What am I doing?
 

I was diagnosed on September 12th with ADHD-combined type. The evidence was clear I'd had it all my life, and it was more of a confirmation of something I already added together myself.

That day I was prescribed 15mg of Adderall XR and I started taking it the next day -- coincidentally my 19th birthday. Yeah, that's right. 19. Strange in this day and age to find an adult who was recently diagnosed -- I guess unless you're me. Two of my friends just got diagnosed as well and they're just as old as I am. I have come to understand the poor management of problems like this is just a side-effect of the dreadfully under-qualified public education system in North American societies. Not only that, but I also managed to score a 62 on the WURS test (which has a cutoff at around 40).

Be all of that as it may, I still have the same problem. The reason why I wanted to get on the ADHD tip -- and fast -- is because I didn't want to fail another year of college. If I fail one more time they're probably going to kick me out, and I just can't have that.

The problem in my eyes is that my ADHD isn't being treated effectively. This year's workload is exactly the same as last year's, and now I'm taking this peach of a medication. I'm more focused, yeah. But at what cost? I'm not eating or sleeping and I'm working myself into the ground. I already developed pneumonia from it, and I'm probably going to end up getting it again if I'm not too careful. And pneumonia KILLS people. (calm down, I know it just kills sick people)

I've already started my second year of college and it doesn't make sense for me to stop doing it now, but I had to take a week off from the pneumonia at the worst possible time and now I'm paralyzed trying to catch up -- what's worse is that I'm not even doing my overdue paper right now.

Anyway, what I was wondering was if it made sense that it seemed like I was just spinning my wheels being in this program. The only thing that is different from last year is that we know what my problem is and then threw medication at it. Am I the only one who thinks this is an unreasonable approach?

How about, would make sense to just go off of the medication? If I'm not going to get active treatment as well then does it even make sense to stay on the adderall?

This problem is making me really consider my future in the program I'm in. I don't want to quit because it's music school and I feel like if I put my horn down I'll never pick it back up again. I just can't focus on all these things at once.

Please help me, and if you can't point me in the right direction.

Re: What am I doing?
 

The sleep and eating issues need to be monitored, for sure. However, it doesn't mean that medicine needs to be abandoned right away.

I would make a list of pros and cons to help you make this decision. A list will give you something visual.

Have you discussed other alternatives with your doctor?

Re: What am I doing?
 

Well I've tried, but my regular doctor is just a GP and she's already mentioned she doesn't have much knowledge about adult ADHD treatment -- which doesn't help things by any standards. I've talked to her about a referral to a psychiatrist but she continues to tell me I don't need to go see one but I have other really heavy ADHD baggage that I need to deal with other than just time management and organizational tools.

Re: What am I doing?
 

Do you need to get a referral from her? Can you search for someone on your own?

I know this is a pain.

Re: What am I doing?
 

I'd prefer getting a referral; saves me from having to cold-call doctors like I was forced to do for my diagnosis.

What baffles me is that even after I've gotten the diagnosis, still nobody gives a rat's ***.

Re: What am I doing?
 

I was diagnosed at 24. I got no other help apart from medication so you know what I did? I sorted it out for myself.

I had such bad appetite suppression I developed hypoglycaemia. During this time I came up with different methods for getting myself to eat something, even being more mobile while I ate. It worked. Then I lowered the dosage so I don't get as bad appetite suppression.
As for sleep either don't take it close to bed or take it close to bed. I know how confusing that is but everyone's body reacts to it differently. For me a dose close to bed will help me sleep.

I had pneumonia years ago and the chronic fatigue that came after really set back my education. So if you have that then your problems will be worse.

If there's a lack of help available then maybe you can work out some methods to your problems, or find an ADHD therapist.

Find another GP to refer you to a psychiatrist. A GP shouldn't deny you that.

Re: What am I doing?
 

I make a set time for morning snack, lunch, and after work snack. I just stick to it religiously, even when I don't feel hungry. Dinner is whenever I feel like it.

I was doing this before I started meds though because I'd just get wrapped up in work and forget to eat. Or I'd eat lunch and then forget dinner. It was messing up my metabolism and making me gain weight.

Can't help you on the sleep issue though. I drink sleepy time and relaxation teas in the evenings. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

Re: What am I doing?
 

Hey there, I'm curious about the pneumonia talk...does Adderall cause it? I'm wondering because I'm hoping to start Adderall soon but I've never heard of this.