ADD acting up again.

My pdoc had put me on Focalin for my ADD and it kinda helped the first few days but now I have no effects from the drug. I've been studying lately to get my diploma and I just can't concentrate at all to continue studying. Everytime I start studying, within 10 minutes I forgot what I just read or wrote and have to go back and do it again. GRR! My attention span is very weak. I'll start doing my studies and my attention will drift off to something else and when I realize it, 20 minutes has already passed and there my work is, not getting done.

I told my pdoc about this and she refuses again to change my medication as far as that goes. She's been changing my sleeping medications and such but she won't change my med for ADD. Why is she doing this to me?! I'm never going to get my diploma at this rate. I feel so stupid.

{{{{{Bama}}}}}}} I know exactly how you feel. I am so frustrated with my ADD right now I could pull my head off and use it as a bowling ball. It seems like I forget things immediately after hearing them or reading them. I'm making an *** out of myself in social situations and at work by constantly making mistakes and doing things twice because I forgot I did it the first time. I have the attention span of a gnat and I feel like it's a major chore to remember to take my meds. Today was the first day since I got dx'd over a year ago that I remembered to take both doses... So I am with you. I don't really know why your pdoc won't switch your med for you. Maybe you can get a 2nd opinion? As you may know, some docs get more of a kickback from prescribing certain meds, which sucks for obvious reasons. If this was happening to me, I would make sure and certain that my med was not helping me and then I would urge my doc to prescribe something else. If he didn't, then I would tell him (at a face to face appointment) that I am going off the one that's not working, and see what he says. If he still won't write a new script, then I would find a new doc. Something seems wrong there... I don't know, maybe some of you long time med takers have some other advice, but I know my body and I know when something isn't working. And I also know that my pdoc listens to me and lets me help make the decisions about which drugs I want to try, when to up the dose, when to try something different. I know it's frustrating. I am so sorry you're struggling, Bama. I wish you well and I hope you swat the annoying mosquito that is ADD...

Love,
Kelly

Thank you, kel. ((((( kelbelle )))))

Sorry you're dealing with the stress of ADD right now. I really hope yours calms down soon.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try talking to her about it again.

((((((((((((((bama))))))))))))))))

my t and i will never agree on me having ADD. i say that i do (i have every symptom in the book). he says it's hypervigilence due to PTSD and DID. ugh.

regardless of my dx, i so know how you feel! i've give up so many things that require concentration. i hope you find relief soon.

i can't understand your dr not wanting to try another med? there are some good ones out there, or even combos of them.

gl hon,

kd

Why won't your doc do some tests that challenge your concentration skills, etc, etc to determine that you are indeed ADD? Some doctors make me wonder. *rolls eyes*

She said I have an "addictive personality", which I do but only when it comes to certain things... I know how I should take my medications and I do so that way. She says if she gives me something strong for ADD, I could come dependant on the drug. I told her, "Doesn't everyone have that potential?" She said my risk were higher. URG!

Hey,
I can barely study either -- last week I spent 3 hours at the library, only getting up once, and read TWO pages. I just got a prescription for the "harder stuff" but I don't know how helpful it'll be. So far, Adderall makes me anxious, and gives me this feeling like I can't stop moving. Which is not condusive to studying (but could be nice for a trip to the gym ).
I think all of the excess energy will wear off eventually, and also I'm trying to lower/stop my dose of Provigil (are you still on this? I think it was you who recommended it to me). Provigil seems to increase my energy, and distract me from my studies.

At this point, I've been putting some study aides into use, that an old T gave me. I write out all of the key concepts of each section (usually one or two per page); I make charts where there are linked concepts; and I use highlighting first on the beginning and end sentence(s) of a paragraph, since these give the main ideas & summary of the paragraph. I do all of this in my book, in the margins, or sometimes on a piece of paper/flashcard. Then you have flashcards all ready to go for reviewing for the test. It helps me to make reading interactive, since it appeals to me (it's FUN -- in a nerdy way) and so that I don't fall into the inevitable trap of reading a page, then not retaining any of the material. Good luck w/ your studies!!

~Jessie

One trick I used to use when I was in school was writing out the information. Basically, I would read a paragraph and write down its key items - taking away all the extra words: (a; the; of; and..) Once I simplified what I was reading, the info made sense and it stuck in my mind.

I used to do this during test exams too. I would review my notes by rewriting them - again, taking away access words, and I would limit the info as well into a few cue cards. Then I would memorize. Also, I would pace around my apartment, reading my cue cards out loud. That helped as well. The next morning, I would review the cue cards on my way to school. Morning works best because that's the best time of day to retain information.

During my exams, I was always the first one to finish and I never received a mark below 90%.