Monday, September 08, 2008 Bird asks

Q: Can a person's tolerance to Adderall change and need to switch medications?

I am 43 F, just now really acknowledging that I do have ADHD, I was tested and sure enough... 15 points above retarded.

1. What bothers me is that if I have ADHD how can I be tested? I stink at test... Yet, I am (in my opinion doing pretty good, finishing up my Masters).

2. Is it possible that Adderall just doesn't work after awhile and that changing off one script to another may be better then increasing a dosage? Initially, 30mg Adderall XR once a day, now he has me up to 80 mg and I am pooped out by lunch. I believe the Adderall worked for awhile and then my body got used to it so it may be time to switch meds.... Is this common?

3. Is there a shut-up and listen button/medicine....

I'm also in the Navy Reserves, since advancement is based primarily on testing, I have never felt more discriminated against. Forget being female, this testing business is out of hand. I don't understand how a person with ADHD can compete with those that do not have the problem... I am a super star at everything else, but I can not remember so I take notes and research to complete tasks on hand... it is a wonder I am an E-6. God has a funny bone too; both of my jobs require me to proof read and to research.... Seems the older I get the tougher it is to stay focused.

4. OK, one more issue. Since I've never clearly dealt with my ADHD, I am faced with telling my employer - or not. I do have a few problems with my employment and the boss, but if I release my disability it would keep me from advancing, I feel... and it would be impossible to prove otherwise... what is proper etiquette after being hired and then landing this on them? I've also got a lower back problem because of all the computer/data base mgmt I do... and I take longer to do it, but I complete my work on my time not there's.... Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up and crawling under a rock, I'm so tired of trying and trying to keep up with my work load.

What can my therapist, who has but a half hour, do or suggest or what? I can't wrap my mind around all the stuff that the diagnosis has me thinking about.

Thank You,

Bird

Answers (1)

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Christina

9/ 8/08 9:44am

Definately switching doseage amount will be better off for you than switching medications. I was on the adderral XR as well, but found the same thing.....I was ok after the first few hours and then it wasnt working as well later on in the day. What i found was that.....the XR means EXTENDED RELEASE and it wasnt working through out the entire day, I had my doctor prescribe me Adderral 30 MG tablets.....2 times a day. You can switch the dosage amount accordinly, (Ie. 30mgs in the am, and then 10 mgs in the afternoon) whatever, but i feel i have more control of when i get it instead of the time release doing it for me. (I am a hairdresser and sometimes i work till 9pm, and sometimes it's 9am, so i take my meds according to my daily schedule.)

Q: Can a person's tolerance to Adderall change and need to switch medications?

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