Im 44 and just got tested for ADHD as I am now attending college online and on a small campus. I am a mother of 4 teenage sons and my hubby and I have a farming operation. I have helped on this for many years and then decided when our boys got out of highschool and college then I wanted to attend. I have a really hard time focusing, reading and comprehension and that kind of stuff otherwise Im fine..
They started me on Concerta for a month and did nothing and now they started me with a low dose of 5mg of addreall XR and then increased it for the past month here up to 20mg. I just dont notice anything.. UGHHH I have friends that take it and tell me you will notice it when it kicks in.. How come dont I then at 20mg?? I go back here on Tuesday for a check up and will see what she says... I am not hungry at all and I find where I will have something small for breakfast and then not really anything till later on after supper besides a few things here and there, fruit, crystal light and that kind of stuff.
I just get nervous about taking meds in the first place but if it will help me to focus, concentrate in a classroom situation, remember what I read, and can learn things easyer for test that I take I think life at college would be a lot simpler for me anyways...I can study for a month for a test and still fail it where as others say that are on this they can study for a short peroid of time and know the stuff and pass with good grades.... So will see...
Welcome Luv2farmnd! I'm 47 and wasn't DX'ed until over 2 yrs ago. I attended Tech school before I was "officially DX'ed" and did really well. I just had to work twice as hard as most. I knew I had add/adhd about 10 yrs ago while watching a talk show and it was like watching MY OWN life from childhood on up!
As for meds, I was first put on regular adderall, 20mg once a day. I took it around 9:00 am and by 12:00 or so I felt terrible! After lots of trial and error, I think I have it almost right. I was given a 1 month trial of adderall XL, 30mg. Still that once a day thing wore off around 2:00pm, so I started taking another at 2:30. Before I forget, I had now been bumped up to 20mg reg adderall three times daily and I think that is the max that can be prescribed. The regular still diden't last long enough. Since my ins. approved a one a day med for twice a day, thats what I'm currantly taking.
I found the XL not to kick in as fast, but when it does, it's a slow gradual feeling of just noticing that "hey, I feel better" and I can sorta tell when it's wearing off. The second one last until bedtime. Since everyones different, maybe you should try the regular adderall 2 or 3 times a day. That works within 15 min. and maybe you'll find that it last longer in your system. Like I said "trial & error". The XL was somewhat hard to get use to (simply b/c I thought it should feel like a jolt). Now my moods are more even and theres no real "crash" feeling.
Even though we all no it's not a cure, you'll know when you hit the right combo. Good luck at college! I found school stressful, and its just me ,hubby and 23yr.old amazon parrot. 4 teenage boys, hubby AND A FARM?! God Bless!