LIVINGWITHHOPE
02-03-2008, 09:05 AM
HI I AM A NEWBIE!! DESPERATE
I AM INTERESTED IN HEARING SUCCESS STORIES!
THANKS:yawn:
I AM INTERESTED IN HEARING SUCCESS STORIES!
THANKS:yawn:
Sponsor
Sansy11
03-20-2008, 12:30 AM
Dear Livingwithhope,
I also am new to the ADD Board, and I am rather shocked that no one has made an attempt to answer you. Unless you were answered later, and I missed it. Anyway, I think what has happened with my case is quite positive. I was put on Ritalin back in October or November. It took just a little while to get the correct dosage. I am on the maximum dose of 40 mg per day. I take one 20 mg tablet at 0900 and one at noon. For the first time in my 60 years on this planet, I can finally concentrate on one thing at a time. I am even able to stop trying to do 6 or 7 jobs around my house and getting really nothing accomplished. I have to admit I catch myself still trying to do 2 or 3 things at the same time--doesn't work very well when I do this. Although I am finally able to start something and finish it! That in itself is a miracle for me.
My mind doesn't race from one topic to another as much, and I can read a page in a book without having to keep rereading to understand what was just read. That's been a problem for me since I first learned to read. It has quieted my mind and slowed me down physically. That sounds weird to me since I hear my friends call the Ritalin speed. I'm a child of the 60s, so I know what speed means.
I have a disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). The medicine has allowed me to do breathing exercises and meditation, and I have cut my pain meds in half as well as eliminate one of them. The pain of the RSD has been so severe that I have seriously considered suicide. So, the ADD/HD has made my life better instead of just another disorder that I have to deal with.
I do sometimes briefly get on the pity pot, especially when my emphysema makes it difficult just to go from the back of my house to the front without having to sit and recover before I go back.
It could be worse. At least I have 2 arms, 2 legs and a brain that works fairly well considering. Hopefully, you consider this a success story. I do.
Best wishes for positive things to happen for you. As I said, it could be worse.
Sansy
I also am new to the ADD Board, and I am rather shocked that no one has made an attempt to answer you. Unless you were answered later, and I missed it. Anyway, I think what has happened with my case is quite positive. I was put on Ritalin back in October or November. It took just a little while to get the correct dosage. I am on the maximum dose of 40 mg per day. I take one 20 mg tablet at 0900 and one at noon. For the first time in my 60 years on this planet, I can finally concentrate on one thing at a time. I am even able to stop trying to do 6 or 7 jobs around my house and getting really nothing accomplished. I have to admit I catch myself still trying to do 2 or 3 things at the same time--doesn't work very well when I do this. Although I am finally able to start something and finish it! That in itself is a miracle for me.
My mind doesn't race from one topic to another as much, and I can read a page in a book without having to keep rereading to understand what was just read. That's been a problem for me since I first learned to read. It has quieted my mind and slowed me down physically. That sounds weird to me since I hear my friends call the Ritalin speed. I'm a child of the 60s, so I know what speed means.
I have a disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). The medicine has allowed me to do breathing exercises and meditation, and I have cut my pain meds in half as well as eliminate one of them. The pain of the RSD has been so severe that I have seriously considered suicide. So, the ADD/HD has made my life better instead of just another disorder that I have to deal with.
I do sometimes briefly get on the pity pot, especially when my emphysema makes it difficult just to go from the back of my house to the front without having to sit and recover before I go back.
It could be worse. At least I have 2 arms, 2 legs and a brain that works fairly well considering. Hopefully, you consider this a success story. I do.
Best wishes for positive things to happen for you. As I said, it could be worse.
Sansy
janewhite1
03-20-2008, 09:09 AM
Always good to hear success stories. Thanks, Sansy.
Sansy11
03-20-2008, 09:41 AM
Dear Jane,
You are very, very welcome. If I can say just one thing that will help someone else, it makes me feel so much better.
Sansy
You are very, very welcome. If I can say just one thing that will help someone else, it makes me feel so much better.
Sansy
addprogrammer
03-20-2008, 04:37 PM
LivingWithHope,
You can do just that, "live with hope" that in time you'll be able to manage your ADHD symptoms.
I'll give you my short story: I was dxed at age 53. I'm now 56 and 1/2 years old. Gads, haven't said that since 7.5. When I look at my progress over the three and a half years, it has been nothing short of miraculous. And that is the absolutely true good news.
Not the bad news, but the "reality" news is that my gains graph look much like a good mutual fund multiple year chart where the graph has a few points lower than investment value. There will be times when you want to throw in the towel. Don't. Hang in there for the long haul. It's worth it.
This board is in my opinion the best board for peer support and advice for ADHD life in the real world. I want to debug my brain. The folks here help me do that.
We should write a book, "Brain Debugging for Nerds" and make ourselves a few bucks while we are at it. Yes, I did forget my meds this AM :D
Bob
You can do just that, "live with hope" that in time you'll be able to manage your ADHD symptoms.
I'll give you my short story: I was dxed at age 53. I'm now 56 and 1/2 years old. Gads, haven't said that since 7.5. When I look at my progress over the three and a half years, it has been nothing short of miraculous. And that is the absolutely true good news.
Not the bad news, but the "reality" news is that my gains graph look much like a good mutual fund multiple year chart where the graph has a few points lower than investment value. There will be times when you want to throw in the towel. Don't. Hang in there for the long haul. It's worth it.
This board is in my opinion the best board for peer support and advice for ADHD life in the real world. I want to debug my brain. The folks here help me do that.
We should write a book, "Brain Debugging for Nerds" and make ourselves a few bucks while we are at it. Yes, I did forget my meds this AM :D
Bob
mcr285
03-21-2008, 07:54 PM
Dear Livingwithhope,
I also am new to the ADD Board, and I am rather shocked that no one has made an attempt to answer you.
Sansy
shocked??? it's an ADD board! we probably meant to answer, but.... oh look something shiny!!!
just kidding..... :)
for me, being diagnosed with ADD as an adult was like the greatest thing ever because once i started taking adderall for it, everything changed for me. i got better organized, started focusing more on things other than eating, reading and watching tv, did better at my job, and oddly enough, my pms symptoms got a lot tamer too! "hormonal" mood swings suddenly got under control, and my favorite, i lost about 50 pounds....
i've been on adderall for around 10 years-ish now and i love it. i go off when i am pregnant (currently on baby number three) with no side effects whatsoever, and each time i have been off, i've been able to maintain more self control and self discipline than i had previously done. my first doctor who had prescribed adderall told me that eventually my brain would learn how to function properly and that the goal was to wean off the adderall slowly throughout the years until i don't need it anymore. i start with 20 mgs twice a day and eventually have gotten to 10 mgs twice a day.... i think after i'm all finished having kids and am on adderall more consistently, i might actually be able to go off completely. so there is hope for the ADD brain!!!
one thing i am learning is that diet, exercise, and sleep are some key elements in controlling ADD! it doesn't matter what medication you are on, if you don't maintain those three elements in your life, you will never be able to properly control your ADD or retrain your brain (that's just my own humble opinion talking). i try to stick to natural foods.... no artificial colors or preservatives (the dyes that are reds, blues, and yellows are especially bad for ADD), and high fructose corn syrup is AWFUL!!! i try to make sure to get outside and do some form of exercise at least three times a week.... and nothing hard core, usually i just take my two girls (ages 4 and 2) for a thirty minute walk around the block and at their age, we don't go fast! if the weather is bad, i have a total gym that i like to play with and an exercise bike that i really like because i can watch tv guilt free for at least half an hour!!!
sleep is something i have really had to force myself to do. there are a hundred million things on my list of "chores" to do each day and it's hard to do with two kids. i've had to reorganize my time and how i spend my day and really have had to learn how to work those chores into the day so that i can go to bed at a decent hour.... and i'm talking by midnight here, not much earlier than that! and by chores, i mean the regular stuff like housework and laundry, but also making sure i spend quality time with my girls doing "school work," coloring, playing playdough, playing outside, shopping.... stuff like that.
anyway, that's my story.... it's constantly evolving and changing, and somewhat scattered because i am currently off my medication.... but there definitely is hope for anyone with ADD! if i can do it, anybody can! :)
I also am new to the ADD Board, and I am rather shocked that no one has made an attempt to answer you.
Sansy
shocked??? it's an ADD board! we probably meant to answer, but.... oh look something shiny!!!
just kidding..... :)
for me, being diagnosed with ADD as an adult was like the greatest thing ever because once i started taking adderall for it, everything changed for me. i got better organized, started focusing more on things other than eating, reading and watching tv, did better at my job, and oddly enough, my pms symptoms got a lot tamer too! "hormonal" mood swings suddenly got under control, and my favorite, i lost about 50 pounds....
i've been on adderall for around 10 years-ish now and i love it. i go off when i am pregnant (currently on baby number three) with no side effects whatsoever, and each time i have been off, i've been able to maintain more self control and self discipline than i had previously done. my first doctor who had prescribed adderall told me that eventually my brain would learn how to function properly and that the goal was to wean off the adderall slowly throughout the years until i don't need it anymore. i start with 20 mgs twice a day and eventually have gotten to 10 mgs twice a day.... i think after i'm all finished having kids and am on adderall more consistently, i might actually be able to go off completely. so there is hope for the ADD brain!!!
one thing i am learning is that diet, exercise, and sleep are some key elements in controlling ADD! it doesn't matter what medication you are on, if you don't maintain those three elements in your life, you will never be able to properly control your ADD or retrain your brain (that's just my own humble opinion talking). i try to stick to natural foods.... no artificial colors or preservatives (the dyes that are reds, blues, and yellows are especially bad for ADD), and high fructose corn syrup is AWFUL!!! i try to make sure to get outside and do some form of exercise at least three times a week.... and nothing hard core, usually i just take my two girls (ages 4 and 2) for a thirty minute walk around the block and at their age, we don't go fast! if the weather is bad, i have a total gym that i like to play with and an exercise bike that i really like because i can watch tv guilt free for at least half an hour!!!
sleep is something i have really had to force myself to do. there are a hundred million things on my list of "chores" to do each day and it's hard to do with two kids. i've had to reorganize my time and how i spend my day and really have had to learn how to work those chores into the day so that i can go to bed at a decent hour.... and i'm talking by midnight here, not much earlier than that! and by chores, i mean the regular stuff like housework and laundry, but also making sure i spend quality time with my girls doing "school work," coloring, playing playdough, playing outside, shopping.... stuff like that.
anyway, that's my story.... it's constantly evolving and changing, and somewhat scattered because i am currently off my medication.... but there definitely is hope for anyone with ADD! if i can do it, anybody can! :)
Sansy11
03-26-2008, 05:21 PM
You are my hero! I'd type the female version of hero, but I can't spell it and there's no spell check on toolbar. You have a 2 and 4 year old and preggers, plus you do all that you do. You are a trooper and more. I hope to be able to do what you do except, of course, have babies. Don't think I've heard of 60 year olds having babies, especially ones with emphysema. Just made a copy of your response and want to memorize parts of it. Thank you so much!
Sansy
Sansy
Sansy11
03-26-2008, 05:31 PM
Bob,
You so funny! I purposely left the are out because it reads funnier that way to me, and I did take my meds. I'm just a total goofball. The Ritalin isn't gonna change that I hope. If I can't do a lot of physical stuff, I hope to keep my husband and friends laughing as long as I can.
You're so right about this being the BEST board for peer support. If you want to write that book, I'll type it for you. I'm serious as a crutch. This response is way late cos I haven't visited here in almost a week. You have a wonderful day.
Sansy
You so funny! I purposely left the are out because it reads funnier that way to me, and I did take my meds. I'm just a total goofball. The Ritalin isn't gonna change that I hope. If I can't do a lot of physical stuff, I hope to keep my husband and friends laughing as long as I can.
You're so right about this being the BEST board for peer support. If you want to write that book, I'll type it for you. I'm serious as a crutch. This response is way late cos I haven't visited here in almost a week. You have a wonderful day.
Sansy
beach4me
03-29-2008, 12:48 AM
Writing on behalf of my husband....he is currently too busy completing all the projects he has been meaning to complete since the third grade!;)
It has improved our marriage, improved his self image, lost 30 pounds, improved his small business and loves his new life. He will tell you that it radically changed his life for the good. He is on Aderall.
It took him 2 yrs before he finally visited the Dr. for an evaluation. Now, he regrets waiting one day.
Good Luck. You won't know anything until you give it a try. The good thing is that you can see the results in a day or two.
It has improved our marriage, improved his self image, lost 30 pounds, improved his small business and loves his new life. He will tell you that it radically changed his life for the good. He is on Aderall.
It took him 2 yrs before he finally visited the Dr. for an evaluation. Now, he regrets waiting one day.
Good Luck. You won't know anything until you give it a try. The good thing is that you can see the results in a day or two.
n2gravely
04-08-2008, 10:24 AM
I was injured in 2003 and when operated on I was given RSD, THANKS DOC! However, my entire life I have had ADD. My wife is an Assistant Principal and she has told me for 20 years I needed something for it. What husband listens to their wife right? My pain Mgmt. Dr. <removed> diagnosed me with ADD and prescribed me with Adderall XR. I now take am a FIRM believer! I have more projects completed in the past 3 years than I did in the past 20. I tell everyone, if you think you have ADD get tested!!