (I think it is a really good medication, by the way--very smooth, not jolty coming on to it, and not prone to abuse.) Later I felt 30 mg might be too much so I asked for a 20 mg prescription. I now have alternate prescriptions when I get them filled: one month 20 mg, one month 30 mg. And I take the amount I feel I need that day. Many days I only want 20, but the truth is, I probably do better on 30. But I like 20. You will get to know what works for you. A big problem for me is that I often forget to take it in the morning, and then past a certain point in the day, it's hard to take because it will keep me up at night.

To know what dose to take, your prescriber will probably give you the behavioral surveys (ability to focus, complete tasks, etc.) and compare your ratings before and after. If your symptoms are not being adequately controlled, she may increase the dose. that is what mine did. It helped her decide to escalate from low Bupropion to high Bupropion, and from there to Vyvanse + hi Bupropion, and from there to Vyvanse + lo Bupropion. It takes a bit of experimentation. Also you can monitor if your dose is too high if you are having trouble falling asleep at night, if you feel too "up" such as feeling boundless energy, talking too much and too fast, feeling impatient with people because they seem to be reasoning or talking or moving too slowly, etc. (If I take too much stimulant, the "slowness" of other people can annoy me.) You will find after a while that you know what the right dose is.

I would recommend to you that you get your AD sorted out by itself so you can figure out the headache issue. (This might not be the right AD for you.) Then add the Vyvanse. To increase from 30 mg to 60 mg sounds like a huge increase to me! According to my PNP, some people with depression who are on stimulants may not also need an AD, because stimulants can help with depression.

Good luck! Go slowly.

Thanks for the information, I actually did just go off the AD and am now just on the Vyvanse at a 30/40 dose similar to your 20/30 dosage, so we will see if this is the answer or at least a move in a positive direction!

[Skully]

You will know the dose is right for you when your thoughts stop wandering, you are actually able to accomplish something you set your mind to and you are able to organize your home and work area. You will also be able to hold a full conversation with interest and without interrupting whoever is speaking at the time, lol. You will know definitely when you have the right dose, the difference is night and day. At least this is how I know my adhd meds are working. Everyone is different though.

[Trying & Caring]

I have been on the same dosage of Concerta for about 15 yrs. & it doesn't make me feel jittery or speedy (which is good as I have bipolar I). But I NEVER forget to take it in the morning as I can tell how helpful it is for me. I need it to survive!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by FilmGuy

Not sure if this is more appropriate here or in the "Drug" area, but since it is an ADD drug specific inquiry, I chose here!

How do I know if I am on the right dose of my ADD medications, and if I am on the right medication for it at all for that matter? I started on 30mg of Vyvanse, went to 60mg, then my doctor took me off completely due to my complaining about headaches. The problem I thought was the new depression medication that he had switched at the same time as putting me on the Vyvanse. The positive results from the ADD meds was immediate, but since the depression meds took longer to kick in, it was my opinion that it was the depression meds or their interaction with the ADD meds that caused the headaches. The headaches continued even off the Vyvanse, so I am now back on Vyvanse but at the low 30mg dose and I am not sure it is enough. How can I really tell what is too low or too high of a dose? Thanks.

Yeah the vyvanse did not cause the headache and it could be that you have sinus headache.The way you know is that the med is working that you will be able to focus and focus on the boring things that you could not do all along.

[Kiffygirl0793]

I just started Vyvanse today. I felt energetic when I took it, but I was also very jumpy and tense. I have a lot of anxiety, so I'm not sure if a stimulant is right for me. I did notice however that all day I had absolutely no appetite, which is good, I need to lose weight, and I did make myself eat something. One thing I found interesting on a website for Vyvanse, it said you should use caution when driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert. Uh, isn't the point of the med to make us focus better and be more alert? Well, it's only day one, maybe I need to give it more time.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by FilmGuy

Not sure if this is more appropriate here or in the "Drug" area, but since it is an ADD drug specific inquiry, I chose here!

How do I know if I am on the right dose of my ADD medications, and if I am on the right medication for it at all for that matter? I started on 30mg of Vyvanse, went to 60mg, then my doctor took me off completely due to my complaining about headaches. The problem I thought was the new depression medication that he had switched at the same time as putting me on the Vyvanse. The positive results from the ADD meds was immediate, but since the depression meds took longer to kick in, it was my opinion that it was the depression meds or their interaction with the ADD meds that caused the headaches. The headaches continued even off the Vyvanse, so I am now back on Vyvanse but at the low 30mg dose and I am not sure it is enough. How can I really tell what is too low or too high of a dose? Thanks.

With me all the adhd meds causing headaches I noticed.The only way you will know if the med is at the right dosages is you will start to be able to focus and be more calmer than before does this make sense?

[Skully]

For me, I can tell if it is the right dose by how I feel. I started taking 10mg of Adderall XR and it helped me but not quite as much as I would have liked. When I say it helped me I mean I was able to start to organize things, I could almost read long posts, and I could hold parts of a conversation with others. Once I was switched to the 20mg it just all fell in place. I am organized, reading posts are no longer an issue, and I can hold a full conversation without interrupting others. I am focused and the "chatter" that used to go on in my head no longer is there. I wasn't hearing voices, but you know what I mean, constant random thoughts.

[AlaskaForever]

This medicine should be pulled for now, and studied more. I have witnessed its severe side effects first hand. Sure there are pros, but the cons can be life altering for people who have families.

Anger issues, hallucinations, prone to snap at people, violence, hysteria, blackouts, pathologially lying, etc. etc.

More awareness needs to be spread about this new "wonder drug" before it ruins anymore lives of families who have a loved one prescribed on it.