[wickedwings]

i've never had add before having depression when i was 20. my depression affected my memory retention and concentration. when my depression was under control, my memory retention and concentration got better. of course, it never went back to what it used to be before i had depression. now, in the last year and a half since i had a stroke at age 33, my depression has been at its worse, since treatments are not working for me. my memory retention is really so bad that i feel like i have alzhiemer's disease. i'm a freaking scientist and can't remember stuff. i can read something, and once i take my eyes off of it, i immediately forget what i read. it's ridiculous. my pdoc and consider add drugs, but there's a posssible risk. it could increase the risk of a stroke. i've already had a stroke and don't need another. my pdoc is researching into this. do you have any suggestions or ideas that i could discuss with my pdoc at my next appointment next wednesday, the 17th (if you're replying after the 17th, post anyway - i'm always open to ideas and suggestions). obviously, while i'm practically a scientist, my mental functioning is so bad that i'm unable to figure this one out or do research. lately, researching has srewed up my head, and needed to stay out of it. i appreciate your ideas and suggestions, and am grateful for it. thanks so much in advance. oh, i've been in psych central for awhile, but i'm new to this add/adhd forum. my version of add is actually depression-induced.

[gardenergirl]

That sounds really frustrating, I'm sorry. I hope your appointment went well. Sorry I didn't see this before. I can understand weighing the risk of another stroke, especially since you're so young when you had yours. I don't know enough about meds, but you might consider drugs for Alzheimer's, if your doctor agrees. Aricept comes to mind. I've known it to improve memory and cognition in folks post stroke or other neuro injuries. I'm not sure of the implications of taking it for younger folks, though.

I have ADHD and can't take the usual stimulants due to a conflict with other medication I need to take. I can take Provigil, which is a stimulant that's not amphetamine based. That helps my inattention and impulsiveness some, though not as much as I would like.

Finally, you might see if you could get a course of occupational or speech therapy to help you with remedial or compensatory techniques.

Good luck,

gg