[JimC.]

I’m no expert but what I’ve learned on this site is that we all react differently to different meds. I’m on Adderall RX with no side effects with the possible exception of difficulty falling asleep. I guess that means I’m lucky. I also seem to tolerate Concerta equally well. Work with your doc(s); keep a log if you think it will help (or like me with a memory like a sieve).

At the risk of sounding authoritarian, try not to focus or look for what’s happening, just go about your day and look for things that go better, not worse. None of these “solutions” or meds are perfect, but some can really help. Just keep trying and you’ll get there.

Good luck, Jim

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[JimC.]

What Larynxa said!

I too come down around 4 from 20mg Adderall RX, and tried 5 mg then to augment the meds. Then I couldn’t sleep. Now I try to make sure I have some sort of food that will boost my blood sugar a bit like fruit or a juice drink; sometimes I just eat dinner early and that too seems to help.

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[JimC.]

Some simple steps to hold the fort while you work to get meds or whatever is needed:

1) make a list of stuff you have to do and carry it with you – maybe on your smart phone or whatever WORKS FOR YOU. Make it easy or you won’t do it.

2) Meds will probably help but since you don’t have them (yet), try simple logic to try to change your thoughts a bit. i.e. road rage. What do you gain my raging at me if I just cut you off? You’re all enraged; in my car I’m worried that you’re nuts or I’m laughing at you. Take a deep breath, then take another. It’s far more rewarding that fantasizing about killing me. (it took me 40 years to figure this out, and I still occasionally go postal, but not often. Then I laugh at myself)

3) keep working persistently at a solution for ADHD; if you don’t, the rest of your life may well be just like your past. Tell your B-F that you’re dealing and struggling with a medical issue, and he has to deal with it. If he won’t then he’s not for you. He needs to be understanding, supportive, and patient in a normal relationship; if he can’t do that with you in a bit of distress, then well, you know.

So right now go and get a pad of paper and make a short list of stuff you need to do today, keep it short, do it all, then relax at day’s end – a successful day’s end.

Don’t forget to fee Fido!

Good luck! Jim

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[JimC.]

Everyone’s different and a meds recommendation on the internet is not appropriate. Can you find another doc? Are you aware of similar meds that are time-release, like Adderall RX? (I use it, 1 capsule upon rising then that’s it).

Only you knows what works/doesn’t. Keep searching. And FYI I’m in Canada and while MD visits are covered, ADHD meds are not, and there’s no generic available here for Adderall or Adderall RX. I cannot comment how Welbutrin reacts with Adderall or what’s right for you, but you need to keep working and looking until you get to the right place.

Hope that helps a bit, Jim

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[JimC.]

@ Tea: I’m your age and in BC too. Using 20mg Adderall RX with good results and no side effects.

Here’s a clinic you may want to refer to if you doubt your meds and/or results: http://northshoreadhd.com/aboutus.html ask

for Dr Anthony Ocana.

In addition, a good local coach who runs (for free) a monthly support group: http://www.addcoach4u.com/

I’ll make no suggestions for meds; I’ve learned everyone is different, and also, most importantly, only you can discover what works best via experimentation and perseverance.

Good luck, Jim (no affiliation with aforementioned contacts)

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[JimC.]

@Larynxa: just to add to your rooster research project, thought you might like this:

http://favim.com/orig/201107/04/alex-noriega-disney-porn-movies-prince-charming-quote-Favim.com-93175.jpg

And no I can’t imagine the business case. ;o)

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[JimC.]

@Eagerhelper: regardless of all that’s going on, take care of you first. Your esteem and emotions are yours and it’s important to keep them strong. If you go downhill then the whole situation simply worsens, so keep yourself together and that will be the best thing you can possibly do.

The rest will be up to your boyfriend and counselor(s). You can help but remember you are only part of the equation here, it’s the other person that is in need of understanding and help and self-recognition/change. You can’t do that for him, but by being strong, you protect yourself and help him the most.

Good luck, Jim

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[JimC.]

@stamperdad – exercise: If the Y doesn’t turn you on, find a sort you like, and then pursue that. Keep it fun, and you’ll have a new tool that really helps in more ways than one. i.e. I find I meet more ADDrs on bikes and skis and the like, so not only do you have more fun, and get much healthier, you also can develop some new friends with similar interests and energies. If it ain’t fun, you’ll simply drift away from it, so find what you like – that’s the key…keep it fun.

On the Adderall, it does also come in time release, which I use, indicated by the XR designation at the end of the Adderall name (Adderall XR).

Jim

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[JimC.]

@Stash: try some exercise, if you can do that each day in the a.m. it may help you through the holiday period. Regardless, you might want to fit that in somehow as it definitely helps us all one way or another. Hope that helps, best of the season, Jim

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[JimC.]

One of the best things I find to tone me down a bit and make me feel fairly “normal” is to get in a good solid bike ride (any exercise will do). I’m a bit older than you and I’m on 20mg of Adderall; tried 40 mg and I got pretty edgy, have you tried a lesser dose? The less exercise I get the more I feel poorly and sluggish and seem to have pent-up energy that manifests in negative ways; if i exercise, that dissipates notably.

So I’d say find some sport or activity you like, then ramp that up so you get a good workout, and work with your doc on the levels of Adderall. If you chose something you don’t enjoy, you’ll never keep at it…so make sure it’s enjoyable for YOU!

I stress this is all my personal opinion, I’m no expert, but I’ve learned you must keep trying and experimenting with ADD – each of us is different, and there’s no magic bullet, but you can find relief and peace if you keep hacking away at barriers that ADD throws up.

Good luck, Jim

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[JimC.]

@shootingallery: take the virtual ADD test on this site; it’s not definitive but at least it might help in starting diagnosis. Take the results to family doc and see if s/he can either help or recommend someone that can, and will.

Yes it’s typical to struggle with text, and also to self-medicate. Both can be helped with proper diagnosis and meds, but I stress everyone is different and we all use different meds, methods, and coping strategies.

Good luck, Jim

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[JimC.]

If I don’t take my Adderall 1st thing, I can p!$$ away the entire day. I’m also supposed to be on decaf, but like you that doesn’t work for me. Gimme rocket fuel!

I am a morning person so I get tired around 4 pm, not sure if it’s Adderall wearing off or what, but by then I’ve managed to have a productive day, most of the time. If not, well… too bad, it’s behind me and I can’t do squat about the past. There’s always tomorrow, so I make a list of stuff I have to do for the next day. Might not get it all done, but beats he// out of a full day of procrastination. Lastly I absolutely hate the guilt I feel for wasting a day. Even though I guess I can’t really help it sometimes. Use the meds, put one on your bedside table and take it first thing in the a.m., lie there and wait for it to get you up. Just my .02, Jim

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[JimC.]

Been discussed before. http://totallyadd.com/forum/topic.php?id=1068#post-8673

If I recall, most of the pro cogmed statements are anecdotal, and there is little actual objective research.

Jim

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[JimC.]

I can only find this- a plan that helps with the monthly payments for Medicare: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html#monthly

There is another form of assistance whereby you and your doc fill out some forms saying you can’t function without the meds. If I recall it is for tax exemption though, not assistance to pay up front. But I can’t find that form sorry. good luck, Jim

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[JimC.]

Recognizing that everyone is different and will have different reactions and responses, here’s my experience: 20 mg of Adderall means I start my day by not procrastinating and doing endless meaningless small things. I dig right in and work gets done. Not always correctly, but it gets done. So I guess the best thing to say is it allows me to work somewhat ‘normally’ and also this negates the feelings of guilt at day’s end for not doing the job. No side effects for me. And being closer to normal seems to have helped with other adjustments too such as impatience – except for lineups at the coffee shop whereby one day I may kill some inconsiderate &$#3@$#! for taking too long to order, pay and just for being in my way because I’m in a huge hurry. Not sure what for, but I am. When I’m king there will be 2 lines: one for those who know what they want and have their $ ready, and the other for all others that dither, order complicated fancy coffees, and similar.

Jim

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