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Because of the stubborn weight, my doctor prescribed Phentermine...with two refills. Fearing addiction, I would take it for a month, then go off for a couple of weeks. I noticed energy and mental clarity, which I attributed to the "speed" I was afraid of. But I also noticed that my side effects were opposite those listed. Instead of nervous/jittery and having insomnia, for example, Phentermine almost completely eliminated the anxiety and I slept like a baby and woke up refreshed. Moreover, the fibromyalgia pain essentially vanished. In the weeks in between without the drug, I experienced the pain, fatigue, anxiety, and sleeplessness again.
Drugs not working "normal" on me is not unusual. Anxiety meds keep me awake and make me more anxious. Antidepressants are useless. Tylenol PM keeps me up all night. Six weeks after my hysterectomy, and on hormone replacement therapy, zero estrogen showed up on the tests...patches worked for a short time, then stopped. Took forever to find something that worked for me.
I was telling my boss about my funky body chemistries and he suggested a local psychiatrist who specializes in determining the right pharmaceuticals. In our first session, the doctor spotted the ADD I never knew I had (not hyper) but DEFINITELY DO have most of the symptoms. He did some genetic testing which revealed I do have some genetic-based abnormalities in response to some drugs. We are n the process of looking for an ADD med. Vyvanse helps focus, but side effects at every dose level not worth it to me. Also, this med does nothing for sleep and pain and makes me weepy. Only side effect I had with Phentermine was constipation. And the "capper" for meds not working on me like on most people is that except for anxiety eating, Phentermine did little, if anything, for appetite except to eliminate the need to eat to relieve the anxiety. If it were safe for long-term use, it is definitely the best med for my body chemistries in treating a host of issues.View Thread
How does your MD know it's the way you metabolize meds that is the problem and not something else? Have you had genetic testing?
gView Thread
Lists do help. My latest challenge is making sure that I get the exact right brands and use the right criteria when selecting things at the store. But I've also been taking liquid gingko/ginseng supplement so that's ben helping the blood flow to my brain. More oxygen to the brain is good! Consequently, my memory is better than it was.View Thread
I have not read any literature on that topic (using a calcium channel blocker with ADD medication to prevent the triggering of a migraine).
I wonder if your husband's physician has explored other options.
For example, is your husband dehydrated. Believe it or now, some people with ADHD will forget to drink water, despite working outside in the heat, etc.
Also, have you looked into magnesium supplementation? if your husband consumes a lot of calcium through food (or did in his earlier life) he could be magnesium-deficient, as many Americans are.
Unfortunately, many physicians do not understand basic biochemistry, at least in terms of nutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
I'm not a medical expert, but I've heard magnesium be called a natural calcium-channel blocker.
If your husband is deficient, it makes sense to deal with that deficiency, as it is most likely causing many other problems, too. Magnesium is a basic mineral, essential to hundreds of enzymatic processes in the body.
It might also be that nervous tension is causing his migraines, and that a ADHD medication such as Strattera might be a better option than the stimulants. Or combined with a stimulant.
In other words, it sounds to me like he hasn't received medical care that takes into account the commonly co-existing conditions to ADHD. I'd start there before going off into unknown territory.
best,
GinaView Thread
Life can be one big log-rolling event, eh?
So many variables and changes. It's hard to know what's causing what.
I'm glad you are getting help. You have a job you like, and where they like you. So, you want to keep it!
Contrary to public opinion, medication for psychiatric conditions are not an "easy fix." It can be extremely difficult to find a prescriber who is careful and thoughtful. Too many throw medications at a patient as if they were testing spaghetti by throwing it against the wall.
Many (MANY) people with ADHD also have anxiety, depression, etc. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are "kissing cousins" and they don't operate in a vacuum. When you boost dopamine (by taking a stimulant), you can decrease serotonin in parts of the brain.
Think teeter-totter. You want to find a balance.
This means
1. Finding a good prescriber (not always easy)
2. Taking notes. Setting up a notebook right now just for this purpose. To set treatment goals and track your symptoms, dosage, etc. Do NOT depend on the MD to do this. They rarely do.
3. Optimizing the rest of your physical strategies -- diet, exercise, sleep.
Eight years ago, my book was published. I included in it 3 chapters on medication. Because I'd give up on the idea of teaching MDs to be more careful. Eight years later, many prescribers are more careful. But most are not. It will really pay you to educate yourself.
Good luck!
gView Thread
Are you in India perhaps? I know that ADHD awareness is not where it could be in India.
I am sorry that your parents made fun of you.
You know, ADHD is considered highly genetic. So, perhaps the idea hits a little too close to home, so to speak, for one or both of your parents.
Do you have to involve your parents in this?
Can you identify anyone in your community, whom your parents respect, who could weigh in?
Everything you outline are red flags for ADHD. Does that mean I can say that you have ADHD? No.
But everything you mention is so common as to be stereotypical.
Please try to ignore your parents' reaction. ADHD is a "new idea" for some people, and some people don't like new ideas.
In my opinion, your parents should be quite proud of their son, for identifying the challenges he feels are holding him back, finding answers, and coming to a good source for information.
If you were my son, I'd be very proud of you!
best,
GinaView Thread
bView Thread
I am 47 years old and have ADHD. I have spent my entire job career dealing with not being promoted due to job performance, moved around due to job performance or being let go from jobs. I have a bachelors degree in Finance and I have tried just about every medication as well as counseling to help with the symptoms, but nothing seems to help. My doctor informed me that if the Vyvance does not work that I am out of options for medications. I have tried them all. I just lost my job again for the 4th time in my job career due to poor attention to detail and over all performance. Seeking disability benefits is not an option in this case and I feel like I am just stuck. I try every day to stay positive, but no matter what I feel that any job I get will end with the same result (eventually fired). I am getting to the point where when I make a mistake on the job it is affecting me mentally, and emotionally. It is difficult to shrug of the mistakes like I use to.
Please help.View Thread
Did the new symptoms you describe begin with the Vyvanse or are they new developments?
Tics are somewhat common with ADHD, even when unmedicated. But for some, the medications can worsen the tics.
You sound like a smart, observing sibling! Of course he doesn't know why he's doing it. This is a neurological symptom, not a conscious action.
Have you talked with the prescribing physician about this? Your brother doesn't have to live with these symptoms, which no doubt cause him distress and attract negative attention to him at school.
Please know that he doesn't have to live with this. Here is some information: http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/ask-an-expert/2011-12-20-nonstimulant-medications-adhd-tic-side-effects
Good luck!
gView Thread
I have ADHD and I have a hard time with relationships. I find it very difficult to stand still and be a good listener and it is difficult to have a long conversation. My social group is very small as a result. When I meet women they are turned off by the fact that I am impulsive. I try my best to do plan things, but my mind races and I often want to meet quickly and so forth. I feel depressed at times, it's tough being alone, I am a good person and have a lot to offer! thanks allView Thread
As the seventh of my mother's seven children, I can well imagine the organizational skills it requires to parent six children. As an ADHD expert, I can also imagine how having ADHD can make it extra difficult to stay on top of everything.
Please check out some of the information on ADHD in this section:
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htm
One important thing to consider and that your phyisican will want to know: Do you seem to have had these symptoms or traits your entire life? Or, are you overwhelmed with motherhood?
Maybe you can print out the information you find especially pertains to you. Then take it to your doctor and ask for a referral, to be evaluated for ADHD.
If you truly feel you have struggled with these symptoms all your life (though of course, struggled more with increased parental responsibilities), keep looking until you can find a doctor or therapist who will take you seriously.
Good luck!
GinaView Thread
You can contact Shire via e-mail or phone:
https://www.shire.com/patients/patient-services/shire-cares
Contact UsFor information about Shire Cares benefits and eligibility, please call 1-888-CARES-55 (1-888-227-3755), or email ShireCares@shire.com .
Shire Counselors are available from Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, except holidays.View Thread
1. To date I have been hopelessly unable to finish tasks without feeling some kind of pressure to get the task finished wether by disappointed customers, family or friends wanting closure on a task I'm involved with that is more than just a trivial short commitment.
2. I have unclear focas on days tasks as to how to get everything done in order.
In fact I have all the signs of add, but the hyper sign. I never picked on kids growing up, and I never seemed over exited. In fact I was the opposite. Quiet, tired, smart at putting objects together and for reading memory was very frustrating and school was a painful experience of read and fail.
Now at 54 after working salary jobs my whole life leaving lost its all over my desk and paperwork everywhere unable to work at the speed of my peers but could outperform by staying at work an additional 2-4 hours a day to make sense of the work to be done. Still I had major problems at work getting stuff done either procrastinating or forgetting stuff.
Again it seemed I would be prompted a lot by angry bosses or customers to get their projects finished and would just operate like that most of the time. Very very frustrating.
But oddly enough I was liked and respected as a hard worker.
Until 7 years ago.
Lost my job of 15 years to a bad economy in a nitch field of boat repair. The field died out and did not come back.
During this period I lost more family than anyone should bear.
Dad,mother in-law and father in-law within 45 days of each other, 4 year old god daughter to cancer and my sister in-law.
I was drinking heavily and taking pain pills like vocodine. For the whole 7 year period.
I sought recovery and have been clean for 3 years.
My question is....is it safe to take adderall or riddlin being monitored closely?
I am lost for over 7years now and have lived off my retirement. I am exited to treat this condition and for the first time in my life to be able to read and retain information. The world could be my oyster at 54 and I'm chomping it to bits waiting for treatment from my psyc.
Anyone with information on people in recovery seeking treatment that works I would appreciate your input.
Thanks, Gary.View Thread
I checked the settings and I have it on email, I made sure not to select to no email option. I am not sure what I did wrong.View Thread
I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation. The public mostly has no idea of how people with ADHD struggle—and persevere despite their struggles. Most people would cave under the constant demoralization and frustration.
Instead of feeling shame, there is another reaction you could nurture: "I need better strategies."
When people with ADHD say they are taking medication but still having trouble, I always want to know....what type of medication and how was it chosen? How are you taking it? How long does it last? What are you eating for breakfast? Do you get enough sleep?
You get the picture.
In other words, if you're like the majority of people with ADHD taking medication, your medication strategy might need improvement.
But also, how about your supportive strategies? When your boss asks you to pick up something, for example, do you write it down? Or, do you fool yourself into thinking, "I'll remember."
Some of the most high-functioning people with ADHD I know rely on the simplest strategies, such as carrying around one of those little spiral-bound memo pads, where they can dash notes in such cases.
Others manage to use a smartphone effectively (by that I mean, using its lists, calendar, and reminder features without getting sucked into the "fun" distractions).
As for reading your schedule, do you read it and make your plans while your medication is in effect? Or, do you wait until the end of the day when the medication has worn off and you are tired?
Overall, I encourage you to adopt a "problem-solving" attitude. Pretend that you are trying to help a friend; how would you help that friend solve these problems?
good luck!
gView Thread
For peer support, you might want to check out a forum for adults with ADHD. Here's one: http://www.ADDforums.com
But yes, I can assure you, many adults deal with a host of annoyances, as you describe, throughout the day.
Some develop systems that eliminate having to think about every detail. But that works more for routine activities. What you describe sounds like an occasional activity, so you wouldn't really be able to develop a habit around that.
It might be that you're just in a hurry to "get it done" and don't take the time to check..."is this the right card?"
You could work on methods for creating a "pause" between thought and action. Mindfulness Meditation helps some people with this. Medication does, too.
At any rate, I hope you can be a little gentler with yourself and not feel like an idiot when small things like this happen.
Best ,
gView Thread
Just because a medication is a "non-stimulant," that doesn't mean it will work well for ADHD with co-existing bi-polar disorder symptoms.
It also doesn't mean it won't exacerbate bi-polar symptoms.
It can be very tricky to tease out what is bi-polar disorder and what is ADHD. While these are distinct diagnoses, our brains are not so neatly compartmentalized.
Many times, bi-polar disorder is misdiagnosed as ADHD, and vice versa. But the two can co-exist.
The basic approach toward treating these two co-existing conditions is to stabilize the bipolar disorder first and then address the ADHD. Contrary to your physician's opinion, the stimulants can be used successfully with stabilized bipolar.
Your MD sounds unfamiliar with the literature. I would ask him to research it. Or you could research it yourself. But please don't assume that a non-stimulant ADHD medication is the best strategy. "Non-stimulant" does not mean side-effect free. Strattera can exacerbate bi-polar disorder, too.
Best,
GinaView Thread
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