[cakat01]

I have been taking Vyvanse for 4 months. I did have headaches the first 2-3 weeks. I sleep better than ever taking Vyvanse, but my doctor and I suspect that I’m hyperactive which explains sleeping better. I find the med quite calming. I take 40 mg in the morning and often get tired by noon, so I take another 20 mg. It did suppress my appetite a little for the first 2 months. I no longer eat out of boredom. I used to eat a lot of chocolate, but not anymore. I don’t notice much appetite suppression anymore–I get hungry at the usual times like I did before I started taking Vyvanse.

I have had dizziness, but I don’t think it is due to the medication. I dieted to lose the extra pounds I gained from all that chocolate, and I find that adding a bit more salt works to stop the dizziness. I eat something a bit salty, like a pickle or olive, which takes care of it.

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[cakat01]

I have been dancing (hula and Tahitian) for five years. Classes are twice a week. It is the ONLY exercise I have been able to stick with. What I like about it is that there’s alway something new to learn or a new technique to acquire.

I have recently started walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes every day. I haven’t missed the treadmill time for over a month. I watch TV while I walk, particularly documentary or educational shows. I find I retain the information better. I can hardly sit through an entire show, and walking really helps. I don’t get bored with the TV or walking. I walk fast and vary the speed. I may try reading while walking on the treadmill soon. It might help me retain what I read as well. Somehow walking keeps my mind from wandering.

I always hated the gym, so I never stuck with a membership. I absolutely hated exercise until I found a dance style that I loved. I was lucky that I didn’t need to exercise for weight control. That has changed somewhat in recent years.

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[cakat01]

This is a common question on ADD/ADHD forums. There are a few criteria, and you cannot be taking medication for a year prior to joining. I don’t think you can take ADD medication while in the military.

Here’s the main part that you need: “Under current practice, an applicant with a history of ADHD may be given a medical waiver if he or she has not been treated with therapeutic medication within the last year, has documentation of stable employment or has done well in school (medication or an individual education plan), and has had no significant encounters with the legal system.”

Here are a few links:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/asthma.htm

http://www.amsara.amedd.army.mil/reports/2000/ATTENTIONDEFICIT.htm

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[cakat01]

Some people take more than 70 mg. Vyvanse doesn’t last for me either. In fact, it wears off around 4 hours after I take it. I take 40 mg in the morning and 20 mg after noon. I get incredibly sleepy as it wears off. We didn’t try increasing the dose, which often increases any side effects. I don’t think that a high protein diet helps the Vyvanse last longer. I have been on a high protein diet for at least a month. I feel better eating that much protein, but Vyvanse still wears off as usual.

Your metabolism affects how long these time-release drugs work and last.

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[cakat01]

I read that same article. I thought the same about the last item. Managers and bosses say they want to hear other opinions. However, they always find something negative in whatever someone suggests and go with whatever they thought in the first place.

#1 and #10 contradict each other. My last boss held meetings where he did 99% of the talking. But if it was a meeting where he asked for everyone’s input…ideas were dismissed. I was excited when I started that job and spoke up in meetings. I didn’t monopolize the meetings, but got in trouble for saying anything. While I hadn’t been there long, I do have years of experience working in various industries and areas. I finally stopped speaking in meetings unless I had to.

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[cakat01]

It will be interesting to see what others say here. Caffeine doesn’t work for me at all. I get sleepy. I used sugar and chocolate to keep my mind alert before taking ADD meds.

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[cakat01]

Without those people who have ADD/ADHD, the world would not have some of the wonderful technology, art, books and movies that we have. Everyone has issues that they have to deal with in life. ADD/ADHD is not a severe mental handicap.

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[cakat01]

I don’t have an answer about how. However, it’s great that you recognize that inner voice and that it is an inner voice. You’re correct that as long as “I can’t do anything right” is running and your reality that nothing anyone says to the contrary will make any difference.

Often self-awareness training and courses are recommended for people with ADHD. I highly recommend the Landmark Forum for dealing with those inner voices. I did the course before medication and before realizing that most of my issues were because of ADHD. It made a huge difference for me in dealing with people and how I reacted to whatever they said. I don’t get triggered very often anymore.

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[cakat01]

I was angry too for awhile. I’m also recently diagnosed after working on helping my son with his ADD. I’m 42 and on medication, which made me realize how much of my life I had slept through. I was angry about how hard everything had been, although I would have never known that without the medication. The ADHD explains so much of my life…why I get bored so easily, change jobs, issues dealing with people, etc. I could go on and on. There are some wonderful things about it, but none of them seem to be honored in today’s society. (Another reason to be mad.)

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