Hi Everyone! I am new to this forum, and thank god I found a place to share my thoughts and feelings. I have had ADD since I was 12, and was put on Ritalin 10MG 2 times a day, and it was coupled with something else. I don’t remember what, but I assume it was an antidepressant. I refused to take it anymore at age 13 because it made me shake, and sweat a lot. I was always nervous. Anyway, long story short, I refused to accept that I had ADHD. Recently I have come to terms with the fact that I do in-fact have ADHD. I have EVERY symptom in the book, literally. I cannot read a page in a book without forgetting everything I read 2 minutes later. The good thing is that I actually enjoy having ADD to some extent. I have the ability to completely clear my mind, and from what people tell me, I am pretty lucky because others cannot stop thinking. I also enjoy my free mind, but I do have major problems studying in school and lately it is getting Extremely annoying. I cannot even bring myself to study hard anymore, I feel like because I cannot remember anything I am wasting my time anyway. I am a freshman in college and cannot concentrate, focus, or remember anything. And I mean ANYTHING. Well, anyway I do not have health care or any way to obtain a script because I was kicked out at age 17(no parental coverage), and my job is pretty crappy(no health coverage). I am studying real estate, and god knows how many terms I have to learn. My friend has ADD, and has 30MG XR Capsules which he offered to me to try for my ADD. Now because I cannot afford a doctor visit, blood tests, brain wave scans, etc... I am thinking this might be a pretty sweet deal. BUT, I am worried that maybe 30MG will be too much. They are XR, so technically it is the equivalent of 15MG twice a day, which is not much, but I also hear that some people take 5MG pills and it works wonders. I am going to try the 30MG XR when I talk to him again because I really have no other resort, but I am looking for advice of what I should watch for. Please don’t reply telling me to call a DR, because I tried that and they told me to come in. The consult fee is 150 dollars, and I cannot afford it. I am barely getting by now. I am a pretty smart person and I know it, and I know I can do MUCH MUCH better if I could only focus and remember. I will be my own doctor here, and take the pill and note my blood pressure, heart rate, and anything else anyone mentions here and keep everyone updated. What should I be monitoring? Also, my biggest most important question here is...Can I take adderall at crucial study times ONLY? I need to study hard 3 times a week. Will taking Adderall XR 30MG 3 times a week only as needed mess up my brain? Will it mess up my immune system? I do NOT want to get addicted to this drug, so taking it only when needed seems best. Please Advise...



Thanks in advance :D

Hi 2busy,

Welcome to the board. I read your post and the first thought that came to my mind was that you are making many assumptions that could be wrong and you may end up wasting a lot of time and effort trying to achieve an outcome which could be achieved with help from someone else.

The first thing I would do is ask your parents why and who put you on the medications when you were younger. It would be good to also find out the names of the medications. Then I would find out if you had any testing back then and get copies of the testing. If you were identified in in elementary or high school I would also get copies of that paperwork.

Finally, I would go to your college's spec ed department or personal department or guidance department and identify yourself as a student with special needs.

They may be able to offer a whole host of supports and even assist you in getting a proper script for meds if that necessary.

Hi and welcome to the forums!

I understand that your situation is very difficult but really can't recommend self-medicating. It could land both you and your friend in trouble. What about free clinics? or check out your local colleges and universities to see if you could participate in a study?

I have a terrible headache right now, so am not coming up with any other creative ideas. Maybe someone else will have some more suggestions.

Kim

Most colleges have a counciling department somewhere on campus and you can go there to see a psychatrist/psycologist for free! Since you need a doctor to prescribe the meds, usually the office is in contact with a doctors assistant who can do so without you having to wait to see a psychatrist. Try this out and let everyone know how it goes.

There are ways for you to get a proper diagnosis and a legitimate prescription for Adderall - like college or free clinics. There is no way that you can really go around the need to see a doctor. Even if your friends Adderall helps you, you will still be in the same situation - undiagnosed adult ADHD and without a legal prescription. Your friend presumably won't be able to supply you with his Adderall for very long - he presumably needs it too.
I realize that it will take a commitment of time and money to get the diagnosis, but it's really very simple - you have no choice (not if you want to treat your condition properly). I know firsthand how frustrating it can be - it took me 3 or 4 months from my initial realization that I had ADHD to the time I was diagnosed and given my first scrip for stimulants. I had to find the right doctor to diagnose me - get on his waiting list, and wait... - and then see him several times, fill in questionaires, etc, etc. It was a royal pain in the ***** - but now I have a clear diagnosis, a medication protocol that works and a doctor who has no doubts or problems with prescribing me what I need. It's worth the investment in yourself. Treating your ADHD any other way is selling yourself short, in my opinion, and self-medication with someone elses prescription is unsafe and illegal. I have always believed that "where there is a will, there is a way" - if you really want a solution for this problem, you will be able to find a way to see a doctor and get the right diagnosis.
Good luck,
Greg

Not to sound argumentative, but if you state that you have ADHD yet you are able to clear your mind "completely" that should be a big red flag. You might possibly have a learning disorder.

Adderall can be addictive especially for those who do not need it. Not to say that you are not ADHD, but it would be better to get a second opinion before taking any meds. Find a college our clinic around you and explain your problems, someone should be able to help you.