ADD Support Thread II - Page 4

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

I LOVE Fiona and Aria. But then, I'm an opera geek, so .

I want to read that book, too. I have an outstanding debt at the library, though, so I can't go back and check out books until I pay it. :

Originally Posted by AmyB736

LOL, I just saw this and....yeah...I have one too. I don't even know why I go to the library. EVERY TIME I have ever checked out books I've had to pay for the freakin' book! Right now I owe them over $100 for quite a few books I checked out and never returned. I'm at that the point where they want me to buy them. I haven't went in there yet to ask if they'd take the books back and lower the fee. I'm a little embarrased. :

I'm not the only one!

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by journeymom

I'm not the only one!

Honey, you will find out that on this thread, you will RARELY be the only one doing anything.









............. unless you're being productive.

[Maggirayne]

: Too true! Or at least productive every.single.day. Altho' one nice thing about being pregnant, you are 'working' growing a human being every day!




And you can sit on the couch an read posts on MDC all day and still be productive.



I didn't say that's what I do. . .

[Maggirayne]

Originally Posted by mamabohl

oh that sucks Heidi! Here's hoping you find the missing book and get the other one ASAP.

Maggirayne i love getting rid of stuff too!

I'm so proud today, it's only 4 and I've gotten almost all of my to-do list done! I did a load of laundry, packed, taped and labeled a box of clothes, did the dishes before making the brownies, picked up, swept and swiffered the living room, called all the people i needed to call (of course most weren't there and haven't returned my messages....), had DS do a few pages in his writing book, and played Dance Dance Revolution with DS. Now the boys are watching power rangers : and i'm gonna go start dinner (breakfast burritos) in a few minutes. yay!: Of course, this probably means I won't get anything done for the next four dayscuz I'll be so exhausted from one productive day. :

Last week I found a book I lost, oh, I think before I broke my arm maybe? So July? Oh wait, I don't have to do that here. I talked to a friend who I knew before he worked at the library, and asked what if I bought the book myself and paid the processing fee they charge when yo pay for a replacement book, so I did save $5-6. But it was in a box of papers from clearing the table that got carried to the bedroom and clothes piled on top.

Oh man, I so know what you mean about one productive day wiping you out. Heheh, actually, just playing a little Dance Dance Revolution would wear me out.

Yay! You got a lot done! I got the apt. ready for last night's movie night, well, didn't do anything in the bathroom besides take all the pee underwear to the laundry room. The sink is so grody I get nauseous when DD drops her toothbrush in it. But it's all gotta be clear to wash. Sigh.

But I got my spare room pretty organized and sorted a lot of stuff. And the boxes I moved from the living room are neatly stacked. It would look messy to the casual observer, but it's just haphazardly piled in there, so I feel better.

Now, as long as I don't lose my motivation to keep stuff going. I should have someone over for supper tomorrow, since DH will be gone, and I'll keep stuff clean. I need to hit all the kitchen cabinets. I got the bread machine gone so room for my silverware and the Vitamix where it used to be. Then I can leave the lid on and get in my cabinet easily. Er wait, the Vitamix will fit by the sink and the coffeemaker can sit on the microwave cart (around the corner, sorta out of the kitchen) but I can have counter space to get smoothie ingredients out. It's like a balancing act.

Originally Posted by heidirk

And I agree that the hardest part of my day is often just getting out of bed.

I wish I had a hard time getting out of bed. It's hard to stay in when you've got a baby saying "Mama stand up! I wanna potty."
Sigh, she was up at 7:15, with DH until he got sausage, then decided she wanted to nurse, then wanted sausage, so I got up, so then she wanted to nurse. At least my back was hurting so I had to get up anyway. But she wouldn't go back to sleep, and she's been sleeping to 10, so she's been fussy, which makes me crazy.:

She is only 21 months old. But sometimes, she talks so much/well, it's hard to remember she's a baby yet.

Argh, she got a stick of butter off the counter and is gnawing on it. Well, at least butter is one of the things recommended in Cure Tooth Decay, but this isn't organic or super good. Sigh. It's only 11, can I hide?

[heidirk]

Well, my kitchen is like that too, and would be even if it were sparkling clean. It's like one of those stupid plastic games where you have to move the tinysquares so you can move other tiny squares, so you can. . . . . .

So I finally got to the library yesterday, and I went to check out my books, and I had an eleven dollar fine! If it's ten or more, you can't check out anything new. well, the lady m,ust have felt sorry for me, with a fussy baby in the sling, and n active boy in tow, trying to get everyone situated to stay dry while walking home in the rain. When I said, 'ok, I guess I'll just have to leave these here, then' there was thisd pause while I rearranged Milo deeper into the sling, and suddenly she said, 'well, I can let you take these today, if you promise to pay your fine the next time you come in.'

we did walk home in the rain,. and Henry did just fine.

I got my book in time, thanks to DH, and got my Outlook express to cooperate, and am actually not behind in my classwork! This class should be easier as far as reading and writing load, so that's a blessing!

Whew, I'm tired and I ate onion rings yesterday, so Milo has very bad gas. Gotta go, I have some parenting to do!

[babycarrot]

Another popping in from old thread

HI there, I'm Cara!
I have read several pages in the original ADD Support thread. Some from the start of thread and some at the end! : I found it late last night because I was searching for info on here about using natural supplements to help ADD.

I got diagnosed with ADD when I was 17. Inattentive type. Another 'typical girl' case of this affliction. Was on Ritalin through the end of high school and during my short time in college. Went off the meds at some point, can't remember why, and got back on them later when DH and I started seeing a councilor and she diagnosed me as ADD with SAD and I was on I think Concerta or Ritalin XR and Wellbutrin or Prozac for a long time with great success.

Stopped meds when found out we were expecting. Nursed DD for 2 years and was on Prozac for a while for mild PPD but didn't look into meds for ADD again until she'd been weaned for almost a full year. Wasn't able to find something that clicked right for me and after a year or so of being made to feel like a lab rat from the p-doc messing with my med dosages so much I unexpectedly stopped all my meds cold turkey when I had to dash off to an out of state family medical emergency. Haven't gone back on meds again yet because I thought since I got through one of my brothers dying from Leukemia while I was med-free that I didn't really need them.

We've also been in the process of moving from HI to CO and I haven't had the chance to re-establish my medical care providers yet. We are still in an extended stay hotel, waiting on workmen to do their jobs properly so we can pass inspection and freaking finally close escrow on this house and move in!

I do want to get back on track with treating my ADD. I aim to go about it using the natural route this time because I didn't like the side effects from the meds last time and nothing 'traditional' seemed to work. In the meantime my plan is that I will try to keep up with this thread and look into a natural doc when things get settled out over here. I will get back on a multi-vitamin and Biotin (I like what it does for my nails and hair- total vanity I know) and might start 'messing around' with stuff like fish oils and extra vitamin B. I also aim to NOT stay up so late at night, I know I'm not getting enough sleep which is probably compounding the problem.

As far as my DH + DD neither of them have any official diagnoses. DH has intense hyper focus sometimes and DD is so spacey and takes FOREVER to get even the simplest tasks completed so I wonder about them but DH is the functional breadwinner of the house hold- he's go t things under control in his life. I don't feel right about pursuing an evaluation for DD until she's in school and has more of an outside influence on her actions. She will enter Kinder this fall.

I do know that I want to be especially aware if DD is having problems. Going through school literally felt like hell because it was so frustrating for me to try and keep up with the other kids. I don't really think I need to go into it right now because I'm sure pretty much all of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't want her to suffer like I did. She is smart and beautiful and doesn't deserve to have all the tears and self esteem issues. I just want her to have : and Maybe I can have some more of it too, things are getting rough on me these days :

Yipes, this is getting long!! Thanks for reading my ramble and I look forward to getting to know you!

[babycarrot]

.

[jessjgh1]

Ah, wish i had more time, but I've tried to keep up and send out virtual hugs and pats on the back, etc. etc as I've been reading through the posts.

I'm on a trial of concerta today after talking to my doctor and him mentioning that I could just try it for 1 day and see if I notice any difference. Well, I kinda roll my eyes at that initially, but he said that I might be able to tell. Iv'e been worried about it passing into breastmilk which is why I originally did't fll the script. Hoping dd won't want to nurse when she wakes up from her nap and I'm considering pumping before I put her to sleep. My dose should run out at 8 and she usually goes to bed at 9.

I was up a lot last night, so it probably wasn't the best day to try, but we had a lot to do to clean up the house today and figured I'd try it when my dh is around to notice any differnce or not.

I feel a little differnet, and not sure if it is because I AM tired. I've been pretty productive today (but I was yesterday too, it helps to work when my husband is also busy and not just playing computer games while I work).
DH picked up the book I had on reserve at the library for me (So I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid....) and he's been skimming it and seems pretty convinced that its 'me' (not all of it but much). Not sure when I'll squeeze that in(-;

Anyone feel a differnce RIGHT away?? I'm worried I'm going to feel a 'crash' tomorrow or something. It is pretty hard to describe why I think I feel differnent except maybe like when you are caffeined up and really tired except you eyes are wide open (except I'm not tired) and I'm pretty impressed with the thigns I've done.. although quite scattered around. Not all what I was expecting to do... but I got the main stuff I wanted to do, plus a few extras (and its still 4).

Ah, I guess I don't have much of a specific question... but I guess if anyoen has any expeirence and can say, then yes maybe the med is working... or that I prob need more time?

Also, does anyone know if St Johns Wort and concerta are at all contradictory?

Thxs

Jessica

[Maggirayne]

Originally Posted by babycarrot

Wasn't able to find something that clicked right for me and after a year or so of being made to feel like a lab rat from the p-doc messing with my med dosages so much I unexpectedly stopped all my meds cold turkey when I had to dash off to an out of state family medical emergency. Haven't gone back on meds again yet because I thought since I got through one of my brothers dying from Leukemia while I was med-free that I didn't really need them.

I do want to get back on track with treating my ADD. I aim to go about it using the natural route this time because I didn't like the side effects from the meds last time and nothing 'traditional' seemed to work. In the meantime my plan is that I will try to keep up with this thread and look into a natural doc when things get settled out over here. I will get back on a multi-vitamin and Biotin (I like what it does for my nails and hair- total vanity I know) and might start 'messing around' with stuff like fish oils and extra vitamin B. I also aim to NOT stay up so late at night, I know I'm not getting enough sleep which is probably compounding the problem.

As far as my DH + DD neither of them have any official diagnoses. DH has intense hyper focus sometimes and DD is so spacey and takes FOREVER to get even the simplest tasks completed so I wonder about them but DH is the functional breadwinner of the house hold- he's go t things under control in his life. I don't feel right about pursuing an evaluation for DD until she's in school and has more of an outside influence on her actions. She will enter Kinder this fall.

I do know that I want to be especially aware if DD is having problems. Going through school literally felt like hell because it was so frustrating for me to try and keep up with the other kids. I don't really think I need to go into it right now because I'm sure pretty much all of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't want her to suffer like I did. She is smart and beautiful and doesn't deserve to have all the tears and self esteem issues. I just want her to have : and Maybe I can have some more of it too, things are getting rough on me these days :

There is an awesome article in the new Mothering about a mom who has a son with ADD and didn't medicate him. But it sounded like most of the time he had teachers willing to work with him--which makes a huge difference. But I like how she didn't feel like ADD was a disease to be treated with meds.

At least we as moms who've struggled with ADD can provide support and acceptance for our ADD kids that we didn't get.

What is Biotin?

And yay for dealing with hard times with your bro w/o meds. It does feel good to look at your life and say, "Hey, I can cope!"

[smeisnotapirate]

You will NOT feel anything immediately on any of the meds is what I was told. It takes time to build up the actions that the meds are doing. I'm over a doctor who would give you one day. Usually, it takes a week or more.

Though, there's a vast difference between the SSRI I was on and the stimulant that you're on.

[BlueStateMama]

Hi again, everyone! I wanted to share a tip I started this past week that's working. I get overwhelmed easily (even with meds) and I tend to "shut down" and feel like everything is just too daunting. I tend to be more productive in the mornings, and then by afternoon I'm at a standstill. I found my pedometer the other day and clipped on my waist. If I see in the afternoon that I took a lot of steps in the am, but very few since then, I use it to motivate me to keep moving and tackle tasks and household stuff. It gives my a concrete marker to focus on instead of EVERYTHING. It's been really helpful (it's sort of like "What About Bob"...baby steps, baby steps!!)

Also, my psychologist added Gabapentin to my medication (we realized together I am in the "ring of fire" ADD realm.) It's been really helpful as a mood regulator for me.

So, successful (relatively for me) has been: Adderall (10 mgs/4xday), Strattera, Gabapentin, and Lexapro - plus a hefty dose of fish oil and B complex (my ADD first was diagnosed through anxiety/panic attacks - too much stimulus/no filters.)

[mormontreehugger]

Originally Posted by Maggirayne

: Too true! Or at least productive every.single.day. Altho' one nice thing about being pregnant, you are 'working' growing a human being every day!




And you can sit on the couch an read posts on MDC all day and still be productive.



I didn't say that's what I do. . .

Yep... I'm there... I've never focused so well in my life....

[Maggirayne]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

I'm on a trial of concerta today after talking to my doctor and him mentioning that I could just try it for 1 day and see if I notice any difference. Well, I kinda roll my eyes at that initially, but he said that I might be able to tell. Iv'e been worried about it passing into breastmilk which is why I originally did't fll the script. Hoping dd won't want to nurse when she wakes up from her nap and I'm considering pumping before I put her to sleep. My dose should run out at 8 and she usually goes to bed at 9.

When I was tested, they made me watch a screen and tap the keyboard when I saw a flash. Then they gave me something and did it again. I couldn't tell any difference.

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

I was up a lot last night, so it probably wasn't the best day to try, but we had a lot to do to clean up the house today and figured I'd try it when my dh is around to notice any differnce or not.

Sounds like a good idea to try today.

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

I feel a little differnet, and not sure if it is because I AM tired. I've been pretty productive today (but I was yesterday too, it helps to work when my husband is also busy and not just playing computer games while I work).
DH picked up the book I had on reserve at the library for me (So I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid....) and he's been skimming it and seems pretty convinced that its 'me' (not all of it but much). Not sure when I'll squeeze that in(-;

ITU. I usually get so much more done when DH is helping. Altho' today I was just tired. I did fix supper, and he picked up the toys, which helps, but I still have no energy. And he put the food away and loaded the dishwasher. :

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

Anyone feel a differnce RIGHT away?? I'm worried I'm going to feel a 'crash' tomorrow or something. It is pretty hard to describe why I think I feel differnent except maybe like when you are caffeined up and really tired except you eyes are wide open (except I'm not tired) and I'm pretty impressed with the thigns I've done.. although quite scattered around. Not all what I was expecting to do... but I got the main stuff I wanted to do, plus a few extras (and its still 4).

I know that feeling, but no idea how I get it.

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

Ah, I guess I don't have much of a specific question... but I guess if anyoen has any expeirence and can say, then yes maybe the med is working... or that I prob need more time?

Also, does anyone know if St Johns Wort and concerta are at all contradictory?

No experience, as for how much Concerta is in the BM, see if someone has a Hale's Mother's Milk and Medications to see what level it is. Ask in the breastfeeding forum.

[Maggirayne]

Originally Posted by BlueStateMama

Hi again, everyone! I wanted to share a tip I started this past week that's working. I get overwhelmed easily (even with meds) and I tend to "shut down" and feel like everything is just too daunting. I tend to be more productive in the mornings, and then by afternoon I'm at a standstill. I found my pedometer the other day and clipped on my waist. If I see in the afternoon that I took a lot of steps in the am, but very few since then, I use it to motivate me to keep moving and tackle tasks and household stuff. It gives my a concrete marker to focus on instead of EVERYTHING. It's been really helpful (it's sort of like "What About Bob"...baby steps, baby steps!!)

ITA and I am soooo like that.
:roflmao Baby steps. . . yup.
Hey, and I should set a goal of not turning on the computer until 11 am or something. I'm going to hunt up a pedometer. I make enough trips up and down our hall either carrying one thing or forgetting what I was there for.
I have been planning at least one or two things that I need to do when I get up, and if I throw a load of laundry in right away, I'm not sitting around all day thinking I should. :doh
I am currently all caught up on laundry, unless you count the sheet, still on the bed that Elisabeth peed last night. Sigh. Which we will take off at bedtime.

Originally Posted by mormontreehugger

Yep... I'm there... I've never focused so well in my life....

: ITA Are you pg? Welcome to MDC! : And our happy little tribe!

[jessjgh1]

fWIW,
Concerta is only in the system for 10 hours... that's what the psychologist and my dr said- and what I read in the pill pack info. It doesn't work like other meds (for example,most anti-depressants that need to build up in the system).

I have looked at Hale's there's just not much known (but what there is seemed probably okay).
I have a script for a month, just opting to try it just one day. Gotta go, just had a sec before bed and wanted to talk to dh about what his thoughts were.

Jessica

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by babycarrot

I do know that I want to be especially aware if DD is having problems. Going through school literally felt like hell because it was so frustrating for me to try and keep up with the other kids. I don't really think I need to go into it right now because I'm sure pretty much all of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't want her to suffer like I did. She is smart and beautiful and doesn't deserve to have all the tears and self esteem issues. I just want her to have : and . Maybe I can have some more of it too, things are getting rough on me these days :

Yup. The tears and self-esteem issues.

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

I feel a little different, and not sure if it is because I AM tired. I've been pretty productive today (but I was yesterday too, it helps to work when my husband is also busy and not just playing computer games while I work).
DH picked up the book I had on reserve at the library for me (So I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid....) and he's been skimming it and seems pretty convinced that its 'me' (not all of it but much). Not sure when I'll squeeze that in(-;

Anyone feel a difference RIGHT away?? I'm worried I'm going to feel a 'crash' tomorrow or something. It is pretty hard to describe why I think I feel differnent except maybe like when you are caffeined up and really tired except you eyes are wide open (except I'm not tired) and I'm pretty impressed with the thigns I've done.. although quite scattered around. Not all what I was expecting to do... but I got the main stuff I wanted to do, plus a few extras (and its still 4).

That's how I felt on Ritalin, and Concerta is Ritalin (somehow). I felt like I was strung out on way too much caffeine. I was doing more, but I had hardly any focus. I don't think I managed more than a few days on it, I was just so uncomfortable. Sure, I was energized, but I didn't get that 'Finally! This is what everyone else feels like!" sense of focus. I was bummed.

I tried Gabapentin/Neurontin, as well. It felt lovely but I wasn't any more focused, and in fact was so fuzzy-headed I wasn't a safe driver.

(my ADD first was diagnosed through anxiety/panic attacks - too much stimulus/no filters.)

That's interesting. I haven't thought of it that way. Anxiety certainly is an issue for dd and me both.

[babycarrot]

Originally Posted by Maggirayne

I should set a goal of not turning on the computer until 11 am or something.

Seriously, give it a try, I was amazed that it helped me out drastically! I would set a couple reasonable goals to achieve like 1. unload and reload dishwasher, 2. declutter for 15 minutes, 3. gather up dirty clothes and put them into washer. Then I would allow myself to ONLY check email. NO clicking on embedded links or opening web browser. Just quick scan of inbox to see if family or friends had any news. Then I'd FORCE myself to turn off computer and go back to follow up on stuff like re-emptying dishwasher, putting wet clothes into dryer, and spend quality time with DD. That would fill up the morning pretty nicely then we'd have lunch and I could geek around on the forums and flickr or whatnot until DH got home and I had to get going on figuring out dinner stuff and getting DD ready for bed. After she was asleep I might fold the dried clothes or something but mostly I'd be so relieved that i made it through another day that I'd practically run to my computer and 'plug in' to reward myself

Originally Posted by Journeymom

Quote:
Originally Posted by babycarrot View Post
I do know that I want to be especially aware if DD is having problems. Going through school literally felt like hell because it was so frustrating for me to try and keep up with the other kids. I don't really think I need to go into it right now because I'm sure pretty much all of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't want her to suffer like I did. She is smart and beautiful and doesn't deserve to have all the tears and self esteem issues. I just want her to have and . Maybe I can have some more of it too, things are getting rough on me these days
Yup. The tears and self-esteem issues.

She didn't really share this with me until I moved out and got married, but my mom never really forgave herself for not doing more. She thought she should have home schooled me. I bounced from private school to public school and back and forth again and she kept hoping the schools would come through with their promises to look out for me but blames herself for my unhappiness because it seems like she thought she wasn't a good enough advocate for me. I have hugged her and told her so many times that her unconditional love has meant more to me than the help of any teacher in school ever could. I wish she would be happy about how things have turned out. Does anyone have something similar going on in their life?

[BlueStateMama]

Quote:
(my ADD first was diagnosed through anxiety/panic attacks - too much stimulus/no filters.)

That's interesting. I haven't thought of it that way. Anxiety certainly is an issue for dd and me both.

Journeymom - the comorbidity rate between anxiety and ADD is about 70%, according my my psych....interesting, huh?

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by BlueStateMama

Journeymom - the comorbidity rate between anxiety and ADD is about 70%, according my my psych....interesting, huh?

Yeah, that word 'filters' is interesting. The mood regulator I take obviously takes care of my anxiety to some extent. Without it I felt like a big walking, talking raw nerve all the time. It's like I'm at the mercy of everything coming at me, no way to slow it down so I can process it.

But I've been wondering how an anti-anxiety med would feel, would it be more effective? Because the mood regulator is a fairly crude instrument: it limits my depression but it also limits how happy and energized I can be. :

I take Wellbutrin for depression, and it's very helpful. Maybe an anti-anxiety med would work a little more delicately and specifically than the mood regulator.

[PoetryLover]

Hi. I have undiagnosed ADHD and I'd like to join this Thread.