seriously guys/Gals. Who's on ADHD meds?

[photon]

No question just like anything else there are misdiagnoses, or compound issues, or whatever. Finding a good pediatrician is important, if they just jump right into medication and don't emphasize other things as well then it's probably best to find a new one.

[driveway]

I'm not ADHD or ADD, but I'll totally buy any spare meds you guys have kicking around.

[PIMking]

So I've been on this medication since wed night. I've only been on 20mg. I jump to 40 Mg on Monday. People have noticed that my annunciation has been better and just overall better mood.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I've tried addorral (sp?) and don't have ADHD. That is some seriously crazy shizz. Can't believe they are putting kids on that medication. It definitely gave me the ability to concentrate on things for a long amount of time and stay up til all hours. I could look at my book collection (mostly unread) and want to read all of them right then. But it didn't feel like a minor drug at all and I felt extremely anxious and jittery when I drank a caffeinated drink while on it. I did write a few successful papers on it where I needed to pull all nighters. But yeah, I definitely felt a "high".

The guy I got it from at university would rarely take it even though he was diagnosed as ADD or ADHD, he'd just sell them instead. Crazy stuff.

Haven't tried Ritalin although I know a few non ADD/ADHDers who have.

[Traditional_Ale]

^ Can you concentrate or is it you think you can concentrate?

[photon]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I've tried addorral (sp?) and don't have ADHD. That is some seriously crazy shizz. Can't believe they are putting kids on that medication. It definitely gave me the ability to concentrate on things for a long amount of time and stay up til all hours. I could look at my book collection (mostly unread) and want to read all of them right then. But it didn't feel like a minor drug at all and I felt extremely anxious and jittery when I drank a caffeinated drink while on it. I did write a few successful papers on it where I needed to pull all nighters. But yeah, I definitely felt a "high".

It's Adderall and yeah it's crazy for you because you don't have ADHD. For kids that have ADHD it will have the opposite effect to what you experienced.

[jydk]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

^ Can you concentrate or is it you think you can concentrate?

I've heard it's been proven to help significantly improve test scores, even with people that do not have ADHD, when taken these medications. Enough to were some colleges are talking about testing students prior to exams to ensure they haven't taken any of these drugs.

I'm have no references to back my statement up, but I'm sure google could find you some sources.

[GGG]

Has anyone ever been tested for ADD or ADHD and been diagnosed with not having it. In looking at the testing for it I don't believe I could pass it without being diagnosed for it. Now I might have it to some degree but I don't believe I do compared to the way other people have described their symptoms.

[stampsx2]

Could ADHD be confused with just being uninterested in something?

[photon]

No, because there is a diagnostic process that goes along with ADHD. There's a difference between being not interested and the inability to focus and all the other stuff that can go with ADD/ADHD

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by redforever

Is that piano on your back pretty heavy?

Where did I say that people should not take medications for ADD or anything else for that matter?

Where did I say that if you eat a certain way, your symptoms will go away?

I merely said that everyone would benefit from having a diet that is as natural and wholesome as possible.

You also "merely" related higher sugar diets of the past (not so sure they existed) was some how responsible for the lower incidence of ADHD compared to today. That is the only point I responded to.

[wooohooo]

Hmmm I tried Adderall and another one but it did absolutely nothing for me... maybe it's because I have ADD, who knows. Maybe I should try again but with a stronger dose!!! hahaa

[Acey]

A decent dosage of Vyvanse does a number on your libido, among other "effects", i.e. the inverse effect of Viagra. For me, in this regard, it's quite a bit worse than methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) but it's a small price to pay for a much more effective mental stimulant.

[troutman]

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=2350

A new study published in the Lancet purports to show a potential genetic link to ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). While the genetic link found in this study has been somewhat overhyped in the media, the results are interesting.

The main problem with media reporting is that they tend to oversimplify the concept of a genetic disorder. The worst offenders speak of “the gene” for whatever is being discussed, like ADHD. There are purely genetic disorders that are the result of a mutation in a single gene, but more often diseases and disorders that have a genetic component are the complex result of multiple genes and their interaction with the environment. Therefore there is no single gene for ADHD, autism, migraines, obesity or other complex condition.

Saying that there is a “genetic link” to a disorder is more reasonable, but always must be put into context.

[PIMking]

Hookers and blow.... forget the hookers part....

[Itse]

I'm currently diagnosed as bi-polar, but I've have a previous diagnose of ADD and got drugs for that. I took one pill and it felt so good I was scared to take another one.

However, now that I've started studying again I've started to have fits of rather extreme mental exhaustion. Most days I have a couple of hours of concentration in me and after that I'm not good for much anything. Often I'm forced to take a nap, and I can literally fall asleep on the floor. The naps destroy my sleep rhythm and waste the time I have put aside for studying. Being a family man, the amount of free time per day is very limited. This is making studying really hard.

I think this is related to my meds, so I guess I should be trying something different. One option might be ADD/ADHD drugs.

[Caged Great]

nm

[freedogger]

Originally Posted by photon

No, because there is a diagnostic process that goes along with ADHD. There's a difference between being not interested and the inability to focus and all the other stuff that can go with ADD/ADHD

Unless you fork over $$$ and find the right doc in the US to get a PET scan, it is just a questionnaire for adult diagnosis. Child diagnosis is similar, but asks more questions of the parents.

A simple test, try reading a few paragraphs of something mildly boring or something technical. Can you typically read something like this from start to finish without having to re-read parts of it? Do you get to the end and find you have completely missed some of it? If so, google some of the ADHD online tests and try those. Get someone who knows you really well to answer the same questions. Then make sure you are enrolled in a decent drug plan. You want to avoid letting them cop out of covering a pre-existing condition. Then get a referral to a decent specialist for a real diagnosis.

The drugs are a key part of helping this condition. For me it is like wearing eye glasses. I can get by without them but it is a lot more work. It took time and decent doctors to figure out the best drug and the amount and type of dosage. Graduated from university with high GPA before figuring this out. Huge difference in relationships, career and quality of life since then. A quote from one of the books that still holds true: "Change your brain, Change your life"

[Jedi Ninja]

Originally Posted by Itse

I'm currently diagnosed as bi-polar, but I've have a previous diagnose of ADD and got drugs for that. I took one pill and it felt so good I was scared to take another one.

...

I understand it is fairly common for people with bipolar disorder to be initially mis-diagnosed as having ADHD.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I am probably bi-polar. Definitely can be in up moods for a while, and then down moods for a while.

I've never seen anyone about it though because I'm in a creative industry. I would not want to get meds because it would affect my abilities, and that is not a great idea.

As long as it you're okay with it, that's propably a good choice. There is no need to take drugs for something if it doesn't really bother you.

However, I'd like to comment as someone who does creative writing (as a hobby);

While taking my meds does sometimes cause issues with creativity, they also have a definite upside for me; I sleep better and have less anxiety. This means I can better develop my ideas. Also, the stuff I come up with tends to actually revolve around what I want to come up with, instead of being somewhat all over the place like they "normally" tend to be. Also, writing just feels nicer.

Plus, I have my everyday life somewhat under control now, which cuts down on distracting thoughts.