Medication problems

[roadrunner0535]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and I'm having some problems with finding the right medication. A little bit of background, I was diagnosed with inattentive ADD around 12/1/08 and I am an 18-year-old student at Johns Hopkins. I started taking Concerta and titrated up to the highest dose (I can't recall the number exactly, maybe 54mg). It had no effects, so now I have titrated up to 20mg. The problem is that while the Focalin is definitely helping my concentration, it is also relaxing me to a point where I am constantly trying to stay awake. Thus, when I should be concentrating on lectures, I am instead concentrating on staying awake. Has anyone had any similar problems or any advice? I talk to my doctor constantly and he keeps telling me that it is a problem with my lifestyle but I live very healthily (sleep from 10pm-8:30am, eat well, run xc/track). I recently heard about a drug called Modafinil from a friend that is used for narcolepsy and off-label for ADD and though that might be something I could try. Any help is greatly apprectiated. Thanks.

[ndnbutterfly]

Hi Roadrunner and welcome to the forums.

It sounds like your doc isn't really listening to your concerns. Maybe you should look for another one?

I don't have any experience with Modafinil.

I take Adderall and I've had good results with it. I also tried Ritalin, but it made me feel like a zombie at the end of the day.

Maybe you need a higher dose or a different med altogether.

Good luck and let us know how things are going.