So doctor thinks that if he puts me on a mood stabilizer, that I won't need to smoke marijuana, doctor said he sees I only smoke to feel a certain way, & not to get high, and if on the right med, that I won't smoke. MY CONCERN IS, he keeps saying Bi-Polar, and everytime I read about it, I don't see it being me, of course there are other forms. Should I start the mood stabilizer? These people don't know much about ADD/ADHD, I mean they know about it, like what meds to give, but I hope they are not mistaking my ADHD symtoms with Bi-Polar.

I guess I won't have any problem giving it a try, but I won't try anything that has withdrawal symtoms like Effexor.

T-Bass

I would try to focus on how effective a treatment is rather than the label someone attaches to you. I don't know whether its bi-polar or not but in the whole scheme of things is what treatment will help you? Is it working? If so that is what is important.

I do agree with the doc though that finding the right medication can take a craving or habit like that away so that you can feel good without it.

If it were me I'd listen to what the doc has to say, do some research on my own and then if it seems reasonable I'd give it a try.

I've been battling some wicked mood swings myself- not sure what its from --ADD or hormones or what but I thats no way to live. I hope I get myself leveled out!

I would give it a try - mood stabalizers are used for a variety of conditions - including ADHD. Bi-Polar disorder can manifest itself in a variety of ways - and in combo with ADHD, yours (if you are bi-polar) may not look like a textbook case. I have heard of the theory that some smoke grass in order to slow down a racing mind that's going so fast, it can't keep up with itself. Scizophrenics are often drawn to pot, and I think that this is the theory as to why.
Typically lower doses are used for ADHD and bi-polar than would be used for scizophrenia. Atypical mood stabalizers like Respirdal, Zyprexa, Abilify, Seroquel have helped a lot of people. They have low occurance of side effects too. Not too much to loose by trying. And if they do help you cut down on your pot smoking - which I gather from your previous posts is excessive - and my idea of excessive is rather forgiving ;-) - you will likely spend a lot less money, eat less junk food and enjoy the pot you smoke a lot more - no secret that daily continuous smoking takes much of the enjoyment out of it.
Good luck - I hope the additional meds help.
Greg

My mind is racing, motor keeps on running, but isn't this a symtom of ADHD? Smoking does calm my mind down, so I can think about what to do & how I"m going to do it.

See them again in about 2 1/2 weeks, If I can keep pot as a weekend thing, I can buy a new car with the money I would save, let's see, I take seroquel at nights, only 25mg, and it knocks me out within an hour. Effexor in the morning, which I hope to wean off, if I start a mood stabilizer, most likey I will.

T-Bass

Good luck, T-Bass! I'm glad to see you are still out there trying to find answers! What kind of car would you get? That's sure a big plus for cutting back.

Kim

The racing mind is a symptom of ADHD for some people, but not for all. The degree to which your mind races will vary too - and some people find stimulants help this, but others do not.

It has been pointed out to me that racing thoughts are referred to as "flight of ideas" and is one of the distinguishing features between Bipolar vs ADHD. It is dramatically different than having trouble concentrating.:)

Just wanted to pass it on where I thought it might be of benefit.

Kim

Big problem with my "flight of ideas" is that I never stick with it.

T-Bass

I'm sure you've seen all they symptoms for ADD, but found this on www.healthyplace.com (http://www.healthyplace.com/) and thought it was worthwhile posting. BTW, from what I understand, if you have a doctor who specializes in bi-polar, you're more likely to get that diagnosis than a diagnosis of ADHD, esp. if they're not that familiar with ADD.

"Common ADD behaviors

Most health care professionals working with ADD adults or children will tell you about the triad of ADD behaviors, it is composed of three elements:

1. Difficulty with concentration
2. Difficulty controlling impulses
3. Difficulty staying still or with one project

(hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity)

Labeling these three elements may help the


medical community, but for the rest of us we need a little more concrete information. In our "ASK about ADD Adult Self-Help Group", we developed this list of what we consider to be the" Top Ten" ADD behaviors. advertisement









Top 10 Behaviors

Distractibility:
Moving from one task, project or person frequently. Having difficulty sticking with the assigned task. Perhaps appearing to listen but not getting the information as the ADD adult was listening to the sounds of birds or cars or children instead of the person speaking to them.
Lack of impulse control: Sudden movements, inappropriate vocal responses, yelling and name calling. Perhaps a quick loss of temper, quick movements that may result in spilling or breaking things. Often making quick decision rather than well thought out ones and acting before we think.
Free flight of ideas: Constantly going from one idea to the next, often with very good ideas but little if any follow through. We may become quickly bored with our current activity and want to move on before it is completed.
Difficulty with organizing or sequencing tasks: May tend to loose things, clothing and equipment easily. Paperwork is often filled out but left at home. Important items can be lost or misplaced as easily as available items.
Social immaturity: ADD adults may often be behind others in maturity, and act out impulsively or inappropriately. We often have a low frustration level and loose our temper very easily. We tend to not do well at reading the social indicators of others, such as if they are uncomfortable or want to leave, and so continue with the inappropriate activity.
Forgetfulness: Easily forgetting where he or she is to be and what to bring along. We may have been told ten minutes ago to do a certain task and didn't do it because of being preoccupied with something or someone else.
Difficulty with deferred gratification: The ADD adult often wants the reward before the task, once rewarded is ready to move on to the next reward without completing the task.
Difficulty sequencing and following directions: Weak past and future concepts, everything is in the NOW! With a process involving 3 or 4 steps the ADD adult may easily miss or forget all but the first and last step.
Restlessness or Hyperactivity: Not always, but often present as in having difficulty standing still or sitting still. Always tapping feet or hands, fidgeting with something in their hands, often disruptive in groups or class situations.
Difficulty with concentration: We are often easily distracted, and may kind of "drift" from project to project or thing to thing. Our concentration is distracted by almost any other kind of activity
Difficulty with dates, times or directions Due to the processing problems associated with ADD, information is often not stored properly for long term memory functions. We may misunderstand the directions, thinking East is West, or Up is Down, and then may not even remember the information except for a short time.

This is by no means the total list of behaviors demonstrated by ADD adults and children, but certainly gives us a starting point. "top (http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/ADD/ask/behaviors/have_add.htm#top) | next (http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/ADD/ask/behaviors/Scout_add.htm) | table of contents (http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/ADD/ask/behaviors/index.htm)

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hi, T-bass I relate perfectly with you, My doc said the same thing to me last fri.

I was a little shocked but at this point, been on stilmulants and still bad racing thoughts. Inattentiveness, and over whelming feeling, etc.

I told him I was a little lerry about taking something, because of the wrong one for me thing.

Well I am on Symbrax, and it has helped a good bit. I am also with you, I didn't see it, but like he said, not all have the same symptoms and at the same levels, he said Maybe I was like a 3? Well the dose is low and I feel better then I have In a long while, and I even quit having hot flashes and body aches. And I was taking the ritalin when I was awake and taking the other before I went to bed. and the 5th day on the Symbrax the ritalin made me speed. and I have never had that happen. My boyfriend thought I was staying up on purpouse. LOL I was still having some racing thoughts though, but I could focus on them instead of them just being a big blur.

Good luck, I hope they work for you.