ADHD & baggage.

pleasehelpme16 · ‎24-03-2016

Hi all,

This is my first post, I was diagnosed with ADHD 12 years ago and prescribed medication for it, if I don't take it I'm a absolute vegetable, when I do medicate I sometimes find I'm totally 180' in the other extreme being an obsessive compulsive getting it all done and much more I most probably would be a lot better off not worrying wit,I have the text book love/hate relationship going on ,its caused problems more than once but if I stop it I'm lucky to scratch my arise,its something I've been struggling with for some time and now i find myself in search of some answers I guessby posting here its obviously coming to a crossroad!

Thanks for having me.

Is there anyoneelse out there that has been where I am and understands anything I'm have tried to share?? If there is I would be stoked to here from you ! I feel like a total freak mostly!

blondguy · ‎24-03-2016

Hi Please

A heartfelt Welcome to the BB Forums...I am Paul and will try to be of some help to you..I am sorry that you are in a bad head space right know

I cant talk about the ADHD meds you just mentioned because I am not a health professional. So I will just try to help you with how you feel....I am on meds for depression and have been for about 10 years. I can hear your mind thinking at 100klms/hour and thats okay..

Does your GP/Therapist know about the problems that your meds are giving you? If not...see her/him asap pls

I do get it where meds are concerned and how they can be a 'pain' in the bum....Can I ask you...have you been on these meds since diagnosed 12 years ago?

I do hear your pain....can you let me know some more info about your symptoms? Do you have any anxiety? Anything you can tell me will enable me to help you a bit more....

I also had problems with meds with anxiety etc.....

You are not a freak...and you have have great strength and courage to post...yes I am serious...

Be Gentle to yourself plshelpme (if you are stuck we have really kind people on our 24/7 Support line....1300 22 4636

We are here for you

Paul

Starwolf · ‎24-03-2016

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing your story with us...a terrific, courageous decision.

I am echoing Paul's advice re your issues with dexamphetamine. Talking with your GP about its undesirable effects would help. Let him/her know how you feel. It often takes several attempts to find the right medication, tailored to individual needs. Pharmaceutical companies always come up with new, less intrusive alternatives, with fewer side effects. Perhaps you are due for a change.

This also may apply to a stressful relationship. No one but you and your partner can decide what can be done about it, whether it can be improved or is a dead end relationship. To know this, you would both have to give it your best shot first. Writing to each other (if spoken, face to face communication is difficult) often helps. So does asking for a counselor's guidance. Sometimes, resolving conflict requires a mediator, a knowledgeable outsider who has no emotional involvement in the situation.

Meanwhile, I hope you will keep navigating these forums. Many of us have/have had issues similar to yours. You will find understanding and support when needed...and hopefully a few helpful tips.

I wish you all the best.

MusiKat · ‎24-03-2016

Hi - your post struck a chord with me. I have just been diagnosed with ADD - October last year at age 40. I have had depression for my whole adult life and it has been up and down a lot depending on what has been going on in my life. The ADD diagnosis certainly explains some things but, like you, I am on the medication merry-go-round. That's why I am online today - trying to find out some information about different medications that I have tried and that help to a certain point and then stop working or have horrible side effects.

I often feel like Jekyl/hyde with the ADD medication. It helps so much then it seems to tip my anxiety over the edge. So that is what my doc and I are working on adjusting at the moment. We are more slowly increasing the ADD med and will add in some anti-anxiety stuff if the anxiety becomes a problem. I really enjoyed being able to follow my thought process and not have brain fog, when the meds were working! So that is what I am aiming for.

Do you think your ADD meds are too high a dose and that's why you have a love/hate relationship with them?

This is my first post here too - so hopefully we can help each other 🙂

Cheers, Kat

Grumpyoldlady · ‎23-06-2016

Hi not sure if anyone can help about this but I have an appointment with a psychiatrist (my first ever) to see if I have ADD. I have had symptoms since childhood and always had trouble fitting in and coping, but never had a diagnosis. I have been on medication for anxiety for years and initially it helped the concentration problems but not now. I finally took the plunge and got the referral from my GP and finally booked the appointment with the psychiatrist but now i am really stressing because i have heard that the ADD meds make anxiety worse, and that I wont get a diagnosis and therefore won't get any help for my concentration and memory problems, or, if I do get a diagnosis i won't get any help because i won't be able to take the meds.

Starwolf · ‎25-06-2016

Hi G.O.L. and a warm welcome to you.

Your first post came attached to someone else's "older" thread, inactive for the last 3 months. Starting your own thread via the welcome and orientation section would ensure more responses.

First of all, well done for reaching out to seek assistance. Kudos to you for making this difficult but wise and brave decision.

It seems that your confidence has been shaken by very unhelpful comments. Because we're all different and respond differently, health plans are devised to fit personal needs. It is true that all medication can have unwelcome side effects and it sometimes takes more than one attempt to find what will suit you best.

Openly discussing your concerns with your therapist is necessary so that you receive the best personalized care. Debating the issue with outsiders will not help. It is a psych's job to first come up with a diagnosis, then decide the best way to go.

Great to have you on board. Please feel free to post again and let us know how you go.

JerryKeat · ‎27-12-2017

hi there, I do have adhd/anxiety and take meds for both. What I can say about the adhd medication is there is a 'sweet spot' where you (and your doctor) get the dose just right and you should feel calm and not racey at all. My psychiatrist said medication & therapy combined (+ maybe an adhd coach) is a great combination too. All the best.

JerryKeat · ‎27-12-2017

It is entirely possible to treat both anxiety & adhd with 2 meds. My psychiatrist said for me to first stabilise the anxiety with an antidepressant, then treat the adhd with a low dose of medication. My medication is not the only way to treat adhd either; there are a few options. Psychiatrists are certainly the expert doctors of the mind.

lower_case · ‎14-03-2018

HI MusiKat, I am 45 an pretty in the same boat. Had my diagnosis about a month ago. Trying medication to see how it goes.

I've gotta say the ADHD thing has answered a lot of questions I've had bout myself. Gosh, how did it take this long to work it out?

Amazon · ‎12-12-2018

I believe I've had ADHD/depression/anxiety all my life, particularly after my son was diagnosed ADHD 15 years ago. My father suicided and a cousin also suicided and a brother who was walked in on by a mate mid nooseing-up, so depression is big in my family...I've been seeing a psychologist for 2 sessions over the past month, first in 27 years, as I saw 1 re my poor memory issues. I'm not too sure if the psychologist is of any use for me for a few reasons including that I have got to 49 (next week) on my own, I've struggled with suicidal thoughts throughout the years and got this far with very little to no assistance with anything from family or other. The past few months has intensified, why? because i was bitten by an insect in Feb 2018 and has caused Lyme like symptoms, which include neurological, psychological and physical, so all of my ADHD type symptoms are 10 fold ontop of the physical and neurological issues (which aren't so bad at the moment). I am in Darwin with no support, but what makes it harder is that the Aussie govt don't recognise the disease (this is not a disease to be taken lightly, can be fatal and IS here in Oz and IS spread by many types of insects including ticks, spiders, fleas, mosquitoes so is spreading fairly quickly, so please cover up. This disease is not easy or cheap to test or treat as Oz govy don't recognise it). I've been on medication in the past but they did little to nothing. After my son was diagnosed ADHD I made enquiries for myself and was advised not to waste my time as I wasn't diagnosed as a kid and not so easy to get meds...I tried medication from my sons prescription from years ago and they were awesome...I have since learned that many people are being diagnosed and put on medication...some are made to use/trial medication tho, I don't understand why they are pushing this when people know what they want/need...( my son hasn't been on meds for about 12 years and is realising for numerous reasons he is better off on them...he had a skype appointment last week and is being forced to trial medication even after suggesting prior use proved medication were better for him (including suicidal thoughts while on medication)...As an adult do I need to see a psychiatrist for a prescription for these??