Maybe Meds are not the answer | ADHD Information
The more I read about this impairment, the less hopeful I am that meds will guide me to wholeness. Some of you guys have been on several different meds with, at best, limited results. Even among those who have had success on meds most success is temporary and the ADDer must move to another med. All of the meds seem to have side effects that, at some point, become unbearable. I also note that success tends to be measured in terms of one's ability to remain focused and there is much to be said for that. However, isn't it true that for most of us, an equally important measure of wholeness is steps towards emotional maturity? Without it, I fear that interpersonal relationships in my life will continue to suffer. ChiefB38127.8563888889Hi! Nice to meet you! I wanted to let you in a a bit of info I know. First, it's been documented in a few obscure studies that children with ADD very freequently develop a negative self image and become hesitant to make friends. This is due to the freequent negative feedback from peers when the ADD child inturupts, budges into games, spaces out, etc. So consequently the ADD child reaches out less, which in turn continues a cycle of not learning "social graces" impairative to making friends. Then depression and poor self image have an opportunity to set in. Brain imaging shows the dramatic increase of frontal lobe functioning (the part responsible for memory, language, math, judgement etc...) in ADD children on stimulant medications.
Now I'm not preaching that stimulants are the answer for everyone. Wellbutrin may help some people and may not help others. It is the only "stimulant" antidepressant available (it blocks the reuptake of epinepherine and seritonin, I think) But my big question about starting someone with suspected ADHD on a medication that takes a while to start working is that HOW CAN YOU EXPECT AN ADDer TO REMEMBER TO TAKE IT! That, and Welbutrin can cause seizures if there is sudenly too much in your system at once. SO if your ADD isn't resolved, and you can't remember when you took yesterday's dose, and you take a dose in the AM when you took your last dose in the PM of the day before, you risk a seizure! You have to be really consisant and remember to take the stuff every day at the same time!
So *ahem* allow me a moment to step off my soapbox... Talk to your doctor. There are many meds out there. It can take awhile to find the right one and the right dose. A friend of mine told me that the greatist thing that she learned in residency is that the patient holds the key to their reovery. If the patient doesn't communicate what's working and what's not, how can you make them well?
Anyway, can you tell what topic I did my Psych project on? But don't give up hope! You have a journey ahead of you, that's for sure! Some people find long-term help on meds, some may find that ehy only need medication during the times that they need to really focus! Everyone's boilogically different so see what works for you. Just remember that we're all here to support you!
... Apologies around for the super long message. I'm feeling especially wordy this evening.
I post a note in the reinder part of the obile phone it rings really load and tells e what to take and when
Thankyou, thank you, thank you
I am working through some depession lately. Your post has given me a lift and quite an education. I have been on meds for HTX for the since '93. I never forget to take those meds and adding the welbutrin is easy since it sits on the counter next to the htx meds. Initially, I did have a problem remembering to take them but after awhile, it became routine. I am a bit impatient though. I want to start focusing NOW! I have mid terms next week and I'm spending all my time on this message board.
I have taken wellbutrin off and on for years. I have forgotten it and taken it later in the day, even in the evening, then taken at the regular time the next day. I had what the dr thought were petit mal seizures before I started taking wellbutrin. I have never had a seizure while on wellbutrin even when I was mixing up my times for taking it. I think my "seizures" prior to it were just bad ADD moments but I was undiagnosed and had never considered that I might have ADD. I can't speak for anyone prone to seizures but I can say it has never been a problem for me.
I will say I don't think I have ever taken two doses in a day by mistake. It might be a good idea to make a simple chart or put a check mark on your calendar each time you take it, at least until you are used to taking them. I know I will be more careful about taking it in the future. Thank you Lizzy!
Chief, the effects of wellbutrin build up in your system so it may be working for you already and you just haven't noticed since it was a gradual thing. That doesn't mean it is working as well as it will but you would notice the change if you were to stop taking it for a few days! Stimulant meds tend to have an immediate or close to that affect, but wellbutrin doesn't. I hope this helps to ease your mind. You may even need to up the dose. Talk to your dr. Barb
Thanks Barb,
I know that I've said it many times before, but it bears repeating. I am so glad that I have you all to help me through this. But you are not using wellburin for ADD are you? If so, how well does it work for you?
Just try and remember that 'meds' are not magic pills.
They can be useful in helping you to 'help yourself'.
Once i finally realized this (after taking adderal for a few months and the euphoria of the "i'm cured" feeling had left.) it brought my expectations to a realistic state.
I totally lost where i was going with this.
Some days the meds work better than others.
Big surprise.
Oh well.. never give up!
Chief,
I wasn't taking it for ADD because I didn't know I had ADD. After I started reading here about it, I realized that my symptoms did lesson. I tried to think back to when they were the worst during the time I took it and it was always after I had gone off them that I screwed up at work, etc. I would blame the mess ups on depression and go back to taking it. I can't say it worked as well as I have heard that stims work but since I've never tried them, I don't know.
I have started taking it again as the deal I had with my dr was that I would take it when I thought I was getting depressed. He wanted me on it full time but I didn't like that idea. I've only been on it for a few days and I need to talk to the dr about taking it for ADD. The dose may need to be adjusted.
All I can say is give it a fair trial. I'm going to with the same thoughts in my head that you have. "Is it working? Is there enough difference to justify taking it?, etc.. I am even going to talk to my son's dr about him trying it. Barb