ADD/ADHD revisited

Tsunami · 01-22-2009, 07:35 PM

Ok so since it doesnt' seem like anyone is answering over at CF anymore....

Just got diagnosed with ADD a few days ago, what a relief to know that there is a reason for the scatterbrainness, my poor time management skills, inability to finish things once its started, etc etc, Funny thing is before my doc scored me, he was like, yeah i don't even need to read the results, its so obvious!

my doc gave me a script for a low dosage of Adderall XR (which is now a battle to get that approved with the ins company

). I dont really plan on being on meds forever, just want to see if it would be a miracle drug to help me now focus and get the "noise" out of my head and what the difference really is btwn normalcy and ADD . I'm actually a bit scared to go on it, incase it makes me crazy.

I plan on doing a crap load of research and therapy for coping mechanisms. As i look back its explains so many things!

Anyway, has anyone else been diagnosed and if so what do you do to combat/cope with it? And if you are on meds, what have your experience been?

VatorMan · 01-22-2009, 07:43 PM

Question-how is your diet? Lots of sugar and caffeine I bet. Junk food etc...You can treat hyperactivity (I don't believe in ADD) by a change in diet and lots of exercise.

Tsunami · 01-22-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VatorMan

Question-how is your diet? Lots of sugar and caffeine I bet. Junk food etc...You can treat hyperactivity (I don't believe in ADD) by a change in diet and lots of exercise.

i actually eat really clean, and i'm always out doing some excersize of some sort, plenty of sleep. I'm a health nut. i don't have hyperactivity part, so not ADHD, but ADD. I can sit still, i just have trouble focusing, although with ADD, on certain things you can be hyperfocused, until you lose interest.

2up · 01-22-2009, 08:10 PM

I haven't taken Adderall but my husband, brother-in-law and nephew have. I'm going to be totally honest with you, not to scare you, but to really inform you, OK?

My nephew was on it for only a couple of weeks at most and it really helped him with clarity, etc, when he started to have involuntary "twitches" in his fingers. It was noticeable by others and VERY bothersome to him. My sister took him off the meds and it took quite some time before the twitching went away.

My husband took it for 5 days and started having "dark" thoughts/feelings that he couldn't fully explain, but to the point he HAD to stop taking it.

My brother-in-law has had NO problems with it and it has done wonders for his memory and clarity. I think its been over a year since he started taking it.

Good luck with it!!! It CAN help but for sure look into the other options you've mentioned so you're not a slave to the drug.

azoomm · 01-22-2009, 08:37 PM

No personal experience. Just want to let you know that you are in my thoughts about it. I hope it helps...

Mr Lefty · 01-22-2009, 08:48 PM

I was diagnosed in 7th grade with "severe" ADD... I was perscribed riddlin... but refused to take it... I struggled in school... but was even worse when I was doing indepenant study or homework... my mind couldn't focus if I didn't find it interesting.

I don't think I am or ever was SEVERE... but is impossible for me to sit down and study something. if it's something I'm intrested in... I'll be hooked by my interest... study'n it... no luck.

I did find i learn things very well by just being in the classroom. I absorbed it... I guess.

I learn the best when I do it.

SoFlaSV · 01-22-2009, 09:00 PM

I tried Ritalin and it did do anything for me.

Concerta does, but it's expensive without insurance.

PhiSig1071 · 01-22-2009, 09:59 PM

Oh holy hell, I was the poster boy for ADD/ADHD, still am.

It was BAD, I used to have only three days of "normal" school. I went to "gifted" classes one day, ADD classes one day, and regular class for three of five. My teacher though that regular classes were not challenging enough and when I got bored my mind would wander, so I got to do five days worth of work in three. I was dosed with ritalin all through elementary and middle school. I finally said fuck it I don't want to be a drug zombie and stopped taking it. My grades suffered but my life improved. It's all about willpower, you know you have it and you know you need to work to overcome it. I had to have zero distractions while doing work, I'd put in headphones and force myself to focus. You can overcome it, but it's hard.

I am still that way, and I still have some issues. I literally can not sit still, I am always moving, tapping my foot is my most common "tic" but I will occasionally fingerspell what I am saying or thinking using the manual alphabet from American Sign language. It's hard, but I think that it also helped me get to where I am today because when I force myself to focus on something I excell at it. Not to sound like a braggart but I have accomplished a lot in 26 years and I think I wouldn't have done half of it had my mind been numbed by some drug.

the chi · 01-22-2009, 10:05 PM

They tell me I have

Wait, what were we talking about again?

Seriously tho, good luck. Hope the meds work or you find another alternative.

I've never been in to see a doc, and quite honestly dont feel the need to, as I am so OCD, my ADD tendencies are tightly controlled, like Phi said, its a will power thing, but thats VERY dependent on each person. But well, anyone who knows me will tell ya, if I am not focused on something I have a disturbing tendency to shift mid thought or sentence from one thing to another. Funny at times, but it can sometimes make it hard to effectively communicate if I am frazzled. I am the poster child for *LOOK, SHINEY*!

PhiSig1071 · 01-22-2009, 10:07 PM

How many ADD kids does it take to change a lightbuld?

Wanna go ride bikes?

01-22-2009, 07:35 PM	#1
Tsunami Pug Queen Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Moto: DR200, SV650 Posts: 2,486	ADD/ADHD revisited Ok so since it doesnt' seem like anyone is answering over at CF anymore.... Just got diagnosed with ADD a few days ago, what a relief to know that there is a reason for the scatterbrainness, my poor time management skills, inability to finish things once its started, etc etc, Funny thing is before my doc scored me, he was like, yeah i don't even need to read the results, its so obvious! my doc gave me a script for a low dosage of Adderall XR (which is now a battle to get that approved with the ins company). I dont really plan on being on meds forever, just want to see if it would be a miracle drug to help me now focus and get the "noise" out of my head and what the difference really is btwn normalcy and ADD . I'm actually a bit scared to go on it, incase it makes me crazy. I plan on doing a crap load of research and therapy for coping mechanisms. As i look back its explains so many things! Anyway, has anyone else been diagnosed and if so what do you do to combat/cope with it? And if you are on meds, what have your experience been?

01-22-2009, 08:37 PM	#5
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	No personal experience. Just want to let you know that you are in my thoughts about it. I hope it helps... __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

01-22-2009, 09:59 PM	#8
PhiSig1071 Let go of my ears. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: '03 GSX-R600, '04 625SMC Posts: 1,394	Oh holy hell, I was the poster boy for ADD/ADHD, still am. It was BAD, I used to have only three days of "normal" school. I went to "gifted" classes one day, ADD classes one day, and regular class for three of five. My teacher though that regular classes were not challenging enough and when I got bored my mind would wander, so I got to do five days worth of work in three. I was dosed with ritalin all through elementary and middle school. I finally said fuck it I don't want to be a drug zombie and stopped taking it. My grades suffered but my life improved. It's all about willpower, you know you have it and you know you need to work to overcome it. I had to have zero distractions while doing work, I'd put in headphones and force myself to focus. You can overcome it, but it's hard. I am still that way, and I still have some issues. I literally can not sit still, I am always moving, tapping my foot is my most common "tic" but I will occasionally fingerspell what I am saying or thinking using the manual alphabet from American Sign language. It's hard, but I think that it also helped me get to where I am today because when I force myself to focus on something I excell at it. Not to sound like a braggart but I have accomplished a lot in 26 years and I think I wouldn't have done half of it had my mind been numbed by some drug. __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda necessitatem

01-22-2009, 10:07 PM	#10
PhiSig1071 Let go of my ears. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: '03 GSX-R600, '04 625SMC Posts: 1,394	How many ADD kids does it take to change a lightbuld? Wanna go ride bikes? __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda necessitatem

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01-22-2009, 07:43 PM	#2
VatorMan Wrap Yo Ass in Fiberglass Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: Feet Posts: 1,605	Question-how is your diet? Lots of sugar and caffeine I bet. Junk food etc...You can treat hyperactivity (I don't believe in ADD) by a change in diet and lots of exercise.

01-22-2009, 08:10 PM	#4
2up Waiting for Hello Kitty! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arizona Moto: Nothing ATM, which makes me want to cry. Posts: 810	I haven't taken Adderall but my husband, brother-in-law and nephew have. I'm going to be totally honest with you, not to scare you, but to really inform you, OK? My nephew was on it for only a couple of weeks at most and it really helped him with clarity, etc, when he started to have involuntary "twitches" in his fingers. It was noticeable by others and VERY bothersome to him. My sister took him off the meds and it took quite some time before the twitching went away. My husband took it for 5 days and started having "dark" thoughts/feelings that he couldn't fully explain, but to the point he HAD to stop taking it. My brother-in-law has had NO problems with it and it has done wonders for his memory and clarity. I think its been over a year since he started taking it. Good luck with it!!! It CAN help but for sure look into the other options you've mentioned so you're not a slave to the drug.

01-22-2009, 08:48 PM	#6
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	I was diagnosed in 7th grade with "severe" ADD... I was perscribed riddlin... but refused to take it... I struggled in school... but was even worse when I was doing indepenant study or homework... my mind couldn't focus if I didn't find it interesting. I don't think I am or ever was SEVERE... but is impossible for me to sit down and study something. if it's something I'm intrested in... I'll be hooked by my interest... study'n it... no luck. I did find i learn things very well by just being in the classroom. I absorbed it... I guess. I learn the best when I do it.

01-22-2009, 09:00 PM	#7
SoFlaSV Guinness Bitches... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Coconut Creek, Fl Moto: '00 SV650 Posts: 505	I tried Ritalin and it did do anything for me. Concerta does, but it's expensive without insurance.