ADHD meds

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DMA's

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8 Jul 2015
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Today I started on adhd medication. Been struggling most of my life with adhd but I also have been diagnosed with autism, generalised aniexty disorder and body dysmoprhia.

The latter two I believe are due to untreated adhd for many many years. I currently take fluexotine (Prozac) but that hasn’t really touched the sides and the symptoms have been progressively getting worse.

I have managed to help the symptoms in the past with excessive drinking (now sober and have been for 3 years) and then excessive running (used to run 10K daily) but led to burnout. It’s been exhausting, it’s like permanently being on a rollercoaster with extreme highs, extreme lows and just barely being able to survive. Football and sports really being my main outlet.

Which leads me to today. It took a lot but today I started on concerta and I really hope this is the start of a good thing.

Just posting here as this forum has been a huge part of my life for 15/20 years and I’m pretty excited, anxious and intrigued to see where this new journey leads.

If anyone has had experience on this medication or similar I’d be intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
 
DMA's said:
Today I started on adhd medication. Been struggling most of my life with adhd but I also have been diagnosed with autism, generalised aniexty disorder and body dysmoprhia.

The latter two I believe are due to untreated adhd for many many years. I currently take fluexotine (Prozac) but that hasn’t really touched the sides and the symptoms have been progressively getting worse.

I have managed to help the symptoms in the past with excessive drinking (now sober and have been for 3 years) and then excessive running (used to run 10K daily) but led to burnout. It’s been exhausting, it’s like permanently being on a rollercoaster with extreme highs, extreme lows and just barely being able to survive. Football and sports really being my main outlet.

Which leads me to today. It took a lot but today I started on concerta and I really hope this is the start of a good thing.

Just posting here as this forum has been a huge part of my life for 15/20 years and I’m pretty excited, anxious and intrigued to see where this new journey leads.

If anyone has had experience on this medication or similar I’d be intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
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Keep us updated on your progress, mate.
 
Sorry to hear about your ongoing battle but it does sound like you are trying to navigate it in a positive way.
I hope this medication helps and refreshes your outlook with a calmer way and helps fight off those demons that must be very overwhelming every day.
Good Luck, Blue!!
 
denislawsbackheel said:
Good luck mate, just watch out for possible side effects.
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Thank you. That’s the thing with the anxiety it was really difficult to get the courage to start in the first place. And I obviously was very worried about the side effects. But I have a regular check ups with my dr, I have to manage blood pressure and slowly increase etc.

One potential side effect was to get an erection that won’t go down! Luckily for my wife that hasn’t happened as of yet!
 
DMA's said:
Thank you. That’s the thing with the anxiety it was really difficult to get the courage to start in the first place. And I obviously was very worried about the side effects. But I have a regular check ups with my dr, I have to manage blood pressure and slowly increase etc.

One potential side effect was to get an erection that won’t go down! Luckily for my wife that hasn’t happened as of yet!
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Nobody here wants to know about your erection there's a politics forum for that kind of thing ;-)

But very very good luck I hope this part of your journey is a smooth one mate.
 
Good luck with it all matey. Hoping you start to see a positive change.


One thing I would say (and this may not be applicable to yourself) is plan ahead re. Ordering meds.

I know my SIL has terrible trouble finding the particular medication her children are on in stock anywhere. (Quite possibly a completely different medication like).
 
denislawsbackheel said:
I was thinking more of the insomnia and headaches…!
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Yes I’m aware of those too but after talking with my dr and wife etc I felt obligated to give it a go.

Feel the fear and dot it anyway. That’s how I try to live. Been 5 hours and so far feel ok! Albeit slightly jittery but that’s to be expected
 
DMA's said:
Today I started on adhd medication. Been struggling most of my life with adhd but I also have been diagnosed with autism, generalised aniexty disorder and body dysmoprhia.

The latter two I believe are due to untreated adhd for many many years. I currently take fluexotine (Prozac) but that hasn’t really touched the sides and the symptoms have been progressively getting worse.

I have managed to help the symptoms in the past with excessive drinking (now sober and have been for 3 years) and then excessive running (used to run 10K daily) but led to burnout. It’s been exhausting, it’s like permanently being on a rollercoaster with extreme highs, extreme lows and just barely being able to survive. Football and sports really being my main outlet.

Which leads me to today. It took a lot but today I started on concerta and I really hope this is the start of a good thing.

Just posting here as this forum has been a huge part of my life for 15/20 years and I’m pretty excited, anxious and intrigued to see where this new journey leads.

If anyone has had experience on this medication or similar I’d be intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Stay strong buddy and good luck with the new meds. I always found laughter to be a great tonic and it's good to know we can always rely on Bluemoon's gallows humour for that.
 
Aside from the initial ‘honeymoon period’, I didn’t find ADHD medication helpful. Methylphenidate, Concerta, Elvanse, Dexamfetamine, Adderall, Guanfacine and Atomoextine all caused irritability and dampened my emotions. Strangely, it was only the Guanfacine that improved my executive functioning.

I believe if you’re AuADHD or the inattentive sub-type, you’re far less likely to respond well to stimulants.
 
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Dr Jacoby said:
Aside from the initial ‘honeymoon period’, I didn’t find ADHD medication helpful. Methylphenidate, Concerta, Elvanse, Dexamfetamine, Adderall, Guanfacine and Atomoextine all caused irritability and dampened by emotions. Strangely, it was only the Guanfacine that improved my executive functioning.

I believe if you’re AuADHD or the inattentive sub-type, you’re far less likely to respond well to stimulants.
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I appreciate the reply. I am under no illusion that these meds will be an automatic fix for me but I hope that they allow me to function to a level where I can provide for my family. Currently I am unable to work and I am just desperate to find some peace.

It’s been circa 9 hours and I certainly feel better today. I’m aware of the honeymoon phase and I am likely to need to tweak the dosage/understand the effect will diminish but as I’ve mentioned I’m feeling positive and determined to get on top of this. I want to be the best dad/husband/son I can
 
DMA's said:
I appreciate the reply. I am under no illusion that these meds will be an automatic fix for me but I hope that they allow me to function to a level where I can provide for my family. Currently I am unable to work and I am just desperate to find some peace.

It’s been circa 9 hours and I certainly feel better today. I’m aware of the honeymoon phase and I am likely to need to tweak the dosage/understand the effect will diminish but as I’ve mentioned I’m feeling positive and determined to get on top of this. I want to be the best dad/husband/son I can
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Remember to drink plenty of water, avoid/limit caffeine and eat quality sources of protein. Best of luck! I know meds can be life-changing for many. Let’s hope they are for you. :)
 
DMA's said:
Today I started on adhd medication. Been struggling most of my life with adhd but I also have been diagnosed with autism, generalised aniexty disorder and body dysmoprhia.

The latter two I believe are due to untreated adhd for many many years. I currently take fluexotine (Prozac) but that hasn’t really touched the sides and the symptoms have been progressively getting worse.

I have managed to help the symptoms in the past with excessive drinking (now sober and have been for 3 years) and then excessive running (used to run 10K daily) but led to burnout. It’s been exhausting, it’s like permanently being on a rollercoaster with extreme highs, extreme lows and just barely being able to survive. Football and sports really being my main outlet.

Which leads me to today. It took a lot but today I started on concerta and I really hope this is the start of a good thing.

Just posting here as this forum has been a huge part of my life for 15/20 years and I’m pretty excited, anxious and intrigued to see where this new journey leads.

If anyone has had experience on this medication or similar I’d be intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
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Hope it works out for you. I have a son with autism and everyday is a challenge. He’s now being assessed for ADHD so I can relate in some aspects what you are dealing with. Keep being positive and keep talking about it. The more people understand the challenges that autism and ADHD can have the better. Take care pal
 
Dr Jacoby said:
Remember to drink plenty of water, avoid/limit caffeine and eat quality sources of protein. Best of luck! I know meds can be life-changing for many. Let’s hope they are for you. :)
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Thank you. I honestly really appreciate the advice
 
DMA's said:
Today I started on adhd medication. Been struggling most of my life with adhd but I also have been diagnosed with autism, generalised aniexty disorder and body dysmoprhia.

The latter two I believe are due to untreated adhd for many many years. I currently take fluexotine (Prozac) but that hasn’t really touched the sides and the symptoms have been progressively getting worse.

I have managed to help the symptoms in the past with excessive drinking (now sober and have been for 3 years) and then excessive running (used to run 10K daily) but led to burnout. It’s been exhausting, it’s like permanently being on a rollercoaster with extreme highs, extreme lows and just barely being able to survive. Football and sports really being my main outlet.

Which leads me to today. It took a lot but today I started on concerta and I really hope this is the start of a good thing.

Just posting here as this forum has been a huge part of my life for 15/20 years and I’m pretty excited, anxious and intrigued to see where this new journey leads.

If anyone has had experience on this medication or similar I’d be intrigued to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
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Funnily enough, I was diagnosed AuADHD inattentive just last week at 36 years old. Everyday is me being stressed out wondering where I've left multiple items. Having to ask my Mrs to repeat what she's saying to me, and me struggling to deal with any noise I can't control. And the worst one is having a song you've heard stuck in your head for days on end, Gabrielle tortured me for a couple of weeks last year!
Sadly I got a referral from my GP so I could use my works BUPA insurance (which I thought would be me doing the NHS a favour) and went to through Melios who use the NICE guidelines ect. But now my GP won't accept the diagnosis and Melios don't offer any medication privately so I'm stuck in no mans land currently.

But still it's nice knowing I was right about myself, looks like it runs in the family though as 2 of my sons 1 of them in particular is waiting for his assessment and he's only 3.
 
Good luck. I know someone with Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and mild anxiety - given serialine. Upset stomach, made them feel flat.

Had an ADHD assessment a year ago - don't have the hyperactivity. Waited a year for the meds - a form of Ritalin. Told us wished they had been on this all their life, been a game changer. Only side effect was upset stomach when started on dosage. I've seen a big difference in them already after 2 months. All that suffering and anxiety and how a lot of it can be eradicated by popping tablets.

Wishing you well OP x
 
Scottyboi said:
Funnily enough, I was diagnosed AuADHD inattentive just last week at 36 years old. Everyday is me being stressed out wondering where I've left multiple items. Having to ask my Mrs to repeat what she's saying to me, and me struggling to deal with any noise I can't control. And the worst one is having a song you've heard stuck in your head for days on end, Gabrielle tortured me for a couple of weeks last year!
Sadly I got a referral from my GP so I could use my works BUPA insurance (which I thought would be me doing the NHS a favour) and went to through Melios who use the NICE guidelines ect. But now my GP won't accept the diagnosis and Melios don't offer any medication privately so I'm stuck in no mans land currently.

But still it's nice knowing I was right about myself, looks like it runs in the family though as 2 of my sons 1 of them in particular is waiting for his assessment and he's only 3.
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Sorry to hear of your experience. Person I know had to fight with gp to get a referral ( got ASD), eventually struck lucky with one of the decent GPs in the practice. Waited 18 months for zoom assessment with the physiatrist, who similar to you diagnosed the inattentive ADD. Waited a year for the meds, started them recently and made a huge difference. Some of the traits you describe in yourself this person has too and caused so many issues, anxiety, low self esteem etc.

The meds cost a fortune, I'm so sorry that you are stuck between a rock and hard place. Good luck x
 
Running only offers you north & south movement, we get plenty of that in life. What we dont get is east & west ( the reason people get cript getting out of cars)
 
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