ralff
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Post by ralff on Apr 8, 2013 10:52:02 GMT
I am recently self-diagnosed with adult ADD and waiting for appointment. I have read that the stimulant medication used to treat this disorder is effective or even very effective. I would be interested to hear from anyone about their experiences with the medication. Did you suddenly experience a fog lifting in the brain? Were you able to achieve things you had not be able to before? Has it helped with relationships and in your work? Did you get promoted and/or get a raise for increased levels of performance? I am interested to know what to expect. Many thanks in advance
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2013 11:33:48 GMT
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Post by prunesquallor on Apr 8, 2013 21:52:16 GMT
I think the simple answer is that peoples' responses vary a lot.
As you probably know, the procedure is to start on a very low dose (and many people get no benefit at this initial dose), and then to gradually increase it to find the dose that works best for the particular patient - i.e. the best compromise between benefits and side effects.
Speaking of my own experience, I have been taking methylphenidate for about a year. I'm still on quite a low dose (10mg x 3), which has been upped twice (started with 5mg). Increasing dose is often necessary to get the same effect (drug tolerance). That's a different discussion, perhaps. Just bear in mind that your response to the same dose can change over time.
With regard to your specific questions:-
Did you suddenly experience a fog lifting in the brain? - oh yes! The way I have described it is like this:- remember listening to AM radio late at night. You are trying to listen to one station, but others are continually breaking in. My thoughts are normally like this. Taking the meds turns down the volume of the distant radio stations, so that I can follow the programme I actually want.
Were you able to achieve things you had not be able to before? - yes. Much more able to stick with a task and finish it without getting sidetracked. If a problem is difficult, more able to persist with it until some progress is made. I'm also less clumsy.
Has it helped with relationships and in your work? - yes. More able to listen to people. Work less error prone.
Did you get promoted and/or get a raise for increased levels of performance? - sadly not yet, but I was struggling before DX and meds, and now am coping (and thinking constructively towards finding work I prefer).
Hope this helps!
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Post by dizzydee on Apr 8, 2013 22:29:48 GMT
it helps me! thanks for the question and the answer
I am newly diagnosed and awaiting an appointment for meds.
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Post by DKL - darkknightslover on Apr 9, 2013 8:12:20 GMT
Yes here also! Citalopram has really helped with my anxiety, but Dexamphetamine is another level again! I told my sister once "I'm still me, but on a really good day!"
Of course I still forget things, have sleep issues (working on them) and need to work on my impulse spending. And if I don't take days off occasionally (usually on a weekend) or reduce my dose on a regular basis (usually a couple of times a week... Usually because I forget!), then the insomnia can get worse and the help with focus reduces.
I wrote a diary of my early days experience if starting on my medication. The thread is called Dexamphetamine Sulfate. I still find it's working incredibly well for me. Now I am working more sensible hours I am sleeping much better than before. I am still playing with times to take it and how much in what circumstances, but I don't think there will be a time, apart from pregnancy and breast feeding (unless proven to be safe) or if I find they stop working or I can function without them (can't see this happening myself) when I will ever come off them.
There are strategies you will still need to develop, and while you're waiting you can research and try them out to see what really works for you in the worst circumstances (being massively distracted by your new revelation, high emotions about upcoming steps etc) that should become even more effective if you choose to and find a medication that works for you.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using proboards
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ralff
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Post by ralff on Apr 9, 2013 10:54:18 GMT
Thank you all for your replies. It was very helpful to read these accounts. I have heard that insomnia can be a problem.
I could not wait for the NHS especially after reading a few of the posts on this board where some people took three years to be diagnosed. So I am going private and on my way this afternoon for a first appointment.
Does anyone have any advice for the best kind of therapy to get used to the newly discovered cognitive abilities, CBT, life coach?
Than you again. It is good to know there is a supportive group out there.
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Post by DKL - darkknightslover on Apr 9, 2013 11:47:10 GMT
I was very lucky and through my hyper focused obsession with learning about ADHD, came across Rebecca Champ and her company ADDventure Within (I've mentioned her before a number of times). She is an ADHD coach and is close to finishing her psychotherapy diploma. She has until recently been primarily working as a one-to-one coach and does work with people over Skype.
I am currently undertaking a pilot 12 week course in self management for ADHDers that she and her Colleague Terry Laverty are running and it has been fantastic. They both have ADHD themselves (they probably don't mind me saying) and so will have a very good idea of where you are coming from.
Various academic, NHS and healthcare organisations are taking a huge interest in this course so who knows where it might go in the future? From my viewpoint its certainly looking rosey!
I can't comment on other therapies but NICE guidelines state that drugs are the first road to go down and other therapies like CBT are explored either in conjunction or later down the road if drugs aren't enough. I have found this forum and internet research and Edward Hallowell's books to be very helpful, although I have also had a lot of support from my husband who has been through CBT himself.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using proboards
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Post by twix on Apr 13, 2013 21:33:52 GMT
I felt like I had been living looking through tracing paper and suddenly everything was clear and I could remember a set of directions given over the phone and find my way without getting lost.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2013 23:20:44 GMT
Speaking of my own experience, I have been taking methylphenidate for about a year. I notice you are non-specific on the brand? Ritalin/IR?
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Post by prunesquallor on Apr 14, 2013 23:35:32 GMT
Hi Michael;
Mostly I have taken Medikinet (i.e. generic MPH IR).
I did try branded Ritalin (also IR). Personally I didn't find it any better than the generic, though some people feel that there are differences they can feel between different brands.
I've never tried any XL formulations, so I don't know what these are like.
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