New here, first post

[John]

Mar 14, 2008 8:31:53 GMT -5 soyanoli said:

They are saying if you think there is something wrong with you then there isn't. :~)

Soy, I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way, but :

That is Totally Illogical

Does that mean if you think there is nothing wrong with you there isn't?

You have to do what You believe is the best for you at this time. They don't know you like you know you.
Even though you are just seeing a regular MD now, I believe that's a good place to start. He/She may be able to point you in the right direction. My MD referred me to a therapist that I've been seeing for awhile to help me with my ''other'' issues.

[charliegirl]

Mar 14, 2008 8:31:53 GMT -5 soyanoli said:

They are saying if you think there is something wrong with you then there isn't. Because people that have something wrong don't think that they do. I know there is something going on in my head. I am just not a doctor so I can't say for sure. It just seems things are getting worse and worse for me. I feel like I am unable to function at all. Everything suffers around me and 9 times out of 10 it has to do with something I didn't do and/or forgot to do and/or didn't do right (throughly) This is with everything work family home everything... I am just all over the place... I always have been. I just didn't ever think that there was a reason for it.

Something to consider is that ADHD tends to run in families. Your family may not realize that what you are going through isn't "normal" because so many of your family has it to some degree that it is "normal" to them. If they don't have problems with it to the extent that you do, they couldn't possibly understand how debilitating it can be.

I was that way until I started researching ADHD when the school said my son had it. Since then I have had cousins diagnosed with bipolar, ADHD and Aspergers. I have ADHD. To us, they all seemed "normal" since we saw a lot of those behaviors in our family. We just assumed it was different parenting and a lack of self control that made some of them more likely to fail or get in trouble. We know better now and I think we are all functioning better since we don't assume all problems are just quirky traits.

I believe you will be much happier once you have addressed this and found out what is really going on in your brain so you know the steps to take to gain more control over your life.

[jj]

Wishing you good luck with your appointment. And I agree with John. I think that statement "If you think there is something wrong with you there isn't" can only be applied to people who think they have Alzheimers and then that isn't even true most of the time. Other than that, it is actually quite the opposite. If that were the case no one would ever go to a doctor. LOL But I would guess your families intentions were good - just trying to make you feel better?

Anyway, I hope your doc is open to your concerns.

[soyanoli]

Well.... here it is....
I went to the appt, and I was soooo nervous. He went through a bunch of questions and he was sooo nice about it all. He is a new doctor for me. I have never met him before so that added to the nervousness. My doctor recently retired so I had to get a new one. (he is the one that replaced my old one).I also got a physically examination and everything. Well, yes, I do have it. I was prescribed Strattera. When I called my "new" friend (the girl I was talking about - she is actually my brothers new g/f) she freaked out about it. She was telling me not to take it and all this horrible stuff about it etc... But I am going to try it out anyway because I go back in 2weeks. I also have my doctors cell/pager (I am not sure which it is) because he wants me to call him right away if anything strange happens like if I feel suicidal or too rapid of a heart beat or basically anything extreme happens. He said for me to take it only Monday through Friday for now. But on another note about it, it is a name brand drug that has no generic. The pharmacist was talking to me about it and said that I should really get my doctor to switch me to Aderall (I can't spell, lol) He said it is much cheaper because I can get the generic of that. He said it will work the same. I went ahead and got the Strattera for now though. I am probably going to start it on Sunday though just because I will be home and around my family incase I have and adverse reactions. But then I will continue it like the doctor said. See I am a Real Estate Appraiser and I drive during the day by myself (somedays - other days I either work from home or go to the office to type my reports from the houses I inspect) but Monday I will be on the road.
Is anyone else taking Strattera on here? I am a little concerned because on the pamphlet they gave me with it, it says use caution driving? Does it make you sleepy? My doctor didn't say anything to me about that and he knows the type of work I do. (that was part of my evaluation - he was pretty indepth with everything) Does anyone know of anything I should watch out for with it? My brothers girlfriend has got me a little freaked out, although she has never taken it herself.
also, I forgot - My doctor wants to get my meds regulated and then refer me to a counselor or something (at least I think that is what he said)
Well I guess that is about it. I am relieved to find out. I really thought I would be upset about it, but I am really not. I think talking to you guys eased that somewhat. I am not thrilled that I have this, but I am definitely relieved that now I am taking some steps to make myself better. I am excited that I might be getting some normalcy (is that a word lol) to my life.

Oh, and my family is taking it alot better than I thought after all the drama over it. My sis still thinks I am fine and that I don't need meds... but the rest seem to be more supportive today.

Thank you all for you messages, comments, advice and support. You have truely helped me soo much. I am so glad I found this message board. I hope to make some really great friends here. You are all so nice and sweet :~)
ttyl

[jj]

Well, I'm glad you found out for sure! All I can say about any med is there are usually a long list of side affects and if you think about it too much it will drive you nuts with worry. Of course you can't bury your hand in the sand either. LOL

I'm sure by tomorrow you will have more input about Strattera. If it doesn't work out for you for whatever reason, keep in mind there are others you can try. Each person is different and will react differently- some with no side affects and others with many.

You'll have to keep us updated on how it works out for you.
Oh, and you seem like a really nice person too so you should just fit right in. Be sure to come join us in the Kicking Back With Friends board where we talk about anything.

[John]

:-/Soy - keep us posted . . . Yes some ppl do experience side-effects with med's though I've never had that happen. I have experienced 'side-effects' of not taking my med's though ~

[charliegirl]

There is a thread about Straterra on Millermom's, called Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Straterra. Its a very long thread but you should have a good knowledge of it by the time you finish reading it.

millermom.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1051

One thing to know about Straterra is that it can take about a month before you see the full effect. Since it builds up to the appropriate levels in your body, not taking it on weekends isn't going to allow your system to maintain a steady level. Its also recommended that you give yourself at least a month to see if its going to work for you and by taking weekends off, its probably going to take you longer to see if it is the right one for you.

Sleepiness can be a symptom so you're smart to start it when you don't have to drive.

Straterra is a non-stimulant med and adderal is a stimulant. Your dr probably wants to try the non stim first. Since not every med works the same for everyone most people have to try out a few different meds before they find the one that works for them.

Your dr is right, counseling is good to have as well as taking meds. I'm glad you got a diagnosis.

[misty]

My daughter was on Strattera for awhile. The side effects in the beginning were extreme sleepiness & stomach cramps. Both went away after awhile but I had to give it to her at night the first few weeks so she could stay awake at school.

Read the link that CG posted.....that really is the most comprehensive info about Strattera.

[lcdc1]

I do not have much to add, except that I agree that I have heard stattera takes a little while to build up in the system as opposed to immeaditate effects of the stimulants.

Work with your doc and go to an ADHD physcologist to meet and understand the brain you are driving, it helps, I know from first hand experience. Friends advice is just what it is, advice from someone that does not really totally feel what it is like to have ADHD. She sounds like a good friend I guess to worry about your health, educate her after you figue it out!

[bugsmom]

Soy...Welcome to our group! I'm so glad that your have found us as you start your journey with a new dx. All of us here understand your struggles and I'm so glad you've joined us.

My son has been on Strattera for almost 2 years now. His initial side effects were tiredness, headaches, and upset stomache. We stuck it out and within a couple weeks the side effects went away. Like the others have said, it takes much longer for you to see the benefits of the Strattera, compared to say, a stimulant like Concerta. You must work your way up to the best level of Strattera slower. We did see good results sooner than most, but for most people it takes a good 4 to 6 weeks.

My one concern would be not taking the Strattera on the weekend. I know that this is not too much of a problem with the stims, but Strattera is not a stim and works differently. I would talk to your doctor again about this. I have always been advised not to take weekend breaks for the Strattera.

Once again, welcome to the group. You will find a lot of support here and always have a shoulder to rest on.