The road has been long | ADHD Information

Where do I start... well first off I am very happy to find this board and others like myself.

I am 33 y/o full-time single father in Canada and last week something big happened. I was sitting in front of the computer screen and the tv was on to and this comercial started to run on tv for Strattera and it was like they were talking to me and about me.

I always knew from a young age that I was different. I always told myself that even though I felt smart, perhaps I was'nt. I could never stay focused on anything long enough to see it thru. Everything I did seemed to turn into a massive boring project that never made it to the end all while having 20 mini projects waiting in line.

When someone critisized me I blew my top. I think it's because I worked so damn hard for such little progress. When I was 25 their was a trouble making little kid in my building (who reminded me of myself at that age) and one day I noticed that he cleaned up his act. I asked his mother what brought on the big change and she said his doctor told her that her son had ADD and gave him Ritalin. I spoke with her and it became very clear very fast that I too had ADD. I jumped in the car and went to see my doctor but my hope and discovery was crushed when he told me that 0% of adults have ADD. Here in Canada the bulk of doctors refuse to consider an adult with ADD. I explained my facts and feelings and he told me that he felt it was depression and gave me Prozac.

I became very obvious to us both after a few months that the Prozac was making me much worse and I had told him already that I was not depressed. A few years later I tried again and told a different doctor all of my syptoms and he said he felt it was anxiety dissorder and have me Paxil. Once again it gave me what Prozac gave me. I stopped taking it and went on with life.... on with the channel changing in my head and on with blowing my top with people in a split second and then really not understanding the true damage I was doing verbaly. Certainly I do not blame all bad things in my life on ADD because I am able to see my own personal mistake and short comings too.

When I saw the Strattera thing and it was marketed towards adults I felt that finally I was right all along and that I would now get treatment. I saw 3 different doctors last Friday and only the third would even consider that ADD exists in adults. However Strattera is not available in Canada and she said that she have never writtin a prescription for an adult to have Ritalin. She told me to call a phycologist on Monday and be evaluated by someone who knows what they are talking about.

2 out of 3 doctors failed me on Friday and I will join whatever organization I have to in order to get the word out to people like me. I am excited about getting treatment. I also will be better prepared for my son who is obviously headed down the same road as me. 1 in 3 ADHD boy's father is ADD (that's what I read). If this phycoligist tells me that I am depressed I will see the next one and the next one until fianlly these Prozac pushers see me for what I really have. I find it sick that 3 out of the 5 docs told me to take an anti-depressant...especially when they all knew full well that I am a happy person who enjoys life to the fullest (minus the obvious downfall of ADD that sometimes brings me down).

You are lucky that in America you have a much better chance of being treated and accepted. I know Canada will catch up but it makes me mad and sad to think that I could have had treatment 10 years ago when I first went looking for it.

Sorry about the long boring story, just felt like telling someone who actually has a clue as to what I am talking about.

Please let me know your story, I would love to know how you got to where you are and how much fighting you had to do to get there. Meanwhile, I will call Monday to see how much longer I have to wait again to see the phyc.... damn I feel I've waiting long enough you know?!!!

Question: what type of med would you recommend for me. I have severe (don't we all) focus problem and I get mad very fast when someone critisizes me and when things won't work out (like when Im putting something together). I have already ruled out simple anger issues because I stay angry for all of 1 minute and then the channel changes and Im on to something else. It really did a job on my marriage to. I don't want a med that will make me "up and down" all day. Need something stable for the whole day.

Thanks a million !!!!!

Matthew

the channel switching, day dreaming, constantly changing projects, not staying on task for more than 3 minutes, speaking quick. I think that normal people are jealous of the excitment that we create for our selves. ;)My advice initially is to seek a counselor first before seeing a doctor. Finding a counselor who works with ADD (in adults) may be difficult. Look for counselors who work with Bipolar Disorder, or similar conditions, or for counselors who work with learning disabilities in adults.

Once you find the right counselor, they can make a suggestion as to which doctors are willing to listen. My counselor knew most of the major players in my area. Then you can go to the doctor that is right for you and is willing to work with you.

Also, my counselor has told me that it is a typical ADD thing to blow up at people and then to quite quickly calm down. Seems we can't pay attention long enough to carry a grudge.

It would be out of place for me to recommend a medication. In the States, Strattera is the only FDA (government) approved medication for _Adult_ ADD. Wellbutrin is also being spoken of highly however.

I'm a newly diagnosed ADD'er, with diagnosis within the last two weeks and medication started 5 days ago (Strattera). I'm 38, Male, and live in North Carolina. I'm a computer programmer by day which is a really troublesome area for not being able to pay attention to details.

My eldest son (8.5 y/o) has ADD in a major way. He's on Concerta and it is working wonders for him so far. As you stated in your post, adults are learning they have ADD when they find out their children have ADD. It's not a far stretch from reading that 1/3 of children with ADD have fathers with ADD to checking the symptoms to see if I have it.

I hope your call or evaluation today went well. Let us know!

Hey Mr.Perky !

I went to make the appointment and she said there is an 8-10 week so I will only be seen in June :( I was so upset (in my mind I called her ever name in the book LOL). I called to other office's and they all have the same backlog.

Your job must be a real challenge but you have a great job. What are some of you symptoms Mr.P ?

Thanks for the response.

There are many Dr.'s who dont believe in ADD. It is so sad. My mother can only go to a certain Dr. and he doesnt believe in it. She is 65 yrs. I know we both have it and I am able to get treated and she cant. I look at the symptoms and my lifetime and know without a doubt that is what I have!!! I am 39. How can a Dr. not believe it? I wish PET scans were not so expensive because it is obvious different parts of the brain function differently with ADD and it clearly shows it on the scans. It is unbelievable.

i don't recall much of me as a kid, heck, i don't even remember much how was i a couple of years ago. anyway....

i dunno where to post this so i chose to write it down here. all i can remember is that i have always find trouble concentrating, puting my thoughts into only one subject at a time and figure out about the subject. i keep distracted which before i started doing research about add i'd consider of me being a person who get bored so easily.

when i was at aschool i often find myself thinking about some things othet than the subject the teacher is explaining. of course i got bad marks often but at times i'm doing very good that sometimes i even wonder how the hell the thing get into my head cos i don't realize it.

then i grew older, and problems and problems start striking me, and also i started questioning myself who the hell am i, why am i feeling so different than others? why is it so hard for me to give proper reaction to things around me..to express my true feelings.

so then i found internet chat as very good way to release the tension. i can be whoever i want and without worrying that i might hurt ppl (at least i won't see the face to face reaction, right?).

i didn't know what's going on with myself until i met a friend online and he said he has add, and so we talked and talked. i told him we could be twins in some other life before cos we share so many things in common. from him i learned about ADD and start doing research.

i am not diagnosed for having ADD yet, but i found many similarity of what ppl here have written. i can't afford seeing a psychiatrist and such thing like i have here would be consider as being lazyness, procrastinator and etc etc. so all my life i think i have labelled myself with those labels ppl told me. and they grew in me.

i don't care if i have or don't have add but i surely learn a lot by reading forums and forums of add. i think i have learned how to deal with life in certain way though the life i kind of lead right now is directing to be a loner. cos i thin it's the safest way from getting hurt and/or hurting others.

there's too many things i wanna write down, but i can't seem to focus for a thing at a time to write. anyway...i hope you all get what i mean.

nighty all. have a good life.

This is day nine on Wellbutrin 100mg. I spent most of the day on the sofa trying to fight off depression. Spoke at length with my wife about ADD in an effort to help her understand how we are affected. It was a good long talk. I had no caffine today. I have also noticed an acute drop in appetite which is good since I could stand to lose a few lbs. Still no improvement in focus. I am frustrated by this and am tempted to up my own dosage but am too afraid of the seizures I've heard about. I really haven't the time to spend in the hospital. Is anyone else experiencing depression on wellbutrin SL? I know that it is supposed to be an antidepressant but under what circumstances might it be the cause of depression? ChiefB38128.7378703704Chief- You're totally right to do what the doc says, the info I gave was just that, knowledge. I know it helps me to have an informed convo with my Doc about treatment options and why he feels the one he's putting me on is the best for me. You know what they say, knowledge is power!!! Hoping no one goes out and medicates themselves based on that info! Keep us informed on how things are going, we've all been there in some form or another!

Ok, I did some research on Wellbutrin. (I'm looking at trying it myself so I greatly appreciate all the feedback!) Anyway, the "normal dose" for Wellbutrin is 100mg twice daily for the first three days, (wait at least six hours inbetween doses). After the first 3 days it can be increased to 100mg three times a day. The max dose 400mg a day (200mg twice daily) but this is only after you've been taking the 100mg 3X a day for 4 weeks. Does this make sense? It also says that it takes about 1-3 weeks to start working. (I'm too impatient to wait this long!)

It shouldn't cause depression... but I know that I was seriously depressed before I was diagnosed. I was put on Wellbutrin for depression before my ADD diagnosis. I didn't feel like it helped at all. I think I mostly didn't get much benifit from it because I couldn't remember to take it! Well I was finally diagnosed with ADD and within 3 days of taking a stimulant med, my depression lifted... I was depressed because my ADD was affecting my life no negatively! Hang in there! If Wellbutrin isn't helping, do some research, tell your MD and let them know what you want! Goog luck to Matthew and Chief!

I don't know if this is of any help but I know that one of the things Wellbutrin does is the same thing Strattera does . . . a Norepenephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. Wellbutrin also is a Dopamine Reuptake inhibitor. Anyways, Strattera is making me depressed on any dose greater than 40 mg. Actually, even at only 40 mg today I got very depressed. So maybe it has something to do with the norepenephrine.

Interesting Lizzy and Kimo,

My understanding is that this wellbutrin is a time released pill that I can take in 1x/day for 21 days in order to prep my system for the higher dosages at 300mg 1x/day. I do have some depressing financial issues that have hightened recently, but one would think that the wellbutrin would help with that. Instead, I seem to be depressed to the point of immobility, especially during the day. I'm going to stick with the dosages the MD set for me at least until I can start on the 300mg. He says that most of his patients are very successful on it. I hope that I am one of them.

This is my 8th day on the 100mg @ 1x/day. I have noticed no improvement in focus as of yet. I noticed some depression after morining coffee but by 2PM it was gone. That was the first noticable mood alteration I have had with since I started on the med. Clearly I have been depressed before, but this was non-attributable depression. My life's problems are no worse today than they have ever been. I noticed hightened sensitivity to them for the first six hours of my day. It was not until I started classes in the afternoon and had my attention diverted by the lectures that the depression subsided. I will keep you all abreast.

Hey everyone. I went to my appointment today and the dr gave me Wellbutrin SR (starting at 100mg and said it would go higer). He also said that he see's obsesive compulsive disorder but that the add needs to be the first thing attacked. Twice I zoned out while he was blabbing away about something or other.

Has anyone ever had results from just 100 mg per day ???

Take care,

Matthew

Hi from Ontario, Matthew. I have been "in the system" since 1990 when my youngest(then 9)had separation anxiety/was suicidal. His psychiatrist asked me a few questions about myself then put me on Zoloft. Thought it was for my social anxiety. Wasn't until 1999 that I learned my diagnosis was chronic depression. That made no sense whatsoever to me. I was the happiest depressed person ever - I was happier than people who weren't depressed. I think I was hung up on depressed=sad which is incorrect. The ADHD was diagnosed in 1996 me @ 46 & for my 3 sons 18, 18 & 16. My sons also have depression & OCD.
Psycologists can counsel but not prescribe. Psychiatrists are much more knowledgeable about drug combinations/dosage than GPs are. Most important is finding someone who "gets" you & that you feel comfortable talking openly with. Have not had a lot of luck dealing with the school system or lawyers, but my worst experience was with a mental health worker assigned to help me learn coping skills & get on a schedule. She would not allow me to say ADD/ADHD as a reason for anything. I wasn't using it as an excuse, just to explain something. All my life I was told to be someone else (by my mother/my husband)& if there is one thing I have learned it is accepting & honouring who I am. The last thing we need is a professional telling us who we are or who they think we should be.
I had the anger problem until I started taking Wellbutrin; that really calmed me. Daily: 100 mg Zoloft, 300 mg Wellbutrin & 40 mg Dexedrine.Matthew, I identify easily with the cable provider issues! Seems like Charter Communications goes up and down too frequently and that they really don't care if I'm their customer or not.

I have learned not to blow up at people though. That has been a hard thing to do. I'm afraid I'm internalizing it too much, but so far it hasn't come back to bite me :)

The Strattera is the only medication I'm on, besides the occasional Zantac for indigestion. I'm not a real fan of medication normally. However, I see the positive benefits that Concerta is providing for my son and I am, honestly, jealous.

The medicines are expensive, though. My insurance coverage provides a drug card that gets me prescriptions at a reduced fixed rate, though far higher than the Canadian systems. I'm torn though between the rights of the business to make a (sometimes handsome) profit, and the rights of the consumer to have access to medicines without breaking the bank. If the companies would only make a "decent" profit instead of a killing that would be a happy compromise I think. <sigh> We can only wish.

Gay and Scientologist? God makes all kinds of people. All people are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, and most definitely not me. Therefore, I don't throw stones! And that is probably the last of my evangelizing :). This is really not the appropriate place. I just wanted people to understand that we are all the same, even in our differences.

-- MrPerky

Hey Mr.Perky

I can realte to the short fuse !! Last night I was on the phone with my cable inetrnet provider and when he told me that I would be antoher 12 hours without service I jumped down his throat and then had to say sorry (because he was ready to cancel my service if not LOL). I hope one day that will be gone so that people can see me for the good guy that I am. I have pushed away so many decent people in my life because of that sudden anger :(

As for the depression I can't relate. Never been in one so I don't have an opinion. Which meds do you take ??

Happy to hear that your family is doing good. You mentioned that you are a strong Christian. I am a scientoligist and also a gay single father (never been popular with the Christians LOL).

I have always wondered why Americans pay so much for meds !! Here we have private and government insurance. I have the governmet insurance for my son and I and this means that I never have to pay more than 60$ per month regardless if the monthly bill was 900$ and I pay nothing if I need nothing in a month. I think that a lot of you are buying meds up here and that is good because it will force your government to make the meds available to you cheaper.

Take care,

Matthew

MrPerky, what you just described is ME IN A NUTSHELL. my god...
when I suggested having ADD before to my mum, she just laughed. But when I suggested it to consultants, they sent me researching my ass off online.
Shallow depression, hard to sleep, quick temper but blows over easily, hyperfocus, speaking too fast and continuously sometimes... starting projects with LOADS of enthusiasm and then losing interest quickly...

hi, ADD.Hi, Matthew. It is regrettable that your counselor is unavailable for so long. But, you've been dealing with this your whole life and at least since you were 25, so be strong and stay the course. I firmly believe that the counselor is the best first step. They can prepare you for the Doctor(s).

My symptoms? Mostly I'm embarrassed about them. I have a quick temper and get frustrated easily, but then get over it quickly. Family reports I'm moody and tempermental (though I don't feel that way...). I'm having a great deal of problems sleeping, which three medical professionals said may be depression related. Now, I don't think I'm depressed either. Indeed, my moniker seems to belie a depressed state... However, I'm willing to listen. The kind of depression is not deep, but shallow, they say, and that it might be the cause of my sleeplessness. I'm impulsive, quick to judgement, quick to forget things, and am constantly forgetting what it was that I was saying. Composing a message like this requires me to go into "hyper-focus" mode, which also seems to be a common "symptom" of ADD. I can hyper-focus at will (usually) but normal focus seems to escape me much of the time. I can also (easily) unfocus and just let things pass me by. This may be called "symptoms" but I see them as blessings. I am a visionary employee and love to layout the how and way that a program or application will function. Once I've proven the technology will work however, implementation is a detail that I dread :) I start many projects with great enthusiasm (ENFJ is my Myers-Briggs type personality) but quickly lose interest. I find that I interrupt people a lot. It's just that they talk so slow! :) I can carry on two or more spoken conversations simultaneously and that freaks people out. It's kinds like a chat room in Real Life (tm). I have had these symptoms all my life and am just now coming to understand their impact on me and my life. I'm taking medication to see what my life could be like if these symptoms were diminished.

I have two wonderful boys, live in North Carolina, and am a strong Christian. I recognize that I am a special creation of God and have purpose in my life that comes from God. He wants me always, just as I am.
[QUOTE=Matthew]

Has anyone ever had results from just 100 mg per day ???

Take care,

Matthew

[/QUOTE]

Hi all, well I was taking 100 per day now up to 200mg per day and I can honestly say that wellbutrin has helped me in many aspects. My mind wonders less and kinda weird but I have lost my shyness LOL. However it seems that I get mad less often but when I do... hit the deck. Im working on that. As I thought, my doc gave me a perscription and shoved me out of the office with 0 follow up. he told me to take the 100 and then another 100 in a month, did that. Not a huge diff between the two dosage. anyone else on 200mg per day long term ???

Take care

Matthew

Mr. Perky....

My cable company could care less about me too LOL. What makes us jump down a person throat so fast ??? I am a kind gentle person who cares about people and yet I see red in 0.5 seconds (mostly when I am critisized).

I will be happy to see where this appointment will bring me. I hope after waiting the 10 weeks that I don't end up with another idiot of a doctor. I don't know what it is like in the rest of Canada but here in Quebec our doctors are a little out of the loop on new stuff.... probably because they have to wait for it to be translated into french LOL. C'est la vie !!

Take care Perky.