Hello All.
Newbie here in need of help.

Currently I am working and return to Ga Tech in the Spring (January). I am in my 5th year and things have only gotten worse since my 2nd year. I have slowly given up on things and want to get out, though it's becoming increasingly harder and harder.

I went to a doctor and have recently (a month ago) started taking prescribed Adderall XR, in hopes of "improving" in school.

My question is this: should I see an increase in my ability to study/concentrate in school. If I do everything a student should - attend class, pay attention, take notes, review daily and keep up with assignments...should things get better. I've noticed that Im not nearly as tired and don't fall asleep at random as I used to and feel I can pay more attention now to things. Hopefully this will help with paying attention in class.

Furthermore, I need help in determining how big a load I should take. (If anyone out there is also new to this medication, what did you do?) This is my first time on medication and don't want to overdo it. I am planning on NOT working throughout the year in an effort to divert all my attention to school. Should I be able to handle a normal 15-hours (5 classes)....or should I start off slow and move up.

I know Adderall is NOT a miracle drug and yes it will take a hard effort on my part. But it seems like Ive given up on things and really hoping this is all going to help.

Thanks all.

Not sure about anything else but if you are constantly physically tired and you are ACTUALLY falling asleep in class (rather than "zoning out") "at random" as you say, then the problem sounds like it may be something other than AD(H)D, such as narcolepsy, chronic fatigue or sleep disorders that stop you from getting proper sleep and cause problems with concentration and make you tired in class, which may be why you're not getting any effect out of it (I've heard of one of the "common" ADHD drugs being prescribed for narcolepsy though).

The dosage and effect of any prescription drug should wherever possible be discussed with the prescribing physician.

As of starting the meds...I sleep pretty well and do not find myself tired through the day as before. I don't think it's a sleep-disorder type of thing as Ive always been able to sleep fine.

Last year I was sure to have all my classes scheduled after twelve noon, so that I could get my sleep. I've learned that yes I do need my 6-8 hours in order to work properly and it's when I don't get them that I find myself out of it in class.

Im wondering more on people's experience with Adderall XR and their changes in class results (i.e. grades).

Originally posted by mikasa
As of starting the meds...I sleep pretty well and do not find myself tired through the day as before. I don't think it's a sleep-disorder type of thing as Ive always been able to sleep fine.
Sorry for not making this clear, what I meant was more something along the lines of sleep apnea (where you stop brething for a while) and other sleeping disorders that you would most likely not even notice directly (unless someone who sleeps in the same room tells you), or narcolepsy where you involuntarily fall asleep "at random" as you said.

In any case from what I've heard if you don't feel ANY effect from a specific drug then increasing the dosage won't make it any more effective. However if you do feel SOME effect but it just does not feel "right" just yet (and feeling more "awake" is not really the desired effect, most people feel "more awake" when taking stimulants of any kind, ADD or not), then you need to consult your doctor as from what I've heard getting the dosage right can be very tricky.

Originally posted by mikasa
As of starting the meds...I sleep pretty well and do not find myself tired through the day as before. I don't think it's a sleep-disorder type of thing as Ive always been able to sleep fine.

Last year I was sure to have all my classes scheduled after twelve noon, so that I could get my sleep. I've learned that yes I do need my 6-8 hours in order to work properly and it's when I don't get them that I find myself out of it in class.

Im wondering more on people's experience with Adderall XR and their changes in class results (i.e. grades).
I got diagnosed mid semester this fall and got on generic adderall (immediate release amphetamine salts) and it raised my grades significantly. It gave me a level of dilligence that I've never had before and my grades came up after treatment, significantly. But not without trying, i busted my ***.

Congrats on returning to school!

You can do this!!!!! But you have to advocate for yourself.

First thing to do is check in with student health services and find out which doctors treat students with ADD. Then go to Disabled student services and find out what services are available to you such as note-takers, computer software, untimed test proctoring, and so on. Go to the counseling center and find out what services are offered there. They are usually very low cost. Mine were $5 a one hour session. The support of a counselor is invaluable to making it through rough times and learning behavioral and cognitive methods that will make your studies and daily life better.

If you live in the dorms, chose a life-style floor that will enhance your living and study environment. Fewer distractions is better.

A word of encouragement-I have a friend with severe LD who is getting a PhD in Anthropology. He uses many disability services and advocates well for himself.

You can e me off page if you would like more help.

weavebradbury@yahoo.com


Never, never, never give up. If you want something bad enough you can always find a way to make your dreams come true.

Becky

Go Yellow Jackets!! (second only to the Mercer Bears!!)

Congradulations on returning to school!!! By the way it took me 8 years to graduate with my undergraduate, so whatever you do don't give up! You can graduate. I have the paper (approximate worth = $.080 + 8 years of gut-wrenching agony) hanging on my wall to prove it.

You sound like you were in a similar position as I was. My recommendation is to take it slow. Even if you don't work (which I actually recommend you do so that you can have a place to go and not think about school for a few hours), don't take the full-load yet. Give yourself time to adjust to the medication, see how you are going to handle it, and above all (this is REALLY important!!!), allow yourself to accomplish some small goals first and gain your confident back. By the time I finished my school I felt like I had been beat to death by the school (UTK). Let yourself recover a little bit and start to feel good about yourself again and then go for the big score.

Remember: it is better to graduate in 10 years then to never graduate at all!! I know you can do it!

MM