help.....advice.....new to forum | ADHD Information

Hello! Being new to this forum I will try and keep this fairly short but think it might end up being an essay! I am in need of advice/a cyber ear. I seem to have been battling most of the common symptoms of ADHD all my life. My memory is horrible, I can never finish a project, day dream at work all the time, always seem sluggish (unless it is something I really enjoy and am interested in), get confused easily, can only seem to operate when cafeinated, very irritable at home ......to name a few! I recently decided, at age 42, to go to college and although am getting A's in the few classes I have taken, I have problems reading books (have had all my life), and get very frustrated etc...etc. I talked to my local Doc and he said I could go to a psycologist and get tested for 0/0 but if I think I have it, I might as well try a med and see how I feel.

My dilemma is I would really like my quality of life to improve and to feel less foggy "upstairs" but the thought of going on meds frankly scares me. My wife is very frustrated with me and has really been keying in on my terrible memory. I work in a school district and have always been one of those people who preaches about how we over medicate our children and yet here I am on the verge of medicating myself. I am currently trying out "focus" but that does not seem to make any difference.

Any advice for a first timer??? 

Don't be afraid of the meds!  I was at first, however, once I became more clear headed I realized how awesome meds are. My friends psych said this about meds, "using medication for ADD is not a matter of life or death, it's a matter of life or LIVING life."

Sure, some meds can have side effects but just make  sure your doc or psychiatrist starts you out on a low dose and works up from there. If the med doesn't do much for you, switch to something else. I started on Straterra and was on it for 3 weeks and it made me super tired. I switched to Adderall and I LOVE IT! Life is much better now. Think of meds like glasses, you will be on them the rest of your life and they improve your life.
I also don't like giving meds to kids, but as an adult with a specific goal in mind, I'd say you should give em a try. They won't hurt you that much, just keep an eye on your blood pressure if you take adderall.

Here's my opinion (and I love to give it openly and freely, heehee) try the meds.  If at first you don't like them, don't give up, tell your doc and try a different dosage or another medication altogether. 

Shock said, "think of them like glasses" and that's perfect.  Glasses are meant to be an aid to help you see, not replace your eyes.

Also when reading materials for school try this technique:  first study in short bursts, second speed read the material first, going for general concepts, three reread the material several more times, filling in the details (highlighting if necessary), and last constantly monitor that you're getting a visual image as you read.  Do not be afraid to reread the material a third time focusing on the highlighted info.

If you really want to learn more on how to help yourself learn try reading (I know, I know reading is the prob) Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World by Jeffrey Freed M.A.T and Laurie Parsons.  It changed my life.

Thanks for the replies folks, I appreciate it. dvirgo421, I had to read and re-read you message before I got the reading funny!!   Thanks.