Hi, I am five weeks pregnant, so way early. I am on Effexor and was on Ritalin but got off it as soon as I found out I was pregnant, two weeks ago.

The first week was like a brain fog. Nothing was clear. Even now things are not so sharp. But I find that being pregnant is bit different than normal in terms of the intensity of the ADD symptoms. A bit better.

I have tons of demanding work (I am an academic in a policy area.) and I am scared although am practicing relaxing. Anyone out there coping?

Goingforit

Perhaps this has been discussed, but does highter estrogen level during pregnancy help alleviate some of the ADD symptoms? Or am I grasping at straws?

I was on ritalin when I was pregnant and went off as soon as I found out I was expecting. I had terrible withdrawl symptoms from the ritalin. But at the time I had a high demand job in the corporate world of retail. The first few weeks were not good my head was in a fog, I was sick from being pregnant and going through withdrawl. I had to learn to tell myself to refocus on my job. It was tough but I got through it. My second pregnancy I did not go back on my ritalin for 2 years because I breastfed for 18 months after my daughter was born. I hope this helps.

I found that pregnancy greatly reduced my ADD symptoms, focus and mood swings basically taken care of. It was wonderful. I had been weaning myself off my medications in the hopes that I didn't "need" them anymore -- lol.

Sometimes pregnancy can be very helpful, but that's not necessarily the rule.

My ADD symptoms were reduced during my first pregnancy, esp. the anxiety/reactivity. By my second pregnancy, the effects of having a toddler were outweighing any hormonal benefit! At least when I was pregnant, the stereotype of the scattered pregnant woman explained away some of my ADD mishaps. I was surprised to hear pregnant friends complaining about being forgetful, when I was actually better than usual!

I was not medicated until recently, so I can't comment on withdrawal or coping w/out meds. I wish you the very best-- your temporary fog is sure to be worth it when your little one arrives!

Actually when a women is pregnant you can be scatterbrained due to pregnancy for the changes in the body make you tired. So blame it on the baby it is socially acceptable.

Oh and congratulations!

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories with me.

I am excited. I was apprehensive because I too have a demanding job andI can be quite inattentive without medication. I have been getting ready by practicing meditation and getting on an exercise program.

I am heartened by knowing that so many of you are out there. I feel less alone and trust that I will be able to find a way for the baby and for me.

thanks again.

Congrats, goingforit! Such exciting news (and I'm so sorry for responding so belatedly).

My hubby and I plan to start trying sometime soon, and I've been consulting with my new doc about this. From what I've gathered, ritalin is #3 on the "options" list. Fish oil seems to head the list, followed by wellbutrin. I'm leaning toward wellbutrin at this point because I'm also in a demanding job and inattentiveness just won't work if I want to keep it...

But how are things going for you thus far?

[quote=whirlygirl;636517] At least when I was pregnant, the stereotype of the scattered pregnant woman explained away some of my ADD mishaps. I was surprised to hear pregnant friends complaining about being forgetful, when I was actually better than usual!

quote]

hahahahahahahahhahahaahahahahahhaha!!!

I thought it was just me! My friends were talking about all the terribly forgetful things they were doing - which were nothing to the things I had done all my life....and yet I was much calmer and balanced. Perhaps that`s the only time in my life I was close in mental state to other women!

Breastfeeding was also a good time for me.....probably because of the hormones....and also because I could have an earth-mother baby based lifestyle (which put a lot less stress on me)



oh....and my daughter is 5 - but I am still trying to blame it on pregnancy brain!