I'm New and Need Opinions, please - woman with ADD

[clare]

I'm so relieved to have found this place!

I am a 44-yr-old married mother of 2 boys (both with ADHD) and am also a nurse. I was diagnosed as an adult (after both of my children were diagnosed), but have had symptoms as long as I can remember. (Family reunions are hellish -- they still go on and on with the stories of how horrible I was as a child; hyper, impulsive, messy, loud, you get the picture.)

Anyway, I have been on Strattera for several months now (40 mg twice a day) and it has helped, but I think I can do better. I'm not as impulsive, but I still can't get my bills paid on time, get my house in order, always feel overwhelmed, etc. I'm working on it, though. My biggest problem right now is my new job -- it's wonderful, that's not the problem -- I'm in training right now and will eventually be allowed to work from home (my dream) once I meet my production/ quality goals. Therein lies my issue. My timeliness needs to improve. For each case, I must gather information from about 10 different computer screens. I find myself forgetting (or fearing I will forget) information and rechecking screens or writing down the information prior to starting a case. This is taking too much time and is frustrating me and keeping me from my goals. Do you think switching to a stimulant med might help?

My employer doesn't know I have ADD. And, to be honest, I don't know how they will react. As a nurse, I am subject to random drug tests and need to pre-inform of any meds I am taking. My first thought is to try the stimulant, get a doctor's note to have on hand in case I am asked to test, but keep my diagnosis under hat unless I have to share it.

I know I'm rambling (it's what I do best!), but would you try the stimulant? How would you handle the empolyer? (By the way, Adderall XR works well for the boys.. should I ask my MD about that?)

Thanks.

[Tara]

It sounds like you said that the Staraterra is helping you. Have you done anything else to help manage your ADD in addition to medication? Medication can be very helpful but "The pills don't give us the skills".

It sounds like you need to learn ADD Friendly ways to do things. There are great books with written specifically for these things. There are also ADD Coaches and other types of professionals who can help you with these types of things.

By the way, what type of professional are you seeing for ADD medication? Is he or she an ADD expert? Does he or she have a lot of experience treating women with ADD?

[clare]

Originally Posted by livingwithadd

Have you done anything else to help manage your ADD in addition to medication? At my new job, yes. I've simplified all the tons of paper references I had into a simpler, more visual job aids. I've kept the stuff in my cubical to a bare minimum -- only job- related and everything else put away. My chair/computer are facing away from any distractions and the environment is very quiet. (Now, my house on the other hand... )

It sounds like you need to learn ADD Friendly ways to do things. There are great books with written specifically for these things. There are also ADD Coaches and other types of professionals who can help you with these types of things. Can you recommend a book that addresses gathering/retaining information from a variety of computer screens in a timely manner? I have no money to pay a coach or another professional, so I don't think that's an option. But if it were an option, I'd love it if I could have someone come to my home and help me get it together!!

By the way, what type of professional are you seeing for ADD medication? Is he or she an ADD expert? Does he or she have a lot of experience treating women with ADD? I am seeing my regular PCP for medication, but was actually diagnosed by a liscensed therapist (who's married to a man with ADD, no less!) My PCP treats lots of women, but I don't know about how many with ADD.

I'm hyperfocusing right now to make it through my work day. Then when I'm at home, I got my two children who have also been hyperfocusing all day --we're all ready to explode! Not a pretty picture. Any ideas there?

Thanks for responding!

[fasttalkingmom]

Originally Posted by clare

My employer doesn't know I have ADD. And, to be honest, I don't know how they will react. As a nurse, I am subject to random drug tests and need to pre-inform of any meds I am taking. My first thought is to try the stimulant, get a doctor's note to have on hand in case I am asked to test, but keep my diagnosis under hat unless I have to share it.

I have simular issues with my job. What I know is the drug testing I get randomly would not show the meds. I'm on...

My doctor told me not to tell anyone at work what meds. I'm taking. he said it wasn't illegal not to tell...... That was for my employer......Your work is very different from mine.

I've been at the same job for over 10 years, I've known about my ADD for about 6 or 7 years now (time flies, I keep thinking it was 5 years ago). I just said something to my manger about ADD and me. She didn't say anything, she had no reaction..... I wish I haven't said anything......

[pershingd]

Whether or not saying anything will cause problems is purely dependent on the job and how you handle things. I'm blunt and to the point about my ADD in the workplace. My principal knows about it and it hasn't seemed to cause any problems. That being said, I also am the first to stand up and take the flack when I've let my ADD affect my job performance. I make no excuses, but there has been, and will be, times when my ADD makes my job more difficult than it need be.

David Pershing

[exeter]

Well, looks like others have covered the main point pretty well here... I suppose I'll just share something that has worked for me with bill paying, since you mentioned it. Most banks these days have an automatic bill-paying service. It might cost $5/ month or something, but think of all the late fees you'll save. :-)

[clare]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

As far as the legality of to tell or not to tell my employer about meds, I'm still not so sure. All of the drug test results that I've seen (done on hospital patients) always provided an amphetamime level. I think I'll call one of the labs that tests for employers then contact the nursing board and see what their position is.

I let you know what I find out.