New here, first post

[soyanoli]

OMGosh!!!! I had to call my doctor today. there is no way I can take the strattera. I was just falling asleep constantly. I was irritable.... no... I called my doctor this afternoon and told him. I have to drive most days. I can't be falling asleep at the wheel. He had me come pick up a prescription for Adderall. that is much cheaper too because it has a generic for it. I will start that tomorrow.

Thank you all for everything.

I will have to snoop around the other sections of this site somemore so that I am not just posting here! lol :~0
I did read that one that was suggested Millersmom on strattera. I read alot of it. Thanks for posting that!

I will get back on here later this evening. I have to try and finish some work that I have been working on since like 9 this morning... I will never get this finished (which is why I shouldn't be on here lol )

[charliegirl]

If you have been working on the same thing all day, you need to take a break. Productivity drops after a while and you may find that after taking a break, you can get more done. One of my first bosses told me that when I planned on working through lunch one day. She was right.

I'm glad you liked the link to the thread at Millermoms. Mayleng is very informed about meds and has gathered together others who know a lot about them. When I am in need of information on meds I know I can find what I need there or someone will be glad to answer my questions.

This is a personal opinion but if I ever go on meds I would prefer trying the the Adderal to Strattera initially. You will see faster results and from what I understand, its not as difficult to determine what the right does for you will be. To me, especially never having taken any before, knowing how the med is going to affect the ADHD quickly has got to be a big plus.

[soyanoli]

well I guess it is part of the ADD.... cause normally it shouldn't take me that long to do a report. (9am until whenever I got done that day!)I get so distracted... UGH!!!

but anyways... just a little update. (it is 4:30 am and my hubby is complaining that I am not in bed. I am about to head up there).
The Adderal is working great! I have totally been more focused. Even the ppl I work with have noticed a difference already. But it definitely isn't a mircale (I totally can't spell tonight!) pill. I have a lot to work on with this disorder. I really think I need to get into some counseling soon to help me prioritize things and learn how to do that to make the adderal work better with me. (if that makes sense) I am need to learn what to focus on better.
My other problem is that it seems to wear a way before I am done working for the day and I get irritable and tired. But then again I don't really sleep so that might have a lot to do with that. (obviously I have been awake for 24hrs right now - not from the meds though.. .. I just work alot and can't ever sleep. The meds have actually tired me out somewhat when they wear off) I need to talk to my dr. about that. Maybe I need to take it later than I do or something.

Well I am trying to keep this short since I tend to ramble alot.
But again I want to thank everyone that has replied to me, commented, given advice.... everything. You guyz are awesome. I feel like I have found some really great new friends. I just need to find some time to root through the other sections on here. I would like to talk to everyone about more things than just this. But since this is all new to me I am kinda all stuck on talking about ADD and Meds and such. But I want to get to know everyone on a different level too.

Well thanks again :~) you guyz are truly awesome!!!!!

[charliegirl]

If you need the med to keep working so you can get your work done, many times people will take a short acting dose of ritalin when their long acting one wears off. I have mostly heard of parents giving it to their children so they can do their homework, etc.

You will need to discuss your options with your dr to find the right one for you. Starting the dose later is a possibility if you don't need to take it as early for work.

When you're ready to join in on the other boards just start posting. We'll love to have you. We all know what its like though trying to get your life in order, so no one thinks anything of it when you can't participate in everything. Some people just post about serious issues and others "hang out" with us here and we welcome everyone either way. You're still considered part of our family.

[jj]

Like Barb said, you have to tweek those meds to get them to work for your life. You also need sleep so please talk to your doc about that. Sleeping is probably the biggest key to having a good day, meds or no meds.

And we'd love to get to know you better so when you have time & feel ready, just jump right in where ever you want.

Anyway, I'm so glad the Adderal is helping. Woo Hoo.

[misty]

When my DD was having sleep issues, I started giving her Melatonin. You might want to ask your Dr. if its OK to try it. I think we have some info on it in the alternatives to meds board here. Shannon was hardly sleeping before we started giving her that. For a while she needed it every night, but after awhile she stopped needing it & only asks for it every once in a blue moon if she really can't sleep. I think that getting the right amount of sleep really helped her symptoms improve, especially the irritability & inattentiveness.

[lcdc1]

yeah you have to watch out for that lack of sleep thing, I know from personal experience. Lack of sleep will make your ADHD symptoms worse in a really bad way and it catches up to you over time!

Go see an ADHD physcologist if your insurance covers it, it was the best move I have made in a long time in my life and I feel like I wasted a lot of time with some other types of therapists before I saw my current physc who had ADD himself! Good luck and the medication should not make you speedy or hyper. On the opposite end of it it, if you take a low dose as you titrate up to the right dose, it may make you sleepy too.

I take concerta which is supposed to stay in my system for 12 hours, it doesn't, it lasts me from 8 to 9 hours. I take a nightime low dose ritalin so I can get to sleep at night and my mind is not in hyper warp speed! I was getting in some difficult situations and making really bad choices because I did not know I needed that night time dose. Now I can go to bed and be asleep in a matter of like 15 minutes, it is a welcome break. Life is not perfect yet, but I am getting there.