I hate having ADD

[sirspacesalot]

Hi, First off this is my first post here, so I guess an introduction would be in order. Hi I am chris, I am 23 years old and going to a local community collage to get a personal trainer certificat and eventually go on to nutritional sciance, sound great right ? welll as you would guess from the title I have ADD.

Since I was five and was diagnosed with ADD I have been on some form of medication for it and for the most part it is a good th ing since I doubt I would be where I am. but here is the thing my body has, dare I say, become very dependent on stimulant lik adderall (no espcaillly adderall) that when I am without it the only thing I ever feel like doing is sleeping

Its very frustrating I really hate feeling constanly tired, unable to focus and to drive it further I am in the personal trainer program but without damn meds I cant seem to get off my butt and exercise like I want too.

I also hate the meds because they make me very anxious obssesive and may be what is causing me to have been diagnosed with OCD and yet without the meds I have few anxiety issues (those are replaced by an overall feeling of apathy and content oh and lethargy).

I guess what I want to ask is what are some things you guys do to cope with your add when you dont have your meds any adivce or thoughts.

p.s I want to clarify that I am doing nothing illegal nor would I, I hate to describe myself as dependent given that there is the underlying negative contation that I would do something illegal for it.

uh sorryfor the long post , I tend to wander a lot.

[sarahsweets]

dependence and addiction are two very different things, I am dependent on my meds to be a functional adult and anyone who takes issue with that can go f**k themselves. You may need a higher dose, different dosing schedule or a different medication all together.

[Jimbo190]

SirSpace,
I've had ADHD all my life and struggled through school not knowing of my diagnosis. Learned of it at around 40...well after I finished year and years of school. After I read the book "Driven To Distraction" it became apparent to me. I never took meds and do not believe they are necessary, in fact, there are serious side effects to these and this could be the reason that you are not feeling well. I went through medical school and residency and ultimately figured out how to use ADHD to my advantage, thus I call it AAA or the "Altered Attention Advantage". I would look at your diet and focus on all natural foods, no sugar, no junk and plenty of fruits and vegetables. With supervision, you might consider tapering off of your meds. If you are having difficulty in lectures, determine what type of learner you are. I'm a visual learner so lectures don't work well for me. If that's the case, record them and listen intently but do not take notes. Write down word for word what was said after the lecture by using a tape recorder. Read as much about the benefits of ADD and how you can cope with it. I consider it a gift, but one must use it's strengths to off-set the weaknesses. It will take time, but keep on trying and learning by getting self-help books that have suggestions. My Best, Jimbo.

[Crazygirl79]

I also dislike having ASD/ADHD and NVLD and if I could get rid of them, I would!! Since there is no cure available I make the best of a bad situation....

No matter who we are, where we come from or how our ADD/ADHD manifests in us we all struggle at some point or another...you are not alone.

Selena

[SquarePeg]

I am waiting for a diagnosis so not on meds and for me, I am forgetful, lethargic, apathetic, vague, absent, disorganised, unmotivated, no ambition, direction or focus.

My son is 13 also not on meds but diagnosed and is lively, lots of energy, happy, funny, has his head in the clouds or up his ar*e, can´t concentrate, failing exams, can´t start tasks and forgetful.

Could you discuss your issues with your doc and also look into diet and supplements. I haven´t tried any yet but if you are doing nutritional science you will learn a lot.

[Kasi]

Are you just abruptly stopping taking your meds when you go off? If so, that may be part of the problem. When you've been on that long, you probably really need to titrate down off of it. It might even take you a couple months, which will be a pain in the *** and you'll probably see a few side effects, but if you feel dependent, it might be worth it to you. Bring it up to your doc.

You might also want to try something different, bring up the idea of a trial run to your doc and see if they're amenable to it. It doesn't seem as if you're pleased with the benefits vs the downsides.

[Verile]

Originally Posted by sirspacesalot

Since I was five and was diagnosed with ADD I have been on some form of medication for it and for the most part it is a good th ing since I doubt I would be where I am. but here is the thing my body has, dare I say, become very dependent on stimulant lik adderall (no espcaillly adderall) that when I am without it the only thing I ever feel like doing is sleeping

This is normal. Anyone who uses stims for long periods of times goes through this. It's transient. But if you're ADHD-PI/SCT you may find you only feel like sleeping because that's how you feel unmedicated and it's not a withdrawal sympton. It may be the case that your lethargy is caused by your condition and the meds alleviate that rather than vice versa.

[Asylum]

We all hate it. Its a disorder, not a cute puppy. I'm slowly working out what helps and what hinders my ADD. If I can do that, anyone can, because I'm not the brightest.

I don't know why I come over to the mens forum. I keep hoping you have coffee and biscuits, but you never do.