Should I?? | ADHD Information

Are you going into college right away? If not, you have
time to explore non-medication options (lots of good
ones are suggested here) and learn, discuss what
you need to if you feel you will need to medicate.
I've been on Dexedrine for 2 years (on and off - when
I remember, or am not travelling), and I found it to be
less "jittery" than Ritalin... The cool thing is that the
habits I never learned before because I was too
unfocussed all the time, I'm actually picking up,
finally, after 2 years - like having at least the
CONCEPT of how not to be an hour late for class
always...
Other things to try before meds: meditation - my
brother (likely ADHD) CANNOT focus if he doesn't
meditate 1 or 2 hours every day or at least every
three days. I've tried this successfully in bursts, and
I'd love to get in 10 minutes every 3 days or so.
Stretching works better for me, I can do it regularly for
periods of a month at a time, 20 minutes every 2
days. It's physical, which makes it easier to do. It
helps with frustration levels too.
Remember that whatever suggestions you try, if they
don't work, make up your own systems! What works
is what's right as long as it is safe and feels
comfortable. I now organise my clothes in stackable
bins, instead of a dresser, and for 1 week, I haven't
had a pile of clothes instead of a bedroom!I was scared too....

I didn't drink until I was 22.....legal age here is 19......

but at the time I hadn't drank, didn't even take tylenol for headaches.. I occasionally liked a pepsi, and that was my caffene intake......Coffee was and is Gross but anways...

I was scared too....but here's the thing, it doesn't hurt to try. It wears off in less than 8 hours so all else fails, it'll be a terrible day, but you should at least try it and try to get the right dosage to see what you need....

I personally, enjoy avoiding drugs so I only take it when I need to. I'm prescribed to take it EVERY DAY but I don't see the need. I work hard and on some days take the ritalin and do VERY WELL..

TRY IT. It can't hurt and yes, it's very scarry. I'm sure you've read the whole "Comparable to Cocaine" reports and stuff, but that's mumbo-jumbo to scare you. It's not that bad and can help you alot.

BE AWARE OF YOUR DIET WHEN YOU TRY IT. Eat VERY healthy when you first try it and large portions if you can. It makes many people lose their appetite and certain "junk foods" can really affect it, especially, caffene, high-sugar content and heavy citric acid. Be aware of that...

Get the prescription and try it a few times. If you don't like it, you can never do it again, but what do you have to lose? In comparison to what you have to gain? Weigh the possibilities and I know you'll see that you have alot to gain.

Keep us up to date on how you do!
I saw a doctor eight years ago for ADHD. The doctor thought medication
would help me but at the time I had no idea she had told my parents this.
Instead my parents said no to her so I went on with my life not thinking
about it but just having more and more problems at school. I went to a
private school and there were many times I sshould have failed a class but
the teachers would hae a conferance with my parents. The outcome was
always the same they agreed I had a problem staying focused, studying,
not reading my material and just always doing other things in class. The
part that would hurt is the teachers would end up saying I am a good kid
and instead of gettitng the "F" I deserved I would get a "C" and pass. Then
college came, this is when I realized how much trouble I was really
having. I graduated in 2000 from high school I am now 23. I still dont
have my AA and everytime I start a semester thinking how good I can do
everything fizzles out about half way though..It hurts becasue I know I
can do it. recently I went back to the same doctor that I saw eight years
ago. This time I was an adult, i could explain my thoughts better. I have
since seen her two more times, she still thinks I should try
medication...This is my delemia....They want me to take ritalin. I am
scared. I am straight edge I dont drink ,smoke, drink any or eat any
caffinee. I'm totally drug free. I want to be able to finish college, I have
the heart and the will but its always the same problem. Is taking a drug
like ritalin worth it?? Its really stressin me out because I am not sure what
I should do. I read bad things but my doctor tells me good things. Its just
a really difficult time and I am not sure what I should do.

I just finished reading the book Driven to Distraction. There's a section in the back talking about Medication. It says that some people have issues with taking medication. That these issues need to be explored in depth before a person takes the medication. It talks about how it may take a while to find the proper medicine with the proper dosage. The patient needs to be ready to go through this, the patient also needs to know the side effects to know what to watch out for.

If you're not ready, you need to keep discussing your issues until YOU'RE ready to take the meds. If you're seeing a regular medical doctor, maybe you need to talk to a psychiatrist to work through these issues before starting the meds.

The problem is that you might have to go through several medicines, many different dosages before you find what will work for you. OR you may find out that you can't take the meds due to side effects OR you may find that the meds help you in some ways but not in others. It's actually more rare for the meds to be a 'wonder drug' than it is that people struggle to find what will work for them.

I wish you luck! My advice is to pick up some books to read on ADD, Driven to Distraction (Edward Hallowell and Dr. Ratey) is a good one, and I want to read Delivered from Distraction - their new one. Learn about your disorder, read other people's stories and read up on the medicines.

I feel meds aren't the complete answer cause I used them as a kid and I still struggled anyhow. I need to be taught hands on and auditory ways. I think teaching the consept first works for people like this .I have read the book "Driven to Distraction" and also have listened to it a
few times on CD. I have yet to try my medication I am just worried about
the whole thing... My doctor wants me to take half a tab of 10mg 3 times
a day and slowly wants me to work up to 10mg 3 times a day....To me
this seems like alot of pills to be taking and I dont want to be a different
person. I have lots of friends and I dont want to be someone different that
they will not like anymore..

Okay, so I didnt' read any of the replies, so I apologize if someone has already suggested this....

First of all, definitely explore areas of your life that you can change to help cope with AD/HD. Find methods, short-cuts, tactics, schedules, etc. that work best for you. If you need help doing such, then seek a close friend/family member/coach/therapist, etc. Knowing what works best for you can help a lot!

Remember, if you decide to medicate, that ritalin is not your only choice. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable starting off with Strattera because it is a non-stimulant. Try to find reputable sources with information on the various AD/HD treatments and consult a knowledgeable physician for further information and recommendations.

Also, keep in mind, some people have bad experiences, while other people have great experiences on different meds. Some may say how bad/wrong meds are, while others will say how great they are. Just remember, every person is different.

I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted with how things are going!

[QUOTE=deang008]

Okay, so I didnt' read any of the replies, so I apologize if someone has already suggested this....

I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted with how things are going!

[/QUOTE]

I'm 25 and on straterra, I've found it to be a very focussing agent and have been happy so far. It hasn't changed me in any way I just don't have the constant urge to do twenty different things and yet be pissed off when nothing gets done. It's like living with a constant static noise ringing in your ears- then suddenly switching the radio off.

so i did it, I have been takin my ritalin for about 2 weeks now. I have
noticed a HUGE diff. I cant explain the feeling. I feel as though a whole
new part of me has opend up. I am doing so much better at work. I can
focus and get my work done. there are a few things I dont like. I have
lost my appitiate greatly, I have gona a whole day not eating but a few
bites and it makes me not feel so good at night. I have noticed I worry
more about my finacee I dont know why but I do. Everything else seems
okay my friends say I am not the jokester I was, I mean I still play around
but I am not like bouncing around the room. I use to lose alot of friends
like that... I have also noticed that if I start playing a video game I over do
it. I think its not good for me so I am trying to cut it out but halo 2 is
addictive hahahah. anyway stuff seems better but I need more sleep and
food. I hope some of you guys can share some stories.....Should I be
staying more active now that I am on medication??

thanks for everything,

A

I am glad you're happy with the results. I know it could not have been an easy decision for you. You are aware of some of the side effects you're having and you can keep an eye on them. Keep track of you weight. Don't let it get too bad. If you loose a lot please go back to the doctor.

wow ure story is just like mine! i graduated from highschool in 2001 but i didn't notice anything was extremely wrong with me until i started college. i'm 22 now and its been 4 years at this college and i still haven't gotten my associate yet.

my parents are always bugging me why i haven't got my AA yet and i always made excuses of how i was working too much and that it distracts me and all the crap. but in reality i don't understand it either, i know i'm a smart person and i can accomplish things very easily but always tend to lose motivation easily also.

i just transfer to this one university reccently and i'm kinda scrared because it costs me almost 20,000 a year! i need to finish or else i'm goin to feel like a big loser. i just recently got diagnosed last week and medication haven't been workin well though , cuz i still procastinate like crazy and can't focus and blah blah blah.

its just been 2 weeks that i've been on strattera, i just wish they put me on something that will work rite away though