[woogyboogy]

So my story is pretty long, but I'll try to make it as short as possible.

My whole life I've felt incompetent because I am always missing important details, or I am terrible at managing my time and finishing projects in an effective manner. I have a horrible time trying to focus on tasks, and it is impossible for me to retain any information that I read. I can read a single page in a book, and by the time I'm at the bottom of the page, I've already forgotten what I've read at the top...It is extremely frustrating. I have a hard time carrying out normal conversations with family and friends. I am also constantly tired, I sleep extremely well, averaging 8-9 hours per night, sleeping in a pitch black room with no noise. The temperature of my house at night is 70 degrees. Regardless of how much sleep I get, I wake up feeling completely drained and energy-less.

Anyway, in August 2011, I talked to my Doctor about my problems because I was trying to go back to school to become a Paramedic, which is my dream job. She referred my to a Psychologist, which I went to and had to go through numerous tests on the computer, and face to face. He said that I definitely have ADHD, and officially diagnosed me.

I went back to my Doctor with the results, and we talked about it for a little bit. She is extremely stern, and was very hard to talk to about ADHD, and medications to help it. She ended up prescribing me 20mg of Vyvanse in August 2011. I was on that for a week (Week 1), and didn't notice any difference in school or in general. The next week (Week 2) I had explained this to her, and she still prescribed me 20mg of Vyvanse again...I mentioned to her that I felt nothing and she just continued to tell me that I should try it one more week, it was like talking to a brick wall. I did, and still I felt no different. The next week (Week 3) She prescribed me 30mg, and I felt no difference at all...I went back the next week (Week 4), and she prescribed me 40mg, I was on that for 2 weeks, and I still felt absolutely nothing. In that 5 week period I had lost 20lbs! I lost all motivation, and was extremely frustrated. I decided that maybe medication wouldn't help me, and that maybe I needed to change my lifestyle, like diet, and exercise.

So within the past 3 years I've changed my lifestyle as far as diet and exercise. I eat extremely healthy, consuming a large amount of fruits, and vegetables. I also do not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or marijuana, or consume any illegal substances.

So after doing all this consistently I still struggle everyday with simple tasks like I always have. I cannot focus, concentrate, carry out normal conversations, constantly daydreaming even in a heated conversation, and still have no energy. For the past 3 years, I've been working with my father who has a construction company, ultimately not happy with my career path. ALWAYS in the back of my mind I wish I could go back to school and reach my dream of being a Paramedic, but afraid of wasting my time because of my problems. I made the decision late last year that I was going to conquer my dreams no matter what, and I signed up for my EMT class, and it starts May 11th, and my schedule is Monday and Wednesday 2:00pm-8:50pm so they are long hours.

Anyways, I made an appointment on April 22th with a NEW doctor in the same practice. I explained EVERYTHING to her and how I really do think that I need medication to help me. She was amazing, she was so nice and knowledgeable. She didn't question me once. I went in there fully prepared with questions, and told her my entire story, and she was very understanding.

She prescribed me Generic Adderall XR 20mg, and Generic Adderall IR 10mg. She recommends that I take the 20mg XR in the morning, and the 10mg IR at 1:00pm.

I was able to get the Generic Adderall XR 20mg yesterday, but the IR I have to wait until my insurance approves it, which should be sometime next week. I took the XR 20mg this morning. I woke up at 7:30am, drank a protein shake with almond milk, ate a blueberry granola bar, and a banana at around 8:00am. Then took the 20mg of Adderall at 8:30am.

It's been roughly 5 hours since I've taken it. I've noticed very minor effects, definitely a little more jittery, but 100% tolerable. I feel a little more awake, but not much more than normal, I could honestly probably take a nap if I tried. I haven't tried reading my book for school yet. I feel a little more social. However, I still feel very spacey, I had several conversations this morning with neighbors, and people on my mile walk with my dog, and I definitely still got side tracked, and easily lost focus. I have so much to do as far as studying, and cleaning things up like my office, and outside. But I don't have any motivation to do that. I'm still glued to the computer looking up random pointless things. I know it is obviously very early, but I'm just writing everything I feel.

If anyone can give me their opinion or thoughts I would greatly appreciate it, Thank you!!!

[woogyboogy]

So I went to bed at 11:00pm, and couldn't fall asleep til around 3:00am...I'm not sure if it was the effects, or if it was in my head that I kept thinking "oh crap, I took Adderall today so I won't be able to sleep". Then I woke up at 7:00am, so I got 4 hours of sleep.... I haven't had that little sleep in years.

Surprisingly though, I feel pretty good. I drank a 16oz bottle of water, and took my 20mg XR at 7:10am.

Went on a mile walk with my dog, and can definitely notice that I'm a lot more talkative, and in an overall better mood. I still however don't find that my focus or concentration is any better, but again, I know that it is very very early.

I ate breakfast at around 8:30, drank a protein shake with no Vitamin C, and had a blueberry granola bar.

I will keep everyone updated, thanks again!!!