I'm trying to help my husband..need feedback, please read

adhd_wife · 10-13-2003, 02:08 PM

First of all, I'm sure this is going to be a long post, so bear with me. I'm only simply needing some feedback and I want to help my husband.

First a general run down of what my husband has: He has been diagnosed as Bi-Polar, has ADHD, Hep C, is a recovering alcoholic and a recovering addict as well. Hubby thinks he might also have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (from childhood issues)but hasn't been diagnosed with it. My husband also had a VERY TOUGH childhood (by that I mean that he grew up with a mom that abused drugs and he was treated very unfairly by her at times and also by his step mom) I won't go into details about this.

Hubby is currently taking Effexor XR (375 mg/day), Lithium (600mg/day), Zyprexa (10mg/night). He was taking Adderall also. He developed an abusive problem with that (Adderall) a while back, the Dr. took it away from him (wouldn't refill because of problems with it)..so hubby was very very depressed while he was off of it..for almost a month. Recently (about 3 weeks ago) they decided to let him back on it (with the agreement that if he abused it again, they would never give it to him again). Well things went fine for a couple weeks when he was back on the Adderall. Someone was dispersing it to him on a daily basis (it wasn't in the house). We felt it was better that way. He recently got his meds back from the person that had them and he decided that he needed (for himself) to be responsible with his meds.

Ok, fine and dandy, things are going ok (as far as I knew)..I find out that he hasn't been taking the Adderall because it is making his mind go places and makes him want to do wild and illegal things. He still won't share with me what all was going on in his mind. Regardless, he says he hadn't taken the med for a while because he felt that if he did, he was going to relapse and go out and drink and/or use..and that scared him. Keep in mind hubby (about a month ago) relapsed and got a DUI and had been drinking off and on for a few months and smoking pot as well. He said the pot helped him. So he flushed his Adderall.

Now, knowing all this...and knowing that hubby has a problem with Adderall, but yet we (hubby and I) know that he needs some kind of stimulant...because if he doesn't have it he goes into a DEEP depression and can't get off the couch...what are his alternatives to Adderall? He needs something that will stimulate him, give him the energy to get up and face life but yet be non addictive.

Does anyone have any suggestions or have any of you experienced any of this yourself? If so, what did you do?

I'm desperate here...my hubby is the "house mouse" and I work during the day (except today..took the day off to see if I can get him some help). He is back on the couch (since dumping his Adderall down the toilet on Thursday). I can't sit back and do nothing...we have a 9 year old son he is responsible for caring for in the afternoons and some evenings while I work. How can he do that if he is sleeping while our son is home?

Have any of you (who have similar diagnoses, and stuff) taken Straterra or tried Serenity? If so, how has it worked for you?

Thanks in advance for ANY feedback...critical or supportive..

* Free ~ Spirit * · 10-13-2003, 02:55 PM

Um it doesnt sound like he has ADD. Bipolar disorder and emotional problems can definantly mimic ADD. Stimulants aren't to treat depression. He should talk to his doctor. Possibly get re-evaluated so the doc can have a more accurate idea of what all is going on.

------------------
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

adhd_wife · 10-13-2003, 03:07 PM

Thanks for replying...he definitely has the emotional issues and the bi-polar...and he as "tested" and they told him he had ADHD. I wasn't there when they tested him but apparently he went in and sat down and was asked a whole bunch of questions that he filled out on paperwork.

* Free ~ Spirit * · 10-13-2003, 09:07 PM

Just because someone tests positive for ADD doesnt mean they have it. Other disorders and problems can cause someone to test positive even when they aren't. Expecially bipolar. And from what you have said it seems more likely that the symptoms are caused from other problems not ADD. Which would explain his reaction to adderall. Adderall can induce mania and even psychosis.

------------------
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Toddie · 10-13-2003, 09:13 PM

A friend of mine is in a somewhat similar situation. She supposedly has ADHD and depression as well. In her case, the doctor said he could not be completely sure ADHD was the case until the depression was treated through therapy and medication. Be sure the other problems are treated first. Manic depression can often mimic ADHD.