ADHD / ADD Support Group

Im bumping this to answer many questions from members of this community
Dr O.

mom of 3 here. Just started taking adderall at age 28. Last year I got about 5 differant anti-depressants thrown at me. Worked okay then crash. Beginng of 2007 I asked dr. to test my thriod. Then put me on wellburtrin, had bad anixity attack after 2monts. Things just haven't been the same for me since i tried these drugs. Now had big signs of adhd/add with no meds. Just couldn't function. Have I killed my system to returning to normal? The adderall is 5mg moring 5mg at noon time. Works wonderful!!Not depression, I've finially got my act together and thinking and foucing process is on. I tried to not take on weekends, okay per dr., but just have to take it. This little part of me feels like a drugy if you will. Why must I take to function. I just want to be the normal me again without drugs. I love the adderall, but I'm worried about heart diease or being on it for the rest of my life.

I have to comment on what 12345678 had to say...the part about feeling like a drugie!!
But I have to tell myself that my ADHD must be treated ... our children rely on me to function...and also, as mentioned before and has been argued before, is the aspect of..."If I were a diabetic would I feel guilty in regards to taking my insulin?"
Mental illness is as life threatening as any other illness...this must always be taken into consideration.

Take care 12345678 and message me if you like...we have a lot in common!

Ulia

I took strattera and it caused me to have a manic episode that lead to 2 hospitalizations. I am now diagnosed biplolar and take lithium and topamax my mind is calmed and I am less impulsive. Only problem is I have every symptom of adult add. That is the main reason I went on strattera. My only question is which disorder I should be treating since adhd and bipolar are comorbid. I mean I am more in control now but most doctors have no idea whats "wrong" with anybody since everyone who has bipolar is different. Its just a bit frustrating knowing I have adhd but am taking biplolar meds and the episode came from strattera and its a known side effect hehe.
sorry for the long winded response.

I was diagnosed with ADD at age 53. I had learned some coping skills, but always felt scattered brained, disorganized, and at loose ends. This affected my home and professional life. I was impulsive, antsy, spoke out of turn, interuppted or changed the subject midconversations. I had diffculty retaining information, staying focused during lectures or workshops, but had learned to review the info. before having to implement. Though, I was highly respected as a teacher of students with severe disabilities, wrote detailed and appropriate IEP's, reports, spoke at several workshops, and mentored new teachers. Though with the easy distractibility, I had to write the above in one sitting so I could focus on it, cause if I had to stop, I would loose my train of thought and had difficulity getting back to it to finish. I than had to print it, read it, and then could see changes that needed to be made. But I was maticulous about the correct verbage, language that was parent friendly, and details that were oriented to that student. A combo of Ritalin, Lexapro, and Lamtical changed my life! I hope there is a right combination of support, good medical care and a family/friends support system. I have a husband who was probably ADHD, but in the 60's he was considered a lazy daydreamer and held back in 8th grade. he joined the Marines for two years and learned self discipline, got a 4 year college degree and had a VERY successful career. I have two children with ADD also. Of course when I told my parents of my diagnosis, they both said "you didn't get it from me". Oh well...they still understand. Good luck to all

Anise reminded me of how focused the psychologist became when I mentioned a bad car accident I was in. I was about 12 at the time. Although my oldest, and probably my youngest (both sons) had ADHD he seemed to think mine stems from that head injury.

Is it possible for a head injury to make a pre-existing genetic disposition for ADHD worse?????

NTP

I'm on the 100mg Strattera and I know it dosn't go any higher. Is there anything else thats a non-stimulant? I was put on Wellbutrin befor Strettera and I would not like to relive that disaster(neither would my freind). I'm afraid to try a med with a stimulant but I know the 100mg won't work foever. Any safe(non-stimulant) ideas?

Why are you negative towards stimulant meds
for adults?

I have major adverse side effects
to anti-depressant or psychotropic type meds.

Dexamphetamine is the only med that works effectively on my symptoms.

I have found a novel way of aleviating my mood swings with a combination of protein bannana milk shakes(blood sugar levels) and brain training(Nintendo DS). I am maintaining an up mood for the day.

I'm not negative tward stimulants...I'm scared to try them. Every since the Wellbutrin, tring new meds scares me alot. The shake sounds good I might try it. There are alot of natural remedies I currently do to help.

Not you PeaceHope. My question was for Dr O.

Her comments concerned me. Wondering if there was a long term risk with stimulant meds?