I was diagnosed with ADHD Combined type about two months ago. I was started on 5mg IR 2x daily and two weeks ago my dosage was upped to 2 5mg IR tablets in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. My Dr. told me to call in two weeks if I wasn't seeing improvement. So it is that 2 week mark and I called to let her know that I was still being distracted in class and at work and not completing tasks. My hyperactivity is definitely under control, I don't get revved up and stay up anymore. I don't get as frustrated as easily as I used to (this used to be bad). On the flipside though if I get to my homework I can get it done, but I'm still overlooking all the small details. I'm still turning things in late. At work and school I lose concentration on things and go into my own world etc.
Basically I guess I was just wondering what I should expect the adderall to improve as far as my symptoms go. What exactly do I need to look for to know the meds are working. I don't want my dose to get too high because I know that tolerance occurs as does addiction.
Finally, I don't know if this would be a factor, but I go to school every day (college) and work in a fast paced, but attention detailed restaurant kitchen during the week and weekends so I haven't found time to take a day off the meds yet. Could this be a factor?

Anyone that replies THANK YOU in advance.

Kendall

:)glad you are getting better. What did md say after the 2wk call? Did you tell md all that you just posted? Dont sabotage yourself with addiction fears, remember you are just getting started on dose things will settle down
:)best wishes

Yeah I just don't know what all will be helped... should I expect some more of my symptoms of ADHD to go away or has the meds reached their usual full potential?
Don't want to keep upping my dose for the same results that 15mg gives me ya know.
and thanks for the quick reply!

It sounds like you are getting some improvement. The meds won't fix everything - for instance, turning in things late. No matter what the med or the dosage, it will always be up to you to sit down and start your work a reasonable amount of time before it is due. And overlooking the small details...I'm not exactly sure what you mean but sometimes when I'm trying to write something I just look for the easy way to get a point across, cutting corners on researching something or really thinking it through. The meds won't stop this stuff from occurring...but they do make it easier for me to make a different choice, start things on time, and do a more thorough job.

But if you're still having trouble focusing on things in general and find yourself drifting off, it very well may be that your dose ISN'T high enough. As pADDyjay said, communicate all of this to your doctor.

Oh I do, but she seems confused about things and is always having to go check her book on dosing information. The increase guidelines I suppose. I told the nurse what was going on when I called. I still haven't received a reply on my 2nd daily dose haha.

As far as details, like you said, cutting corners, not thoroughly examining things, jumping to conclusions etc. Also I'm still interrupting people and not being able to pay attention to their conversations. At work my boss will tell me to do something and I'll just forget about it.

So basically Adderall is not supposed to motivate you to do things, just get you through them? I'm not getting that energy burst or anything like that that many users talk about which in my perspective is a good thing seeing as that leads to a harder crash and the euphoria leads to addiction.
I have tried Ritalin before (my cousin has ADD) which was a 20mg XR and it didn't calm me down as much but helped me focus more. Could that be another option? Maybe the wrong med?

All I know is its only at 15mg and soon will be 20mg and I'm very much willing to wait it out and see how things do with Adderall. I just didn't want to tell my Dr. that it wasn't working that much if it is already doing what its supposed to do.

for me the symptoms are always close by but they're not controlling me I control them with my meds and other tools Ive learned over the years.
Oh yeah I know the feelings you have waiting for md returning calls dont they know you need to talk to them NOW:rolleyes: take care:)

So basically Adderall is not supposed to motivate you to do things, just get you through them? I'm not getting that energy burst or anything like that that many users talk about which in my perspective is a good thing seeing as that leads to a harder crash and the euphoria leads to addiction.


I haven't experienced an increase in motivation; the way I would put it is that since I have more energy (not a manic burst of energy, just a steady feeling of being more alert and energized) and more focus, it takes less of a motivating factor to get me off my ***. Therefore things don't get put off till the last minute as often, and I'm somewhat more careful because I don't just rush through everything due to it being so tedious I couldn't stand it.