[sunflower55]

I was just diagnosed with ADHD a few days ago. The doc gave me a written test to secure the diagnoses. I went in pretty sure of it to begin with. I'm a teacher, and since I"ve been one, (for over 20 years now), I've figured that I had this problem since I was a kid. But, back then, there was no diagnosing learning problems. We were just "stupid" or "lazy." I didn't go to college until my mid 30s and I struggled through that. But, I did it. And I've struggled with my career.

Like many others, I wonder how differently my life may have been had I been diagnosed and treated as a child. I've only been on the meds, (generic ritilin), for a few days. But, today I was able to get my clothes organized for school. And believe me, that hasn't been done for years! LOL! And yesterday, I got my checkbook balanced. Think my clothes were bad??? So, I think it's helping.

I'm on a very low dose. I'm sensitive to meds. So, the doc and I agreed to start me on 10 mg. If I need to go up, I can. But if I start on too high a dose, I go crazy with different meds, and with school starting Monday, I cannot afford to let that happen. She said I would know within a week if it was working or not. So we'll see.

Is anyone else on ritilin? How are you doing?
We decided on this because it would let me know right away if it was working or not. The other one, (Strattera, I think she called it), would take longer, and with school being an issue, we wanted results. I tried to see her earlier, but, this was the earliest I could get in, even though I was off all summer!

I hope to hear from others and share our progress.

Peace!

[JxnChosen]

Hi there. I was dx when i was about 30 and have been on ritalin for a while. It has made a huge difference in my life.

I too wonder where my life would have gone hd i been dx and treated s a cchild but i figure atleast i found out and now i can do something about it.

Embrace and enjoy your new found freedom.

[Pup]

I was on Ritalin, 10mg, twice a day, morning & lunch time, then Concerta 36mg, in the morning, then down to 27mg, then I came off the meds. Too sensitive. I have anxiety disorders and it's made worse by stimulants, also got chest pains, headaches, bad loss of appetite/nausea etc. It was quite bad. Wasn't tried on anything else. Was told if meds didn't work, don't got ADHD. -.- Yeh, k then... *lol*

Anyway, good luck on them.

[theotterone]

Just saw my psychiarist today to do a medication check (I started Adderall August 15). I am not picking on age Sunflower, but I am 34 and was misdiagnosed as NOT being ADD at age 10. I have gone through the same grieving process you are going through now. (My mom also suspects I got it from her, and she was a teacher for 36 years and still subs, so hats off to you! I never could be a teacher!)

So when I was 10, it was 1985. According to my wonderfully communicative doctor, he was completing his residency at the time. At that time, the medical community (referred to "them" or "they" for the duration...) believed that ADD or ADHD was a childhood disability, that as ADD children matured into adults it no longer became an issue. They also did not know about the "inattentive" possibility. Hence the reason why I probably went misdiagnosed.

It wasn't until the mid 1990s the they realized this disability continued on into adulthood and that adults were struggling with it. It wasn't until then or the late 1990's that they started treating adults. By this time, I had graduated high school and failed my attempts at college.

So would things have been different for you? Probably. When our FT first suggested I may be ADD, I had a very emotional and negative reaction. I am lucky enough to have a really understanding boss. When I told him about it at my quarterly review, he looked me right in the eyes and said "I always suspected you were, and it is part of who you ARE. It helped shape you into YOU, I just know how to play to your strengths", and he was right! Here's the kicker. When I shared my diagnosis with family and friends, here's what I got:

"I figured THAT" - Mom
"Why do you think I always pointed out your 'oooh shiny' moments?" - husband
"Why do you think I get along with my boy so well?" - friend who's son is ADHD and developmentally delayed.

So it seems everyone knew but me...

I know this is long winded, and I apologize. Here is the most important thing, yes it sucks that you didn't know, but now that you do, what are you going to do? Medication has helped, but it didn't make me a great organizer, keep me from being distracted (though it helps) and didn't make me a better time manager. I am seeing an ADD coach (a life coach that specializes in the disability). You have some GREAT resources. My neighbor is an EBD teacher. She has been a WEALTH of information. Talk to people you trust at work, or the EBD teachers. Talk to your mental health professional about therapy that may help.

I am not saying it will go away, and that you won't have some dark days. But there IS hope, and you have support and understanding here!

[quote=sunflower55;1122385] But, today I was able to get my clothes organized for school. And believe me, that hasn't been done for years! LOL! And yesterday, I got my checkbook balanced. Think my clothes were bad??? So, I think it's helping.

Im happy for you Sunflower, You've worked so hard giving up the cigs etc.

I hope this continues to help you.

I skate just one day a week . I went today and when I got my skating bag mu skates were not in it.

I left them on the bench because someone was talking to me . I walked out with out them. I was releived they were still there . I can't afford a new pair.

So I added that to my suday log along with a lock out and a purchace left and lost keys which is a daily occurance.
Im hoping if I keep a log of my forgets someone will believe me,

I am going through about two years of therapy notes .
almost evey session I was 15 to 20 minutes late and many times I forgot my keys they were through about that . they did say my brother was 5 years older and lived in new York.
that must have Been Adel . or maybe Charley who answered . Hard to say.

they aslo made note I felt inaffective in school struggled with writing papers and had incompletes and didn;t think I should stay with schooll .
they said my feeling inneffective in school came form my deep self loathing .
and my lateness was my sabotaging therapy

they just don;t get that when your working you loose travk of time especally when your taking 16 hours self employed part time and atending three difernt 12 step programs.

carater disorder..

sorry about the spelling

Im abit angry because I can;t get good help here.
your lucky

Patricia