If you have ADHD and PMDD, can you tell me what to do?

[momofmany]

Okay, I am in need of some major guidance. I see a new psychiatrist next week because my current one doesn't seem to think I know what's going on with my body and I need help like 10 years ago!

I have always had bad PMS, which was diagnosed as PMDD about 4 years ago. I thought it made sense of course and accepted the diagnosis and started on Prozac. After a little while, it wasn't as effective and it was increased. After having 3 babies in less than 2.5 years, my body is a mess. Here is what's going on.

First of all, I have a 10 month old, 2 yr old, 3 yr old, and 7 yr old. My 10 month old has been colicky and super difficult. The others were all easy babies, so this is additionally taxing. I had a tubal during my c/s with him, so no birth control pills or other hormones. I'm extremely sleep deprived because the baby doesn't sleep more than 3 hrs straight at a time. I'm incredibly exhausted and dealing with postpartum depression for the first time ever and it's BAD!

So, now that that is on the table. I was diagnosed with ADHD about 3.5 months ago. Thankfully!! I knew it my entire life, but I finally couldn't take living that way anymore and since my 7 yr old was diagnosed at 4 yrs old and I could see the positive effect the meds had on him, I knew I needed to suck it up and stop trying to function without meds myself.

At first, I was on dextroamphetamine. I think I was on 20mgs x 2 times a day. That worked great, but insurance was no longer going to cover it. The psychiatrist switched my med to Vyvanse 30mgs 1 time a day and that did nothing. Of course, the change was done around my monthly cycle, so who knows? She changed me now to Adderall tablets (not the extended release, but the instant or whatever short acting ones) and I'm taking 20mgs x 2 times a day. I think it needs to be higher and more often than 2 times a day and of course, my doctor ignores me when I mention that. For some reason, she can't figure out why I might need more medicinal coverage throughout the day even though I'm caring for 4 very young children on my own since hubby works 7am to 8:30pm!

She changed my prozac (40mgs at that point once a day) to lexapro 10mgs. It seemed to be okay, but about 3 weeks ago, the postpartum is back in full force. I mean, ready to walk out and leave the family behind because I can't keep going this way. It's me, not them and I know that. I don't have a desire to hurt my kids or anything. I just want to crawl under a rock somewhere and know what it's like to hear, well, nothing. I feel like I'm being pulled in 400 different directions and my life isn't even my own anymore. So, I told the psychiatrist that the postpartum is getting really bad again and she feels I should stick with the 10mgs of lexapro for a couple more months and then we'll re-evaluate an increase. Are you kidding me?! I mean, I cannot believe she is not helping me get on top of the depression now before it gets to a really horrible point. Just a few months ago, it was so bad I asked hubby for a divorce and wanted him to take full custody so I could disappear and never see any of them again. And I adore my husband and my kids. I mean, the "real" me does. Right now, I'm just struggling to get myself to the end of the day in one sane piece.

So, I'm thinking maybe lexapro isn't working right. I personally have increased my dosage to 20 mgs myself only because the postpartum is REALLY bad and I know I have to in order to make good choices for my kids. But it's still not working very well. I think I want to try Wellbutrin because I read that is a good choice for people with ADHD. Not sure.

So, back to the PMDD part. It's been bad for years and I'm finally figuring it out. I have 2 wks each cycle that are bad. And I mean VERY BAD! The week before and during ovulation and then the week before and during my period. I am full of rage, irritable, snap at everyone, throw tantrums, flip out on everything, cuss like a truck driver, and am just so miserable I don't even want to be around myself. I treat my husband and kids like crap and say things I wish I could take back. I can't keep going this way and my family shouldn't have to go through this. In addition to that, I cannot focus at all and am completely scatter brained and incapable of following through, making good choices, thinking beyond my own wants/needs, etc. It's horrible and feels like my ADHD meds are not working at all. I don't know what to do. I am completely irrational and cannot keep going on this way.

Please tell me if there is something that I can suggest to the new psychiatrist when I see him next week. I really thought my current psychiatrist would understand since she's a woman, but apparently, she feels the PMDD is a diagnosis my OB made because he didn't want to deal with my depression. But it is real and it's obvious because it follows the same pattern month after month. And I need REAL help. For a long time, I was thinking I may have bi-polar, but I know I don't after researching it. It's just the PMDD makes me so full of rage and anger. I don't know what to do. My period must be a day or so away because it's reaching a really bad place right now. I mean, rough days that make me want to just run away. I just don't know what the right direction is. Is it a different anti-depressant? Is it a higher anti-depressant dose of lexapro? Should women with PMDD take a higher ADHD med dose during those weeks of ovulation and menses so we can manage ourselves in a way that is healthy and safe for those around us?

And finally, I need some advice on one more thing. I mean this is totally ruining my life right now, so I really really need help! I have a small business I run from home. During the week of ovulation and the week as my period is approaching, I cannot function. I cannot organize my thoughts, I'm distracted by anything and everything and I am so overwhelmed by the littlest things that I freeze and live on the computer to escape from the reality of not being able to get my work done. My customers are relying on me and I'm failing them over and over with one excuse after another and in reality, I'm just not able to motivate myself to get started on their order or stay focused long enough to complete anything. I feel like I'm always disappointing my customers and I'm putting a huge amount of stress on myself and my family. But on the weeks other than those mentioned, I can get my work done, I'm productive, I can multi-task effectively, etc. I just feel like I'm ruining my own reputation and while I know I am good at what I do, I feel like it might be best to close the business because I cannot keep going this way. I get hyper focused on the computer, reading or researching things that do not matter at all. I hide away from my family. Right now, it's 3am and I chose to stay up all night to get my orders finished. Instead, I've been on this flipping computer all night trying to figure out how to deal with PMDD and my ADHD! I have not completed one thing! Every time I walk over to my work area, I can't even start. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of starting and these orders are 80% done and like 2 months late in getting to my customers!! It's ridiculous and pathetic and I think it's making my depression even worse. Does that make sense? Every 2 wks, I lose my focus and tell my husband that I'm going to close the business and then 3 days later, I'm trying to develop a new product that I want to create! It's insanity in some ways. Anyone else know what I'm talking about? Can you help me figure out how to fix this? I cannot spend the rest of my life playing catch up to my off weeks and hate how undependable I am to myself, my family, and my customers. Please, if you can help me, tell me what I can do to get better. What should I address to the new doctor? I need this fixed and a doctor who is going to hear me when I'm begging for help. Of course, when I see him next week, I'll be on my "good" week and I'll probably not make it apparent enough to him that I need major help to balance all of this. If you have any advice at all, PLEASE offer it. Do you think I'm on the right meds? The wrong meds? The on/off crap every month has been going on for years, so I don't feel it's at all a bad reaction my ADHD meds/dosing. I just feel like it's more magnified because I'm more in control of my focus on my "good" 2 weeks each month so my "bad" 2 weeks each month are like 200% more obvious.

[JelliBean]

Hi, I am totally empathetic to your situation I have both ADHD and PMDD. I was diagnosis with ADHD five years ago, and with PMDD 3 years ago. Here is what I think from reading your post and my suggestions: first, you are exhausted. You are running on a fatigued brain which causes ADHD and PMDD type symptoms like: forgetfulness, lack of concentration, irritability, sleepiness etc. medication will not fix that. You have your children 7am until 8pm, if not longer. Even the best mom would lose it under those circumstances.
Try looking into child care (friends, family, husband...etc.) for your children during the week. Maybe 2 hours per day: 2-3 days per week. I think this will help you reconnect with yourself. FYI: it is not selfish to use child care for "you time". From what I read in your post, you are taking care of everyone, except yourself.
Honestly, it will benefit your entire family.
Also, your body need more sleep: maybe a bedtime schedule for yourself, and kids. Here's what I have to do: I set my cell phone calendar with 6 (3 with my son's bedtime and 3 with mine) reminders 15 minutes apart, so if I forget, which I do, it goes off again.

Onto your diagnosis: I'm not sure if they are accurate. It seems like you need the adderall to make it through your day, but not because of ADHD. You need it because your energy is depleted and it speeds you up and gives you an energy boost.
Using it for that reason will only work temporary for a few days or a week, but then you will probably start having adverse issues: psychosis, or involuntary muscle twitches of the face, hands, legs...etc. As well as worsening of your existing symptoms: depression, irritable, withdrawl, etc.

(Note:Your ADHD and Your PMDD can't be accurately assessed until you are no longer sleep deprived, and exhausted.)

To be honest, I'm not sure you need to change doctors. I mean you can do that until you find one who will give you the diagnosis that you want, but it won't help you get the help you actually need.

Here's the hard part: It could be bipolar (not a diagnosis just a possibility). Here's some information.:
1) Rapid cycling into mania due to antidepressants is common in misdiagnosed Bipolars, they are often diagnosed with Depression, PMDD, and Anxiety. They are prescribed Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Selective Norephedrine Reuptake Inhibitors(SNRIs) and other types medications which pushes the client into mania. They are also misdiagnosed with ADHD and treated with amphetamines/ stimulants, and other ADHD medications. Which pushes the Bipolar client into mania.
2. A lot of woman with mental health issues have increased symptoms around their menstrual cycle. The difference with PMDD is that all symptoms are elevated at some point during menstrual flow. At that point there should be no depressed mood or PMDD symptoms for about 2 weeks before the period starts again.
Anyways, talk to your psychiatrist (family care doctors are great, but mental health isn't their specialty) about alternative diagnosis for the symptoms you have. One thing is for certain you are exhausted and need rest.
I hope that this helps, and if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them.

[tudorose]

I take the pill (nordette 28) 3 packets in a row. Basically you take 3 cards of active pills giving you 9 weeks of peace. As soon as you get to the end of the first card of active pills you start on the 2nd etc.. I started taking it like this when the doctor was treating me for postnatal depression (before ADD dx). To be honest I could not survive if I had to go through PMS every month. It's been about 14 years that I've been taking the pill this way.

I suffer from chronic PMS and last week was a shocker. I don't think I'd still be married if I went through that every month.

Goodluck.

[momofmany]

Well, I'm certain about the ADHD, just because all of the signs and symptoms have been there since I was a child, not just since having kids. And I've always suffered with rage, lack of focus, irritability to the 10th degree, etc at ovulation and just before my period, so I think it's just magnified because my brain/body are in overdrive due to increased sensitivity during that time. Like even with my son, I know because of his ADHD when he's getting ready to come down with a cold, sickness. He cannot control his impulses, gets frustrated and aggressive, etc just before he gets sick even on his meds. It's like any additional stresses to the brain or body send us overboard! Thankfully, he's not sick often! LOL
I do need more sleep. I do need more help. BUT, that's not easy to come by. Honestly, I already hired someone to come in to help with the kids on my hubby's work days from like 4pm-8pm, but at first she was great and now, I feel like I'm working harder to have her here. She's gotten really lazy!
As for sleep, it's just not something I can do anything about right now. My 10 month old is a super needy, fussy baby and he doesn't sleep through the night. Even with hubby helping me with him, we are both up a lot. I have to respect that hubby works long hours and needs sleep to be successful at work (my choice, not him telling me this, just so you know and his job allows me to be a stay at home mom, so I do get up with my son often. Plus, I'm sensitive to noise, so if I hear his cry, it's like nails on a chalkboard and I get up to make it stop! LOL
I'm definitely struggling. For half the month, I feel like I'm losing my mind. I feel like I just can't keep going like this, but what the heck can one do? I'm responsible for these 4 little ones. They need me and I chose them to come into this world. It's not their fault I'm tired because of it. I did suffer a lot physically from having the last 3 so close together. I had gastric bypass surgery (weight loss surgery) and from 1 year post op with that, I have gone on to have 3 babies + 1 miscarriage in 2.5 yrs. While my body was still well at 1 yr post op, it is now extremely anemic and deficient in b12. Not to mention all 3 of the babies were c-sections and I also had to have an emergency hernia repair 15 weeks into one of those pregnancies. I think my body is just completely spent. Something I "HATE" having to admit because I've always been able to handle everything. I think all of this is why I'm suffering so badly with postpartum depression too.
As for bipolar, I thought that was a possibility too, but it's very predictable and the ADHD meds do work, which my psychiatrist told me they wouldn't if I had bipolar. I asked her about bipolar and she said she didn't think so. She thinks it's a chronic form of depression and the ADHD.
Because I'm aware of when I'm starting to feel over-done, I am working on making those times of the months less stressful. But I can't rearrange the fact that those happen to be times my kids are sick, hubby is moody, money is tight, the car gets a flat tire, the water heater goes out, etc. I swear, it's like everything just waits for me to feel on edge to push me over! UGH! I am a walking Murphy's Law. Always have been. LOL
Oh, and to the PP about birth control. I had my tubes tied, so I have no need to take pills and I know from the few times in my life that I have tried birth control pills, they do not work well for me.
Jellibean, do you see your GYN for your PMDD or does your psychiatrist help you with that?

[ADHDTigger]

MoM, hormonal changes for women with ADHD are the serious pits. I was an absolute madwoman throughout perimenopause. Supplements helped and I was grateful for it as I can't take hormone replacement or the pill.

It is not unusual for your GYN to prescribe a low dose birth control to manage PMDD. Definitely something to think about. If it relieves the symptoms, it is well worth it.

If you want to try supplements, look at Estroven, B Complex, Evening Primrose Oil and Black Cohosh as things to try. Discuss all supplements with your doc.

[momofmany]

Okay, so I was noticing that calcium supplements are supposed to help. I am supposed to take them anyway because with the gastric bypass surgery, I don't absorb calcium anymore. Well, this year has been insane and I've really slacked on my vitamins/supplements because I feel like I'm just in survival mode anymore. Like waking up, I just pray to get to the kids' bedtime, so I am taking care of them and not so much me. BUT, that's not a good excuse. I do take my ADHD and depression meds every day as I am supposed to. I have started re-taking my calcium supplements and am also starting my multi-vitamin as well. In addition, I will start taking my extra iron (pretty anemic, so I really should be taking this no matter what! But, well, life has been hard this year and I haven't really cared about taking all these darn pills!) Also take a B12 injection every month because of b12 deficiency. So, what do you do with Estroven, B complex, evening primrose oil, black cohosh, (and also read about fish oil and something else). I don't absorb everything I take in, so I'd love to know what each one does and how it's taken so I can figure out the best things to take. I can't take b vitamins by mouth because that part of my intestines were bypassed and cannot absorb the vitamins. That's why I have to get the shots. Thanks everyone for your support! I really want to get this under control and I KNOW sleep is probably the most vital part of making it happen. But how in the world do you get yourselves to give up and sleep anyway? I cannot even sit and watch tv without getting up 100 times! I feel like I always have a million things to do before I can sleep at night that I'm usually going to bed between 12am-2am and then am up at 6am with the kids, but of course, up about 5-7 times in between because Owen is still up several times through the night.

[ADHDTigger]

MoM, given the gastric bypass, I would discuss ANYTHING you want to try with your doc.

I take a liquid B complex sublingual. I have a tough time with pills. That tends to support your body during stress- smooth out the edges. Estroven is a natural perimenopausal supplement support. Evening Primrose Oil or Black Cohosh might be a better choice.

Fish Oil- high Omega 3- will help your brain. I get the double strength from Walgreens.

Most critically, you need to talk with your doc before trying something new because of the problems with absorption.

I can calm my brain down by keeping needlework or bead work handy. I can crochet on autopilot and having my hands busy keeps me from wanting to get up and move around too much.

Look into meditation to help with sleeping. It will be difficult at first so don't set impossible goals. Aim for getting your mind to shut down for one minute. When you can do that, increase to two minutes and so on.

An evening walk around the neighborhood or even the yard will help to calm your brain down. After the dishes are done, hand the kids off and try to get a walk in- at least 20 minutes. Find a timing that works well for you.

Your youngest is 10 months? Try giving him catnip tea- catnip is in the mint family and tastes really good. It is perfect for fussy babies because it won't hurt them and is soothing. Not too hot- about the same temp as you would give a bottle. Speak with the doc on that one also.

You'll get through this, I promise.

[momofmany]

Thanks so much! Yes, I have a 10month old, 2 yr old, 3 yr old, and a mildly autistic/ADHD 7 yr old.

I will talk to my doctor. We just recently moved to a new state and nobody here handles gastric bypass patients. It's really difficult finding a doctor who has any idea how to treat me correctly. Currently, I'm going through a hematologist to deal with the anemia and b12 deficiency.

I had read that getting a tubal can sometimes make some women go into peri-menopause. Is there a test that can be done or is it just kind of diagnosed by symptoms? I am pretty sure that may be happening with me because I looked up the symptoms of it not too long ago and a lot of them match what I've been going through. On and off night sweats, horrible acne breakouts when I've always had extremely clear skin my entire life, periods that are now all over the place often skipping 1-2 months, etc. But when I mentioned it to my internal medicine doctor, she just laughed it off and said no. I'm also 31 years old, so it's not entirely impossible. Especially since it takes years of peri to get to full blown menopause.

As for your suggestions, just wondering if it's me or if other ADHD women do this. Any time I start a craft idea or learn a new skill, I decide to immediately try taking it to an insane level and mass produce as a business. I'm dealing with this right now! I've been cloth diapering my kids for about 2 years and about 8 months ago, I decided to just try making one of my own. I just free hand drew one out, sewed it up and thought, wow! I just made this and it's great! I'm going to make diapers for my kids instead of buying them!! And about 20 seconds later, I decided "I could start a diaper making business!" So now, I sew diapers for others and my kids still don't have the diapers I intended to make for them in the beginning, but wear my mistakes or practice diapers. LOL I do this with everything. If I learned to crochet, I know I'd be coming up with a "doiley making" business by the end of the afternoon. Right now, my business that started out as making diapers now makes nursing pads, wipes, diapers, dolls, re-usable un-paper towels, etc. I mean, I get an idea and immediately, without even thinking it through, it has to be 1000 times bigger than I ever should have let it become. Now, I'm in over my head on orders and am getting bored with what I make and want to do something else. Yet, I have these people depending on me + of course, my kiddos and my current health issues, so it's a lot. I wish I could just put my brain on "pause" or allow myself to enjoy things instead of having to try making everything bigger than it has to be. I'm this way with everything in my life. If I am buying cereal, I calculate which box is actually giving the bigger bang for the buck. When I plan our family vacations, I have to cram more into it than anyone wants because I think it will be more fun and then we are all either stressed because we are doing too much or because we are on such a tight schedule that we are moving on to something else. If I want to book a trip, I spend non-stop days comparing places down to the $1, not because I have to, but because I want to. And when I buy fabric for my business, when I want to order say 5 yards of something, another thing will catch my eye and it will be a great deal or may be something I come up with another great idea for so I walk away with 25 yards of fabric that cost a fortune and it sits there. Then I tell hubby that I need to order fabric online because I need something else. Oh, and let's not even start with the computer! I get on to check my email and end up on here for hours. Not necessarily at one time or anything, but it's a constant thought in my mind. Oh, I just want to check this. Oh, forgot to check the forecast in NY where Grandma and Grandpa live. Oh, wonder what the price of airline tickets are to see hubby's parents this year? Oh, wonder if anyone responded to my email. It's non-stop. Heck!! Even now, I just got up to put the pacifier in the baby's mouth and grab a drink, but I'm on here typing a 20 minute response! LOL It's just me but I am sure I could be better if I wasn't always to make things bigger or better. I wish I could find peace in just letting things be as they are, you know? Does that make any sense? But the truth is, even if I let my business go say tomorrow to de-stress and get back on track with the kids, hubby, myself...within weeks, I'll be onto something else. It may be planning a vacation. It may be writing a book. It may be some other hair-brained thing, but I assure you, it will be something else. It always is. And it's exhausting!! It's like my body and my brain are in a fight. I WISH I could just lay on the couch and nap or veg and watch tv while the kids nap, but no, instead I have to do research on the computer, talk on the phone, paint a bedroom, something. LOL It's like my poor body is in surrender mode right now and my brain is not giving up. LOL Anyway, I am exhausted and there is no "good" reason for me to be up, so I'm going to head back to bed. Surely, the baby will start crying as I lay my head on the pillow, but heck, what's new. LOL I wish I had known about catnap tea 10 months ago!! If my little guy had been my first baby, he would have surely been my last!! Okay. My head's not gonna feel the pillow cause he's already going now. Thanks and surely I'll check in again tomorrow

[ADHDTigger]

MoM, I totally understand taking things to extremes. I think that is a construct of ADHD to be honest- at least those of us with the capital "H". One of the best ways I know to combat that is to write it down. Make a list- put the whole dream down on paper. Then employ an old trick to avoid being overdressed- remove one thing. Now examine your plan. Do this side by side with your current reality. Ask yourself if there is really feasibility. Now ask your husband.

It is necessary to PRACTICE a new behavior. There is a story of Temple Grandin (high functioning autistic) teaching herself to approach people at an appropriate pace by walking up to the sliding door at a supermarket over and over for months at a time until she could approach at a "normal" pace and stop at a distance that allowed the other person to retain their personal space. The same thing will work for you. Find the thing, the tool that will allow you to motor- step through- your desired behavior and practice it over and over. Same as I suggested for meditation- start small, work up.

Engage your kids and husband to help you learn new behaviors. Children love the idea that they are "helping mommy". And should any of your children be diagnosed with ADHD, helping you to learn new things will be a head start for them.

I began peri-menopause in my early 30s. It is not terribly unusual for ADHD women to be developmentally advanced. I began menses early, began peri-menopause early, graduated to menopause early, and developed "over 40 vision" long before 40. If your GP refuses to even consider such a thing, it is time to look for a GP that will listen to you. At the very least, you need a hormonal panel done. It may not be peri-menopause, it could be hormones out of whack.

Hang in there, honey. There are solutions.

[momofmany]

Well, my 7 yr old has both Asperger's Syndrome (mild autism) and ADHD with severe impulsiveness. My other kids are 3, 2, and 10 months. My 7 yr old is completely indifferent to the other kids or even me for the most part unless my attention is required for him to get something. He's lazy, expects me to do everything, though he is completely brilliant too. I think part of why I'm so overwhelmed with the mom thing is that my mom was a poor example and I'm for the most part, winging it. I am trying to avoid all the things my mom failed to understand in me and focus on those points in my kids (normal to do as a parent, of course) but then there is a part of me that gets burnt out and can't keep going at that pace. Does that make sense? I do everything for my 7 yr old in a way that I shouldn't and I'm now realizing that. I brush his teeth for him, get him dressed in the mornings, get him drinks/snacks when he requests them, etc. He even referred to me as "servant" one day when I was busy getting something for the other kids and chose to ignore is repeated request for more to drink when he was only 10 steps from the refrigerator! My fault completely, but I guess I just try to avoid meltdowns, make things routine and repetitive so his world is more predictable. Routine is essential for Asperger's children and I feel like I need to try doing that for him. Of course, it has made him into a selfish and rather rude little guy too. He only wants his way, is not at all helpful in the family unit, is oblivious of the needs of others who are in need right in his path, etc. All part Asperger's, all part ADHD, and in the mix, partially my fault for not expecting more of him. I need to, but I'm exhausted and I don't want to fight with him. I don't want to yell and scream, though that's exactly where it gets every month anyway and I'm not really preventing anything. Of course, now getting my own diagnosis, I realize a lot of these things would be beneficial for me too, which is hard. Creating a routine when you can barely remember to feed your other kids or do the mundane things every household needs, is extremely hard for me. I used to be able to handle it. I was the one who handled everything. The money, the bills, the vacations, the chores, the medical info, the car insurance, the social security info, etc. But now, especially with the last 3 babies, I am a total mental mess and can't keep track of my checkbook if I had to! I feel like I've lost my brain and I used to be so competent and the "smart" one who handled everything. Now, I just can't. Deciding what to make for dinner can cause a mental breakdown! God only knows what's going on with my bills. I don't even bother opening the mail. Hubby has been a little in the dark, though I am an open book about everything. I tell him and everyone who will listen that I'm sinking here and need someone to throw me and oar and help me out of this and soon. I tell everyone that I need help. I beg family to help me with the kids. You'd think SOMEONE would think this was an important enough issue to help me through!! But I think everyone just assumes I'll figure out how to make it all work as I'm used to doing. I've had to hire a teenager to help with the kids, but she's useless. I cannot afford more than her, so not sure what else to do. Her presence makes me want to scream some days because she just adds to the chaos! I had to take 2 of the kids to the doctor one day, so I had her come and watch the toddlers (who I put down for a nap before I left). 45 minutes later, I'm home and I hear my 3 yr old saying he has to "poop" over and over again in his room while she's sitting there playing with our puppy on the floor!! I asked why she didn't take him to the bathroom and she said he's just playing around to get out of his room. I walk in to check on him and my poor little potty-trained 3 yr old has pooped his pants!! HOW HORRIBLE that he had to go through that because she was so freaking lazy than to just take him to the bathroom. She had NOTHING else to do but take him to the bathroom every 5 minutes as far as I was concerned! Ugh!!

Anyway, I have a ton of work to get caught up on and hubby is willing to help today, so I've got to get started. I don't want to. My head is dizzy and unable to focus. I want to puke at the thought of having to figure out where I am and more likely realize how far behind I am. I have customers mad at me and I'm afraid to be honest and explain what's going on. Hubby wants me to close the business, but if I can get the right help and figure out the best way to organize my thoughts and life/self, I think that it could be salvaged. My period is late, again. I think the tubal is really throwing my body for a loop. The on and off periods. Every 2 weeks, I get the feeling/cramping/bloating/ovarian pain like I'm getting my cycle, but then nothing happens. Sometimes I get a cycle once a month. Other times it can be 2-3 months before the cycle comes. Frustrating and unpredictable, which is probably not helping my all over the place emotions/hormones. I just noticed the "inattentive ADD" sub-forum and when I looked up the symptoms of that, OMG, it is so me! I mean ME! I am like this in everything I do. I have great ambition when it's convenient, but I'm too impatient to do anything the way it's supposed to be done. I am a visual learner, so I cannot focus on a written word for nothing, though I (as you can see!) LOVE to write and write a lot. I have so many things going on in my head, that being able to type 100 words a minute actually gets them out about as fast as I can say them. LOL

• Often does not give close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
• Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
• Often does not seem to listen when spoke to directly
• Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
• Often has trouble organizing activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
• Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
• Is often easily distracted.
• Is often forgetful in daily activities.

[MCate]

I don't have any suggestions for you, but just a "I feel you, girlfriend!" I have ADD, PMDD (and depression, oh my!), and, as I am going through perimenopause, that week "before" is a doozy!