[findingmy_self95]

I was told today that I do have an attention problem and my psych strongly thinks its ADD. I am taking STRATERRA starting today and it will
take a couple weeks to feel it. I believe also that I could possibly have it.

My whole life I have struggled with my capability to pay attention and now, I'm hoping it will help.

My mom is in denial or she thinks I'm faking...

Its hard enough being bad in school, but your mom thinking your just a lazy person hurts. When my psych told me this, I thought, just maybe, it wasn't my fault I couldn't focus on things and I wasn't just a lazy person. It felt good to have an understanding that I'm not stupid, I just have a problem. And to know its not my fault I suck in school, makes me feel happy, mostly relieved.

Relieved would be the best word. I don't feel as stressed to goto school because I feel that this medication might actually help and I won't have to be in a constant state of frustration and confusion and helplessness and worriness. Along with my anxiety, I feel less stressed out and I might just become more comfortable near poeple.

I am hoping so much that this WILL work and I will go on to a path of success and no longer a constant failure and just getting along in school and life....

[Yoda]

I hope the Strattera works for you. I take it too.

[findingmy_self95]

Really, how does it work for you? I just wanna know personal experiences of people on strattera

[Perna]

I hope the Strattera helps you. I think it will be a help though, not a cure-all; you still need to work on study habits and organization (as does everyone); things won't suddenly become "easy" because of the med.

[BlackCanary]

meds are helping my son conform a bit better to the rules of the classroom. While his curiosity and energy will be great strengths in life, right now they have interfered with accomplishing tasks at his desk.
He has just enough self-control now to stay in his seat and finish the task vs. stop on question 5 (which looks hard or boring) and go look in the fish tank. And because he stays in his seat:
1) he does not get reprimanded by the teacher for leaving his seat
2) he does not get reprimanded by the teacher for not finishing his work
He's being getting all this negative attention, probably 8-10 times per day for 180 days of the year. No wonder he's been hating school!

Do track your side effects - if they are a problem for you, then try another drug. You should be able to find one that helps w/o bothersome effects (like overemotional response as it wears off)

Also, for your mom - Dr Edward Hallowell has some awesome books on ADD that are helping me so much. SuperParenting for ADD is my current favorite. It talks about the strengths that a person with ADD has, but how their strengths don't often match with teacher expectations. But, if you ask for some type of alternative the teacher may say, Sure, that's fine! So, instead of giving a stand-still 5 minute speech on George Washington's life, maybe you ask to do a "one man show" and re-enact some of Pres. Washington's greatest life events, in costume and British accent.

good luck, and know you are not alone!

[sneschalmers]

Strattera didn't work for me or anyone that I have known that takes it. I'm not saying its a placebo but its just something to be conscious of

[WANM]

Unfortunately, I don't take that medication but I do take Vyvanse. I just want to let you know, HANG IN THERE. I was in this place last year, and I literally wanted to DIE. I had been so beat down from ADHD, and people were constantly telling me how bad, lazy, selfish, mean, angry, bitter, proscrastinator, blah blah, etc. I was and my self esteem was at an all time low. Finding out I had ADHD really changed everything for me. I realize that I have a mental illness, I'm sick, just like someone with cancer is sick. It's not a person's fault if they have cancer and they are weak, sick, miss school, in the hospital, etc. it's not YOUR fault that you have ADHD. Don't let people look down on you because you have ADHD. But trust me, things will only get better from here. The medicine will change your life.

[cutbuddie]

Talk to me anytime girlie, I'll be here for you, even if you just want to call and not talk at all. I shall be there. Je t'aime pour toujours ma belle fille!
Hope everything gets better for you. <3

Je serais ici pour toi! 24/7

[Skully]

I hope it works for you but if not, hang in there, there are many meds on the market today that do work and one may find you soon enough

[findingmy_self95]

The thing is... its working but its not working if that makes anysense. I feel a huuge difference with constant running thoughts but my concentration still sucks even when I try.

[Skully]

Originally Posted by Brennan11007

The thing is... its working but its not working if that makes anysense. I feel a huuge difference with constant running thoughts but my concentration still sucks even when I try.

Let the pdoc know, you may need an increase. Remember though, medication is only 50% of the battle. You have to learn how to change past behavior as well. Maybe working with a therapist will help you break the old cycles.