PLEASE answer if your taking meds? | ADHD Information

Hi,

I was recently just put on Ritalin(generic) for adult ADD(29 y/o) and was wondering if anybody could kindly give me some feed back on how it's working for you. I'm currently a nursing student and keeping organized is a NIGHTMARE, I blank out while test taking and I study ENOUGH btw, I frequently misplace items and I CAN"T FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR CRAP!!!! This medication thing is my last resort for example, I take fish oil, flax, eat lots of fruits and veggies, eliminated wheat and dairy and substitued a better grain(spelt) , vitamins, exercise, bla bla bla. I'm kinda depressed about this disorder because I don't want to believe that I have ADD but I've been putting it off for years. I was in special reading and math classes as a child and I've always been considered an "underachiever" and I just want to be able to remember what I study and get a grip on this bad memory and brain that I have.

[QUOTE=lee03]

How long have you been on your meds? I take mine religiously. I am a nursing student also. I am on straterra, and it has helped a great deal, it doesnt improve my memory, but i can actually focus on something long enough to retain it. I really know how you feel, dont beat yourself up, I used to be the same way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Accept your diagnosis, take your meds, and you will be fine. I still loose things, just not as much. When you can focus, that allows you to retain more info. I am going to start taking ginko for my memory too. Be encouraged, you've come to the right place.

Lee

[/QUOTE]

It's only been like 5 days since I've been on meds. Please let me know if you got the private message I sent to you cause my computer was acting up. After I sent it it said something, I dunno just let me know.

I tried three different kinds of stimulants and could not handle the side effects. The dry mouth was horrible on each of them, one of them killed my libido, and another gave me tension headaches. I feel like a quitter for abandoning meds but felt I had no choice. I was on one long enough where it should have made a difference in my focus but in retrospect it really didn't. So now I am going "bareback" and am going to try to find some alternatives to meds.

take the meds. give them a chance. they're great tools.also get some help with organization and study skills. a private tutor or maybe sylvan learning center. the meds. fuel the brain. so does the good nutrition program you're on....learning those essential study skills will be easier and more attainable with good diet and meds.

i doubt you'e a ditzychick either. you're probably very bright.

remember that the meds are focusing TOOLS> not the whole plan.

add is a forever thing. it's about managing it.

there's a great post by karen from canada on this site talking to a teen all about add. it's great.

get ed hallowell's book driven to distaction. great. info. is power!

dross

Lee

[QUOTE=ditzychick]

Hi,

[/QUOTE]

don't worry! Ritalin may not be the right medication for you. talk to your doctor if you feel that the medication hampers your learning.

my story is somewhat the same as yours (except for the fact I am a 29 y.o. male). I was recently diagnosed with a laundry list of things (see my signature). I have been taking Strattera. It doesn't solve all your problems but it helps a lot. before, i was on Adderall and i was a complete dope.

as far as studying goes.... well, studying sucks anyway so it will probably be difficult at times. just be sure to read everything, make flashcards (or write down key points so you can use them to jog your memory) and take your time. i found out that music in the background always helped me study.

holmes30438418.7232060185[QUOTE=holmes304]

[QUOTE=ditzychick]

Hi,

[/QUOTE]

don't worry! Ritalin may not be the right medication for you. talk to your doctor if you feel that the medication hampers your learning.

[/QUOTE]

Well I'm glad that your doing better. Did your doctor try you on Ritalin? I have good studying skills and know how to study considering the fact that I bought the tape called Where There's a Will There's an A and it actually helped a bit. I mean, from such underachievement, I get such bad test anxiety that I can feel my heart coming out of my test during that time.