I don't know how many Ladies here are 40+. But I was wondering about a place for the Topic of "Menopause" which would include peri-menopause to be the main topic. Then there could be sub-forums on things like changes in medication, hormone replacement therapy, ect.

It was just a thought, if it's not a good one or one that could serve a purpose then just kinda erase this from your memory.
BlessedLady

All suggestions are good ones. Two questions come to mind to clarify:

1) What is the relation to ADD or other comorbid disorders, and
2) How many members would be interested in this topic?

In the meantime, feel free to start a thread on the subject, and we can monitor how popular it gets! :)

To put my 2 cents worth, I think the topic of menopause has a significant relationship to ADD. With the drop in hormones levels, many women, previously undiagnosed, discover that they are ADD for the first time because the ADD symptoms worsen. I can speak from person experience on this one as this is what led to my recent diagnosis.

Menopause becomes a significant co-morbid condition to ADD as it adds another complex layer to the mixture of "should I take stimulant medication". Now you have to decide if you should consider taking hormones on top of the anti-depressants you've probably been taking for the past 15 years. I think the overlap of symptoms/treatment/management of menopause, ADD and depression/anxiety is worthy of its own thread.

I consider it one of life's greater acts of cruelty that at this later stage in life, you finally get an answer to a condition that has had such a profound impact on your life and it happens at a time when the symptoms of menopause themselves are hugely complicated to deal with. To finally get the opportunity to use a tool like stimulant medication to help with this lifelong struggle to stay focused and organized but now have to deal with a whole other condition that brings with it foggy brain, irritability, poor memory, etc... is pretty overwhelming.

Well, I guess the up side is, we've already had more practice with the foggy brain, irritability, poor memory, etc. than the non-ADDers. :D

All suggestions are good ones. Two questions come to mind to clarify:

1) What is the relation to ADD or other comorbid disorders, and
Over the past several years it appears that many women are just being diagnoised with ADD when they see the dr because of concerns and/or problems that are connected with Menopause( 40+) or even Perimenopause. Perimenopause, the time prior to Menopause can begin as early in some women as their 30's.

Studies have shown that there is a connection between Hormones & ADD. For a large number of women the 7-10 days prior to the onset of their period has an effect on the stimulant medication to the point that they often feel like they aren't taking it at all. Some women are told by their drs to increase the dosage at this time for a specific # of days.
2) How many members would be interested in this topic?
:) That is one of the options I had down for a Poll, but I wasn't aware that the Poll had to post within 5 minutes of the thread.This is the first thread I've started so it's a learning process.

BlessedLady

To put my 2 cents worth, I think the topic of menopause has a significant relationship to ADD. With the drop in hormones levels, many women, previously undiagnosed, discover that they are ADD for the first time because the ADD symptoms worsen. I can speak from person experience on this one as this is what led to my recent diagnosis.

Menopause becomes a significant co-morbid condition to ADD as it adds another complex layer to the mixture of "should I take stimulant medication". Now you have to decide if you should consider taking hormones on top of the anti-depressants you've probably been taking for the past 15 years. I think the overlap of symptoms/treatment/management of menopause, ADD and depression/anxiety is worthy of its own thread.

I consider it one of life's greater acts of cruelty that at this later stage in life, you finally get an answer to a condition that has had such a profound impact on your life and it happens at a time when the symptoms of menopause themselves are hugely complicated to deal with. To finally get the opportunity to use a tool like stimulant medication to help with this lifelong struggle to stay focused and organized but now have to deal with a whole other condition that brings with it foggy brain, irritability, poor memory, etc... is pretty overwhelming.

Ya hit the nail on the head Exeter. I think it would be a good idea. The relationship to ADD and the drop in hormones ...what med's can one take will tehy have side effects with the ADD ones? These are all things us women have to deal with as we get older... I have been dealing with the side effects since I was in my 30's and any other dx seem to get worse.The syptoms seem to manifest into full blown. It would be nice to have a place to go to talk about it with those that understand and are in the same situation. That is my 2 cents too.:cool:

(1) Biological transitions - Perimenopause and Menopause
It is critical for a woman with ADD (ADHD) to be aware of the powerful interaction of ADD (ADHD) symptoms and declining estrogen levels. Many women whose ADD (ADHD) symptoms have been successfully treated with psychostimulants report that their stimulants are less effective during perimenopause and menopause. Because there is little dialogue between physicians who treat adults with ADHD and those who treat women in menopause, the interactions of ADD (ADHD) symptoms with estrogen levels are not yet widely known or appreciated. It is not unusual for a physician treating ADHD to have little information on this stimulant-hormone interaction. As a result, it may be necessary for a woman with ADHD to help educate her physician about these interactions in order to receive effective medication treatment.
(1) http://www.addvance.com/help/women/transitions.html

There is something else I've been wondering about also & thats some of the women that aren't diagnoised until 40+ ie their kids are grown & for the first time they have the actual time to go to their dr(s) & talk about themselves & how things effect them directly not about how it effects them & what they have to do for the kids or hubby but "just them." & I wonder to what extent, if any, this has something to do with so many women not being diagnoised until later in life.

I wonder if I'm totally off with this thinking or for some of us "right on the dot." I know it doesn't apply to all..I'm just saying some. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on this also.
BlessedLady

I think this would be a great forum. Perimenopause is something I have been wondering about for some time now. Whether some of my syptoms are related or unrelated. Plus, I had a hysterectomy 11 years ago, (ripe old age of 28) and have often wondered many things and would find it very helpful to be able to ask other woman of their syptoms and such.

All the other posts say pretty much what I would say, so no sense repeating them verbatim, Iwill say however that I concur 100%.

Some woman dont even realize they may be suffering from peri-menopause. It is fairly new to mainstream media, so it is something that needs attention. IMHO. Chemicals released (or no longer released) in the brain effect all of these disorders on some level, and it would seem logical that there is a connection.
My 2 1/2 cents.

I was not diagnosed until after hysterectomy at age 37. After the surgery it was too much to cope with. I adopted three children and one is ADHD so I realized that I may have it and got tested. I always felt like I was smart but I could never prove it (ok to laugh now). Academics were so hard in high school but outside the school I would score higher than most of my class. My family always said it was bad nerves but I know now it was ADD. I just could not concentrate in an adademic setting. I would get nervous and figety and forget what I was supposed to do. I am relived that I know what it is, I wish someone could have helped me in school because I have always wanted to pursue an education but at that time of my life it was impossible due to my learning difficulty and my parents marriage problems. Now I have my three children to raise and I am happy but there are times when I think about going back to school. I also work full time at a university so I am around it all of the time. Having a hyst was hard not just physically but emotionally as well. My memory has really been affected. I do take Adderall and it does help but there is still that little piece that I can't identify that would make me feel more focused. I am on hormones but my doc will not increase the dosage because I have a hx of breast cancer. I think the estrogen and memory have a lot to do with each other.

I'm wondering if the idea of a Menopause Forum is still active? I would like to participate in this topic, as a 50 year old woman with ADD. It seems that those of us over 40 are confronting issues (not only biological ones) that the "Women and ADD Forum" does not address. Most of the topics of discussion there seem to be between young married women with children. I resonate with many of their issues, but feel that I'm at a different stage of life. Also, as an unmarried woman without children, I'd like to hear from other women who are not necessarily focused exclusively on family concerns. Can we move this topic to a new forum? Anyone interested?

Would a Woman 40+ section work? All topics of that nature could be discussed there. In the mean time, I encourage you all to post in the Women with ADD/ADHD section. Those posts will be moved over when we have a new Women 40+ section in place.

There is something else I've been wondering about also & thats some of the women that aren't diagnoised until 40+ ie their kids are grown & for the first time they have the actual time to go to their dr(s) & talk about themselves & how things effect them directly not about how it effects them & what they have to do for the kids or hubby but "just them." & I wonder to what extent, if any, this has something to do with so many women not being diagnoised until later in life.

I wonder if I'm totally off with this thinking or for some of us "right on the dot." I know it doesn't apply to all..I'm just saying some. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on this also.
BlessedLadyCan't speak to anybody else's situation, but I didn't have my last child until I was 42 and didn't wean her until 44. That's when it all hit me full in the face -- so in my case it didn't have anything to do with "more time for me". Although I sure love that concept!:p

I think the idea for a ADD/menopause thread it a great one. I have a clear history of ADHD (was dx as a child) but managed the symptoms quite effectively without meds until I hit perimenopause. In fact, I thought I had outgrown it, even though in hind site there were always symptoms. The combination of the two sure has thrown me for a loop -- I was pretty much non functional and an emotional wreck before I started stimulent medication. I've also noticed it doesn't work very well right before my period too. I'd love feed back from others who are going through the same thing and have a better understanding of what it's like and suggestions of what might help.

Scattered

UMmmmmmm Ummmmmmmmm my question is this...... How many of us would actually admit to being over 40. Besides that I went thru menapause when I was in my early 30 (was an overnight affair in the hospital) So although I see a woman 40+ section as a great thing I also see it as a bump. (gosh I am so difficult)

:eek:
I have been hoodwinked. This is the 40+ section. Not to matter I am 43 wonderful years old!

So although I see a woman 40+ section as a great thing I also see it as a bump. ( You have a very good point. For the majority of women this "stage" or age is not something that makes them feel very good about themselves. Maybe we could come up with another name. I would suggest "Life begins at 50" but a friend of mine told me the other day that if what she's been through is just the beginning.....well lets just say she didn't look forward to the future with any "Hope." & "Hope" is something noone should be without.
When it comes to imagination & being creative..those are 2 things i just don't have...but it makes me appreciate those who have it much more. Does anyone have any suggestions for another name ? And even though this should have been first..at least I remembered it..Do we need to ask Andrew or someone on that level of the Forums if it would be Ok if there was another name for it other than Women 40+. Although the statement of "age" really is incorrect because as several of you have pointed out Menopause & Perimenopause is not age specific...I know that but I guess I wasn't thinking, so to those of you that "40+" doesn't apply to I sincerely apologize.
BlessedLady

I wanted to comment about stimulant medication not being as effective the week before a woman's period. I just started my cycle and I went thru this last week so I was very interested in hearing this happens to other woman too.


Before I started Adderall I got very tired the week before. I think with the adderall I don't expect myself to feel tired. Thats not really fair to my body is it?

I think the sift in hormones has definitely affected me. Any helpful hints or suggestions? Does caste tree berry or some of the other herbal supplements geared toward peri and menopausal woman have a negative intereaction with ADD medication?

Oh my fellow adder/menapauser there was no need for you to apologize. We are all posting here because you so wisely brought it to our attention that this was a valuable discussion. For this we should all thank you. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

lets see before we can begin to bug the head honchos about this we have to know what to ask for. lets see hmmmmmmmmm the world????? do you think they would give us that if we ask nice. (can hear andrew say ttj right now) heheh

Really lets see what we can come up with. How about Womans Monthly or lack thereof.

Hormones or lack of.

Or worldly women section!!!
let me know and we will tie the heads down and see what they say

Oh my fellow adder/menapauser there was no need for you to apologize. We are all posting here because you so wisely brought it to our attention that this was a valuable discussion. For this we should all thank you. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

It has been my pleasure...we are here to help each other. I've never been one to take...let alone take & not give....& ADD Forums helped me within the first day or 2 of joining by knowing that I wasn't alone with some of the daily struggles of ADD + being female. So this idea/suggestion is the least I can do.

About a name...as I've said earlier I don't have even a hint of imagination or creativity but maybe one of you Ladies that does can take these few names & be creative or maybe they will spark one from you....Women: Coming & Going; Women- From Birth to 100; Women: I can't believe it's that time again; Women- What day of the Month is it? Does it really matter anymore?
Well that's it....2 of them need 2 be shortened.

By the way while it's on my mind, I noticed a section for "Teenagers" Being a teenager is difficult enough now days ( was it ever not difficult?) combine being a teenage girl + ADD+hormones that go with your first period & those first years with things getting regular. At least after a certain age we know what the questions are....at the age these teenagers are they don't even know what the questions are, let alone how to express what they are feeling. And if there isn't already, those that kinda of "over see" the Teenage Forums should have a place for Girls Only because no teenage girl I've ever known is gonna bring up this topic let alone discuss it if yuky guys are around. Also statics show that girls are having their first period at a much younger age than 5-10 yrs ago. Like I said it's just a thought...been meaning to mention it but keep forgetting.
BlessedLady

1) What is the relation to ADD or other comorbid disorders, and

Dx of ADD during Peri-Menopause/ Menopause, questions about HRT and the ADD meds, how to cope with the symptoms of both which are exacerbated during this stage, etc. etc.

I’m 34 – so I wouldn’t feel like an “over 40’s” forum would address me at all. Plus, an over 40’s forum would be redundant since we already have the women and ADHD forum where women of any age can post.

From a social aspect, the similarities between the we-don't-talk-about-it attitude toward both mental health issues and menopause is interesting to note. Both are issues that are hushed up, yet, both are prevalent and *need* to be addressed.



2) How many members would be interested in this topic?

I counted 12 different posters in this thread (including Andrew ;) ), so I think the interest in this forum is definitely exists.

Every woman at ADD Forums either has dealt with or will deal with the symptoms and stage of life issues we face. For this reason alone the relevance of a forum for Peri-Menopause and Menopause is clear.

A forum devoted to this stage of life gets my full support.

My suggestion is that the forum be titled: "Peri-Menopause and Menopause" and put into this forum: Co-Existing Conditions (http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51) .

cheers,

W.

I am 43 and adhd.

In reading the forum threads daily, many are newly "coming out of the add/adhd closet". Maybe "The Coming Out" Forum.

I have also heard that when women hit their 40's, they are in their prime. (I personally can't wait.) How about "Women in their Prime" Forum.

Or "Hormones on the Run" Forum.
Or "We are Women Hear Us Roar" Forum.

As you can see, I have had a long day. I am sure I will have some better suggestions tomorrow. I am definitely interested in the upcoming Forum. Count me in.

Ya hit the nail on the head Exeter. I think it would be a good idea. The relationship to ADD and the drop in hormones ...what med's can one take will tehy have side effects with the ADD ones? These are all things us women have to deal with as we get older... I have been dealing with the side effects since I was in my 30's and any other dx seem to get worse.The syptoms seem to manifest into full blown. It would be nice to have a place to go to talk about it with those that understand and are in the same situation. That is my 2 cents too.:cool:
Hey wow, didn't know I had posted to this thread yet. Looks like milauren is doing a good job ghostwriting for me. Too bad it doesn't add to my postcount... lol.

To put my 2 cents worth, I think the topic of menopause has a significant relationship to ADD. With the drop in hormones levels, many women, previously undiagnosed, discover that they are ADD for the first time because the ADD symptoms worsen. I can speak from person experience on this one as this is what led to my recent diagnosis.

Yup. Uh huh. Me. (waves hand in the air wildly):rolleyes:
This is what happened with me...

After reviewing the feedback from the forum members here, a new section of the forums has been opened!

Peri-Menopause / Menopause and AD/HD
http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=275

Enjoy!

I'm closing this thread, but please feel free to continue it in the new section!