This is a multi-category post. I accidentally posted in in the wrong section. I’ll give a little background, my experiences getting tested, and my expectations and experiences during medication.
For a very long time, I have been stressed out by the thought of school. I couldn’t read a book, even though I had a very good understanding of words and was one of the best readers in my class during school. I couldn’t stay focused on or interested in a book. Every line would have a few words that would send my brain on a rampage through everything I could possibly associate with it. (The word “duck” would make me think of water, that would split into fishing and drinking, then into food, camping, alcohol, and on to cooking, recipes, nutrition, wilderness survival, sharpening knives, hunting, types of flora and fauna, partying, effects of drugs, blood alcohol contents, local breweries, bars, restaurants, etc… One word would cause my brain to process all of that in quick succession, as well as thinking of times that I have experienced or seen examples of each. This would repeat itself with different words until I had gotten so cluttered that as my eyes continued to flow along the lines of the page, the signal seemed to stop at the eyes… my brain processed nothing from the material and I would not catch the problem until I was pages farther into the book.
In class, I could listen to the teacher’s lecture and take notes… for about 15 minutes. Granted, my notes hardly made sense as nothing he said seemed significant enough to write down, so I end up scribbling what seems to be a mumbled translation of broken sentences, summarizing the lecture. After 15~ minutes, I was exhausted and had absolutely no will to continue taking notes. I’d try to just listen and take in as much as possible. Slowly, I start thinking of truck tires, airplanes, dragons, my friends drawings, etc… After a few minutes, he may mention Monticello, for example, and I’d think of a civil war era plantation, with trees planted in a pattern covering the entire yard. I think it is very interesting and beautiful how the rows align when you stand at a certain point. So what do I do? I begin drawing different patterns of trees that “align” the most times as seen from the highway when driving past. There goes 15 minutes. Before I know it, class is over and I am in a complete fog as to what was covered during that hour.
Homework is very similar, sit down at the computer and start working on math. I do a few problems, then get thirsty, remember I must do laundry. While i’m doing laundry, I decide to go get something from my Jeep. I forget what i’m getting and end up driving around until I remember my homework.
I used to try to supplement (Self medicate) myself with things to aid concentration… They seemed nearly useless. I tried small to large doses of Omega 3’s (DHA and EPA, then EPA alone, then DHA alone), 5-HTP, St Johns Wort, B-complex vitamins, L-tyrosine, and regretfully, even one online “ADHD oriented” nootropic called ADDtabz… needless to say it was worthless… A mixture of 1,3 Dimethylamylamine, caffine, and Beta Alanine… 1,3Di is a vasoconstrictor, so your brain doesn’t get as much blood as it did previously, then caffeine and beta alanine to counter act this… it’s stupid as well as expensive.
—Decision to get see someone.
I had an American Lit exam that consisted of quotes from our readings. about 15 or so pages of these quotes, maybe 8-10 on each page. I recognized about 2 of them throughout the entire exam. I felt horrible, stupid, insignificant, and about every other bad feeling I could think of. the only good thing I felt is that the test was over, the grade was final, there was no way to change it. So I felt relieved that I no longer had to take that test, but I was so upset about the problem that I called my sister to talk about it. During the talk, she mentioned her child and husband are both adhd, and suggested I see their Psychiatrist. I hated the idea of doctors. A: I had no insurance. B: I didn’t like medication C: I am a guy who hates to admit that anything is wrong with me… the list goes on.
So I had the appointment… now the wait for 3 weeks. My sister’s husband had an appointment before me, and she mentioned me to the Dr. He told her that I needed to see a Psychologist first, so Oh my, 4 days until my appointment and I have to see a psyc and get tested first. WOW! … so i put it off for a day. (Smart right?) The next day I called the Dr’s recommended psychologist and… YES.. an opening for the next day. I see her and explain… blah blah… she says she thinks I have it and wants to do some testing. I mention my appointment with the Psychiatrist and she tests me at 11am the next day, and has my results sent to the Dr. before I get there. “They were convincing” he says but I have no idea how they went. haha.
He gave me a 60 count prescription of Methylphenidate 10mg and instructions for another appointment soon. I felt good, I was afraid that they would tell me that my problem is laziness and send me on my way, minus $750 for the visits and testing. There finally seemed to be some hope for my lack of concentration.
I’ve been on the medication for about a week so far, and 10mg didn’t seem effective. I felt different when I took it, but BARELY. Also, after about 1-2 hours, the medication seemed to hit a “sweet spot” where I was more focused on distractions than before. So the Dr. suggested I take 1.5-2 pills per dose and see how that does.
I have decided to make an as detailed as possible list of pros, cons, and questions for the Dr. while I’m am in these early stages. For informational purposes, I’ll post the list in it’s current state, so that anyone who reads can compare their own changes from the medication.
Methylphenidate 10mg 1.5-2 pills up to 2x per day. (Small, round, white pill with a protruding square on each side with “M” on one and “-10-” on the other)
Pros:
-The 4-8 “Highways” in my mind feel more like 2-3, greatly improving the attention that I give to tasks.
-I’m more interactive during class and have more questions about the topic. (previously I never had questions about anything.)
-I feel like my thoughts are usually more relevant to whatever environment i am in.
-My mind seems very clear, and almost vivid at times.
-My driving seems more responsible and less agressive.
-I seem to realize when I’m hungry more often, I used to forget to eat (sometimes until late afternoon)
-I’m not late to class or work nearly as often
-My class notes make much more sense than before.
-I don’t feel like I blurt out “stupid” or “irrelevant” things as often.
-I’m more organized (Making lists, etc…)
-Methylphenidate is CHEAP
-Usually less fidgeting, more comfortable in my seat during class. (Usually)
Cons:
-Usually makes me sleepy
-My heart rate noticeably increases
– – -as if i’m anxious or nervous
-Sometimes I am still very distractible and/or focus more on distractions than before the medicine. (Usually 1.5+ hours into the dose)
-occasionally more fidgety or anxious.
-Sometimes causes a slight headache that can last for 10-12 hours, but is very mild.
-Seems hit or miss for concentration, sometimes works very well for 3-4 hours, sometimes seems to not work at all. (I believe this is diet related)
-Occasionally narrows thoughts down more than is desirable. I.E. Only one path for thought at a time… the rest of the mind seems “asleep.”
Questions I have for my Dr.:
– What kind of foods should I eat, and when should I eat for most effectiveness?
– Eat more before taking and have more nutrients available, but less methylphenidate absorbed.
– Eat less after taking and have more methylphenidate absorbed, but less nutrients available to be used.
– I’m curious about the relation of blood glucose leves, sugar intake, and methylphenidate.
-Ask about validity of methylphenidate increasing glucose usage in frontal lobes of the brain, thus lowering blood glucose levels drastically. Also, will low blood sugar cause the methylphenidate to seem ineffective? Is this why the medicine seems hit and miss as far as being effective? (My glucose leves drop to very low levels and the brain doesn’t absorb as much as it can in an attempt to reduce the effects of hypoglycemia.)
Low glucose levels can cause you to:
feel hungry or have “hunger pains” in their stomach
feel shaky or like they’re trembling
have a rapid heart rate
feel sweaty or have cold, clammy skin
have pale, gray skin color
have a headache
feel moody, cranky, or irritable
feel drowsy, weak, or dizzy
be unsteady or stagger when walking
have blurred or double vision
feel confused
have seizures or convulsions
lose consciousness (pass out)
…Now compare these to the side effects of Methylphenidate…
REPORT ABUSE
