Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with adhd

Messy question from a person who is a mess

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:03:54 -0800

Please help me make a decision. I am exhausted and stressed and maybe I am not thinking clearly. A friend gave me Adderall. Should I take some? Basically, I have been working very long hours (12-14 a day) without any time off (including weekends) for a couple of months. Long story short, worst semester of law school yet. I have three days before yet another exam and I am so tired and unprepared. I can't make myself do any work, and I really need to do this work.

Con side, I do not have a diagnosis, nor am i totally convinced that ADD is a "thing" or a thing that we can reliably diagnose. I am not trying to be insulting, sincerely, but I am ignorant and my ignorance makes me skeptical. Especially because I feel like it's cheating to declare that I'm not undisciplined, weak, lazy, spoiled, and so on, just "ill." Maybe some people are, but not me. I am pretty sure I'm just those things I listed.

Another con is that I don't even feel totally comfortable taking Advil... I have an irrational fear of pills. This sounds silly to me. We're taking about a 5 mg pill. I think that's the lowest available dose. But it still freaks me out.

I also fear that it either won't do anything or will be revelatory and life-changing and boom: dependency.

On the pro side, my three days to study are now 2.5 and I've made very very little progress. I also have been struggling for such a long time with what I think could fairly be characterized as a total inability to focus... part of me wonders if it really is "cheating" to take a drug that helps with that. Isn't that just a character flaw? But what if it's not? I don't know.

I think maybe this is a ridiculous question. I apologize. I'm probably just being ridiculous because I'm so tired, and so stressed, and feel so bad about how little I am able to do, and I feel like this is maybe me being tempted to do the wrong thing.

So here I am in the library surrounded by people who are sitting there doing work for minutes and hours at a time. It makes me feel inadequate and ashamed. The bottom line is I need to get my work done. I don't know what to do. I do not feel like I am thinking straight at this point. Please share your wisdom with me.

Is having "it" together an unrealistic goal?

dumbledore69 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:44:47 -0800

As a 30-year old who is a part-time grad student and a full-time office worker, are my goals to get control over my life (weight loss, finances, home, work, etc) really unrealistic? Is there a way to just be NORMAL and balanced, or is it really just normal not to really have things together, even as an adult? I am a 30-year old woman, and while working through a number of issues (depression, anxiety, ADHD) I have come to realize that I am deeply unhappy with how I manage my life. I thought medication, which does help, was going to be a magic bullet somehow, but of course that was kind of a stupid assumption for me and I still have a lot of the same issues.

So...the things I am most unhappy about are:

1) My weight. I need to lose at least 80 lbs, but probably more like 100. My general physical health (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc) are fine, but I think I've got a genetic disposition towards diabetes and cancer, so I feel like my healthy days are numbered if I don't get things under control. Plus I'm endlessly depressed that I have to wear plus-sized clothing and get these awesome doses of extra low self esteem (to supplement my generally low self-esteem) every time I remember how fat I am because of pictures of me that suck or clothes that don't fit or things I can't do because of my weight. I know that I *can* lose weight, and I have (but regained most of it). Sometimes I get really into my weight, and when it's my top priority, I lose it. But then when I try to focus on something else important, I gain it back because I lose focus of whatever isn't my current pet project.

2) My house. Unless my obsession du jour is cleaning/organizing, I am a slob. When my house is clean, it's very very clean. And it makes me so happy to have it clean. I can't accept that I am a slob, because I feel so stressed when my house is messy, and I can't find things or have people over. I love being home when my house is clean, and I generally enjoy cleaning tasks, believe it or not.

3) My finances. I have also made good progress in paying off some of my credit card debt ... it was $17k, and now it's down to $11k. But I still feel like there are times when I'm really good about money and think before I purchase something and don't spend more than I have budgeted, and there are times when I am focused on other things and go crazy and spend what I want to (or feel that I need to) without regard for the big picture or the balance in my checking account. Some months I pay a large chunk of debt off, and some months I amass hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees because I was focused on something else (like losing weight ... in a weight-loss fueled time period, I'll spend a lot more on groceries and fitness gadgets and workout clothes and justify the spending because "I deserve whatever will help me lose this weight!"). I badly just want to pay off all this debt and be able to stick to my budget.

4) Work ... I get distracted at work, I am sure often because of my ADHD and some perfectionistic tendencies towards my larger projects (and resulting anxiety), but I also tend to get distracted by my current obsession (weight, organizing, cleaning, etc). I just want to be able to focus on WORK at work, all the time, or at least most of the time. And then when I leave work, I'd like to not think about it much anymore (within reason, at least). When I get into SUPER AWESOME WORKER ME mode, I tend to obsess, bringing work home, and just thinking about it all the time. And I might let other things slip because I'm so focused on making things as comfortable and easy as possible for me to do the best work I can.

5) Mood. Not sure if this belongs in this list, because I don't have a history of obsessing about this. But because of all the stress and frustration and all, I know I need to make taking care of my emotional health and mood a higher priority. My plans have been to set aside Sundays to do fun/relaxing things instead of errands / homework / chores, unless I absolutely have to. And making more time to just READ. And I know exercise and supplements will help, too, just like they will with weight.

In talking to both friends and a therapist, a common thread is that they think my expectations for myself are unrealistic and that I need to pick and choose priorities. My argument is that all of my expectations are vital and that I cannot drop any of them.

Also, it's not like I've never tried to focus on one or two goals at a time. I mean, I'm always trying to fix the things I am unhappy about, as I've mentioned above. At any given time, I feel obsessively focused on fixing one area of my life. And I do GREAT at it.

Like, last winter I was all about weight loss. I lost 40 lbs and 2 sizes in about 2-3 months by doing an hour of hard cardio a day, plus yoga twice a week, plus eating very regimented, pre-portioned Weight Watchers-pointed meals. I was a superstar, right until I simultaneously burned out on weight loss and panicked the hell out about something else I dropped the ball on, my finances.

I quickly got all psyched about fixing my budget, so I worked to correct the damage to my bank account caused during the weight loss bit (having spent a lot on assorted special diet foods and supplements, lots of workout clothes, etc), amassed and paid up any neglected bills, automated a lot of my bills, eliminating some expenses, and just doing a really good job there, and learning about finances a bit. It was great until it came time to maintain that. Then it was boring and I was off to the next thing.

It frustrates me so much, and the more I learn about ADHD the more it seems to make sense that I do this. I love the excitement of swooping in and making great plans and implementing them and getting stimulated over sparkling challenges and quick rewards.

But I can't live like this anymore. I just want to work on making some moderate changes to all of these parts of my life. Everyone keeps telling me to PICK something to focus on, and I'm scared of that. I think it's just going to land me right back where I always am ... obsessed with something until it's no fun anymore.

Can't I just be a NORMAL chick who is at a reasonable weight (I don't need to be really skinny, I just want to be in normal US Misses sizes!), who does work consistently, who keeps a reasonably neat house, and who can spend money and save money like a grown up? And who isn't a total basketcase all the time?

I just feel like what I want for myself isn't unrealistic, and that I just need to find a way to build moderate habits in all areas at once, building on them until I get close to my goals. But at the same time, it almost seems like having your shit together is an unreasonable expectation to everyone else.

So what do I do? Do I really have to drop some of my expectations? Or is there a way I can get closer to where I want to be?

Where can I get tested for ADD?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:20:53 -0800

[Chicago Filter] Where can I find a place that tests for adult ADHD/ADD, and accepts insurance up front? Most places I've tried want me to pay up front and then send the bill to my insurance company, which would be fine except the price ranges from $600-$2000. I don't have much time to save up the money because it's urgent (poor performance in college, not really looked into earlier because of at-home issues, in case anyone is wondering.)

I can pay up front/bill the insurance later if the price is ~$300, so if you know any places like that that would be great also. Thanks in advance!

How does noise affect the autistic mind?

bonsai forest — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:20:34 -0800

I understand that noise can become overwhelming rapidly to those in the autism spectrum or with ADD/ADHD syndromes due to increased sensitivities of all the sense perceptions, but I have also heard of research that suggests a certain measure of white noise and some kinds of music can help both ADD and autism spectrum young people focus their brains. I am trying to get a sense of how these two seemingly opposing responses can coexist, and whether the noise helps mask internal brain noise, to stimulate understimulated, low activity regions of the brain, or other explanations for this response.

I can't really take my 3 weeks of sick leave at once...can I?

sio42 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:19:28 -0800

The trial-and-error method of ADHD drugs: I am already afraid of screwing up my job and I am concerned about all these side effects I read about people having. I can't spend 3 months spaced out or whatever until I find the right drug cause then I'll REALLY screw up at work. Can you help allay my fears or tell me how you and your psychiatrist and/or therapist worked this out? I can't believe I'm not posting this anonymously, but I wanted to be able to reply more easily than I can with an anon post.

Anyways, after working on my anxiety/depression issues for almost a year, I am SO MUCH better now, without any medication. It was just a lot of things falling into place. My most recent questions had to do with moving and life direction and I see now that it was just more of the same flittiness I've had my entire life and is probably the ADHD. But that's not really what I want to ask here.

I am in a decent job. It is ok, my hatred of the mundane aspects aside. However, I know that my problem with follow-through is a big issue. I never really cared at any other job, because it was either customer service, or I was in college and changed jobs almost every year due to needing to schedule classes. But I need to have A job and we know how the job market is right now.

When I go back and read the posts on here tagged with ADHD, people are often saying "straterra/vyanase/adderall/ritalin made me so spacey/tired/crazy/whatever". I CANNOT go through months of being worse than I am now. My position requires me to be here during the open hours of the office, so working PT or from home is not an option, it's already been discussed in a different circumstance. I'm here or I have no job.

I am meeting with a psychiatrist pretty soon. He and I worked together almost a year ago before we decided to take me off meds entirely but I wanted some personal experiences here. My GP at the time (I no longer see her), over two years ago, had put me on adderrall because she thought I was ADHD, but it made me feel crazy after a little while. I think maybe the dosage was wrong and I was having some severe severe depression at the time. She also had me on Lexapro and maybe that didn't act well with the Adderral. Anyways, I figured I couldn't be ADHD because of the effect Adderrall had on me.

Wow, this is long. I guess I'm trying to answer why this hasn't come up before as a diagnosis until now with my psychiatrist and therapist. Basically, they didn't konw what was wrong with me and were trying to help me manage anxiety/depression, which we did a really good job at. But the other ADHD stuff remains, and I meet all the criteria for it in the DSM according to my therapist.

tl;dr: How can I deal with trial-and-error drug testing that may make me worse at work than I already am? I am afraid to tell my boss. How have you adult-diagnosed ADHD folks dealt with this?

Should I keep taking Adderall?

dumbledore69 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:35 -0800

I was recently diagnosed with adult ADHD (inattentive type) and put on Adderall. I have very, very mixed feelings about this -- hopeful, because it seems to really be helping me in multiple areas of my life, but also anxious that it is a crutch that I can't use forever. Does anyone have any insight or anecdotes to help me either (1) feel better about being on Adderall, or (2) come up with an alternative plan to manage my issues? I am a 30 year old woman and I've struggled for most of my life with depression, severe anxiety/stress, and obesity. I've also, for as long as I can remember, suffered from the extreme inability to get my shit together, which often leads to the depression & anxiety that then lead to the emotional eating (pretty much eating for a fix) that I do.

I have always been smart enough to get by and do fairly well despite half-assing everything due to disorganization, inability to concentrate, and inability to get my shit together. For example, in 5th grade, my teacher wanted to put me in remedial math because I never did (or could find) my homework, despite my having been in the 98th percentile in the math portion of that year's standardized test. In high school, I never did my homework or studied, ever. I was in all honors and AP classes, and somehow managed to get a 4 on the AP Lit exam without having read a single one of the assigned books that year. I got into a good college and nearly flunked out both my freshman and sophomore years because I didn't study or attend class, but made it up junior and senior year by overloading classes to make up what I failed and switching majors to one that would better allow me to use common sense and BS to coast.

Now I have a good job and am a part-time grad student, but I struggle to keep my head above water. I know it isn't because I'm not smart enough or competent ... if I have a month to work on a project, I will struggle to do the research and planning at the beginning to do a good job. I will flounder for 2-3 weeks, and then panic for the fourth week, pulling together whatever I can to cobble together a passable result. Usually what I consider passable is plenty good to my employer or instructor, but the thing is that I can do so much better than what I am giving, and with so much less stress.

Not to mention that my home life is a mess. I am constantly forgetting to pay bills, losing important papers, leaving my house a mess (and not knowing where to start), starting exercise programs and then abandoning them because I am too overwhelmed with the rest of my life, budget, and work....

I've tried all kinds of methods for getting myself back on track. I am great at both implementing and making up my own systems for being organized -- schedules and charts and checklists. Oh God, I live for that stuff! But as soon as I create something and MAYBE follow it for a little while, I get distracted or overwhelmed and drop the ball and am back where I started.

And I'm miserable! I have so much to be grateful for, and yet I spend all my time being fat (100 lbs overweight), depressed, stressed, and overwhelmed. Antidepressants (celexa & trazodone) have helped, but only to an extent.

After talking with my psychiatric NP, she screened me for ADHD and found that both the results of the test and a family history (my dad & brother are ADHD) and my descriptions of my school life and adult life point to inattentive-type ADHD. She prescribed me ritalin, which I took for 3 weeks and simply felt sleepy on, and now Adderall, which truly seems to be making a difference. Suddenly I can concentrate and do alll the things I previously would think "ugh I need to do that", and then forget about or put off indefinitely.

AND. Suddenly I am losing weight.

I have been able to stick to my workout program and have felt no emotional triggers to eat over the past few weeks. I actually have almost no appetite at all during the day, which is a first, since snacks have always been the best interruption to getting anything done.

Which is great, right?

But I'm worried. I have a lot of weight to lose, and I have lost before and regained. I have read stories of people abusing Adderall to lose weight (which is NOT my purpose) and then regaining it once they go off almost immediately. I just do not want to lose weight "artificially" only to regain it when/if I go off Adderall. And I don't see myself being on Adderall forever. In a few years when I am done with school, I'd like to have a baby, and I certainly can't take it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

I am really just hoping that I can use Adderall as a tool to get me back on the right track in life. I never, ever learned to be organized, to keep my house neat, to keep my budget in check, to eat right, to do my work consistently instead of at the last minute. If I can focus now and get myself into a routine, and get my life in order, and keep it in order for awhile ... am I going to lose all that if I don't keep taking Adderall?

So, does it sound like I am doing the right thing by taking it? Am I going to have to pay later on for using this tool to get my life together now? Is there anything else I should be doing or plan to do to make the most out of this?

I'm sorry this was so long...I am just so stressed and anxious.

Honey, sometimes I have a hard time...Ooooh shiny!

bilabial — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:30:49 -0800

Relationship filter: He's an Austrian in Austria, I'm an American in America, and I have ADHD/Inattentive type. He's not familiar with this concept. What books can I suggest to him? Bonus points if these books are written in German. He reads for pleasure in English, but it's not his first language.

Books could be about Women with ADHD, how ADHD affects relationships, or just a basic, What is ADHD? type book.

If left to my own devices I'd send him Sari Solden's book about women with ADHD, but it's a little...long, and not quite as focused on the positive as I would like. I just started reading The Gift of Adult ADD, I think I like it.

I mentioned my diagnosis to him a few months ago and he was puzzled. We're at the 6 month point in our relationship, and I think it would be good for him to understand a bit more about me, regardless of where this relationship is headed in the super long term.

You see, I'm still coming to terms with this diagnosis myself. I haven't gotten to acceptance yet, but I'm doing a pretty good job working on anger with some occassional bargaining. My medication is mostly worked out. I have a daily schedule that I slowly add things to - make the bed, how to clean the kitchen, when to leave the house to catch the bus on time, what needs to be in my bag for work.

And hey, any helpful strategies for me would be great, too!

Unbreakable - the netbook/netbook case edition

Elysum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:31:06 -0800

Unbreakable netbooks/netbook cases?: I've realised the one feature I really need in a $350 netbook, is one I can get a case for one so I don't *break* it... I'm looking for a netbook, $300-$350ish range.
I had a bunch of criteria I was originally looking on, good battery, good keyboard, preferably matt/good screen.
Eg I'd been tempted by the sweet-looking Red MSI U123, or an ASUS Eee PC 1005HA or something,
but I realised...

What I REALLY need in a netbook, is one I won't break or lose.
:(

Either rugged out of the box OR
a really good case.

Not a slipcover, or a bag I take it out of, but something it stays permanently in -
either a bag that it can usably be permanently strapped in,
or some kind of snap on case (like the Macally Protection Shell for Macbooks? If that is effective?),
or a rubber case?

Worst case, I'm trying to figure out whether I could pad the corners and sides with padded foam tape for the enevitable knocks and jostles.

Added extra: preferably something in a bright color, so I don't lose it.
Yeah, so, think, the ideal ADHD case? ;P

PS I'm aware that a SSD harddrive would be more rugged, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice the capacity...

Adult ADHD questions

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:02 -0800

Adult ADHD newbie has lots of questions for you. I have just been diagnosed with ADHD, including the H even though I am a couch potato. I am a geek girl in my early thirties.
I have suffered from depression and anxiety in an almost cyclic fashion forever, and have been seeing a psychologist and taking antidepessants for about two years. We have ruled out other "cyclic" diagnoses such as bipolar, etc. and it seems that while I cope and compensate very well for the adhd, after a certain period of time I just can't anymore. I hadn't considered adhd previously, but in hindsight it makes a lot of sense. I am presently off meds due to the testing for adhd. I live in europe in a country with fairly open attitudes to this sort of stuff, and am being offered meds as well as other support, and have my first meeting about it with my dr. next week. I don't know what to ask about?

I have been trying to combat my "stress" by simplifying my life, doing calm things, not multitasking, and so on, but it sounds like that might be the worst thing for me?

Am I likely to be able to study now? The neuro-testing says I am not as dumb as I have previously thought, so I would like to try again. Anyone with experience of that?

I want to try meds but do you have other advice? Hydration, fishoil, b-vitamins etc? Can these be combined with stimulants when I get them?

Will treating this help me with follow-through or willpower? I want to work out, I really do, and I want to do the vacuuming, really, I just never actually do. Same goes for really wanting not to take both of the last pieces of cake. Is this the impulse aspect?

So that's the background, and a bunch of questions. Advice and real life tips please.
What is there that I don't even know to ask about?

Throwaway account: 4w545w@gmail.com (why deprive somone of a good userid).

Adult ADD in the UK

Flitcraft — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:44:12 -0800

Anyone with Adult ADD in the UK - Did you try a private route to get a diagnosis? If so, who would you recommend? How did a diagnosis affect things at work? If you have a history of heart disease in the family is it too risky to take meds? I asked a similar question years ago, but got mostly US people responding who, though helpful, couldn't address the problems of getting a non-NHS diagnosis in the UK. The condition is barely recognised in Scotland, where I am, so there's little point in going to my GP, but I have enough money to follow a private diagnosis route and would like recommendations, especially in London.

I've known for some years, since I first came across the concept, that this is very likely what I have - I can see all the symptoms from my childhood onwards. I've previously managed quite well with it because my chosen job is a good fit. However that has all changed. My employers have been making rounds of cuts and outsourcing which have left me without admin help, having to cope with a myriad of nasty online form filling tasks which reduce me to a wreck, and having to remember to do more and more admin tasks without prompting, or face failure, and doing all the admin and organisation slows me down and demotivates me, causing me terrible stress and overwork to make my deadlines, which were never a problem before. I can't pay for outside admin help, as these bloody forms are all on internal systems which are only accessible within the organisation to employees.

This is a reason why I'm considering going down the medical route. If I turn out to be right, and get a formal diagnosis, do my employers have any responsibility to provide help for me? Or could this be a bad move which might lead to discrimination against me in the future? I'm also worried because of the shocking history of heart disease in my family, and my own age and risk factors, as to whether medication for ADD could increase my risk of a heart attack. Any relevant experience and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

How does one go about receiving an ADD diagnosis and medical treatment these days?

Rendus — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:12:48 -0800

I'm a 28 year old male in Las Vegas, Nevada. When I was in my late pre-teens, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and went through various treatments (Ritalin, Adderall, then eventually easing off medications entirely). Now, due to a promising promotion and other life changes, I need to be able to focus beyond what my self-regulation allows me. What can an adult expect to go through to convince a doctor that they have ADD, and to convince them to treat it medically? Initially, I was diagnosed and treated by a Neurologist, through a referral from our family doctor. Later, I was treated by a Psychiatrist (for ADD as well as manic depression and obsessive/compulsive disorder). I haven't been treated medically for ADD since my mid-teens, so I don't know quite where to start.

As an added bonus, I'm currently uninsured and do not have a regular doctor. If I were insured, I'd just start at a general practice doctor and work my way up the chain from there. I'm hoping there are people here with experience regarding if a general practitioner will be willing to diagnose and medically treat ADD, or if it's still mostly in the realm of (more expensive) specialists.

What can one expect, going to a doctor with this sort of treatment request? At least when I was a kid, there was a great deal of concern regarding abuse of these medications, and they are controlled substances. I don't have medical records for my treatment as a child, and I'm not sure they'd satisfy any concerns a doctor may have anyway.

Any hints as to what uninsured pricing for these medications might be would be appreciated, but of less concern to me than going to the right person the first time, and getting things rolling.

(Please note: I am aware of, and respect the idea of non-prescription treatments for ADD. Unfortunately, they rarely work for me, and not to the degree I've experienced lately through other means. I'm at the point where I'm seeking professional medical treatment for the disorder.)

Help me find a therapist in NYC. A therapist that accepts Cigna.

mokeydraws — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:55:02 -0800

I am interested in Behavior Modification therapy. I have previously been prescribed medication for depression and adhd. What I had suspected to be depression for several years seemed to actually be undiagnosed adhd. It took me several years to get to that conclusion. I had been prescribed Wellbutrin and for the first time ever I was actually able to focus and work straight – without becoming distracted. It was amazing. Unfortunately I also ended up having a panic attack and being rage-y and more emotional than ever. I quit all medications a that point. A few years later I started to see a psych who prescribed Adderal XL 5mg and Lexapro. He also told me that I just needed to try harder. I quit him and the meds and went to another psych who prescribed Adderal 10 mg. This worked for a while. I was actually calmer and focused. But I never wanted to eat or sleep (until Fridays – then I would crash). I’m 5 “4” and weigh 110 lbs. Can’t afford to lose weight. I wanted to smoke a lot more as well. This doc also always seemed to be rolling her eyes as I talk which really bothered me. So I quit both.

The areas I would like to focus on are attention, focus, motivation. With the possibility of dealing with the more obviously emotional issues that I am carrying around.

Any good recs? Bonus if they are located in Midtown. The Cigna website has a bunch of wrong information on it.

St. John's wort + ADHD medications?

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:36:45 -0800

What are your experiences with St. John's wort? In particular, have you ever taken it at the same time as ADHD medications like Ritalin/Focalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine) etc? Some sources seem to warn against taking then together, some say only that one will might decrease the effectiveness of the other, and many don't say anything at all, so I'd like to know if there's anything to worry about. Even if you have never taken the two together, I'd still be curious to hear what you thought of St. John's wort in general.

Throwaway email: sjwquestion@yahoo.com

(Please don't tell me to ask a doctor; I'm asking because the doctors that wrote all the information I've read seem to disagree.)

Dealing with a sore tongue and hair loss: advice from the hive mind?

elfgirl — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:00:52 -0800

I'm coping with two different side effects from two different medications--hair loss and sore tongue/dry mouth. Any advice from the hive mind? Teal deer explanation and questions inside. I'm taking two medications for ADHD/Anxiety management: Strattera and Vyvanse. Both are causing side effects that, while tolerable, are annoying enough that I'd like to help counteract them if possible. Both side effects are fairly common for the types of meds they are, so I'm hoping others have had the same issues and have advice on helping alleviate them.

Hair loss: This is Strattera's fault. I know it's a common side effect of many SSRI/SSNRI/NRI type medications and I had it when I tried Wellbutrin several years ago. Right now, stopping the Strattera isn't an option. It's the best thing I've taken to help with my anxiety and has the added benefit of helping me focus, too. Frankly, as far as positive benefits from psychoactive medications, this is one of the best meds I've ever been on. The hair loss, though, is annoying as I have very fine, thin hair naturally. I've seen stories of people losing over half their hair, and I'd like to get a handle on it before it gets to that point.

Sore tongue/dry mouth: Vyvanse has gifted me with energy and motivation without depression--but a really, really dry mouth. The dry mouth (I think) has led to glossitis. Soreness that initially came and went is now pretty constant and occasionally affects my speech.

So, for either or both of these symptoms, my questions are:
Has anyone else dealt with these side effects from these types of medications?
Did they slow or stop over the course of taking the medication?
Did you find a solution or something that would help counteract the side effects (other than simply stopping the medication)?

Thanks!

Help me meditate.

bondcliff — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:58:55 -0800

I’m interested in learning more about meditation. I also have ADD and find it impossible to shut off my brain and clear my mind. After discussing it with a friend, a friend whose constant calm manner I find inspiring, I think I’d like to give meditation a try. My main goal is to be a bit more calm. I’m generally easy going but I’m quick to lose my temper and raise my voice. I come from a family of screamers and I find myself falling into the same pattern when it comes to parenting. I gotta cut that shit out.

I’m looking for any advice, tips, resources, etc to get me started.

A couple of things:

As mentioned, I have ADD (officially diagnosed by a neuro-psychologist, not medicated because nothing seems to work.) Phrases like “clear your mind” are lost on me. I can’t clear it, it’s always going. My ADD has contributed to lifelong insomnia because I just can’t shut down at night. I’m not looking for a cure for ADD, I only mention it because I suspect it will be an obstacle. I’m especially interested in hearing from people who understand what ADD is like and have experience dealing with ADD and meditation.

I’m an atheist and a total skeptic. Any spiritual, new-agey, or religious components will be a turn off. I need to approach this from a purely practical point of view. I’m all for clutter clearing and arranging furniture but any talk of Feng-Shui makes me want to throw things. I’m not looking to find enlightenment and/or Jesus. I’m open minded though, so if meditation leads to these things I won’t reject them.

I’d also be interested in learning of any beginner classes in my area (metro Boston) as long as they’re not scammey, new-agey or spiritual. Why do all these places need to have a Buddha out front?

So far my only experience with anything of this sort was from a sleep doctor who, among other things, gave me a relaxation CD. It involved progressively relaxing my muscles, starting from my toes, and clearing my thoughts as I worked my way up. By the time I got to my shins I was thinking about Princess Leia’s gold slave outfit and then I moved on to my favorite ice cream flavors. Next thing I knew I was supposed to be relaxing my forehead but I had a boner and wanted a hot fudge sundae. Yes, I tried it a bunch of times.

So yeah, I suspect this won’t be easy. But I’m ready to try.

Adderall and YOU

ocherdraco — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:38:40 -0800

How did Adderall change things for you? My doctor thinks I may have ADD (not ADHD), and is prescribing Adderall for a few weeks so we can see what happens. I have no idea what to expect, and I know that it works differently for everyone. I'd like to have some individual examples of how it affects people, rather than the more general things I've been able to read elsewhere. How did taking Adderall change your life?

I think I have ADHD

A Thousand Baited Hooks — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:41:45 -0800

I think I may have adult ADHD. Help me make the most of my visit to a doctor. I think I have inattentive-type ADHD. I have a doctor's appointment in a few days to talk about it, and I'd like to go with as much preparation as possible so I can focus on what's relevant. My experience with doctors has been that they best help those who work really hard at being helped, so I would like to know: what should I talk about to have the best chance of a useful diagnosis? (be it ADHD, all okay, or something completely different.)

My main problem is sleepiness. I get into a meeting at work and within ten minutes my mind starts wandering and it becomes physically impossible to keep my eyes open. Then I start hallucinating. It's not sleep deprivation or general tiredness - I can be completely alert one moment but as soon as I'm in a situation where I'm relaxed and not completely mentally engaged, my attention drifts uncontrollably into a sort of meditative trance state and I'm gone. It was the same at school and uni.

I've been tested for sleep apnoea and narcolepsy, but no. I've tried everything I can think of: sleeping lots, not sleeping so much, caffeine, exercise, eating, not eating, exclusion diets, sitting facing the sun, heat, cold etc etc but nothing works. I used to think that the sleepiness thing was inconsistent with ADHD, but I recently heard that a friend of a friend had problems very similar to mine and was cured completely when medicated for ADHD. And I'm willing to try most things.

Other details:
I have basically no memory. I can keep logical structures (things like computer programs) in my mind, but facts disappear as soon as my attention wanders away from them for a moment. Things like people's names, where I left the keys, what I just walked for a quarter of an hour to the supermarket to buy vanish instantly. I deal with this by leaving sticky notes lying around everywhere, but this isn't ideal.

I've never been able to concentrate. At school and uni I never did any work, but managed to cruise through on luck and the small amount of cramming that I could handle. At work I find myself constantly distracted. When I'm not falling asleep, I'm finding it almost impossible to stay sitting in my chair. The Internet is a curse. Somehow I've managed to cruise through this as well, but it's getting worse and it's going to cause real problems for me one day. Actually I'm surprised I've gotten away with it so far. Despite all of that, though, I do have pretty decent videogame skills.

I was horribly hyperactive as a child. Really unmanageable. I would run around screaming, bite other children, plough into my teacher's legs with my fists. I calmed down a lot at about 6 but was still kind of ratty for a few years after that.

I can't drive. I mean, I can operate a car and steer it down an empty street, but as soon as there are a few other vehicles on the road my brain gets overloaded with information and I pretty much rely on luck to avoid hitting things. I wrote off my first car when I was 19 and almost killed myself.

In fact any kind of multi-tasking is right out. I can't do anything productive if there's music on, for example - the music steals enough of my attention that there isn't any left to do anything useful with.

So.
So far, everything in my Internet Doctor self-wikidiagnosis seems to fit with inattentive-type ADHD. But I'm worried about one of the diagnostic criteria, which is clinically significant problems in two areas of life. Despite my issues with sleepiness and distraction, I managed to do okay at uni and I've never been fired from a job. I think I hide my problems pretty well. But there does seem to be something wrong with me, even if it's not ADHD. Most people can drive a car, for example, and although I can deal with the distraction thing to some extent with self-control, I can't stop myself falling asleep.

Damn, that's long. Sorry. A few quick details: 30 years old, male, Australian, no other relevant health problems. I have read this and this.

Any help would be great, thanks.

Will taking medicine for ADHD prevent me from joining the Air Force?

pyrom — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:14:36 -0800

Will my short history of taking medication for ADHD prevent me from entering the military? A year and a half ago, I took myself to get tested for ADD/ADHD. My condition was diagnosed as very mild, inattentive but not hyperactive. Medication was an option, but by no means necessary.

I ended up deciding to try the drugs to see if they would help with schoolwork. After all, my mother had been diagnosed recently, my doctor advocated the drug, and hype around the disorder made it seem a likely diagnosis. I saw it as a sort of cure-all, which I really regret at this point.

I was prescribed 36mg of Concerta, which I took daily for around 9 months. It was more trouble than it was worth, didn't help my grades (which were good even without the drugs), and led me to believe that the problem was mostly in my head. It seems pretty clear now that my issues getting schoolwork done were mostly because of a lack of discipline.

After several months of frustration, I've begun to taper off the medication. So far there've been no ill effects and I plan to be completely off within a month or so.

I'm also planning on joining the Air Force. Ideally, I'd do AFROTC during college and serve a number of years afterward. Is this possible considering my history with the medication? What barriers will it pose in the application process?

Thanks so much!

Should a firefighter candidate disclose ADHD?

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:00:25 -0800

I'm a candidate for my local fire department. It's a paid position. Should I disclose my ADHD? I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I had been taking Adderall XR and just switched over to Vyvanse.
Will my diagnosis or medication keep me from being hired as a firefighter?

Help me help her help him

jacquilynne — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:23:46 -0800

What's the best way for a non-computer oriented person to tap into the blogosphere support network for help with her ADHD child? During my aquafit class this morning, my instructor and I were talking about computer things and blogs, and though she's a little afraid of computers, she seemed interested in the idea of being able to blog about her life with her ADHD and behaviourally challenged son, and get support from other parents with similarly challenging children.

I'd like to help her do that, and while I can handle the technical end of things (getting her set up with her own blog on Blogger or WordPress) easily enough, I don't know where to point her to get other ADHD Moms reading her blog and offering support, or which blogs she might want to read.

I could google, obviously, and find some ADHD resources, but I'm really looking for personal recommendations of blogs or blog networks or social networking sites that have helped you if you're the parent of an ADHD child.

Measuring improvement in ADHD symptoms

[user was fined for this post] — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:52:13 -0800

I have begun treatment for adult ADHD. What things can I do during the next several weeks to objectively measure my progress? I've started taking Strattera, which often takes up to six weeks after reaching one's target dose to see significant results. My doctor suggested keeping a daily journal in which I record how I feel about my focus, concentration, forgetfulness and so forth.

I am doing this, but I feel the need for some strategies to measure my progress in a quantifiable way, if such a thing is even feasible. Since my attention frequently wanders, I can track discrete events like "remembered to take the trash out this week" but have trouble keeping track of things like "worked for 30 minutes without fidgeting or getting up from desk."

Any and all suggestions are welcome. The other ADHD threads have some great ideas, but they seem focus on tips for dealing with symptoms rather than measuring the effects of those symptoms on a daily basis.

Possibly relevant details:

- I'm 30 years old
- I've had the usual ADHD symptoms my entire life but have never been treated before now
- I work from home at a job done entirely by computer
- My primary goal right now is to finish my CS degree when I return to school this fall (I dropped out due to my inability to study effectively)
- I use a Windows PC, if there are software recommendations
- My wife is willing to assist with any strategies that work better with the aid of another person

Thanks in advance!

Mixing migraine and ADHD meds?

brevator — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:51:50 -0800

Possible problems mixing migraine and ADHD meds? I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall XR. I also take triptan medications for my migraines. The latest I'm trying is Frovatriptan with varying degrees of success. As my last migraine started I asked my wife to see if she could find any problems with taking these two medications together (I had already taken the Adderall earlier). She was unable to find any conflicts, and I took them with no apparent problems. I've since looked myself and also turn up no conflicts.
My main concern is the vasoconstrictive effect of the triptan, combined with the increased norepinephrine released due to the Adderall. I know that norepinephrine has vasoconstrictive effects as well and I worry about constricting my vessels to the point of causing blockage (ischemia) or hemorrhage.
Are these rational concerns, or should I trust that since it doesn't say anything in the documentation I'll be okay?
I have a doctor's appointment soon and will be discussing this with him, but I figured I'd see what the hive mind thought about this.
(you are not a doctor, pharmacist, or neuroscientist, and even if you are you do not know me or my brain and only an idiot would listen to people on the internet etc.)
Thanks in advance

Access to ADHD medication in east Africa?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:02:02 -0800

Expat in Kenya looking for ADHD medication. American living in Kenya, working for an NGO. Diagnosed with ADHD six years ago, was on medication for a few years at my old job before going off it. It seems I need it at this job.

Do not have health insurance, although I could get it. Would have to be cheap, though.

I was on Adderall before but I'll take anything. (Haven't tried Strattera but willing to give it a shot - i.e., I'm not just looking for stimulants.)

Anyone know my options? Nairobi? Kampala? Shipping anything from the States can take months, so local is better.

Will a ADHD diagnosis or treatment make me lose my security clearance?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:29:46 -0800

Will I lose my security clearance if I am diagnosed ADD/ADHD? And if not, what about if I am diagnosed and taking prescribed, but controlled medication for it? I have a United States Secret security clearance. I probably have ADHD--my wife is convinced and wants me to see a doctor.

Side note: I think she's probably right. My son has been diagnosed, and the reading we've done seems to point toward this. It would certainly explain some of the massive problems I have getting things done. Of course, my wifebis indeed not a doctor and I would actually be going to a pesumably qualified professional. Indeed I'd prefer to be declared, um, "normal" so I could just say I was lazy and could work harder. But that approach hang works for a long, long time and we're close to divorce over this issue.

If I am diagnosed, what are the effects on my clearance? What about if I begin taking medication? Most of the material out there seems to be aimed at military. A diagnosis apparently used to mean they wouldn't take you. Now you can get in with a diagnosis provided you haven't taken any amphetamines (prescribed even). So they're saying you can have a disorder as long as you don't treat it, which sounds ludicrous.

I have in fact considered leaving the defense industry for private sector work, which is fine and good and not a bad idea but not the answer I'm looking for. What I am looking for is advice about should I go (probably, not definitely) get diagnosed, and what are my disclosure requirements with regard to diagnosis and treatment. You are not my company's security department, but I'm trying to avoid the stigma that would certainly result if I were to ask in person.

Can I chew away my ADHD?

sixcolors — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:50:20 -0800

Should I take nicorette gum for my ADHD? Has anyone tried nicorette to control ADHD? What are the side effects? What are the risks?

I am having a really hard time focusing. I had to discontinue my medication two years ago because I lost my health insurance. Without health insurance, Adderall would cost me almost $300. I know I could get generic Ritalin a lot cheaper, but I'm not crazy about Ritalin's side effects.

I tried alternative stuff like omega 3 and choline supplements, removing sugar from my diet, and gettting extra exercise. None of those things really help me, in fact, exercise sometimes make my ADHD worse.

I used to drink caffeinated beverages, it helped somewhat, but it caused me to have longer/painful periods. I don't want that!