New to Adult ADD | ADHD Information
Be aware that the meds are *not* a miracle cure, and that the real answer, if there is one, is that you still need iron discipline to overcome the things that are holding you back. Hi All - I am brand new to this board and to Adult ADD. After researching Adult ADD on the internet, I am 100% sure that I have it. When I finally realized it, I cried and cried with relief that I FINALLY have discovered what is wrong with me. I have taken at least a half dozen "do you have it" quizes and every one of them are me to the letter. I printed one off that had like 70 questions on it and handed it to my husband and asked him if it sounded familiar. He said, "This is you!" I have made an appointment with a Dr. and am going in two weeks. I have no insurance, so the 0 will be quite a bit for me but it is worth it if I can get some help. I need advice on which meds have worked best for everyone. I would love to hear feedback about Straterra. Also, what is the average price of these meds per month?? Any advice you all have for me that would help on this new journey would be greatly appreciated! JenniferFirst off: Welcome. I wish I could re-live that "Ahaaa!" moment again whenever I needed a boost because it was such a turning point.As far as meds and insurance go, my sister and I have been on every side of that beast. I haven't had a real "job" -- I'm a freelancer -- since '97. I went for all but two of those years sans insurance. Good God how I hated the following recurring nightmare:
I have X $$$. Should I:
a. Buy my meds?
b. Buy groceries?
c. Finally get to the dentist.
d. Pay rent?
etc...
And even when I knew I could afford meds, I'd convince myself that I didn't want to become "hooked" on a crutch only to go without during the lean times.
If you're anything like us, you've heard more advice than you've ever asked for buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, here it comes again: Meds are not cheap. I finally got myself the bottom rung Blue Cross / Blue Shield policy about 18 months ago. I took the 00 [catastrophic] deduction and only two freebie doc visits per year. However, the co-pay on any [generic] scrip I fill is bucks. I stocked up on some scrips today and was, yet again, shocked to find out that my insurance saved me about 0 dollars(!!!). If I do nothing but use my insurance for meds, I still come out ahead by nearly 0 per month.
Also, I put off getting a policy for a long time because I was afraid to get screwed on "pre-existing conditions." Turns out, most states have clamped down very hard on that crap. All of my fears were completely unfounded on that front. Can anyone else vouch for this?
Hope this helps,
John K.
Hi Jennifer,
Well done on making an appointment to see your Dr. Why not see what meds he/she suggests before trying to compare them all? There is often co-morbidity with ADD and that might affect the type and dosage your Dr prescribes.
Meds do cost, but what is the quality of your life now? You could always see what one of those cunning online pharmacies who ship the same product from Canada can do for you in terms of competitive pricing !!!
My own experience has been nothing extemely positive. PM me is you want the gory details LOL!
I am choosing to use a natural herbal remedy first. Multivitamins were giving me a tiny bit of help, not HUGE but a little. I never realized the tiny boost a bit of B vitamins, ginseng & ginko biloba could give.
My Clarocet never arrived. They e-mailed me and said I forgot to give them my mailing address. A blank stare came across my face..I e-mailed back that I assumed they would use the address from my Paypal payment as its always included with purchases. sheesh. E-mailed them my address, and I am waiting again. hehe
[quote=sony_h]Also, do not despair if "iron self-discipline" continues to fail you.....it does for many of us, though, obviously, not all...if you need meds, think of them as "eye glasses for your brain".....you could probably live, and get by without them, but they do help sometimes..(and some of us desperatly need them).[/quote]
[QUOTE=The Resistance!] meds made a miracle difference for me by helping me think another way. but meds do help those who help themselves.
[/QUOTE]
I always enjoy reading posts like these.
Although I have also posted similar thoughts, I need to keep reminding myself (and being reminded by others). Thanks!nothing but 100 posts to see if my rank changes
yup, senior member at 100 posts.
[QUOTE=floofthegoof] Be aware that the meds are *not* a miracle cure, and that the real
answer, if there is one, is that you still need iron discipline to
overcome the things that are holding you back.
[/QUOTE] Thank you for this. I know that I lack discipline in every area of my life and am working hard each day to do better. Some times it is just so overwhelming and I just want to give up. I hope possibly the meds can help me out some, because on my own, I have failed miserably. It is a daily battle. Jenmeds made a miracle difference for me by helping me think another way. but meds do help those who help themselves.
I have to tell you, floofthegoof, is right, at least from my point of view about utilizing IRON DISCIPLINE. That's the route I I've gone. I also have a hang up due to us seeming to have addiction problems and since this wonderful condition runs in the family, I have other relatives who have and do substance abuse with one form or another. So, for me, I didn't want to go that route, ALSO, it can cause weight loss and I'm already wear clothing that is a size 5 and size 4. I didn't want to drop any more weight.
It's kind of hard to deal with incredible self discipline when one isn't use to doing it on a certain level. It can feel icky, yucky, unpleasant, and stressful, but start by doing small things at a time to get use to it more then you have been. Eventually you get better and better at it, not all at once, but in baby steps to get there. Then, eventually you have come a long way, for us anyway, and eventually what you are doing becomes second nature but systematic and you just get stronger and more disciplined.
Having said that, your self esteem and confidence level within your self gets much better. You feel even more empowered. I'm very strong willed so maybe that has helped me.
I guess what works for one might not work for another but medication when first used is great at first, then eventually you start having to deal with other things that medication will not control.
Good luck. Many of us seem to find we have our own unique quirky systems that work for us in order to get from point A to point B.primitivemommy
Hi. I know about the insurance headaches and such. I have it, my two kids do too, etc...
Listen, go to all of your local universities, hospitals, and in those particular areas of practice or teaching, ask if they have research programs looking for subjects on anything with ADD/ADHD. That's how my children got a HUGE ROYAL and down right awesome testing, me too, and by some of the best over seeing it. On top of that, not that I even cared at that point, but they can pay you for it, all of you.
What they provided would have costed us each normally close to ,000.00 each. So, we got the royal treatment of great testing. At that point, you can take your info to a regular doctor and get medication properly if needed or to a therapist and they see you've been tested, have it, or the combos that go with it, etc..
It's well worth it to do that. Some insurance is really a lost cause when it's really needed and a pain in the keester to deal with. No insurance was needed at all for the local university testing with doctors involved and supervising. It was worth it for me just to not to have to deal with tons of insurance forms and the insurance forms red tape game.
[QUOTE=primitivemommy] [QUOTE=floofthegoof] Be aware that the meds are *not* a miracle cure, and that the real
answer, if there is one, is that you still need iron discipline to
overcome the things that are holding you back.
[/QUOTE] Thank you for this. I know that I lack discipline in every area of my life and am working hard each day to do better. Some times it is just so overwhelming and I just want to give up. I hope possibly the meds can help me out some, because on my own, I have failed miserably. It is a daily battle. Jen[/QUOTE]
Also, do not despair if "iron self-discipline" continues to fail you.....it does for many of us, though, obviously, not all...
if you need meds, think of them as "eye glasses for your brain".....you could probably live, and get by without them, but they do help sometimes..(and some of us desperatly need them).