New to ADD and Medicating - ADD / ADHD Message Board

mommyathome · 11-28-2006, 09:51 AM

Hi, I'm 36yrs. old and just found out that I have ADD (really bad). Told that behavior therapy would not work. I kind of new that. My Doc. put me on Adderall XR 20mg. Anyone out there taking same med? How long till I notice it helping/working? Anything else helpful I should know?

Over past few years I have casually thought I might be ADD, but I never did anything more than just mention it. As I look back over my life and especially my childhood I know that if 30 yrs ago they knew aboout ADD that I would have been diagnosed . I don't begruge anyone and I am surely not angry that it took this long to be diagnosed. I think I am actually relieved that there is now a reason or answer for why I am the way I am. I also feel a sense of relief for takling charge of my life in a positive way.

I am also in process of finding out if my 6 1/2 yr. old daughter has ADD/ADHD. School Teacher mentioned this to us based on her behavior and academics in school. Actually, I have casually thought this about her and I guess I was just telling my self that she needed more time to learn how to go to school and that just maybe she learns differently or wasn't fully getting the academics. All just possible excuses I guess and good reasons not to talk medicating her. My Husband and I have not talked with Pediatrican yet (we do in few days). Finally admitting that it may be an issue that is not within her control. Actually looking forward to the appt.

Its not just me new to ADD and talking med., but I have to be able to help my daughter work through this too.

Sorry if I ramble, seems I do this a lot with ADD. Realizing I do a lot of things because of ADD. Any thoughts about meds.(how long before I will notice a difference, common side effects, or anything else helpful). New to all of this and trying to understand all I can.

fallenautumn · 11-29-2006, 06:18 AM

I take adderall 20mg 2 times a day, and it really differs with everyone on how long it takes to work. Taking this medication, for ADD/ADHD, really helps, but there are down faults. I know I'm not alone! At first, I though loosing weight was great, but the thing is I wasn't a heavy person, but I had just had my son, and went back on my medication, I had gone off it the entire pregnancy. The weight loss gets old fast! It's one thing to lose a littlle, but I am too thin, I don't like it. I am trying to eat more, and make sure to eat! and take vitamins, I take a multi womens, and also started a hair vitamin, because my hair started literally falling out! Adderall helped me, and helps, but, just like taking anything, our bodies get use to it, and usually have to increase the dose , because a tolerance builds up. Just be careful! If you havn't started any meds, I would consider other options first, I have heard there are safer medications, natural, and so on. Do a google search, on ADDERALL and other meds, I wish I had!!! But, it is so important to take vitamins, and nutrition! I don't know why my doctor never explained that to me! I learned the hard way! I hope all works out for you!Are you seeing a reg doctor, or psychiatrist? I wish you the best!

index.html · 11-29-2006, 01:05 PM

FallenAutumn is right; you don't want to take the medication decision lightly.

Besides the risks of tolerance (& possible addiction), there are cardiac risks as well. You have to weigh if your ADD - as well as your daughter's - is serious enough to justify the risk. Only YOU can decide that.

Hopefully what your doctor said was "behavior therapy ALONE would not work". I would have concerns about a doc who suggests that you should look solely toward medication for help by telling you that behavior therapy won't work. Even the makers of the drugs say that a combined approach is the most effective. Use your time on medication to learn new ways of making yourself focus. Maybe use that time to see a counselor. Don't rely on meds as a "be all, end all".

Stimulants like Adderall work immediately; it isn't necessary to build up a blood level. However, it may take a few days to get past the side effects and really see the benefits. The most common initial side effects are headache, loss of appetite and insomnia.

More likely than not, you will experience a wonderful sense of well-being your first few weeks on a stimulant. It won't last. Don't confuse that sense of well-being with the medication working. Instead, look realistically if the medication is helping with your focus, with your ability to get tasks done, etc. Keep that separate from how you feel. Increasing your dose so that you get that "feel good" feeling again is a slippery slope.

Good luck!

mommyathome · 11-30-2006, 06:13 PM

Thanks for mentioning the side effectd that you have experienced. Thats helpfull to me. So far the first and second day I had a headache both days. Not sure if it is because I am also going cold turkey on caffeine. Not that I had a lot, but enough through out the day that I don't feel the need to had any at this time. Your are right I do not feel like eating and have to remind and almost force a little in me. As of now I could stand to loose some weight been dieting for over a year and not very successfull. Lack of focus. Believ that HAA!!!!! As for what Doc. I am seeing its my Primary Doc. Never went the specialist route. I am howevere working very hard at looking at my life as it was (ie. physical clutter) and taking baby steps to allow the med. to help me focus and move on with life in a more positive and less clutter more organized way.

MissJessica · 12-07-2006, 08:42 PM

Hey there, I just posted a thread... Seems like we are in a similar boat ... I was just Dx with ADD today and put on Adderal XR (I will fill the script tomorrow a.m.)