a bit discouraged

[frognamedjethro]

I've recently been diagnosed by my psychiatrist as having ADD-PI. I've taken the cognitive processing test and have struggled with pretty much every symptom outlined in ADD-PI for as long as I can remember. And I would definitely have the inattentive type as hyperactivity and impulsiveness have never been an issue for me, and although I understand that recently the term Sluggish Cognitive Tempo has been debunked and lumped into the ADHD-PI subclass, I feel like this definitely describes me to a T and was reflected in my cognitive processing test.

I've been prescribed Adderal. Which I've been taking for about a month or so. My psychiatrist started me off taking 20mg a day and has just upped my dosage to 30mg a week ago, when I wasn't sure if it was effectively treating my symptoms.

The thing is that I'm still not noticing a substantial difference in my symptoms. It gives me feelings of euphoria and I feel high but it has not at all helped my "scatterbrainedness". I've always had this problem that as soon as I leave my house I have to turn around and go back inside because I've forgotten something. Usually something vital and obvious (like car keys, wallet). And it happens almost every time I go to leave my house. There's been multiple times I've driven all the way to the store and had to drive back home because I've forgotten my wallet. I also have a problem with distracting myself when a task gets too boring and it takes me ages to get things done because i keep stopping to check my facebook or watch tv. I've found that Adderal has not helped me with those issues AT ALL.

I realize that there is a behavioral component to these problems in addition to the neurological component that may have caused them and that even if a medication helps it is essentially a habit that I will have to unlearn. I had hoped that the medication would help me prioritize and organize my thoughts better so that I would be able to work on that more effectively than I was able to in the past. But I've noticed no difference in that aspect with Adderall.

The only benefit I can see from me taking this medication, is the euphoric feeling. I've only maybe noticed a difference in my focus when I'm talking to people. Which is something I still struggle with quite a bit even on Adderall. Although I do sometimes notice that my thoughts come out more fluidly than normal. However, the difference is so slight that I may just be imagining it.

Either way, at this point it seems to me that the side-effects are definitely worse that any benefit I might be receiving. I have never had such a craving to smoke in my life. Usually I am a casual smoker. The most I usually smoke a day is 3 or 4 cigarettes but that number is usually lower and I frequently go days without smoking at all. When I drink my cravings increase and I smoke more. But on Adderall I'm constantly thinking about smoking even after I've just put one out! Also my hyperfocus problems are also much worse. Yesterday I spent all day on the computer looking up various non-constructive topics and completely lost track of time. The other day I spent all day changing electrical outlets in my house. Although it was a constructive project, I could not pull myself away from it. So much so that I had forgotten to eat. Which leads me to my next side-effect, I don't ever feel hungry! I do eat because I know that I need to, but now I'm just sort of apathetic to food.

All this being said, if I were deriving the benefit from it I would put up with just about anything, and I realize it's only one medication and that there's a whole bunch I can try. My discouragement comes from hearing from a few different sources that people without ADD usually respond differently to Adderal and other stimulants than people with ADD do, and it seems very much like I'm responding to it in the way a person without ADD would. Is it possible I was misdiagnosed? I've read such great things from people in this forum about it, and it seems strange that I'm not deriving at least some benefit from it.

I have also read in my research on the internet that people with this particular subclass of ADD/ADHD (ADD-PI) will many times respond better to a much lower dosage of Adderal than other subclasses. Is it possible I was put on too strong of a dose? And if so, would it be beneficial to try to lessen my dose now that I've been taking the stronger doses for so long? Should I try a different stimulant at a lower dosage? If so what are some recommendations?

I have also read that there's a high percentage of people with this subclass that do not respond to stimulants at all. If that turns out to be me, what direction should I go in? So far I do not like the way being on a pharmaceutical stimulant makes me feel. I feel wired, high, and definitely stimulated although I have actually been less active than usual. All I want to do is sit around. Are these indications that stimulants are not for me?

Before I started taking medication to treat this, I used to drink RedBull everyday when I woke up. It seemed to have some benefits of helping me focus and "wake up my brain" to motivate me to start my day. Obviously RedBull is bad for you and I didn't want to continue to depend on it. Not to mention it's benefits were spotty at best and didn't address a lot of my symptoms, but the effect it had on me made me think that pharmaceutical stimulants would produce a better, more leveled off response. However, that has not been the case.

I have decided to post this because I am clueless of where to turn to next. I obviously need help with this issue, but there is so many possibilities that I am overwhelmed. I've come across pages that talk about various vitamin deficiencies that could be at the root of my issues and can masquerade as ADD. I've also read that I could have food allergies. I have read so many conflicting standpoints on this subject it's enough to make my head spin!

I'm wondering if I should rule out vitamin deficiencies and allergies first before I take anymore medication. Or would it be more beneficial that I try various medications and THEN go down that road?

Any insight or information anyone can give me would be EXTREMELY appreciated as I'm starting to feel a bit like a lost puppy dog.

[Unbelievable]

Hi,

It wouldn't hurt to be tested for thyroid and vitamin D levels just to see if they're contributing. You can read further in 50 conditions that mimic ADHD, Part I.

It's not at all uncommon though for stimulants to be less effective for ADHD-PI. So the fact that Adderall isn't helping you doesn't make me think that you were misdiagnosed.

I'm not a doctor, but your symptoms are certainly consistent with ADHD-PI. (I was diagnosed in November with the same.)

Some other options for drugs might be Strattera or Wellbutrin, both non stimlant. I tried Wellbutrin and found it did have an effect on activation for me. I had to stop taking it because it also caused an anger problem, the first time my doctor had seen that - so pretty unusual apparently.

I'm taking 10 mg XR Adderall, about to go to 20 mg IR daily. I have no issues with side effects. As you describe, it's giving me better focus, and now the trick is to focus on the RIGHT things.

I'll post more later.

[MimiWheeze]

It could very well be that the Adderall just doesn't work for you. Yes, the majority of ADD medicines out there are stimulants. However, they are different kinds of stimulants. Think of it this way - both caffeine and cocaine are stimulants, but they are two very different substances. Same goes for ADD meds - yes, they are all stimulants, but they are not all the same kind of stimulants.

I was diagnosed in September with ADD-PI, and my doctor put me on Concerta extended release, starting dose was 18mg. She has since bumped me up to 36mg. Believe me, I can tell a difference taking this medication. Does it "cure" the ADD? Absolutely not. I still have issues, with daydreaming and zoning out in particular. However, it does help increase my focus, it alleviates my fatigue and constant need for sleep, and helps me get through the day much better than I did before.

I don't really want to up my dose again - after all, it is a stimulant, and I personally feel that treading carefully regarding its use is the best way to go. So I have started seeing a therapist/life coach to help me learn how to manage the ADD without an increase in medication. I'm hoping that with both medication and life coaching/counseling, I'll get this under control.

So don't get too frustrated or read too much into the fact that Adderall just isn't working for you. This happens with people on depression meds all the time - they often have to change doses and switch medications several times before finding a medication and dose that works. I would ask your doctor to switch you to something else - there's Vyvanse, Concerta and Ritalin that I know of (there's probably more), to see how one of those work for you. Also, as has been previously mentioned, there is also Strattera, which is currently the only non-stimulant drug out there approved for treating ADD. I hated Strattera, but it may work very well for you.

So hang in there and don't give up. It can be a hard road, but it's worth walking it.

[frognamedjethro]

Thank you both for your responses.

To Unbelievable: I have also tried Wellbutrin. It was a few years back and was prescribed for anxiety issues and not ADD. From what I remember when I was taking it I noticed no difference. No changes in my emotional state, no changes in my anxiety levels, nothing. It was the equivalent (for me) of taking a sugar pill.

I have also been prescribed Paxil, Lexapro, and one other one that I can't remember the name of all for social anxiety. All to pretty much the same effect... None seemed to affect my mood at all for better or worse.

Could it be that I'm just immune to this kind of medication? Is that even possible? Could I have over analyzed the drugs in my brain and could being doubtful in their ability to help me have kept them from working? Or could all of this really be "all in my head" like a few people have so bluntly put it.. (God I hate hearing that one.)

The hyperfocus on Adderall is a bit scary for me. I mean I'm used to it just in my everyday life. I can lose track of hours and hours doing something I'm intently focused on (although it's rarely the things I should be focusing my time on).. But lately I've been losing track of whole days researching something arbitrary on the internet.. Or playing video games.. Or cleaning out dust from tiny little spaces that no one will ever see. All of these I do normally, but Adderall seems to exacerbate this to the point where I feel I CAN'T pull myself away from what I'm doing.

I don't mean to sound so negative about a drug that I'm sure works wonders for some people, I have just had a rough time trying to figure out what's going to work for me. With my initial diagnosis when I was 17 (I'm 27 now)of Social Anxiety Disorder I was hopeful and encouraged that medication would make things easier. When it didn't time and time again I got very discouraged. However, I eventually resigned to trying to overcome it through CBT. (which I have had some small success with, although I have never been in treatment specifically geared towards SAD which is what I think I would need for maximum benefits) Then like 5 years ago, I heard from someone that a lot of times ADD can be a contributing factor for SAD and I should look into trying medication for that and see if it helps me sort out my anxiety issues. Again my faith was renewed and I was hopeful. This thought had never occurred to me, that I probably have ADD! When I thought about it, it made perfect sense: My grades in school were either As or Fs.. I could never focus on what people were saying, so when I would respond incorrectly they would make fun of me. (which brought on the SAD). My mom used to say I had no common sense because I wouldn't think about what I was doing and I'd make obvious, clumsy mistakes constantly.. So as you can imagine this was quite the revelation to me. But I suppose I was expecting or hoping for an instant cure. In thinking about it tonight and reading through other peoples stories on here, I've decided nothing worthwhile comes instantly and I'm going to try whatever I need to to be comfortable in my skin. With or without meds and with or without ADD.

Mimi. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am going to take your advise and not get so frustrated when a medication doesn't work for me. because there's always other options. Either way, I'm going to keep moving forward and trying different things until I find my answer. I hope other people will do the same.

P.S. I'm aware that my posts have been kind of long-winded, hope they're not boring too. I've definitely been in a hyperfocused state of mind today since I found this sight. Hopefully this reaches someone else that has had a similar experience. When I get put on a new med I'll let you know my verdict.

[Unbelievable]

Originally Posted by frognamedjethro

Thank you both for your responses.

To Unbelievable: I have also tried Wellbutrin. It was a few years back and was prescribed for anxiety issues and not ADD. From what I remember when I was taking it I noticed no difference. No changes in my emotional state, no changes in my anxiety levels, nothing. It was the equivalent (for me) of taking a sugar pill.

I had the same experience taking Wellbutrin to quit smoking, a sugar pill. The therapeutic dosage for ADD is higher, and it was definitely not a sugar pill experience!

[zannie]

I take wellbutrin which i find helpful. However, nothing seems to completely work for keeping track of things.

I have tried dexedrine but I was unable to take it before midafternoon. If i took it after that time i would have difficulty getting to sleep at nite - well, more than my usual problems with getting to sleep that is - so for me wellbutrin works better for that reason. I am actually taking it everday, even late, because it doesn't effect my sleep. That alone is worth it to me.

I think that, for me, it gives the possibility of doing things differently at least some of the time. It doesn't seem like much but i do notice some change however slow. I try to keep in mind - as you mentioned - there is a behavioural component as well and that I have had these behaviours for a long time. I still get somewhat discouraged but i have decided that slight incremental change will add up eventually so it is worth it.

One thing that i do notice since i have noticed since taking wellbutrin is that i am less easily frustrated when i can"t do something although it still does happen some. I am also less anxious that i was before taking it.

I guess i am the turtle in the race but who knows i might leave the hare in the dust yet.

[Unbelievable]

Originally Posted by frognamedjethro

I've always had this problem that as soon as I leave my house I have to turn around and go back inside because I've forgotten something. Usually something vital and obvious (like car keys, wallet). And it happens almost every time I go to leave my house. There's been multiple times I've driven all the way to the store and had to drive back home because I've forgotten my wallet.

The "grouping" suggestion in this thread would be good for your issues with leaving your house. For example, put your shoes, wallet and keys all together in one location.

I also have a problem with distracting myself when a task gets too boring and it takes me ages to get things done because i keep stopping to check my facebook or watch tv. I've found that Adderal has not helped me with those issues AT ALL.

There's a Firefox addon called Leechblock that will allow you to set time limits of how long you can be on certain websites. I installed it in the last couple of days and so far it's an amazing way to keep on track.

[frognamedjethro]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.

My next appointment is on the 22nd (I think) and I think I'm going to ask to try another stimulant (being as that RedBull used to kind of help me) before I discredit stimulants altogether.

Today I've decided to stop taking my Adderall and have felt so much better. Well you know.. Still scatterbrained and spacey, but I don't feel high. I might take it again before I really decide I want to switch, just to have more comparison and really be sure it's not going to help me.

I read the grouping thread, also. Some awesome suggestions that I already try to implement. I say try because i always have some hang up about forgetting to do the things that will help me remember haha. Ironic right?

The leechblock suggestion I'm not sure would help. I have this bad habit of making excuses to myself and I would just wind up using another browser or disabling it. Dumb I know.. I try to discipline myself all the time and fail miserably.

Like one of my main issues is going to sleep at a decent time. I always wind up staying up until 4 in the morning and sleeping until noon. Then I wake up and don't feel rested which makes my ADD symptoms even worse and then just perpetuate the same cycle the next day. For awhile I set an alarm on my phone to go off at 2am so I would remind myself to go to bed, but I'd always be in the middle of one of my hyperfocuses and make an excuse just to turn it off.

The only thing I've found that DOES sort of work is when I use someone else to discipline me. If I have someone I'm living with tell me to go to bed when they do, then I can pull myself away from the computer and just go to bed. It's kinda funny how much more effective that is!

Living alone I've found is not a good idea for me. I just do what I want. Which would be fine, but i don't vary my activities either. It's computer, video games, eat, clean, and party (always at my house, I rarely go anywhere else).. Without much else in between. I need someone to put that pressure on me to do something else! I'm not a lazy person.. It just requires so much extra effort for me to get started on something, that I don't. I can't figure out the first step, I get lost in the details, sometimes I don't even know what it is I'm supposed to be getting started ON! I'm sure you all have been there. Sometimes I feel like I need a life coach.. Where do you find one of those Mimi? LoL