need advice

Hello,
I am having trouble controlling my attention (weird right?). I have always had a problem with it, but as my chronic pains worsen and my fibro fog kicks in, I cannot listen to people. I am not there. If there is a tv on, I hear my fiance talking, I don't know what he is saying, it is like he is a mile away in a tunnel. He has been with me for years, so he is used to my being distracted (he loves to ask what I saw that was shiny when he knows I am not listening any more.) However, now I see the hurt in his eyes when I can finally turn to him and say "what?". Sometimes it takes me so long to acnowledge that he talked, he doesn't even remember that he had said something.
I see so many drs and specialists, and take so many pills, I don't have the time or money for mental health professionals and more pills. Any advice on how I can control this without meds?
My pain prohibits my yoga nowadays, and I am sure that was a help when I could do it. But I'm out of ideas!
Please Help!!!!

Thanks,
mj778

I'm not sure how to help you but I've been having similar problems due to a different cause. I take Adderall XR 50mg at 9am and 30mg at 3pm but I also take Klonopin 1mg at 9am 3pm and 9pm and the Klonopin has really interfered with my concentration to the point that I basically can't do anything but I need it for severe non-adderall related anxiety.

I know you said you don't have time for more mental health professionals and more pills but maybe your physical problems are not being effectively treated at least thats what it sounds like. Your quality of life and your relationship with your fiance is clearly suffering so its worth a shot if you can scrounge up the money somehow which will prove difficult if you happen to be on medicaid or medicare so I guess it comes down to asking yourself...is it worth it?

Go to see a mental health therapist who specializes in ADD. He/she will help you with behavioral strategies to manage your attention and focus. Once you have a list of tools and are using them, then you can stop going to see the therapist, so you need not be in longterm therapy for this. Group therapy can also be helpful (a group of all adults with ADD). I'm not saying this will cure all your problems, but it is an alternative to meds and will give you a good set of tools. Good luck.

I take lots of pills and have various specialists for my physical health conditions.
I also have a therapist because my mental health is equally as important. There are huge stresses when you are chronically ill, and it's so hard to share those with your partner - it feels unfair to burden your loved one with your heartaches. A therapist can help you with techniques to improve your focus and restore the intimate, emotional connection with your fiance.

Two books to consider: Delivered from Distraction, and Crazy Busy, both by Dr. Edward Hallowell. Both have good information and good strategies for ADD and ADD-like brains.