Sorry Jack, E-boy's back!

[E-boy]

Well, I apologize for appearing then disappearing again, but I am floating around in the Atlantic at the moment and this does complicate things a bit.

I was finally able to get the sysadmin weenies to approve this site for my use on the grounds that it was something of a medical assist. IE, that it could in some way assist in me dealing with the ADD.

Alot has changed since last I visited. My spouse is much more knowledgeable about ADD now, and as a consequence far more supportive. On the other hand, she is also well aware of what my limitations are and are not. So, if one of my little "issues" crops up and I cannot demonstratably prove that I had some sort of unsuccessfuly coping strategy in effect I am in the doghouse. That's absolutely fair enough to me though. It helps me stay on top of the things I can do to overcome my weak areas.

Another, very welcome, change is the addition of Adderall to my medication regimen. I simply had no idea what a difference the meds could make. It isn't perfect, and that can be frustrating, but it is far and away better than being unmedicated. In a way the fact that the meds peter out towards the end of the day is a blessing. Then my mind roves through all sorts of possibilities including solutions to the problems encountered during the work day. All in all, a pretty good state to be in.

I also took advantage of some advice I picked up from other ADDers regarding focussing on my strong points as much as possible. I wasn't sure how workable it would be, but what ended up coming out of it was me conducting all sorts of training during the open spots on night shift. I have lost track of all the people I have qualified in various military training areas. I enjoy teaching a great deal and it makes the more boring parts of the routine somewhat more bearable. As it turns out my supervisors view it as a leadership example. WHO KNEW?!

I had read strenuous exercise can help alot with ADD as well, so I dove in there too. It helps occupy the over abundance of hours on ones hands on a ship out to sea. I run for an hour every morning on the treadmill. I have lost 26 lbs in a month doing this and I was no where near overweight to begin with. It also seems to help me maintain and even and focussed keel.

Lastly I am presently being coached. It is a bit complicated making it work underway, but we are getting along. So, much I want to do. It is hard to keep the steps short and goal oriented. I want to do it all yesterday. I have found a balance. It is a rather tenuous one to be sure, but it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt to me that it is doable. I am a much happier and more hopeful soul because of this. Guess I am not a loser after all. Again, Who knew?!

Get used to seeing me post. I will be spending more time around here now. :-)

[Wheel1975]

It is great to hear your story...

And i had attempted to start a navy life for college.

I envy your success, your structure, and your view of the ocean, though I understand the smell of fuel and gunpowder can take a bit of the romance off the edges...

[Garry]

Well if that isn't a success story both for your self and the ADD forums, I don't know what is

I was finally able to get the sysadmin weenies to approve this site for my use on the grounds that it was something of a medical assist. IE, that it could in some way assist in me dealing with the ADD.

To be recognized by the American Navy as a potential to help people with our condition would be a tremendous step in the right direction.

Realizing that it was only a sys-admin that gave you that privilege and that he does not represent the entire American Navy is also acknowledged, but is it an area that would be worth pursuing, and looking into from your end.

(might want to get the moderator to remove the reference to a hot dog/ weenies to change that term if you do pursue this)

Grin

Congratulations

Good to see you back Member # 500

[smooch]

E~

Welcome back!

Congratulations on your progress!

Sooo looking forward to hearing from you/about you more often!

[Andrew]

Great to have you back, E-boy, and with such a great story to share as well!!

I thank the U.S. Navy Sys Admins for clearing the A.D.D. Forums for daily network access

[E-boy]

Actually, the ship's psychologist is very interested in seeing how my experience with the coach is going. As of right now, the Navy won't take you if you have been on ritalin or similar stimulants within the last two years, but if you are already in it is okay to pursue treatment. Mind you, the diagnosis doesn't seem to bother them, and apparently it doesn't bother them to supply the meds once you are in. I have no idea why they maintain the policy on the two years... Anyway, if the coaching works out for me, Doc is going to recomend it for his other ADD patients. Being as battle group psychologists are a navy experiment in and of themselves, any practices adopted by my psych might well see use throughout the fleet. I think it would be sooooo cool if that were to happen. Oddly enough the present mentoring program the Navy is trying to instill in it's leadership is based on coaching principles and coaching could do a world of good to any sailor ADD or not.

Right now I work on Dan, but I've time in the Navy yet, and there are a good many young people that are gonna need help as they make rank.

For the guy who envied my structure, I have this to say... I had structure as a junior guy. Now I am expected to provide it. Being pulled in eight different directions with conflicting priorities is the norm for E-6 and up. E-5 was a peice of cake. Being a first class petty officer is very difficult for me. With the meds and liberal use of my computer and sticky pads I get through my days, but I still tend to forget to eat. It is always something eh? ;-)

[waywardclam]

Nice to meet you E-Boy!

[joanrdtobe]

E-boy: It's good to hear from you again....Meds, exercise, coaching, problem solving...Lots of positive new changes. Incidentally, minus 26 pounds, exercising one hour per day -- you must appear rather buff...

[E-boy]

Well 206 pounds is on the light side for me. I am going to let it drop to 200 even and then start weight training. Maybe then I will achieve buff status. I am more interested in achieving clear headed and focussed status. Sometimes I even manage it for most of a day. :-)

[E-boy]

Well, that is sort of an av... It's all I can do for the moment. Too bad I couldn't fit my whole big buffalo head in the shot. Just picture a brown high and tight over top of it. This is the expression I get when one of the equipment operators does something stupid. Operators like to break my equipment. This is quite a feat considering you can run milspec stuff over with a truck and it'll still work.