[faerie_moon_x]

Hello, I'm sorry this is sort of long, I tried to keep it short as possible.

I have bipolar and usually don't post here. I have bipolar and my husband has ADD.

One of my big troubles with bipolar is I am losing my cognitive functioning. I used to have amazing focus, memory, and attention to detail. That is all going away. It's hard to me to focus even when there are no distractions. Once I am distracted, it's hard for me to go back and remember what I was doing.

It's hard for me to read long paragraphs or stories. I used to read novels, devour them. Now, it takes forever, I have to re-read.

My attention to detail is gone, too. I make tons of mistakes. I get in trouble at work because I "don't work accurately." I often can't even notice the mistakes I make or realize I'm making them, and going back and checking is really hard.

Here's the funny thing... my husband who has ADD doesn't have any of these problems. His attention to detail is amazing. He's so tuned in to our surroundings he can tell when a light is about to turn yellow. He's always right. He doesn't make errors, lose his things, forget the window is open, etc. etc.

His common phrase to me is... "Pay attention!"

So, I'm confused. I feel like I'm the one with ADD and not him.

[Travelinglady]

I have bipolar myself and I am beginning to think that it--and/or the meds we take for it can cause these problems. In fact, I was so concerned that I asked to be tested. My results showed "mild cognitive impairment." However, I have had two ministrokes, although they were not in an area associated with memory. But that might suggest some vascular problems in me. That said, my doctor is going to cut down on my Klonopin to see if my memory gets better as a result. Some of the the other bipolar drugs can decrease mental sharpness, too. You might look at what you're taking and do some research. And even depression can cause problems with concentration.

Hi Dark_Heart_X...

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles

ADD is basically misnamed. I was diagnosed with ADD about 4 years ago when I was 43. We don't have a deficit in attention, rather inconsistent attention. The big thing is if I am interested in something there is really a hyper-focus and I can almost go into a trace solving a problem or building something. The world could be burning down around me and I'd not miss a single detail on the project or problem.

ADDer's can also vary greatly in their success in dealing with the ADD brain. I became highly organized, very structured and I have strict routines. Without these things in place there is chaos and things get frantic. I hate frantic...

I don't know if I really answered your question, but feel free to ask me more.

[faerie_moon_x]

Thank you for your responses.

Some of the the other bipolar drugs can decrease mental sharpness, too. You might look at what you're taking and do some research. And even depression can cause problems with concentration.

I would blame meds but I have had med treatment for less than 8 months out of my life. I took Abilify for 2 weeks in 2006. I took Lamical for about 3 weeks in 2009. I took Lithium incosistantly (sometimes missing months at a time between doses, and never for a solid month at a time,) between August 2009 and May 2010. And I took Lithium for 1 month straight last year in November. That's the only times I have been on meds for bipolar, and no other AD, APs, or even anxiety meds.

So for me, I don't think this is it.

YYZadd, thanks that makes some sense. My husband definately has hyper-focus when he enjoys something, I think. He's also very impulsive. If he gets an idea to do a project, it has to be right now. It can't wait, and then often he loses his interest over time, depending on the project. This was our reason for him to seek answers.

I am just concerned. I do a lot of editing on my posts, going back to fix things. Because my mind is like.... glitching.... I don't know how to describe it. I feel like my thinking is full of holes. Sometimes it is better and sometimes it is worse, but it is consistantly there now.

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

YYZadd, thanks that makes some sense. My husband definately has hyper-focus when he enjoys something, I think. He's also very impulsive. If he gets an idea to do a project, it has to be right now. It can't wait, and then often he loses his interest over time, depending on the project. This was our reason for him to seek answers.

I am just concerned. I do a lot of editing on my posts, going back to fix things. Because my mind is like.... glitching.... I don't know how to describe it. I feel like my thinking is full of holes. Sometimes it is better and sometimes it is worse, but it is consistantly there now.

Impulsive - Check... I used to be really impulsive. Adderall really helps my impulsiveness.
I used to have 85% completed projects all over the place. It's that final 15% of nit picky details where I would lose interest, or I'd need something to finish, so I would tell myself "I'll finish that up tomorrow..." Right...

If you feel your memory has changed in a fairly brief period of time, you might talk to your doctor out this "Glitching", just to be safe.

I hope you figure this out

[faerie_moon_x]

Thanks. It seems to be a slow change over time but a definate change. I don't have a doctor right now because I have no insurance. It's just another thing on the list that I can't get taken care of....

Have you taken an ADD quiz before? ADD can be tough to spot in women. Some of your symptoms sound related to inconsistent dopamine levels, like ADDer's have.

Outside factors can play a role in symptoms getting worse, for instance, last fall I was very busy at work, taken on band chaperone duties which took over all my spare time, I was averaging 4-5 hours of sleep during the week and not much more on weekends. This lasted for about 4 months and was combined with major stress between me and my wife. My ADD symptoms were worse than they had been in years, in spite of still taking my meds.

Sorry for the ramble, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

[faerie_moon_x]

On the ADD quiz here at PC I get:

You scored a total of 45

Inattention Subscale: 26
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Subscale: 19

But, some of the questions fit into my bipolar. For example, talking too much to people / interrupting / answering questions before they are done are all a huge part of my pressured speech. I have horrible pressured speech problems. I find myself not being able to shut up quite often, even when I desperately want to. I've been like that since childhood. My mom used to say "she can talk the ears off a brass monkey."

Also, with mania and racing thoughts I leave a lot of projects unfinished.

I just don't know.

[quote=dark_heart_x;2961989]On the ADD quiz here at PC I get:


But, some of the questions fit into my bipolar.

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

For example, talking too much to people / interrupting / answering questions before they are done are all a huge part of my pressured speech. I have horrible pressured speech problems. I find myself not being able to shut up quite often, even when I desperately want to. I've been like that since childhood.

I'm really quiet around people I don't know, then after I get to know them, it is like a switch flips and I can talk on and on, even when I want to stop I don't know how to exit the conversation... If I am in a pressure situation, like public speaking, meeting, interview I can just draw a big blank, even if I know the topic well. The Adderall has helped a bunch in both of these areas...

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Also, with mania and racing thoughts I leave a lot of projects unfinished.

I just don't know.

I know the racing thoughts well, too... Especially at night. The slide show of thoughts can keep me awake for hours. Unfinished projects (Yep, like I said) Adderall had helped in these areas too.

There are many common symptoms between ADD and BP. My primary care doctor thought I had Bipolar when I went to him about really bad anxiety attacks. I had never been to a psychiatrist before and he made the ADD diagnosis. ADD can be tricky to diagnose and it is harder to detect in girls, so I've read.

It is also possible to have ADD comorbid with BP. I've taken the OCD, BPD and Anxiety quizes and all scored in the "Likely" range.

I had not taken the PC ADD test, so I just did...

You scored a total of 42
Inattention Subscale: 21
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Subscale: 21

The good news is ADD is one of the easiest to treat and the meds work well and are immediately effective.

[faerie_moon_x]

Yeah, but I have no health insurance. We already are not getting my husband's adderal which is $400 for a 30 day supply. So, even if I have that, it's not anything I can do about it.

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Yeah, but I have no health insurance. We already are not getting my husband's adderal which is $400 for a 30 day supply. So, even if I have that, it's not anything I can do about it.

Have you priced out generic adderall (Amphetamine Salts) or generic Ritilan? I pay about $50 a month for my generics and my insurance saves me like $50. So $100 total without discount. Just a thought...

There are other dietary things you can do to help the ADD symptoms. Omega3 Fish Oil, lowering sugars and carbs help too. Caffeine helps, of course and exercise in the morning and evenings really help because of the brain releasing dopamine during the exercise. Get plenty of rest too. I know this sounds all generic, but I can tell a difference even while taking my Adderall. The more you learn about ADD helps too. I'm aware of when some ADD traits are showing.

I hope things improve for you

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Hello, I'm sorry this is sort of long, I tried to keep it short as possible.

I have bipolar and usually don't post here. I have bipolar and my husband has ADD.

One of my big troubles with bipolar is I am losing my cognitive functioning. I used to have amazing focus, memory, and attention to detail. That is all going away. It's hard to me to focus even when there are no distractions. Once I am distracted, it's hard for me to go back and remember what I was doing.

It's hard for me to read long paragraphs or stories. I used to read novels, devour them. Now, it takes forever, I have to re-read.

My attention to detail is gone, too. I make tons of mistakes. I get in trouble at work because I "don't work accurately." I often can't even notice the mistakes I make or realize I'm making them, and going back and checking is really hard.

Here's the funny thing... my husband who has ADD doesn't have any of these problems. His attention to detail is amazing. He's so tuned in to our surroundings he can tell when a light is about to turn yellow. He's always right. He doesn't make errors, lose his things, forget the window is open, etc. etc.

His common phrase to me is... "Pay attention!"

So, I'm confused. I feel like I'm the one with ADD and not him.

Hear you. Have the same problem. You have to roll with it. It sucks, I know.

[faerie_moon_x]

Generic is like $370 out of pocket.... without any insurance there isn't anything in that area. Since it is controled, there is no patient assistance program for it, either.

We have been changing our diets. Eating a lot of fish and more veggies, etc. Caffeine doesn't ever seem to have an effect on me in any way. But he really seems to be helped by energy drinks. He also chews gum when he really has to focus. (Which studies proved what we already knew.) I can't seem to focus regardless of the time of day. He focuses on things he enjoys, I can't really do that even. I'm just all over the place. As some would say, I'm a mess 24/7.

I can't even focus long enough to put on make-up in the morning. It makes me angry trying to put on things like mascara. Reading is tough, I muddle through. I think the only reason I can write a long post is because of my pressured speech, LOL.... >.<

[Silent Void]

Ritalin. Bad, bad, bad. Causes psychosis in some. Be careful.

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

Ritalin. Bad, bad, bad. Causes psychosis in some. Be careful.

Oh, good to know. I have issues with psychosis already so that might not be a good option for me.

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Oh, good to know. I have issues with psychosis already so that might not be a good option for me.

Are there any costco's in your area? I receive a 30 day supply of generic adderall from them. I take it twice a day so I get 60 pills a month. Normal cost for the generic at costco in my area is 54 dollars. Costco also has a free program you can enroll in that some times takes the price down a little more. I enrolled in the program and it brought the price of generic adderall down to 49 dollars for me. I am on 20mg IR adderall(generic), XR adderall is quite a bit more expensive since only one company is allowed to make a generic. But they are still affiliated with the parent company who makes brand name adderall, so it costs so much more XR. I bought one 30 day supply of XR and it was 115 dollars and it was not as effective as IR.

Sorry for your hard times. I wish you the best of luck!