ADD, to medicate or not, and breastfeeding

[LiLStar]

I've not formally been diagnosed, but all my siblings have. So.. definitely a strong family trend. I see a therapist who, though can't diagnose, thinks its likely I do as well.  I'm feeling completely unable to function in the adult world lately. I can't do housework. CAN'T. Never have been able to. I can see a mess but I don't have a freaking clue what to do with it. If I get rid of the kids for a day and work my ass off, I can accomplish in the ENTIRE DAY half of what my husband can do in an hour. It is so FREAKING POINTLESS for me to do anything at all. (As crazy as this sounds.. I think there might even be some PTSD relating to how my dad treated chores when I was a child, throwing another psychological barrier to being able to do any kind of housework) There's depression in there too.. but I'm finding it lessening lately and am learning how to work with it and manage it. It seems the lingering depression is primarily linked to my complete inability to run a household. I'm wondering if I should just go seek diagnosis and if so, if medication is the right way to go. I know next to nothing about the meds used for ADD. (except that my brothers who take it, love it, and my sil takes it once a week on her "productive day" and it works wonders) A quick google finds that its not recommended during pregnancy/breastfeeding. I did find something about waiting until a nursing child is a certain age/weight to begin meds. Is there anything to that? Nursing a toddler on ADD meds? 

And I'm wondering about how they work. Do you have to take it for a month to see results, or is it right away? Do you HAVE to take it every day? Is it safe to skip days? Is it okay to stop cold turkey (unexpected pregnancy, for example) or do you need to wean? What kind of side effects? 

I'm wondering, for those who take meds AND for those who use natural methods/nutrition to treat it, what are your results? Draw me a picture of "before" and "after" 

[AirMiami]

I don't have an answer, but I'd love to see some responses. My therapist also thinks I have ADHD, but I'm breastfeeding a 2 year old so I haven't taken any medications. He did say that Wellbutrin can sometimes help with ADHD symptoms, but it wouldn't be as effective as something like Adderall.

[Panserbjorne]

not my area of expertise by a longshot and anecdotal at best, but I do know a physician who is nursing a toddler and takes adderall as needed.  Seems to work well for her. 

[Pookietooth]

I have it too and was wondering the same thing. And I am terrible terrible terrible at housework, running a household, and don't even get me started on my lame attempts at homeschooling. Hm.

[treeoflife3]

I seriously need to sub all up in this thread.  hopefully we get lots of answers!