I have a bit of an ethics question | ADHD Information
I'm not sure if this is the right board for this so let me know if I should delete this thread and make another one elsewhere.I'm kind of caught in a bit of a predicament. I was diagnosed with ADD of the inattentive type during the summer of 2005, just before starting my freshman year of college. After messing with the dosages I have settled on something I'm comfortable with, 25 mg of Adderrall XR taken once per day. This seems to give me about 5-7 hours of clear thoughts and productive studying. I don't really want to switch medicines either because I know and understand the side effects of this one, and I find the pros outweigh the cons by a considerable margin. I also don't want to do any beta-testing on relatively new drugs with unknown side effects.
I'm now in my sophmore year of college. Over the past week I've been having to study more and more as the quarter draws to a close. Here is my question. Is it wrong of me to take more than my prescribed one 25mg XR if I'm studying and/or in class for 12+ hours a day? It seems that I need to take another pill every 6 or 7 hours so that I'm able to study effectively after my first pill has worn off.
I've tried studying after the medicine has worn off and it is next to useless. I can't focus on what I'm studying and I don't remember much of the material I do study. Should I just deal with it or take the medicine as needed? Sorry for writing so much.
PS If Angela in S'port is here, thanks for inviting me to the forum.
Call your prescibing doctor and ask them, they should be more than happy to help you and that way you can be safe about it. Good luck.
Call the doctor and get the OK to use for studying as needed (and probably a new prescription for more meds). It is abuse to use prescription medicine in any way other than is prescribed. You do not want to run out early; and you do not want to do anything that will cause the doctor to not trust your use of the meds.
Thank you all for your replies. Rest assured I will be thinking over everything that has been said. I've got an appointment to meet with my doctor late next week, and I will be discussing this matter with him. Thank you all for the helpful responses and if anyone else has anything to add I'd still love to hear it.[QUOTE=Stupidfly]
I'm now in my sophmore year of college. Over the past week I've been having to study more and more as the quarter draws to a close. Here is my question. Is it wrong of me to take more than my prescribed one 25mg XR if I'm studying and/or in class for 12+ hours a day? It seems that I need to take another pill every 6 or 7 hours so that I'm able to study effectively after my first pill has worn off.
I've tried studying after the medicine has worn off and it is next to useless. I can't focus on what I'm studying and I don't remember much of the material I do study. Should I just deal with it or take the medicine as needed? Sorry for writing so much.
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One word - YES.
It is wrong to take more simply to perform better in school.
Take vicodin. It is a very valuable asset in pain management for chronic dehibilitating pain. But some people take it AFTER the pain is gone or beyond pain relief because "I feel better with more". Where's the logic?
Once you go beyond theraputic use you're in the dangerous area of experimentation. The meds are custom made to work in a particular way for a particular dose. You're playing russian roulette - and just like that game you lose eventually.
Go this way and what's next -crack? Stimulants aren't used for good reason to keep alertness over time.
Wait a minute here...He/She never said he/she was doing this just to do better in school. This person is wants to take medication to have clear thoughts and be able to focus.
This person has an actual diagnosis.
Also most adults have a 12-18 hour days and most medication does not last that long.
It may be a good idea to talk to the prescrbing MD. Hopefully he/she will realize that ADD affects people 24/7 and not just a few hours per day.
I would ask your doctor to increase the amount of pills you get per month so that you will maintain his confidence. And so you don't run out of pills. But most adults take medication to get them through their whole day, not just 5-7 hours so you are fine in wanting to have your symptoms in check for longer than that. A lot of doctors will allow you to adjust your meds according to what is going on in your daily routine. Like other members have mentioned, you know what your body needs and your doctor should respect that. I take Ritalin, and depending on what is going on that day (husband working late, lots of appts., weekend, etc)I take anywhere from 60-80 mg of it per day, when I remember.
Sometimes on vacation, I will only take my first dose. So....talk to your doc and let him know that 5-7 hrs of balance, isn't enough right now. He should be understanding.BTW, good luck with your classes. I am actually thinking about going back and getting my Masters degree!! Yikes...what am I thinking after being out of school for 5 years.
HEY BETTER LATE,
JUST OUT OF CURIOSO~, WHAT KIND OF RIT TO YOU GIT? IS IT LA OR SHORT-ACTING? I THANK YA IN ADVANCE.
Hey superfly,I took it as needed. That's what my doc said to do ?!
---you know what, you should read this book called ADULT ADD. In it states that you are the one giving yourself the meds, meaning you are in charge. Yeah, sure, you should ask your doctor about being in safe margins, but what it comes down to is you and the things you need to do in your life. And by the way, for a while I was taking 60 mg of Adderral XL daily so...