Adderall - Not Right For Some?

Ever since childhood, I have struggled with poor grades and academic performance. I was determined, and sought tutoring to make a C. My teachers didn't "understand why" an intelligent kid had such a hard time making good grades and my parents asked the same question. My mother refused to investigate it any farther than "that's just the way it is", perhaps because she felt guilty of birthing a mentally disabled child.

After struggling with college for six years to get my bachelors degree, I talked to a school doctor about my difficulties in school.

I am now prescribed 15 MG of generic adderall daily, but feel like there may be an alternative to this medication that would perhaps benefit me more.

This is why:

When I take it, I feel foggy-headed. This is common, on or off adderall, however on it, I seem to make sense of things without me being attached to what I am learning. I can put two and two together but can't explain how I did it. Before, I never had enough time to put two and two together because everyone was moving too quickly for me. Now that I can move more quickly and efficiently, I still feel like my depth of learning is compromised. This is the main reason I do not like taking this drug.

At the same time, my grades have increased in score, (though I am still not an A student) I tend to stay on top of assignments because I am able to complete them efficiently. I have always been organized with the use of a calendar, but I often fell off the schedule because I had issues completing assignments due to a lack of focus or general understanding regardless of the amount of study time.

Reading has always been difficult because I miss key concepts, am unable to skim, and spend fruitless hours gathering little information I could easily paraphrase. I still feel I am superficially reading, but am able to work that into materials that I now pick up in class because I CAN pay attention.

I feel tired. I could easily lie down and take a nap. I have noticed that I am cold on adderrall, and have somewhat bad circulation and live in a very cold climate, so generally if I study in a warm place, I can concentrate more easily, however, this seems to be seasonal. Nonetheless, I am notably more tired after taking the pill, regardless of sleep or quality of daily nutrition (which is usually very good). This sensation is zombie-like. I'm calm, yet tired, productive yet there is a lack of true consciousness (or self awareness) during productivity.

In any case, I am confused. I feel like this "solution" was somewhat misplaced or rushed, and that I might benefit from someTHING else, be it a different prescription or other resources. I can easily see I have benefited from this but at the same time feel like it's not the right fit.

Has anyone else experiences similar qualms? Has anyone chosen different routes or perhaps found that this was not

I highly recommend that you talk to your prescriber about changing the dosage, changing meds or perhaps taking something else along with the Adderall. Even though it works great for me, I know it doesn't for everyone. At least now you have an idea of what the ADHD meds can do for you and how beneficial they can be. Good luck on finding what really works for you!

My son was prescribed Adderall for ADHD, and it made him worse. I believe Adderall is considered a methanphetamine, so that could be why you are having bad side effects. I recommend you speek with a different doctor and get put on something else.

Are you sure you don't have a learning disorder rather than ADHD?

How is your reading and writting? Have learned these easily or had some issues? Maths, drawing, visual orientation?

Have you been ever taught "how to study" tricks? What is your main problem in learning and comprehending?

I am hoping to speak to someone else about this because these questions have been pining me, as well. My writing is fairly good. Generally, I have been able to get better grades in classes that are writing intensive IF I review assignments several times before passing them in. Sometimes my thoughts are difficult to organize and though I may have good analogies, metaphors, or examples, they don't always flow properly.

I am not sure how my reading is, to be honest. I can read. Sometimes I have difficulties, sometimes I reread words because the first time they were different, and most of the time I have to focus hard to find the crux of the argument or the point of the narration. Detail is often hard to link.

I suppose I am unsure of my main problem in learning and comprehension. I know that concentration is hard to grasp but that could be the result of something else rather than the route of the problem.
In math, I have always struggled with. I have sought tutoring for math ever since I was a child, throughout high school, and into college. I was able to pass one necessary math class after seven attempts.

I am not sure if this is something I should talk to a doctor about. I am unsure of where to go from here. In any case, I have two semesters left until I graduate and after that I will not have insurance so I suppose the sooner, the better.