I have been diagnosed with severe adult ADD/HD...I didn't understand the numbers he showed me...but he said anything below an 80 on this particular test I took was considered ADD..I scored a 17 <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I KNEW I had it, but didn't know how badly it was...

As you all know, two of my kids have it...one has ADHD, and the other has Biplar and ADHD...

Right now I am seeing a counselor to try to get thru many issues I have...One being child Molestatin that I recently remembered about...We has human beings tend to BLOCK out the trauma in our lives and apparently I did this...

Anyway, My post is not about my ISSUES...I want to know about the effects of Medication on Adults with ADD...I know the meds work very well with my children and they cant function without them...

I cant read a paragraph without having to go back over it 10 times...and even then I dont understand it...I did horribly in school...I frustrate easily, anger easily and am anxious!

The Doc wants to put me on concerta...What can I expect from this...and dont ask me to ask Dr. Dad...hahahaha! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Mom! I posted for you a few days ago. I have been thinking of you!

I have been diagnosed with Adult ADD myself and was on Ritilan at one point, but discontinued it. I hope people with more experience chime in <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Danielle

Mom, my son is on Strattera, which I believe is the only FDA approved drug for the ADHD indication in adults.

It is not a stimulant like many other ADD drugs...and he is a totally different child, it worked WONDERS.

It's like the fog cleared and our son came out in full bloom, I can't even tell you how proud I was when he came home from school with full honors after starting the drug.

My son's pediatrician says that its not effective for alot of people, but when it does work, its a miracle drug.

Hi Dani..thanks fro asking about me...No, I dotn post much here or read much either...I just thought I would ask this one question, but it seems that no one wants to answer it, which is fine...


BR...My kids are also on Strattera along with concerta, ritalin, and others too...Peronsally I dont like the drug...I see no difference in it..but like you say, it works for some and not for othes...just like ritalin and adderall and all the others...

I am anxious to start on meds as the doc says it will also help with my anxiety, anger and other issues as well! We'll seee.

Hi!

I have been on Adderall (an amphetamine). It works. Makes you 'normal.'

The ADHD doesn't really bother me, it just bothers other people. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I want to clarify what Bramble said, "I believe [Stratera] is the only FDA approved drug for the ADHD indication in adults."

Stratera is the only *non-stimulant* drug for ADHD. I have personally only ever used the stimulants. They are quite effective for me. I would be interested in trying Stratera sometime, however.

Normally I just dont treat my ADHD; I simply find activities/jobs that my natural mental state thrives in. Computers/Music/MB...

There is a book out called ADD & Romance. Check it out!

Was Sad Tiger

Mom,

My daughter has severe ADHD which I'm convinced has caused the majority of her problems that landed her in the alternative high school. The more I studied ADHD while dealing with her, the more I started seeing many of the tendencies in myself.

I did very well in school, I think because I was good at memorizing and never really had to study, but I live now by what I call the "sticky note" system. If I can't write notes and stick them everywhere (my frig, my desk, aroung my computer monitor at work), I will totally forget what I have to do. I am a master at blowing off appointments.

My iron, my curling iron, etc., all have automatic shut-off. I nearly burnt a house down once by turning my gas grill to "clean" and then forgetting it. Thank goodness after several hours it ran out of propane and shut off, though not without melting all the internal gizmos in it. Now I set a timer any time I have anything on that might be dangerous.

I still have problems with lighting candles and the forgetting they are burning and leaving to go to the store, etc.

I did some work with a therapist a while back, part of which was a test for adult ADHD. I wasn't given a numerical value like you were, but let's just say I fit a LOT of the criteria. She suggested I go on Strattera, but I haven't yet. I just didn't want to deal with another copay and with something else that I had to take every day.

But like you, I can't read a paragraph from beginning to end without having to read it several times to get the jist of it. I am constantly losing my train of thought and it seems to get worse the older I get and the busier I am.

I wouldn't be uncomfortable trying meds if I were you. In fact, I'd really wonder what it would be like to be able to focus and concentrate. But meds never worked for my daughter (maybe Strattera would--she refused to take it), so I haven't tried it myself yet.

I know--not a lot of help in my post, but just wanted you to know I understand.

Hi Mom,

ADD huh? Yeah, that would explain a few things. As you know, we have a household full of ADHD people, including FWH. He takes a small dose of Ritalin (methylphenidate) because it was the only drug that really helped our kids (and we went through a slew of them). The point is, it may take a while to find the right medication and the right dosage for you. They like to take it slow and start out at the lowest dosages possible and go from there.

This could well be a huge break-through for you, Mom! I am happy for you!

~ Snow

Hey Mom,

Good to hear from you!!

My H has pretty severe ADD...can't listen to a conversation with me for longer than 10 seconds without watching TV or walking out of the room with him hollering "I can still hear you."

After years of hte 'forgetting' important events or where he put things, the inattentiveness, the jumping from project to project (OK, he still has that), the impulsiveness (kid's go to bed at 9 and at 8:30 he'll say "Hey kids, want to watch a movie?" grrrr...then I'm the bad guy...), and not ever seeming to get on with his life...no plan.

He went to see a Psychiatrist about meds (part of my Plan B) and she put him on Wellbutrin...considered him bipolar (nothing I saw...) but the medicine incidentally has an effect on ADD...it is a miracle drug for us. He is on the highest dose possible, so it took a few months of seeing effects, then they would go away. Oh, and the sustained release and generic brands don't work as well...when he took those we started arguing more. But he was able to slow down and finish projects, work on a plan, stay FOCUSED!!!

It had an immediate effect, and likewise, when it wears off or he misses a dose, I can tell. It doesn't have any of the nasty sexual side effect AD's do.

There are still things he has to do...and I've asked him to do...wear a watch, to be vigilant about time (and time lost), he has a planner where the family's calendar is in there, and his to do lists...

Folks with ADD have to work harder at getting organized...and to make and keep plans. They grow up thinking they are bad and wrong because of getting in trouble, not fitting in society, it usually starts in school (school is not created for the ADD child). My H is VERY defensive and hates to lose at games...

The medication has saved our M.

Thanks for all the replies! The reason I dont like straterra is because it takes almost 3 months to take effect whereas the other STIMULANT drugs taek effect IMMEDIATELY! My oldest is on Ritalin and Stratterra...the bipolar one is on concerta, Focalin, depakote (which is a mood stablizer for his bipolar) and startterra...yes bookoos of meds...

I cannot start something and finish it...EVER! 4 months ago I started organizing Son's closet...is it done? NO it's still a mess!

I know that when my kids are on meds that they are very calm and can FUNCTION...off of meds, especially the oldest one, he is mean, irritable, and dysfunctional! I really hope that the meds will help with my anger and irritablity...

I do take Wellbutrin, but for depression...which I am sinking faster and faster each day into...somedays I feel as if I will end up in a Psych ward...but I 'll be damned if my kids will be taken from me!

Get thee to IC...

The molestation issue...the fact it is coming out now means you are thinking of it, and now is the time to work on it. It will help explain many of the decisions you've made in your life and some of hte reason you react and behave the way you do...especially in R's. Going to an IC will help you unravel it from your thoughts and life so you can put it in it's place.

Have you thught about upping the dose of Wellbutrin? My H didn't feel benefits (actually didn't feel anything, but I noticed) until he was taking 2/200 mg does a day...the maximum. And the sustained release did NOT work for him (or whichever one you take once a day) and neither did the generic. I would suggest try the higher dose with Wellbutrin for a week and see if you get any benefit from it before adding something else? Or switch altogether? Not everyone has the same effect from drugs.

Have you tried coffee? Mountain Dew, other caffeinated drinks? My H used to live off caffeine, I didn't realize he was self-medicating...

The best medicaine you can take is the one that works for YOU....work with your Dr. and find something....?

NIMH has a great site that has resources about ADD (but I'll bet you are an expert by now, could teach the "Parenting your ADD/ADHD child")

Hi Still...yup, I'm in IC right now...that is how we found out about the ADD...we are starting to work on my other issues as well...the molestation, etc...

I'm not really sure WHY I started to remember about the molestation...I was trying to figure out why I didnt' have interest in Sex and my fear of ATTICS...yes, Attics...I am deathly scared of them...then I started thinking of this molestation and now I can almost see it happening...on the first time...I cant remember the other times...but the psych will get to that!

I was given my official diagnosis last week. I started doing the research into ADD for my young son and was blown away when I started reading so many stories that I myself could've written.

I can't express how profoundly this diagnosis and research has changed my perception of myself. So many things are making sense.

I have some links if you are interested...

ADD and addictions

Healthboards.com, ADD - a great message board with lots of support and information

A collection of very helpful articles on ADD for adults (this is my main page of reference... the most helpful so far)

CHADD- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder

A good basic article on ADD in adults

Attention deficit disorder in adults, quebec

ADHD Canada

Alternative treatments for ADD

How to parent children with ADHD

An article comparing and explaining the different meds used to treat ADHD

ADHD medication information

A web page with plenty of links

Hope this is of some help to you.

dewt

Thanks dewt, this is great! I hope you are doing well!

You are welcome. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm not really quite sure if I'm doing 'well' quite yet...

But I could fairly and honestly say that after 25 yrs of total disaster, I'm beginning to see how doing 'well' might actually be possible.

That in itself is a very encouraging thought.

Thanks fer askin' <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

John

The Adult ADD really explains a great deal about youir past life...don't you think? Have you been looking back over your past life beginning to see the chaos/shame cycle you have gotten into?

People with ADD tend to THRIVE on adrenaline...it actually helps them think, much like the meds your sons are taking...so they CREATE chaos in their lives, because when things are happy and secure...they are not feeling healthy then, only when they are in emergency situations, and dealing with the emergency...

Then later they look back at what happened, they see their part in it (or sometimes don't) but feel bad and ashamed. People with ADD have often been living with it for quite a while and have been called down for misbehavior...start to think they are a "bad kid". They grow up with this shame, and start to think they are a bad person.

Mom, you are NOT a bad person. You have become defensive when folks on here have pointed out your behavior and asked what YOU would do to change (and granted, some of the remarks on here have been harsh). You took it as blame, and it fed your shame monster...that monster that lives inside of you and beats you up almost daily...

Mom, you are a beautiful, eloquent, restless person. You have been beating yourself up for a long time. And it's time to deal with the ADD and stop doing things to hurt yourself.

STOP GIVING VALUE TO YOUR ACTIONS!!!

take 'good' and 'bad' out of your vocabulary for a month and start working on what will GET you to your goals, and what WON'T.

This is important. And even stop looking at actions of others (Dad...) as 'good' or 'bad' but just 'is'. These are some of your obstacles to your goals. We get too caught up in giving a value to a thought or action and we get STUCK there, it keeps us from acting upon things because we wonder if what we will be doing will be the right thing to do or not. And then we give ourselves a hard time if it didn't work out. Worry about the 'good' and 'bad'ness of something once the situaiton is over, like on your deathbed...

Firstly...what IS your goal? What DO you have control over?

To keep your family (you and the boys) safe and loved?

Really do some sould searching about what that will look like? What kind of communication between you and Dad and the boys is progressive...moving toward the goal, or moving away from the goal?

Look at your past behavior and decide what you will get rid of...as not moving toward that goal, and those beviors moving toward the goal...

One thing I think has been moving you away from the goal is knee jerk phone calls, and conversations that you have not thought out before hand. These are impulsive, an effect of the ADD, and tend to make your family feel less loved and secure. Think about EVERYTHING before you do it.

Knowing you have ADD is arming you with a piece of information...now what do you do with it?

Decide to make some MAJOR changes in your life...

To protect yourself against impulsive phone calls and conversations and decisions, you may need to make rules for your life....like...only make phone calls between 6-9 P.M. and only make a major decision after sleeping on it...and these changes will need to be made the rest of your life.

How will you feed the adrenaline junky in you...to keep the chaos out of your, and your son's lives? To make the home more peaceful and secure? Medication? Allow yourself some private chaos, like rip up confetti all over living room while boys aren't there and vacuum before they get home? Just some ideas...

You have been given a WONDERFUL opportunity to use this information about your life for reaching your goals!!!

Just know I think of you often!!

i was diagnosed last summer

i'm now taking straterra

the best way i can describe how it makes my world?

"quiet and calm"

thoughts go "round and round" in my head less
i can start....and finish things!
i can "listen" so much better during conversations

i still needs lots of help to "think about what i'm going to say...before i say it"

i can actully read....and NOT have to re-read over and over to finish a paragraph!

i didn't know what it was like for every one else.....you know..the "normal" people

I'm in the process of getting ready to take meds for it after the baby is born [not sure if breatsfeeding is going to be an issue or not..have to ask it may affect my timeline].

I'm scared. I admit it..I've never had any sort of drug before aside from OTC cold meds and stuff like that but I'm really hopefull at the same time.

I read something disturbing..an article in a newspaper about some cardio effects from..I think it was strattera..people having heart attacks..wish I could put it on the table for discussion..but I lost it <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />.

Hey there,
My ADD Dughter's neorologist is a rep for strattera. My DD was on adderal for 4 years and on Concerta for 4. She is taking a break this summer and is planning to lower her dose in the fall when school starts back.

We had heard so much about strattera what we asked him about it. His response was that in someone who has not been on the stimulant, they will see great improvement. For those who have been on stimulants, they will not resapond well to strattera alone.

I took concerta for a year for my own ADHD - I got the H she did not, but I do not think I was ADHD in school, but I know from having dealt with her that I was cdertainly ADD.

I was like Eave, it gave me a calmness. I would probably still be on it if my insurance covered it for adults.

Now, I am on Lexapro which seems to help some, but not like it was on the concerta.

Noodle, Concerta does cause increased heart rate in many people.

I sure could use a month or two of concerta to get my house undercontrol and my office organized. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It also helped me with my weight. I know it has some appetite suppressant qualities, but for me, sometimes I eat to stay busy. So, I think it helped both ways for me.

Welbutrin has a 'focus' effect. Lexapro has an 'anti-anxiety' attack. Move, you might talk to your dr about that.

I have been on Ritalin, dexadrine, Concerta, and Straterra. All at different times - w/ different drs. Some I liked more than others. Currently on Concerta as are both of my children. One child is also on Straterra. The other child and I are also on Lexapro.

We are much more functional when everyone takes their meds.

I just got back from vacation. Like a good ADD person, I left my medication on my kitchen cabinet. After 4 days, I felt sort of loopy. Just couldn't get my brain to stop swishing around in my head - felt a bit dizzy that last day.

Got to wean myself back on.