![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 13:42:58
My last doctor thought I had bipolar 2 (which I never could agree with).
Anyway, this new doctor- internal medicine- (who is a genius by the way), had me take this questionnaire thing and it showed I likely have adult ADD.
I have a sister with ADHD, my dad is Bipolar (and I suspect he also has ADD), my maternal grandma and several aunts have ADD (but bipolar is also on my dad's side).
Do the two seem to mimick each other?
I don't tend to be manic, in the usual sense of the word. I also don't lean towards depression (unless I'm given SSRi's!).
But I do find my mind races a lot, I don't sit still much, I feel like I'm always needing to move. My dh has always accused me of not knowing how to "rest" or calm down.
It never, ever crossed my mind that I had ADD. But the more I have read and talked to dr. it sounds more like me than bp.
I am TERRIFIED to take medication at this point because of my Lexapro and Wellbutrin experience.
Anyone else here with adult ADD that takes meds?
Has it helped? what do you take?
Posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 16:32:20
In reply to my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 13:42:58
Your case sounds exactly like mine. My mother is bipolar and father has ADD like symptoms.
Don't know where I fit into the mix, but my doctors won't pick up on that till the next millenium.
Good luck with your situation though
Linkadge
Posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 18:56:51
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 16:32:20
Yeah I figure by the time i'm dead and buried, they will figure out exactly what was wrong with me.
By then, I doubt I'll care. *snicker*
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2005, at 19:03:05
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » linkadge, posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 18:56:51
Well my mind races, and I can't concentrate to read a book, and I always have to be doing something. But I can sit still at least in the car. Can't sit at the beach, have to walk. No one ever suggested ADD but I've often wondered about it. I took diet pills after my son was born and felt great. Took them every other day. I washed the windows every day. Either that or I'm bored. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 19:15:02
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2005, at 19:03:05
Its more that my mind is always somewhere else.
I try to do whats infront of me, but my mind is trying to solve some other problem.
Linkadge
Posted by gardenergirl on June 18, 2005, at 19:38:30
In reply to my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 13:42:58
Hi Spriggy,
It is hard to tease out symptoms of Bipolar and ADHD. There is overlap in the symptoms. There are tests that psychologists can use to rule ADHD in or out, but it's a bit expensive. I wouldn't recommend it without good insurance coverage. And if you did decide to be tested, you want to make sure it's by someone with experience in testing ADHD for adults.And I know the worry about taking ADHD meds when it might make you overstimulated. Best to start low and go slow if you might also have Bipolar.
Good luck,
gg
Posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2005, at 19:46:19
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2005, at 19:03:05
>I took diet pills after my son was born and felt great. Took them every other day. I washed the windows every day.
It's funny how people often start cleaning when they take a stimulant such as a diet pill! Stimulants make boring repetitive tasks seem so much more interesting.
Ed xx
Posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 20:36:25
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » Phillipa, posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2005, at 19:46:19
Stimulants usually give enought posative reinforcement to get something done that you don't want to do.
For me, its not cleaning, but studying.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2005, at 20:51:16
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 20:36:25
Hi Link,
>For me, its not cleaning, but studying.
Sounds good :-) Cleaning seems to be the 'classic' thing that people do!
~Ed
Posted by Jazzed on June 18, 2005, at 22:05:21
In reply to my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 13:42:58
Hi Spriggy,I have ADD, and from reading www.addforums.com
and from talking to my p-doc, bi-polar and ADD are often misdiagnosed for each other. The symptoms can be similar, but if you don't have the huge moods swings, and get manic, then you're probably not bi-polar.Find a good p-doc who specializes in ADD, they can diagnose and tell you whether or not you are ADD. You don't need all the testing, it's unreliable anyway.
I take a stimulant, and it slows me down, keeps my mind from racing, makes me less restless, and gives me less impulsivity, etc.... The stimulants are out of your system quickly, and there's no withdrawl.
Jazzy
Posted by paulbwell on June 18, 2005, at 22:16:29
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by Jazzed on June 18, 2005, at 22:05:21
>
> The stimulants are out of your system quickly, and there's no withdrawl.
>
> Jazzy
>
>
>
> Hi,No withdrawal ha?
Iv taken Ritalin over a year and ran out for 2 @half weeks the first week was BAD-depression restlessness, feeling weird, this goot better after 2 weeks, but id say theres a withdrawal for many people for sure
Stimulants increase nervous system function and with extended use brain changes occur, readjustment doesn't happen overnight.
>
>
>
Posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 22:54:37
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » Jazzed, posted by paulbwell on June 18, 2005, at 22:16:29
"The symptoms can be similar, but if you don't have the huge moods swings, and get manic, then you're probably not bi-polar."
I don't have highs, unless its just after exercise. I know I cannot make it through a class without exercising before it.
I am not organized and my parents and teachers have noticed this. Although I did well in school without any meds. Most times I just rely on my subcontious to remind me of things that I have to get done.
If you come over to my house and live with me for a few months you'd get to know me much better than I can describe on this board.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 9:31:52
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 22:54:37
>If you come over to my house and live with me for a few months you'd get to know me much better than I can describe on this board.
Are we all invited? Perhaps we should have a p-babble party at your house ;-)
~Ed
Posted by alohashirt on June 19, 2005, at 22:21:19
In reply to my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by Spriggy on June 18, 2005, at 13:42:58
Adult ADHD - torment of my life
This month's meds:
am:
27mg Concerta
30mg Dexedrine
---
pm:
15mg dexedrine
50 mg Strattera
50mg Toprol XL (to reduce the hypertension that the dexedrine causes)
Posted by Jazzed on June 20, 2005, at 7:59:29
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » Jazzed, posted by paulbwell on June 18, 2005, at 22:16:29
> > Hi,
>
> No withdrawal ha?
>
> Iv taken Ritalin over a year and ran out for 2 @half weeks the first week was BAD-depression restlessness, feeling weird, this goot better after 2 weeks, but id say theres a withdrawal for many people for sure
>Sorry Paul, my bad! Fortunately, I haven't had to go through that yet. Hope I never do, sounds bad.
Jazzy
Posted by Jazzed on June 20, 2005, at 8:02:35
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by alohashirt on June 19, 2005, at 22:21:19
> Adult ADHD - torment of my life
>
> This month's meds:
>
> am:
> 27mg Concerta
> 30mg Dexedrine
> ---
> pm:
> 15mg dexedrine
> 50 mg Strattera
> 50mg Toprol XL (to reduce the hypertension that the dexedrine causes)
>
>
Wow, concerta, dex, and strattera? i've never heard of that! how many times have you had to change meds, and in what period of time?Jazzy
Posted by theo on June 20, 2005, at 8:28:33
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by alohashirt on June 19, 2005, at 22:21:19
> Adult ADHD - torment of my life
>
> This month's meds:
>
> am:
> 27mg Concerta
> 30mg Dexedrine
> ---
> pm:
> 15mg dexedrine
> 50 mg Strattera
> 50mg Toprol XL (to reduce the hypertension that the dexedrine causes)
>
>So you went to 27mg Concerta. I thought I remember you mentioning trouble in the past going above 18mg. How is the second stage of the 27mg pill?
Posted by alohashirt on June 20, 2005, at 22:01:03
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » alohashirt, posted by Jazzed on June 20, 2005, at 8:02:35
I've been adjusting meds most months for past few years to get maximum efficacy. I'm sur e that there are many peopl ewith ADHD who are either being undermedicated or mismedicated.
Posted by alohashirt on June 20, 2005, at 22:03:33
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » alohashirt, posted by theo on June 20, 2005, at 8:28:33
The trouble I think you recall was when I was trying Adderall
to replace teh concerta and it caused my blood pressure to spike. At one point I was on no dexedrine but 72mg of Concerta. This worked fairly well, no side effects except a robotic/flat kind of thought process with too much hyperfocus. The dexedrine seems to leave me more labile and sharper.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 20, 2005, at 22:13:25
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD? » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2005, at 9:31:52
> > If you come over to my house and live with me for a few months you'd get to know me much better than I can describe on this board.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups not regarding medication to Psycho-Babble Social. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050618/msgs/516320.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by 4WD on June 20, 2005, at 23:31:13
In reply to Re: my oh my... adult ADD?, posted by linkadge on June 18, 2005, at 19:15:02
> Its more that my mind is always somewhere else.
>
> I try to do whats infront of me, but my mind is trying to solve some other problem.
>
> LinkadgeExactly. And I always have to be doing two things at once. And I flit from task to task. And I have two speeds. Extremely slow and everything is an effort (like I'm in 4wheeldrive) or else warp speed, full of nervous jittery energy.
Marsha
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.