:( Someone please help me! I couldn't wake up on time to save my own life. I'm trapped in this cycle of fighting to get up every morning, waking up late, getting to work 10 to 30 minutes late everyday. Thankfully, my boss doesn't care as long as I get my work done and done well, but it's not making me the most popular person amongst the co-workers. I get dirty looks, disapproving "tsks", rolled eyes, passive aggressive criticism, an undeniable cloud of disrespect, and nasty gossip behind my back AND within hearing distance. It's a new job so I'm in the initial learning stages, which seems to take an eternity to get all of the details right at the same time. If I've done one area of my job perfectly, then another area seems to suffer. Vice versa happens when I then concentrate on the previously weak area. AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!! :eek:

I know that when I get the right routine and compensatory strategies down and have all procedures learned that I will do a fabulous job, as I have done with other jobs in the past. It's that first stage of awkwardness and adjustment that makes me look like the village idiot. Someone actually said to me today oh-so-condescendingly before a task that I was totally looking forward to because it was the first task within my expertise,"OK, you really need to be sharp today. Make sure you do this and that" as if I were totally incompetent and needed to try really hard to be "sharp" because I'm usually such a dumb***. It was so insulting. By the way, I totally rocked and exceeded expectations during that task.

*Sniff* Sorry to be such a whiner! Even optimists break down too...THANKS for letting me vent and if you have any suggestions, please please share!

Slip

All I can tell ya is I think you're in the right place! :)

Just hang in there. The lightbulb will go on, as it usually does with us. Just try not to worry about it. You'll redeem yourself in the end.

I have a terrible time getting up. I think this topic came up somewhere before, but anyway, I've struggled with it since I was a child, and I'm now...er....50 minus something. (moment of coyness)

Anyway, I'm STILL searching for the silver bullet on that one. Every day is a trial and every day I linger in bed toooooo long and then am frantic to get to work. I usually arrive 20 minutes to 50 minutes late.

Unless! there is a specific meeting i have to go to or some other really urgent thing and then I can just barely manage to get there on time, but its hard. I've been looking for an alarm clock that is also a sunrise clock and possibly one with scents also as I am quite sensitive to odours (non add btw), but may have to settle for an old fashioned cattle prod attached to a timer!!!!

I get looks every day, although I get my work done and rarely take breaks, plus I usually stay late each day (for obvious reasons, I make sure I put in a full day's work regardless of when I get there). As I've been with this org for 22 years, they have somewhat accepted my one big issue, though I do say I take some good natured ribbing on it fairly regularly.

If you find the secret let me know!

The "silver bullet" for my morning grogginess/depression is Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is the chemical responsible for wakefulness and the shifting of the stages of sleep into wakefullness. There are also several stages of wakefulness for which norepinephrine is responsible for regulating. Sometimes I don't get into the upper stages of wakefulness until I need to go to bed, then I have insomnia. Ain't ADD fun? Most people with ADD don't shift to wakefulness like everyone else. Not surprisingly, drugs that increase norepinephrine are also used to treat ADD. Reboxetine, Wellbutrin, and Provigil are just some of the medications that increase norepinephrine. If I take 1mg of Reboxetine before I go to sleep and I literally spring out of bed in the morning.

I can sempatize with u all. I am the same way, I cant get up and get anywhere muchless work on time. I am terrible at it. I have always been that way since I was a kid, but I think its has gotten progressivly worse over the years! I have no suggestions on how to make it bettre, but belive me if u find something let me know!!!

Okay, We'll do...

Hey, thanks to all for the advice! I'm trying going to bed really early and wake up extra early. Now, if -- I -- can -- just -- reset -- my -- body -- clock! Sigh.....Why is this so hard?

I don't know about you, but I realized the other day that one of the reasons I resist going to bed is because I have to do the excruciating bedtime routine of getting my water, giving the dog his medicine, brushing my teeth, etc. Even if I get 7-8 hours of sleep, though, getting up is still a struggle. I usually get to work about an hour late, as well. I also have a boss that doesn't give a flip as long as the work gets done. Just try to get as much sleep as possible and let your work quiet all critics.

work quiet all critics> yup that's the good one!!!

And ppl. are saying be sharp cause they kinda feel that u get spaced out at times
but don't worry it'll all work out, these are the everyday new job processes that will change!!!

But remember if it gets too much , the criticizm that is, then try hanging out with ppl. who will want to bring you up or some ppl. whose grps u wud have to pull urself nad get ur socks up to get into!

I dont remember the saying but ti's something like staying with ppl. who belittle will cause u to fall down and sink to their level so stay with ppl. who are also more widely accepting and optimistic.
btw: about the saying of being an optimistic who breaks down, I would say from my end to you that I know I've had those moments but sometimes u push urself oto much in being an optimistic!!!
just be urself cause every1 wud rather hang out with u than with sum1 u like to immitate!

I work off shifts for a reason. Waking up early will never be my strong suit. Even as a kid, 11 A.M. was too early for me.

On occassion when I need to be to work early (10 A.M.), I totally depend on my husband to get me upright on time.

I have found through trial and error, that if I get up and moving when I wake up, rather than roll over, hit the snooze button, etc, I have much better luck with it. If I roll over and go back to sleep, forget it. I have also learned how to live without an alarm clock. That's right, never hear the damn things anyway. Just try to get a schedule down and stay with it, It;s tough, but I am sure it's worked for me over the years.

I'm chronicly late for work, pretty much always. Never leave early tho - employer always gets their money's worth. My problem is that I dilly-dally - I get up early enough I just don't leave the house early enough. If I HAVE to be somewhere, I can easily do it - I usually get there early, but only when I absolutely have to be - without panic, I'm not on time. Stimulants don't kick in early enough in the morning to be of much help with this :-(
I joke with my friends that I'll be 5 min late for my own funeral - and I'm thinking of having that put into my will.

ooh, happy to have found this thread! In my last job I'd show up at 2 or 3 in the afternoon! the (very understanding) folks at work told me I kept 'company president' working hours.

at my current job I routinely show up an hour or so late (work starts at 10; I can usually slide in by 11). I get up okay, but can't seem to get everything done and get out of the house, no matter how much time I have. Lately the first-thing-in-the-morning monster Provigil/strattera/ritalin cocktail isn't lighting the fire under my rear like it used to...

bananaslip, I'd be really ****ed if someone tossed that 'okay you really need to be sharp today' comment at me (unless it was a joke or gentle rib from a friendly co-worker). Like you, I know it's not good to stroll in late every day, but lately I've just copped to it--told my co-workers I can't seem to make it in, apologize (no excuses, just 'sorry') and then move on, taking no **** for it, and making no more apologies for it. If you apologize, you justify their criticism and encourage them to continue it.

We all put up with a variety of odd-ball personality traits in the folks we work with, right? I think, especially if your boss is okay with it, that your co-workers can accept that less-than-appealing part of you and just move on. I think that starts with you just presenting that as part of your personality.

One way to help you get in earlier is to schedule meetings right when work starts--most of us ADD'ers can get our butts in gear if there's a fire lit under it...good luck to you!

I'll mention this again, because I notice that people with ADD (me included) just read the first post and ignore the rest, before responding.

Taking a small amount of a norepinephrine enhancer, such as Reboxetine or Provigil, has been a life changer for me. It allows me to get out of bed early, actually looking forward to the day. It was such a revelation to realize I'm not lazy and I don't hate school or work.

Our morning grogginess has nothing to do with dreading the day. It is a chemical problem. So, it's a total waste of time for me to look for strategies that have never worked. Also, if you take stimulants you are going to rebound from them and be more groggy the next morning.

Taking a few mg's of reboxetine or provigil the night before allows me to wake up wanting to get out of bed, looking forward to the day. Normally, I wake up in a fog that doesnt lift until I've been awake for 2-4 hours.

I'm not sure why I'm trying this again. I'm sure someone will post after me asking for any ideas on how to deal with morning grogginess. :rolleyes:

I'll mention this again, because I notice that people with ADD (me included) just read the first post and ignore the rest, before responding. Great idea. i went back and read all the posts after reading this one.

Wednesday I needed to be at work by 9 A.M. My sleep schedule is so messed up because I worked very late on Saturday night. I went to bed at 1 A.M. and had my alarm set for 7:15 A.M. I layed in bed all night waiting to go to sleep. I finally looked at the clock and found it was 5 a.m. I was still waiting to fall asleep. I never did go to sleep, but did get up on time. This has happened before. Usually when I have an early morning appointment. This works to get me somewhere on time, but then my sleep is even more screwed up. Went to bed at 10 P.M. last night, woke up briefly at 8:30A.M., and didn't get up until 2:30 P.M.

I am grateful for your suggestion of Reboxetine and Provigil. I will have to check into this further and ask my doctor about them.

You can get both online w/out a prescription. I take about 1mg of a 10mg Reboxetine pill, and I wake up ready to face the world. It's amazing. Even with only a few hours sleep, if I take a few mg's of reboxetine before bed I wake up in a good mood, bright-eyed, energetic and NOT DEPRESSED! I can also take a few mg's before I go to work, and don't feel tired even on a few hours sleep. All I can think about is WOW, this is how normal people are able to do it...

My sleep cycle is coma like, and all my life I have woken up with horrible dread, anxiety and depression, contributing to untold lies and excuses to my teachers and supervisors. Reboxetine completely gets rid of my dread, anxiety and depression about facing the day. Taken at a small dose it has no side effects whatsoever for me.

It's a miracle drug for me!

Check this out, it might help.

https://www.sunbox.com/Products/DawnDuskSimulators.asp

At_wits_end

I'm not sure but sth which plays a role in waking up is norepinephrine. This means that eveybody wakes up by himself when the level of norepinephrine goes high enough in the brain, desipramine and Edronax (Reboxetine) can help .. but i liked despramine more than edronax..

The normal person has the highest level of epinephrine and cortisol (two Stress chemicals that produce wakefulness) in the morning, which slowly decreases nightime. Norepinephrine is the neuro-hormone that is released in the hypothalamus that triggers these two stress hormons.

ADD is a disorder of the hypothalumus, which controls Stress and the release of Norepinephrine. Either we produce very little Norepinephrine (morning grogginess, and mental slowness, emotional apathy), or we produce it all at once in an uncontrollable positive feedback loop, which creates hyperactivity in children and stressful mental confusion in adults.

A major part of ADD is a dysregulation in normal stress response. Dopamine, a chemical that is also dysregulated in those with ADD, is an essential player in the bodies abilty to deal with stress. The Dopamine pathway doesn't seem to be activated properly during the stress response in those of us with ADD.

Are these drugs FDA approved? They are over the counter then if u dont need a perscription or is this only in certain countries??

I mentioned this thread to my doctor. I asked about drugs that could be used to help me wake up in the morning. She immediately mentioned one. Unfortunately I have ADD and can't remember what she said. :rolleyes:

I would be more interested in an herbal remedy as opposed to an over the counter you can get online. Just my thoughts and feelings.

Keep the great responses coming. I never realized that my inability to wake up had anything to do with ADD until this thread. Thank you for bringing it up.

...I get up okay, but can't seem to get everything done and get out of the house, no matter how much time I have. ...Yes. The meds can only do so much. I am taking Zoloft, Risperidone & Adderall in the morning, then Risperidone and Trazadone at night. The hyper-focus effect of the Adderall has me unable to move myself the last 2 feet to the bed at night, no matter how groggy I am. Simularly, in the morning, I find myself sweeping floors and changing my outfit until I'm late. The earlier I aim for bed, or the earlier I get up for work, makes no difference. I usually work late, but it still bugs some people. I am so Addled by the Hocus-pocus, that I almost (but not quite) am thinking I'd be better off with hourly anxiety attacks and switching focus. I'm over 50 and used to letting the anxiety and ADD motivate me. I feel like I've been weightless in space, drifting aimlessly for 50 years, and now I feel the weight of Earth's gravity. Okay. The alarm went off 4 minutes ago. Time to pick up my daughter.

I'll mention this again, because I notice that people with ADD (me included) just read the first post and ignore the rest, before responding.

Taking a small amount of a norepinephrine enhancer, such as Reboxetine or Provigil, has been a life changer for me. It allows me to get out of bed early, actually looking forward to the day. It was such a revelation to realize I'm not lazy and I don't hate school or work.

Our morning grogginess has nothing to do with dreading the day. It is a chemical problem. So, it's a total waste of time for me to look for strategies that have never worked. Also, if you take stimulants you are going to rebound from them and be more groggy the next morning.

Taking a few mg's of reboxetine or provigil the night before allows me to wake up wanting to get out of bed, looking forward to the day. Normally, I wake up in a fog that doesnt lift until I've been awake for 2-4 hours.

I'm not sure why I'm trying this again. I'm sure someone will post after me asking for any ideas on how to deal with morning grogginess. :rolleyes:

yeah i agree with you its a chemical thing. no matter how much i motivate myself and psych up the night before, and if ive had enough sleep, unless its something drastically important that i have to get to, i just cant get up.

i even tried writing postit notes telling myself "you have to get up now because you wont get the bus" and trying to remind myself of stuff lie
- have to eat breakfast
- have a shower (and the shwoer takes FORVER to heat up)
- make lunch
- what ever else.

those notes never helped me, nor did pictures. there's seomthing.... in those initial stages of waking up, i see hitting 'snooze' as a viable option. i dont think of the time, its just "just 10 more mintues"

i rememebr people saying, try setting an alarm for 1 hr before you need to get up, and take your medication. then when your real alarm goes off, you will be able to get up.

there are a few comments about this

1. i tried the same principle with cold coffee, but it made me feel sick and i felt sick for the rest of the day. dont ever try it with coffee!

2. it just reinforces that its a chemical thing. obviously there is less of our limited chemical force in the morning (and mor eneed for reinforcement, just wanting to stay in the warm blankets!)

3. it brings home the sad fact of "hey! ritalin! yay, youre all better now."

but its true. and its a base chemical issue.
all the post it notes and alarm clocks in the world wont fix it

(although i find that 3 alarm clocks works well for me sometimes!)

I guess I'm just lazy then. Rats, nothing I can do about that!!!

But on the positive side, I found an alarm clock that does 3 things:

1. increase light level
2. plays sounds
3. has smellerator

You can find it here: http://www.hammacher.com/publish/70460.asp?promo=homepage and its called the Progression Wake Up Clock.

I think I might try it.

I guess I'm just lazy then. Rats, nothing I can do about that!!!

But on the positive side, I found an alarm clock that does 3 things:

1. increase light level
2. plays sounds
3. has smellerator

You can find it here: http://www.hammacher.com/publish/70460.asp?promo=homepage and its called the Progression Wake Up Clock.

I think I might try it.
LOL!
I want one!

I heard on NPR some grad student is working on an alarm clock that rolls off the table and hides... so you have to chase and find it! That would wake me up. I am sure I would destroy it with a hammer, some morning though...

In the description of the "Progression clock" : "The alarm can also be used to awaken using only sound, or just the buzzer. Sound selection includes Nightfall, Thunder Storm, Zen Melody, Mountain Stream, Songbirds, and Ocean Surf. Four packets of aroma beads (Energy, Morning Café, Stress Relief, Lavendar) are provided, as are 10 removable felt disks that can be placed in the aroma bowl which allow you to use your own aromatherapy oils."

You can make your own smells, I wonder if you could get it to do some interesting noises as well... what a great practical joke could be had!

sosninity - wow I think we may have the same doctor. I was on those exact meds until I switched to straterra. I also take klonopin for panic attacks. I swear that and the respiridone are the only drugs working.

ADDitives - You sound so much like me. My husband has to wake me up most of the time to tell me to shut off my alarm. He just doesn't understand how it cannot wake me. I have been thinking of switching clocks with him. He has mine that has 2 alarms. I think i need it back.

crime_scene - I love your alarm clock. The light part wouldn't help me, but the other things might.

I keep thinking I have to go back on the night shift. Even though I was even able to oversleep when working it, it wasn't half as bad as working 1st.

yeah emwell: alarms sometimes just dont wake me. either i fall back asleep after i shut it off, keep pressing snooze without thinking of consequences, or i just dont hear it at all, ORRRRR i will turn it off in my sleep and not remember ever hearing it go off!

I have found something works a little bit with the alarm clock when I used it. I put it on the other side of the room. Then when it goes off I have to get out of bed to turn it off. My wife doesn't like it since it goes off for a longer period of time. These days I don't use an alarm clock. I have 11 month old triplet boys that do a fine job of waking me up. Thankfully they "wait" until 6 or 6:30 this days.

I am also on Strattera, just about to jump doses from 50mg a day to 80mg, and I have noticed that getting up in the morning is MUCH easier. Just noticed that this morning. Before that it has been a battle every day.