[mgplumley]

ddslc,

I’ve survived two high-speed crashes. The first was at a light where the guy hit me from behind doing about 50 mph while I was stopped. The second happened in the Bronx while I was waiting to get on the Triborough and was hit from behind. Neither was my fault, but there have been a few less major ones that were. I sometimes drive without the radio on, which helps. Also, the medication has improved my attention, although I have had problems with cars in my blind spot. Maybe fixing that was just a matter of adjusting my mirrors. I’ve had no problems since I did that. It’s just a matter of thinking ahead and paying attention to everything on the road.

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[mgplumley]

njadd, I have an M.A. degree. I don’t want to say in what field because it may give away my ID. My job coach is supplied free of charge by my county government. I was in their vocational rehab program while I was on welfare and was assigned the coach during that time. Job coaching will continue free of charge until mid-2012, even though I am now working. I was also on disability for about two years due to the PTSD. If this job ends before I reach 62 I can go back on disability (Not a likely scenario, I hope).

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[mgplumley]

njadd,

I work in the social services field. I don’t want to be more specific than that, since my employers aren’t aware of my ADHD and I’ve been advised by my job coach not to tell them. I’ve been working for a year and 1/2 PT, but at a good rate of pay. The job does not call for much organization and I’m moving around a lot, so it’s good for someone like me.

I meet with a job coach once every two weeks (once a week when I was unemployed). We go over problems at work, whether related to my ADHD or not. Sessions last about 1/2 hour (1 hr. when I was unemployed). While unemplloyed, the job coach worked with a job developer to find suitable work for me. It was up to me to make the contacts.

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[mgplumley]

Njadd, I should also mention that I’ve been working PT and making a good rate per hour, although limited to about 20 hrs per week.

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[mgplumley]

Njadd,

I have struggled with ADHD throughout my life, I just didn’t know what I had until recently. My parents got a report about me from my 1st Grade teacher regarding my behavior and apparently thought I would grow out of whatever problems I was having.

While the ADHD goes way back, the PTSD was a more recent phenomenon. I didn’t seek therapy for it until eight years after the mugging, by which time I had lost my job and most of my money. So I started on Lexapro first, in Feb 2009. The Lexapro greatly decreased the intrusive thoughts and pacing I was having. It also improved my driving by making me more decisive behind the wheel.

At the clinic I attend, the therapist, a social worker, provides counseling and the practitional nurse dispenses meds, with the approval of a psychiatrist. To make a long story short, in one of the therapy sessions I related some things I had done without really thinking about them–turning the wrong way on a one way street in an area I was familiar with, for example (fortunately no accident or ticket on that (on my previous history and interviews with me and my brother (my only surviving immediate family member) I was diagnosed with ADHD in late February 2011 and put on 18mg Strattera. In March, the dose was increased to 30mg and nine days ago to 60mg.

I’m just starting to notice changes after the increase to 60mg Strattera. I think it’s made me less prone to be impulsive, which in the past has led to money problems and indulging in junk food.

Being in a relationship certainly helps. My fiancee is very supportive and has stuck with me during some low periods back in 2008. Hope you have someone to rely on through all of this.

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[mgplumley]

NJadd.

I am presently 61, and was diagnosed with ADHD only a few months ago. My story runs like this: I was being treated for PTSD with 10MG Lexapro as a result of flashbacks from a mugging in 2001. While in therapy, I related some events to the therapist which led her to think I might have ADHD as well. Further evaluation by a psychiatrist at the clinic I attend and my nurse practitioner confirmed this and I was started on 18 mg Strattera, which eventually was increased to 60mg daily.

I’ve definitely changed for the better since I started taking these drugs. The flashbacks are just about nonexistant now. My anxiety level is way down. I have a more positive feeling about myself. I’m becoming more organized. My driving has noticeably improved.

Not everything has changed. I still have some personal habits I need to work on. But overall, the last few months especially have given me a much better outlook on my life.

I’d be glad to share what’s working for me and what isn’t. Hope to hear from you

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