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This is the first chance I’ve had to say how deeply I regret not making it to the Science Centre Workshop. I’d said I’d be there and had every intention of doing so … but the day before the workshop, Michelle & I discovered our Nephew, Greg, had been murdered!
I can’t begin to express the shock and grief we both felt. As you get older, you steel yourself to the inevitable loss of friends & family… but to see one younger than you murdered??? … I truly don’t have the words.
FYI – his girlfriend (a woman with mental problems whom our gentle nephew truly believed he could help) confessed and has been charged with second degree murder. From what we understand, she had made several attempts on his life and – after his father begged him to leave before she succeeded – Greg was packing when she stabbed him through the heart & lung.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of Greg’s father for being able to see that this murder was a double tragedy. Even though he lost his son, he found it in his heart to feel sorry for “…that poor girl. Imagine when she comes to her senses and realizes what she’s done?.”
I don’t know if she was receiving help. I don’t know if she was taking meds – or was supposed to, but hadn’t taken them.
All I do know is that this terrible tragedy has reaffirmed my determination to end the stigma attached to all mental disorders. Whether it be ADD, like the rest of us “Swans” in this forum, or an episode that caused this woman to end the life of a “gentle giant” who only wanted to help her.
We MUST find ways to make it easier for people to seek help. We MUST end the stigma that makes it so hard for those who need help the most to even ask for it.
It’s just a chemical imbalance, folks. Nothing more. It’s not “our fault,” it’s just the way we were “made.”
And, in so many cases, meds can normalize the imbalance, the symptoms can be controlled, and we can live our lives – our REAL lives – to their fullest potential.
To my way of thinking – NOT taking advantage of this is the only thing that can truly be called “crazy.”
My apologies again for missing the Workshop.
I sincerely hope to meet many of you at the next one.
Cheers until next time,
Your fellow “Swan,”
GN
REPORT ABUSEYup.
Absolute hell in school. I remember sitting in front of an Algebra book, reading and re-reading the same text over and over again – for FOUR HOURS.
Never got off the first page. Couldn’t remember anything.
(Sidebar: A nephew with ADD actually TIED himself to a chair for 4 hours so he could study. Same results as me!)
BUT…
If the subject captures my curiousity (Astronomy, aviation, creation of the Niagara Gorge, dangers of Sludge Spreading {???}), I become a walking encyclopedia.
Also know all the words to just about every song from the sixties.
Taught myself the greek alphabet by turning it into a song!
What WEIRD & wonderful minds we Swans have <g>
PS: I believe I still hold my school’s record for the FINAL mark in my Grade 13 Geometry Exam … FOUR (that’s out of a hundred!)
REPORT ABUSELook forward to meeting the rest of you at the Workshop,
GN
(Old guy with grey hair and a beard <g>)
REPORT ABUSEJust watched Rick’s video again, and this needs repeating.
The courage it took to make himself that open & vulnerable just blows me away.
If you haven’t seen it yet – GO WATCH IT NOW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQDfQKU2UY
It’s been as VERY long time since I’ve witnessed that much selfless honesty.
WELL DONE, RICK.
You’re “doin’ the job” my man … Doin’ the job.
REPORT ABUSEKellysfirst – info now posted on “events.”
Also, check out this incredibly brave vid from Ric Green:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQDfQKU2UY
That took real guts, Rick.
Thank you.
REPORT ABUSEFebruary 5, 2010 at 1:48 pm in reply to: Famous people with ADD & other Brain Chemistry Imbalances #92335Also – know it’s a long way from Ottawa, but don’t forget Rick & Dr. J’s Workshop on Feb. 27th. in Toronto.
Details on “Events” above top left.
We’ll be there. Hope to see (& MEET!) some of you then.
Cheers,
GN
REPORT ABUSEGood luck, Veronica.
REPORT ABUSECan I get back to you next week? <vbg>
Seriously – worked as an Editor for CTV National News for 3 years, but couldn’t stand being somewhere when there was no work to be done. So I’ve been pretty much self-employed since ’71. It was tough at first, but I had quite a successful career as a Screenwriter.
Only problem was, I never knew if my ADD gift of hyper-focus would be there when I needed it, which meant I was either the fastest writer around, or undependable.
That ended with my ADD diagnosis & meds. My hyper-focus is now there whenever I need it and I’ve gone from undependable to totally dependable!
Right now, my partner & I have gambled everything we have on a new project that combines all of our various skills. It’s live online now, but our “Main Launch” is next Monday … so I’ll hold off telling you how wildly successful we are till I see the results. <vbg>
(I’d tell you the url, but that’s too much like a commercial for a place like this … where “Swans” gather to help each other, not self-promote <g>.)
Good luck & cheers till next time,
GN
REPORT ABUSEVeronica…
Bishop & I are in Canada. It takes longer for meds to be approved here and seemingly forever for generic versions to appear.
Hey, Rick … you reading this?
How’s about a rant on the price of our meds?
(And aren’t the Americans always complaining because our meds are so much CHEAPER??? What gives?)
Also…
Re tics – Yup, mine were worse at night. (“were” – what a wonderful word <g>).
Re trying to stop tics. I remember THAT battle well. It is possible for VERY short periods of time, but the price is that they EXPLODE once you finally have to give in.
Re having a tic episode for the first time in ages …
Sigh. Afraid I’m partially to blame for that. Our discussion, and your decision to talk with your Doctor about them, has you thinking about tics again.
It’s truly weird, but – before I got my Clonazepam – I discovered (to my horror) that if I was giving a talk on ADD and demonstrated a tic I used to have, IT CAME BACK!
It was almost like the “Tourettes part of my brain” was thinking, “Oh yes – that was a good one. Let’s do that again!”
It got so I was afraid to mention any of my past tics, lest they return to haunt me.
(Just a little schizo … not that that’s anything to laugh at {Sheesh, I really have to be careful what I say}.)
Anyway – sorry if I “reminded you” about your tics. Then again – if you’re going to see your doctor, perhaps it’s just as well they have come back.
(Sidebar: Every time I’d tell my GP about my tics, he’d look at me strangely cause he’d never seen them. {I now realize that’s because I was hyper-focused every time I saw him.} Then, one day I was filming some Sludge-dumpers breaking the law {one of my other “causes”}, and when I put the camcorder down on the passenger seat, I forgot to turn it off. So I ended up with about 30 minutes worth of footage of me tic’ing away like crazy. Next time I saw my GP, he was surprised to see me waiting with a camcorder <g>, but when I showed him the tape, he could finally see what I’d been dealing with).
All the best with your Doc tomorrow. Just remember not to be disappointed if he doesn’t nail the right med off the top. It took my Specialist 3 tries to nail it … but WHAT A DIFFERENCE. (Just hope I can keep on taking it. Will keep you all updated on the results).
Cheers till next time,
GN
REPORT ABUSEOkay folks.
Let me get in on this.
I’ve been on meds since 1995.
Started with Ritalin (cause that’s pretty much all there was). Initially it was WONDERFUL, but I quickly noticed my ADD got REALLY bad when it wore off.
Have since learned (especially when making emergency drives for Children’s Aid to pick up ADD kids, gone ballistic, ) this is “Ritalin re-bound.”
My PERSONAL feeling is that short term Rit’s day is done & gone. Several ADD Docs have told me – it works 2.5 hours – with luck – and then, you get re-bound.
Slow release Rit is better, but doesn’t give the 6 hours of relief claimed. 4 hours is more like it (FOR ME) and you still get rebound (though not as bad as short term Rit).
(If it was up to me, I’d ban short term Rit altogether.)
My Doc switched me to Dexedrine Spansules (Slo-release). Much better and I was on them for years … BUT … in time I got rebound from them as well, my anger got worse, and my Tourettes Tics were horrific.
I now think of Dex as “poison” FOR ME.
Tried Concerta. Didn’t work.
Tried Strattera. Nothing.
Tried Wellbutrin. Made me ANGRY.
Same with other SSRI’s (I get a “paradoxical response”).
Eventually switched to Adderall. MUCH better. Comes on slowly. Goes away slowly. So there’s no sense of “taking drugs.” You’re just suddenly aware, “Hey …Here I am!”
My only disappointment (and it’s a big one) is that I don’t have the same “It’s-quiet-in-my-head” feeling I initially had with Rit & Dex.
BUT … Adderall gives me “access-on-demand” to my hyper-focus whenever I need it. Every time. Guaranteed.
I am now … dependable! (Who … ME??? <g>)
And the Clonazepam has completely stopped my Tourettes tics (though I am going to follow up on Dr. Jain’s concerns re potential memory problems with Clonazepam).
So, for now, Adderall is my best alternative (MY best alternative. Your brain chemistry could be – probably IS – completely different).
Re appetite: Ah, now here’s a topic I KNOW. <g> Had to do a lot of research on this because the subject comes up all the time.
Here’s what I’ve found (for ME). All of these meds really don’t affect your appetite, they affect your appetite TRIGGER. What disappears on meds is the SENSATION that you’re hungry. It feels like you’ve lost your appetite, but you really haven’t.
It took me a while to realize that, while I didn’t sense the need to eat, all I had to do was place food in front of me and I DEVOURED it.
I actually find this “side-effect” quite beneficial in controlling my weight. <g> If I start putting on too much weight, I just don’t put as much (or as frequent) food in front of me. Most days, I have breakfast and supper and … that’s it. If I want to add weight (rare <g>), I just put more food in front of me and – it’s gone in seconds! <vbg>
Re ADD kids having stunted growth: I read a published, peer-reviewed study which showed ADDers are 1/4 to 1/2 inch taller than the average population. So you know where to file that rumour. <g>
Re cost of Adderall: Yup. It’s high. But I know you can get generic Adderall in the States for much less. (Anyone know if it’s available/approved in Canada yet?)
Plus … The Pharma people are just getting ready to make a big push on their new ADD product, Vyvanse. My Doctor tells me this is because Adderall is now available (will be available?) in generic form and the Pharma-gang want a new high-priced ADD Med to replace it.
From what I hear Vyvanese is a more concentrated form of Dex, so I doubt it will work for me … however I’m keeping an open mind on the subject.
But I digress. <g>
The point is – I suspect Adderall prices will be coming down and it is SO superior to Ritalin & Dex (FOR ME).
Re Insomnia (and I’m writing this around 4 a.m. <g>).
Yup. It’s a problem.
Tried all kinds of so-called tricks … a 5mg Rit before bed. Same strategy with Dex, but nothing worked.
I’d be exhausted, but my mind was wide awake. Talked to several ADD specialists and to my G.P. and all agreed the answer was (brace yourselves), sleeping pills.
Now, I know how I felt when the suggestion was made … NO WAY.
But … the way it’s been explained to me is: over-the counter sleeping pills are little more than Gravol or antihistamine pills (and, out of curiousity, I’ve tried both and the result is the same – I sleep).
I refused for the longest time, but just couldn’t sleep, so I broke down and tried the weakest sleeping pills I could find.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
I can now control EXACTLY when I go to sleep. I take a sleeping pill 20 minutes before I want to “drop off.” And the way it’s been explained to me – and the way it feels is – when you get to that point when you’re JUST about to fall asleep but can’t (because your brain is too active), the sleeping pill allows you to make that transition. Nothing more.
When I wake up. I have no sensation of sleepiness. I’m usually at my computer about 90 seconds after my eyes open!
However … I know this is controversial and I DON’T like the idea of taking sleeping pills. BUT, it works FOR ME.
Also – REALLY IMPORTANT: Because I’m aware of the potential for abuse, the deal I’ve made with myself is – I NEVER take more than one, under ANY circumstances.
If something wakes me up (like tonight {Yikes! Almost morning} <g>), my reaction is “Tough. Get up. Do some work till you’re tired, then go back to bed and try again … but NO 2nd Sleeping pill.”
That’s my LAW and I stick to it, no matter what. I KNOW there’s a slippery slope re Sleeping Pills, and I ain’t gettin’ on it for nothin’. <vbg>
Bottom line re Insomnia: TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. Do NOT take my advice. I’m just telling you the solution I’ve found (which I’ve discussed with my Doctors – at length – and they’ve approved).
Like so many ADDers, I HATE taking ANY pills.
But I hate an unresponsive, destructive ADD brain even more.
Hope this is all of some help.
Okay … getting tired. Time to try again.
Night (morning) all,
GN
REPORT ABUSEThanks abslt0
Will check out the site.
Re Athritis … WOW! Now there’s an interesting side-effect to Concerta.
And though I’m on Adderall, I’ve suddenly been plagued by leg cramps at night! And what I think are chillblains (toes get red & swollen), but I gotta see my GP and make sure that’s right.
I’m dangerously close to being “off-topic” … but the point is, I never thought my meds might be a cause.
Thanks for the heads-up. Will let you know what I find out.
Cheers,
GN
REPORT ABUSEFebruary 1, 2010 at 12:46 pm in reply to: Famous people with ADD & other Brain Chemistry Imbalances #92332LOL.
Actually …
Another weird “skill” (???) of mine IS to read words backwards almost as fast as forwards! (Used to entertain some of “my” ADD kids – when I drove for Children’s Aid – by reading signs backwards during our drives together. <g>)
Don’t know about spinning, though I’ve muttered some pretty choice words while test-flying aircraft that wouldn’t come out of a spin (because they were built wrong).
Well, they did eventually, or I wouldn’t be here. But I had one sucker spin more than a mile before I finally got it out. The ground sure was close. <g>
Anyway … thanks for your comments, Htebazile.
Cheers,
Gdiwraef/Nnelg Namron
REPORT ABUSEJanuary 31, 2010 at 1:44 pm in reply to: Famous people with ADD & other Brain Chemistry Imbalances #92330Hey River.
NO problem remaining anonymous.
If I hadn’t pulled my “Duh” move, I’d have done the same … but after re-reading my last few posts, it’s pretty obvious who I am <vbg>
Having said that …
Yes, I DO understand all the points you raise,
BUT…
River, you have NO reason to feel ashamed. ADD is a GENETIC neorobiological disorder. It is NOT your fault. It’s just the cards you were dealt.
It drives me crazy (so to speak <g>) when I see people being so sensitive and caring towards folks with physical disabilities, but so cruel towards those of us with Brain Chemistry problems.
IT’S ALL THE SAME THING..
If there’s anything wrong with your body’s chemistry from the ears DOWN (diabetes or cancer, for example), people fall all over themselves trying to be supportive. But if your body chemistry problem is from the ears UP, for some reason folks think it’s okay to make fun and attach a stigma to it.
WHY?
Again – IT’S ALL THE SAME THING.
Our bodies are nothing more than a mixture of chemicals, and sometimes those chemicals need adjusting.
Just like Cancer. Just like Diabetes.
It’s not their fault. And ADD is not our fault.
And once you do get your ADD under control, you will find you can do things “normal” folks wouldn’t even attempt.
I’ll tell you for a fact – I could not have achieved the things I’ve done in my life if I DIDN’T have ADD.
You WILL get control of your ADD.
Your life WILL be better.
But you can’t do it on your own.
Get good professional help from an ADD Specialist, get your Brain Chemistry problems straightened out with the right meds, then begin the next part of your life – the GOOD part.
All the best & cheers till next time,
GN
PS: Hey! You have the same form of Dyslexia as me! You spelled personally as personnaly (I’m not showing off. I had to look it up <vbg>). I have exactly the same problem. If a word has two of the same letters, I’m never sure which two they are. Apalled, appaled, appalled – all look wrong to me. recommendation/reccomendation is another one. So is beginning/beggining. But, I can spell antidisestablishmentarianism with ease (and I can spell it out loud in 3.5 seconds! Go figure!!!)
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