Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

holler_bitch t1_itl6n27 wrote

Remission would be great. I didn’t get diagnosed until I was 27, and I felt mine got worse as I got older. I have unlearned a lot of my masking behaviors (which were actually high anxiety behaviors), but I would still be crippled without my medicine.

176

Ketosheep t1_itldia2 wrote

How is it before and after meds? I have been diagnosed recently and the doctor is suggesting meds but I am afraid to loose my hyper focus if I take them.

34

Edsgnat t1_itlp7el wrote

I gained the ability to focus on things my brain couldn’t focus on. The first day I took them I cleaned my apartment with no problems. I almost cried. My hyper focus is untouched.

101

Ketosheep t1_itlq86b wrote

This is what I needed to hear, I think my job and professional success are dependent on my hyper focus to deal with emergencies, but my house… is a stressful mess. Could I ask what your meds are?

34

Edsgnat t1_itlqwo9 wrote

I started off at 27mg of concerta, which is a slow release Ritalin. I was given 5mg of Ritalin to take as needed in the afternoons if my focus was waning. When I was studying for the bar this summer I was upped to 36/10. It’s easy to build up a depends so it’s not something you want to take every day.

13

Sea-Mango t1_itn4myg wrote

Huh. Maybe I’ll have to give that one a try. I was on Ritalin from 11 - 20-ish, and then stopped. Which was… not a good idea, but 20 years of hindsight etc etc.

5

EmulatingHeaven t1_itni6qj wrote

We all respond differently to different meds, if you try ritalin/ritalin types and they don’t work then def give something else a go too. I started on addy (and it works wonderfully) but it isn’t recommended for breastfeeding so I tried ritalin for a while. Did nothing for me. Back to adderall I went, and just adjusted my breastfeeding schedule.

5

Sea-Mango t1_itnpd81 wrote

Adderall made me forget where my car keys where while I was driving with the keys in the ignition. At the time I was a teller, and my drawer didn't balance for a week. It was SO BAD XD

3

KnutschKeks t1_itno4k2 wrote

My hyperfocus is my problem. My employer had stern talks with me because I missed appointments, because I forget the time and never notice when people talk to me when I'm working

4

Lettuphant t1_itmp7ii wrote

I borrowed a pill as a study aid. Realised I was planning dinner for the first time in my life and started crying. Taking a pill made me realise I should get a diagnosis.

19

WillCode4Cats t1_itxnbrk wrote

Careful with that logic.

The pills work the same for everyone regardless of diagnosis. If they didn’t, the. Why did you take it in the first place?

It’d be like saying alcohol only makes people who are actually alcoholics drunk. Of course, with the right dosages it makes anyone drunk.

2

banditbat t1_itnvl5g wrote

This is how I felt the first day when I finally found meds that worked, but they have since stopped being effective over the past few months, even after stepping up the dose twice :(

4

Issendai t1_itn0ihu wrote

Hyper focus is my drug of choice, and Adderall did nothing to stop it. It just means I have more levels of concentration in between “meh, bored” and hyper focus.

20

Ketosheep t1_itn5f15 wrote

Yea the doctor said I can try the one that is for immediate response first so I can see how it feels, I mainly just want it to be able to clean my house. I don’t think it can help me not loose things (object permanence is horrible).

Everything else I already have a solid coping mechanism, it’s just exhausting.

5

Issendai t1_itn92lc wrote

When I started taking Adderall, one day I took it too late in the day and couldn't get to sleep at my normal time. I ended up reorganizing the hall closet at 3 am because it was the most engrossing project I could imagine. Good luck! I hope you have the same experience at a more appropriate hour.

Do you like museums? Going to a museum for the first time on Adderall is amazing. It's like being high on details. You can look at things, really look at them, and sit in the feeling without the constant buzzing urge to move on to the next thing.

8

Raichu7 t1_itncnan wrote

I seriously doubt you struggle with object permanence. Do you know an item or person still exists somewhere in the world when you cannot physically see them? Then you developed object permanence as a baby, like everyone else!

If you struggle to find things after you’ve put them down, but understand that they still exist, then you’re struggling with remembering where you put things, sometimes called out of sight, out of mind. It’s very different to object permanence.

1

Anariel6 t1_itnecap wrote

People with ADHD often forget what things they actually own unless they are out and visible all the time. They often buy duplicates because they forget they already have one. If that's not object permanence struggles, then what would that be called?

11

spraguester t1_itnvgxq wrote

That's just forgetfulness, object permanence is understanding that objects continue to exist even when you can not observe them.

5

Ketosheep t1_itnjrlq wrote

I buy duplicates, I surprise myself with things I find in my closets. I do remember people but forget to talk to them for months.

2

SparxX2106 t1_itlp8pk wrote

Well it depends. Do you want emotional regulation, being able to focus, not be time stressed, become more organised and have a calm brain? Then yes, take meds!

12

Ketosheep t1_itlqqst wrote

My job depends more on my hyperfocus, so being able to make money for food comes before my struggles on everyday life.

4

kitsunde t1_itlsbse wrote

There’s no issue with hyper focusing, there’s a brief initial adjustment period. Like on Concerta you’ll get hungry less, there was a bit of eye tingle at the start and some people report a headache. But after about a week your body adjusts.

If anything I find that that it feels hard to move my focus away and find interruptions more irritating on Concerta than without.

I got it when I was 34 and it’s a literal night and day difference in how well I handle my job. I can sit down and just do work, and procrastinating is a deliberate choice rather than a doom spiral.

17

Kiosade t1_itmaed4 wrote

How hard was the process of finding a doctor and then how many appointments did it take to get to the “coasting on auto-pilot” moment? I’m pretty sure I’ve always had ADHD but am afraid of having to take a lot of time off work for dr appointments in order to get diagnosed/treated. Also worried about having to pay for $$$$ each visit…

8

kitsunde t1_ito6x7y wrote

It’s very country dependent, I can’t answer that for you. It took me 1 visit to a private doctor and then it was just about finding the right dosage, it’s a regulated substance here so I have to go back every 3 months or so. It’s different in every country.

2

SparxX2106 t1_itlr96u wrote

Well you will have a good focus non the less. So all i could advice is to simply try it out, as that doesnt hurt anyone. I can still very much hyperfocus on things even on medication!

2

kingofshling t1_itncjbd wrote

My parents made me start taking the meds after getting diagnosed in fourth grade. Took them up untill junior year of high-school. They do help you get uninteresting work done but the side effects are not worth it IMO. Loss of personality, depression when they wear off in the evening, loss of appetite, loss of interest in hobbies, insomnia.

A lot of the people who rave about them just started taking them. The more you take them, the less effective they are and you have to keep raising the dose. I’m at my happiest right now when I manage my symptoms with exercise and meditation. I do use adderall quick release once in a while if I really need to get some boring work done. I definitely would NOT take these everyday.

11

ExistingPosition5742 t1_itnhmet wrote

My ex husband was addicted to Adderall he started taking at 12. It has A LOT of negative effects over time.

I mean, it impacted him the way you think about meth impacting people. It just ruined his life. One of the doctors explained to me that it acts on your brain in some of the same ways as other stimulants, and over time it prevents your brain from learning to live without it, basically. Anyway, I'm very wary of it. I never knew people could get addicted to a kid's medicine.

7

MurrayMyBoy t1_itnuy0b wrote

My sister got addicted to Adderall,Ritalin, and Sudafed at the same time. She has been addicted for 20yrs and she moves and acts like a person addicted to meth . I believe she has psychosis/paranoia from it. She acts like any other addict. Causes non stop issues for the rest of the family. I believe she never had adhd and just wanted to something to get her moving before work. It’s destroyed everything in her life. So I say if someone feels they need medicated please take it slow and take the absolute minimum of the dose.

8

Ketosheep t1_itnjlg1 wrote

That is the approach my doctor and I are discussing, so I can have it available for when I have to get something boring done. I am 36 but i certainly wish I could finish unpacking my house after 3 years… and stop living in a messy pit.

2

Dragoness42 t1_itottvc wrote

My ex just self-medicated with massive amounts of caffeine. Of course, he built a tolerance and had to keep drinking more and more coffee just to be normal.

I tried to let my kid use caffeine in moderation as-needed to help with focus, but his school banned caffeine. Didn't ban Rx stimulants for ADHD diagnosed kids though. We're in the early stages of trying out meds for him.

1

Spitinthacoola t1_itm3lnc wrote

No loss of hyperfocus. Just able to aim it. Reduces appetite to low levels though so often have to remind myself to eat. Besides that it is a godsend.

7

WhiteVorest t1_itm1u6q wrote

Your hyper focus is still there, but you need to force yourself consciously into it. So overall you tend to hyper focus less, but on things you actually want. I’m seeing some new and shiny piece of rabbit hole to explore, but now instead of going balls deep without second thought, I have yes/no prompt basically. Getting my pills was so to speak a full 180 turn. Maybe even 540 degree turn. When stressful event arises, be it home or work, I just focus on it as usual and see it finished perfectly. Start with lowest dose and see how you fare. Good luck.

5

Ketosheep t1_itm3ip4 wrote

Thank you, I think I am mostly afraid of the unknown, and I can’t even imagine what you are describing. But so long as I don’t become as slow on emergencies as other people I think it should be fine.

3

IIIPatternIII t1_itmv3ul wrote

Im sure others have mentioned it but just chiming in with my experiences. Meds will give you the ability to focus and regulate yourself but you still have to actually do it, and i specifically mean scheduling and adhering to a food plan. You need to eat, and drink water and medications like Adderal/concerta/vyvanse will decrease your appetite and potentially thirst. Sometimes fasting is good, this is not one of those times. I seriously cannot stress this enough for medical reasons you should go into it mindful of the side effects and how it can cause damage without strict and proper diet.

2

HelenAngel t1_itndwyo wrote

I have autism as well as ADHD. I’ve taken Vyvanse for over a decade. It hasn’t interfered with my hyper focus at all. If anything it makes it easier to get into it (which can be both a good & bad thing)

4

vanyali t1_itm63lg wrote

My kid is on meds and believe me, she still hyper-focuses on her favorite things just fine.

2

bonesnapper t1_itnk44g wrote

I started meds last year and a job I am extremely interested in a few months ago.

Not only can I put 100% of my focus and effort into my work for hours straight, I can also do things like 'cancel my old car insurance policy' and 'schedule a vet appointment' before they become problems.

2

girlfriendsbloodyvag t1_itnicrx wrote

Think about it like being able to hyper focus, without all of the extra noise.

You just -do- the task. Then it’s done. That’s it.

Getting on adhd meds has been life changing for me, in all of the best ways.

1

alemorg t1_itnqu2q wrote

The most noticeable affect was that I felt for once in my life that I was able to sit still and think one subject at a time. I always felt like I was juggling multiple tasks at the same time In my head continuously but my thoughts slowed down. What I thought was anxiety bothering me all the time turned out to be mostly adhd. Now with the medicine I get anxious a little bit and get over it without overthinking it over and over the rest of my day.

1

lcbk t1_itpuoyw wrote

For me it's so hard to just get up and do things because I'm not motivated enough, aka my brain isn't giving me any dopamine. I also have very low energy, probably because of the dopamine as well.

After 1 week of medicine I did things right away. I just got up and did it. It was incredible. I did however feel like the effects tapered off after about 6 months. The solution to that is either a higher dose, or to stop for a while and then start again. I prefer the latter.

1

Ketosheep t1_itpw1az wrote

I get up in the morning with the help of stress and fear of missing a paycheck and debt. My job is incredibly entertaining to me for the most part, although I struggle with the will to drive to the office and to start tasks, once I do I finish very quickly.

My partner makes my lunch or I would just not eat at work, I drive home and dinner is already made too, so I just have to eat and spend the rest of the afternoon negotiating with my brain about washing the dishes or doing laundry, taking a shower. Some times I win, must of the time brain wins, couch paralysis, sleep super late and repeat.

2

lcbk t1_itpzben wrote

I'm a stay at home mom so all I have to do is clean the house and feed the family. I manage but I'm not winning any prizes. Had it only been me, living alone, I wouldn't even cook for myself. Couch paralysis and sleeping late sounds very familiar. Stress is also a good motivator.

2

Ketosheep t1_itq0z9x wrote

House work is the hardest thing for me, kudos to you for being able to do it!

2

Kinsey93 t1_itn4zid wrote

What meds you got?

Starting titration this week… bit apprehensive

1