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@caper- ya, I’m still here “lurking”. Thanks for the link. I checked it out. Scary stuff! My daughter was a burner, but that day she felt something bigger. This was just before her consultation with a prominent mental health hospital. The diagnosis was confirmed as ADHD (her self esteem was really low, she felt so much emotional pain, she needed to counter it with physical pain). We got her off all the crap drugs(which I personally believe contributed to the suicidal feelings) and onto Concerta. She recently switched to Strattera and it’s working beautifully. We’ve found the most amazing therapist who helps her with the self esteem issues, and she’s doing really well. She comes home from school happy. She’s socializing, working, and getting great grades. She told me recently that she has actually had moments that have been just….calm. She says she didn’t ever know what that felt like before, and that it’s kinda cool.
So thanks again for the info. I love following your links. They always teach me something.
REPORT ABUSE@Claudea-Originally I was on Effexor for years because my doctor at the time thought I was depressed. He felt that my agitation, irritability and distractedness was all related to depression. I was too far gone to argue at the time. When we finally managed to get a new doctor (not so easy to do where I am), I told him I wanted off the Effexor. Lots of side effects and I really didn’t feel all that depressed, just anxious. By the way, if you do get off the Effexor, do it REALLY slowly. That was a horrible ride! Anyways, my anxiety hit an all-time high. My guess is that since Effexor is something like a third-line med for ADHD, it probably did help a bit to control some symptoms, but when it was gone…yikes! During that time, my teenage daughter was suffering with her ADHD bigtime. However, this doctor decided that even though she had been diagnosed 5 years previously with that (and chose to be med-free), he was leaning more to bipolar. While we waited for a consultation at McMaster(premier hospital for mental health. you wait a long time to get in), he prescribed all kinds of crap for her. She was on so many different meds, she was a mess. He used Topamax to help counter the effects of one particularly nasty drug(olanzapine) that had her go from 113lbs to 160lbs in 3 months(she’s 5’2″). Apparently Topamax is being used off-label for diabetics to help control blood sugar levels which is supposed to help them lose weight. I think he was getting HUGE kickbacks because he thought that since her mood was better and she had lost some weight, that genetically speaking, it would also work for me in the mood department (and losing some pounds would not be bad either). Again, I was too confused, anxious and fed up to argue or care.
When she finally got to McMaster, and re-diagnosed with ADHD and NOT bipolar, we finally found a wonderful psychotherapist(an MD that focuses on CBT) and he agreed to see us both. After a few sessions with him, he diagnosed me with ADHD about a year ago. At the time, we didn’t remove the Topamax because I wasn’t experiencing anything negative with it (that I was aware of at least) and to be honest I was too afraid of going back to the debilitating anxiety. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, and you see my previous post.
My therapist MD believes strongly in having the patient in charge of the meds and titration (of course he does control the prescription pad). He had no problem with me removing the Topamax. He believes in letting me direct the meds. I’m on 36mg Concerta. If I feel I need to go up to 54mg or down to 27mg he will be ok with that. I also have a ritalin “chaser” on hand, in case I need it. Since being off Topamax, I haven’t needed it at all.
So after this whole long-winded post, I reread your post…..to answer your question (sorry), the doctor who prescribed the Topamax didn’t believe in or have much knowledge of ADHD in adults (or children for that matter). He felt there was a bipolarity issue for both of us. But he was sooooo wrong.
@Lucky77- I’m so glad for you that you’ve been able to reduce your scripts with no problems. I know that that’s not always the case for people. While I know it’s common for people to be placed on anti depressants or anxiety meds, when they should be treated for ADHD, some of those individuals actually need both. The only way to know is to try it under controlled conditions (or by accident :wink:)
I just felt the urge to share this, since you never know if it may help someone else. Thanks for listening and good luck!
REPORT ABUSEAugust 30, 2011 at 12:05 pm in reply to: Dr. Jain, please explain why you disputed another Dr.'s diagnosis of ADHD #107545trashman-sending you a virtual “high-5”! Couldn’t have said it better.
REPORT ABUSEAugust 28, 2011 at 8:33 pm in reply to: So we have a generic strattera in Canada now (as of the last month or two?) #107875My daughter’s refill last week was generic. Absolutely no difference so far on the side effects.
REPORT ABUSEJust my two cents here, but ask your son what he wants to do. You stated that he’s intelligent so answer all of the questions together and then let him decide. Too often we make these decisions for our children with little or no input from them. If he chooses not to medicate, he’s at the very least aware of his situation, and when he’s ready to deal with it and develope coping strategies on his own, you’ll both be prepared.
Also remember, he is not you. No matter the similarity. Just support what he wants to do.
REPORT ABUSEHad to add something here on the “western diet” data. So 1799 kids were studied and 115 of them had been clinically diagnosed with add/adhd. 2.2 times more of those kids consumed the “western diet” as opposed to the “healthy diet”. So, 79 kids ate “western” and 36 ate “healthy” (79 + 36 = 115, you with me so far?) What part of the 1799 kids ate “western” verses “healthy” because if of the rest of the kids who were not clinically add/adhd (1799 – 115 = 1684)? What if all of those kids (1684) ate more like a “western diet”? Without all of the facts this doesnt even show anything close to causality. Is it possible that the add/adhd makes it more likely that the child would gravitate to those types of food? I’d have to say that the study is at best misleading, at worst…..well not appropriate words for this forum. I did have a good chuckle!
REPORT ABUSEtoofat-reread your first line to me. then put that in “real” time. and then imagine what my ADD thoughts might have been, and what my ADD words might have been as a response. Although I love your posts and strive for your level of self-wisdom, I am at this point in my life (if I am to be honest) way too impulsive in thought and deed.
My post was not intended to dissuade the TotallyAdd powers-that-be, but rather to advise caution. Just like any other member would advise when watching a fellow ADDer enter a situation that has flashing warning lights all over it.
As stated in my post….to each their own.
Personally, I like having to think twice, three, four times about what I typed before sending it off. I’ve caught a few really insensitve comments that were never intended…..ya missed a few as well..sorry….I’m just sayin’
Dspicelady…out.
REPORT ABUSEClamdigger-you impress the crap out of me! Nothing keeps you down for long. You’ve had many rotten things happen in your life, but you just keep getting up, dusting yourself off, and heading out into the world with a bigger understanding of yourself. You are an inspiration. Thanks for being here.
REPORT ABUSEAm I the only one with reservations regarding a chat room? I understand that it would be up to each individual as to whether or not to join in, but really? I have read so many member’s comments regarding impulsivity and taking so much time on an individual response to a thread, that I worry that some of us may not handle the immediacy of a chat room. Maybe I’m just being a wet blanket here, and to each their own, but I think it might be good to, at the very least, consider this. Not in deciding whether or not to have a chat room, but on how to moderate it.
…..That’s it. Done being a downer!
REPORT ABUSEcayjam- you are showing your “all or nothing” ADD traits! We ADDers tend to think, wrongly of course, that if meds are prescribed to cure an illness, then ADD meds must cure ADD. If the wonderful parts of ADD are part of the problem, then they will be cured as well. Meds aren’t going to take away those wonderful things that make you the fabulous person you are. They are yours. Meds won’t stop you from being late for things or being a good friend either! The choice to medicate is yours, but consider this. You state numerous, let’s call them symptoms, that you are struggling with. If meds helped you to deal with those symptoms (not eliminate, but gave you the tools to DEAL with them), without taking away even one of the wonderful things you like about yourself, how would you feel about meds then? Let’s say meds helped you focus long enough to clean your home. Now you can invite guests over without feeling stress the whole time they are there, which makes you a better hostess, which means you can also focus on conversing with them. Now meds have also helped you to be more mindful of your “blurt-mouth”, so you are not always saying dumb things at the wrong time, so you eventually relax around these people, knowing you can trust yourself more. Friendships blossom within this context.
Meds will not take away your creativity, your intelligence or your fun-loving attitude. It will only remove the roadblock that’s been stopping you from the things youve wanted/needed to do. You still have to do the work (cleaning, working out, etc), but with meds, your thoughts will be more like, ” well, better get to the laundry….i’m actually getting the laundry done!” , instead of “well, better get to the laundry….oh look, a pebble!”
We ADDers don’t need to be fixed, but sometimes we need some help. Whether this help is in the form of therapy, meditation, coaching, exercise, meds or a combination of any or all or something else entirely is completely up to the individual. We are all different with different challenges and strengths.
Advice? Try out some different approaches. Nothing you try has to be permanent, even meds. Just experiment and see what gives you the most positive benefits. You will know what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s a journey. Good luck!
REPORT ABUSEHi there. So it sounds a bit like you’ve already decided that your doc won’t be supportive of this discovery of yours. If that’s not the case, try stating everything exactly like you just did here, including your Ritalin trial. Be honest and forthcoming about all of it. My doc didn’t even blink when I admitted to trying my daughter’s meds. He just asked what I experienced with it. A letter from your Pysch couldn’t hurt either. Good luck!
REPORT ABUSEOndine-ya the talking thing is a big one for me, not hubby, though. My kids know that if I’m talking to someone and say, just give me 5 minutes, it means 20 maybe 30!
Before diagnosis and meds, I was in a constant state of panic over pretty much everything and anything. If my life wasn’t in chaos, things didnt feel right. It’s taken some months and my life will always be “in progress”, but I do feel things have gotten much better.
The knowledge you acquire will be extremely helpful for you and your family, even if they get tired of your hyperfocussing on it. (Of course, I’m only assuming that will happen to you because it definitely happened here!) In the long run, I think, they are glad to have “Wiki-mom” available to say, “ya, someone on the forum had that happen and this is what they did.” or “taking your concerta with OJ can sometimes counteract the stimulant effect.” or “your keys are probably in the fridge where you left them.”
Sorry, tangent! 😳
Just remember to keep that sense of humour that’s oozing from your posts (I use oozing in the absolute best sense of the word!). I love your cat analogy! I’m doing that right now and looking at the clock. In 27 seconds I will have to dash to get changed for work and then run out the door and get there (hopefully) in time. With some luck, I wont forget anything important along the way!
Keep posting how things are going! I’ll be around if you have anything you want to ask me.
Cherri
REPORT ABUSEWelcome aboard! The crazy train that is. I have been officially diagnosed. My husband, while he’s coming around, still refuses to be evaluated. My youngest daughter has been treated for years for it(hyperactive subtype) and my oldest daughter, while coping well, is starting to show all of the inattentive symptoms. Every day here is a crap-shoot of what we’re going to get. We are all very intelligent, funny, talented in our own areas, etc. But on a bad day……?
That said, things are getting better and better with knowledge and alot of patience. The book you bought is fantastic! A bible, if you will. Another one I would recommend is Gina Pera’s “Is it You, Me, or Adult ADD?” The reason for this, is that everyone needs to see how we affect the others in our lives. It’s been easy for me to see how my husband’s scatteredness has affected me, but since my issues are different, it was enlightening to see it in print how I was affecting him.
As for your question? Of course it can work if both have ADD. As long as BOTH parties acknowledge, accept and actively work at communication and taking responsibility of their own symptoms. This is not as easy as it sounds, but it certainly is attainable if both want it.
Good luck in your quest for knowledge. You have certainly made an impressive first step by coming here. There is alot to learn and you’ll find it here.
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(just had to try out the emoticons)
Carrie, just remember, everyone has to come to these things in their own time. I am currently learning this lesson the hard way. The important thing is to keep him/his support in your life. We adders are tempted to solve everyone else’s issues. Concentrate on you. When he sees how much better you are and learns about ADD alongside you, maybe he will get his own “ahah” moment. But it has to be on his own. Wishing you the best.
REPORT ABUSECarrie, I think you answered alot of your own questions in your post. Tell him what you wrote here. You know he’s concerned about you, however you are an intelligent person who has been tested and diagnosed AND done extensive research on the meds involved. You feel hurt by his response and that you hope he will support you by learning what this means for you.
As for the red flags….he has suffered from anxiety and depression where treatment has not been successful? Use of drugs? Abuse early in life? One word for you….genetic. Not trying to diagnose, but maybe a clue as to his response.
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