What was this thread about?....oh yeah ADHD...support group? 😅

[Diosax]

How are you adhders doing. How do you know when you need your meds adjusted??

What are your current victories and struggles

 

[Deadbed1968]

I’ve actually cut down on my Adderall recently. I was taking it full strength (2x15mg) every day an noticed than on days I was taking a break from it, my moods would be awful. So I dropped to 15mg total, and feel better

 

[Hypnobitch01]

Hello fellow ADHDers of lit!!!! Let’s all distract each other from that important thing we’re avoiding!!!!

 

[Hypnobitch01]

How are you adhders doing. How do you know when you need your meds adjusted??

What are your current victories and struggles

Just got my vyvanse upped since I was starting to struggle with attention and memory again.

 

[Diosax]

I’ve actually cut down on my Adderall recently. I was taking it full strength (2x15mg) every day an noticed than on days I was taking a break from it, my moods would be awful. So I dropped to 15mg total, and feel better

Interesting!! I've heard this.

 

[Strixaluco]

Not officially diagnosed, thus no medicated for it.

But I've used 2 meds that can also be used for adhd off-label, and though both worked, neither fit. Got on overdrive from both. And with the anti-headache med (Triptyl) I didn't even have normal minimum dose (25mg for that use) but just 10mg and it was already too much. Too little rest, too much doing. Can't understand how in some uses they can take even 100 mg.

 

[Deadbed1968]

Interesting!! I've heard this.

I have heard that you can build up a tolerance to it over time. Maybe it’s more of a dependence as opposed to a tolerance. By cutting back you reduce your dependence, in turn reducing the effect of taking a break

 

[Deadbed1968]

Not officially diagnosed, thus no medicated for it.

But I've used 2 meds that can also be used for adhd off-label, and though both worked, neither fit. Got on overdrive from both. And with the anti-headache med (Triptyl) I didn't even have normal minimum dose (25mg for that use) but just 10mg and it was already too much. Too little rest, too much doing. Can't understand how in some uses they can take even 100 mg.

I remember you saying previously that you are hyper sensitive to pharmaceuticals in general, so I’m not surprised you had such a strong reaction. That’s a shame about Tryptyl. Headaches suck.

 

[Deadbed1968]

Hello fellow ADHDers of lit!!!! Let’s all distract each other from that important thing we’re avoiding!!!!

 

[Strixaluco]

I remember you saying previously that you are hyper sensitive to pharmaceuticals in general, so I’m not surprised you had such a strong reaction. That’s a shame about Tryptyl. Headaches suck.

Thank goodness I seem to have more headaches only periodically, when having more dress. I might be able to use Triptyl for 2-3 weeks when starting a new job (eventually).

But ny sensitivity seems to be especially in regards to anything mental or nerves (whether that's the intended target or mechanism of action). And not even always then... With pain medication - nope. In fact, local anesthesia can even be patchy and tricky, I may need more, and extra time.

And that's probably connected to being neurodivergent, as ND folks often have different reactions to meds. Hypo- or hypersensitive, or different reaction altogether, or...

Oh and the patchy functioning of local anesthesia is probably a HSD or hEDS thing. Which it's also comorbod to neurodivergence - at least there's a very strong comorbodity with autism.

 

[AlexBailey]

Lifelong ADHD here, third day of taking 10mg Adderall.

I’m quickly gaining new perspective.
My mind is so quiet compared to what I’m used to.

I’ve always had a music soundtrack in my head, you could ask me at any time ‘what’s playing?’ and I could tell you what song or sometimes what combination of songs were blaring in a track of my attention. While I still have something in there it’s much less present, more like quite background music in a department store rather than my usual feeling of sitting on the edge of a live stage.

The music track has become useful as a quick way to determine whether and how well the medication is working.

Racing thoughts that seemed like 10 voices all talking at once has slowed to three or four who are all much more polite. I’m still feeling easily distracted but there are fewer unwelcome thoughts vying for my attention.

This is fascinating, and right now I’m hyper focused on it, trying to establish a target baseline.

 

[Maximsdarling]

Lifelong ADHD here, third day of taking 10mg Adderall.

I’m quickly gaining new perspective.
My mind is so quiet compared to what I’m used to.

I’ve always had a music soundtrack in my head, you could ask me at any time ‘what’s playing?’ and I could tell you what song or sometimes what combination of songs were blaring in a track of my attention. While I still have something in there it’s much less present, more like quite background music in a department store rather than my usual feeling of sitting on the edge of a live stage.

The music track has become useful as a quick way to determine whether and how well the medication is working.

Racing thoughts that seemed like 10 voices all talking at once has slowed to three or four who are all much more polite. I’m still feeling easily distracted but there are fewer unwelcome thoughts vying for my attention.

This is fascinating, and right now I’m hyper focused on it, trying to establish a target baseline.

This is exactly what happened to me when I was I first took medication. Its beautiful- the quiet. Hope your journey continues being peaceful.

 

[FreckledSprite]

I can’t believe I’m only now finding this group. I definitely don’t want to lose track of the thread.

 

[Strixaluco]

I can’t believe I’m only now finding this group. I definitely don’t want to lose track of the thread.

In addition to following (which is no guarantee) and using search, you could save a post from here.

 

[FreckledSprite]

In addition to following (which is no guarantee) and using search, you could save a post from here.

That’s a good idea

 

[Deadbed1968]

I can’t believe I’m only now finding this group. I definitely don’t want to lose track of the thread.

Welcome fellow ADHDer!

 

[Deadbed1968]

This is exactly what happened to me when I was I first took medication. It’s beautiful- the quiet. Hope your journey continues being peaceful.

Ritalin did nothing for me, but Adderall was truly a miracle. I so wish I had been properly diagnosed so much earlier in life.

 

[AlexBailey]

Day four, waking up before taking 10mg Adderall:

I woke up with my internal soundtrack playing loud once again - Dylan’s Desolation Row. It’s nearly as loud as my conscience thoughts or conversations with my wife. It’s been this way for all of my life but having new experience of a quiet mind really puts it in perspective.

I’ve noticed a difference in my ability to play guitar too. I’m suddenly able to calm down and play much more intricately and with far fewer mistakes. I’ve been able to go off-book on many songs I’ve always needed a page of chords and lyrics for.

Thoughts are racing again this morning but I seem to have an easier time of focusing on my primary train of thoughts, maybe just because I’m now familiar with what ‘normal’ is supposed to be like. I’m looking forward to taking my meds.



This experience makes me think of how so many homeless people self-medicate with meth. I never fully understood this before but I know that many people have worse ADHD symptoms than I do. Something as simple as filling out paperwork can be hell for me. Other people experience time blindness or are so distractable that their lives fall apart and they end up on the street. I know what my racing thoughts can do to me when I’m feeling down, I can only imagine how it could be for someone reflecting on a life of failures….

My wife works with the homeless population. She points out how no doctor would prescribe stimulants for someone on the street - the pills alone are worth good money but so many of them are incapable of making and remembering to show up for appointments. Many of the street people she works with are up and down, sometimes out of their minds, other times they can be completely lucid. Without medical supervision they end up all over the place and physically addicted. There are people living in cardboard boxes who have masters degrees. Two of her favorite clients who were regulars at the shelter died of overdoses in the last week when a batch of fentanyl laced meth came through. She says that when someone ODs that others will go looking for where they got ‘the good stuff’, not afraid that it may kill them because dying while you’re high is a good way out.

Sorry, heavy thoughts.

….anyway, I’m going to go take my doctor prescribed meds and see what the day brings.

 

[AlexBailey]

10mg Adderall day 5.

The music in my head is slightly subdued this morning, and rather than cover tunes it’s mostly my own compositions, though greatly embellished from how I usually ply them - I can hear a whole fucking orchestra. I’m looking forward to my morning dose.

I’ve been able to process some of life’s heavy recent issues more soundly over the last few days. I can think about sensitive issues without being bombarded by the usual racing thoughts of doubt, guilt, regret, fomo, insufficiency… Those thoughts still present themselves but they’re standing in line. I can choose which ones I want to consider at the moment and can make the others wait.

My wife and I went to a movie yesterday. I usually drive her crazy with my constant fidgeting, and while I sometimes caught my feet and fingers tapping it only took a moment to let it go and become still again.



I’d love to hear back from anyone else about their process of testing and adjusting meds for ADHD.

 

[Deadbed1968]

10mg Adderall day 5.

The music in my head is slightly subdued this morning, and rather than cover tunes it’s mostly my own compositions, though greatly embellished from how I usually ply them - I can hear a whole fucking orchestra. I’m looking forward to my morning dose.

I’ve been able to process some of life’s heavy recent issues more soundly over the last few days. I can think about sensitive issues without being bombarded by the usual racing thoughts of doubt, guilt, regret, fomo, insufficiency… Those thoughts still present themselves but they’re standing in line. I can choose which ones I want to consider at the moment and can make the others wait.

My wife and I went to a movie yesterday. I usually drive her crazy with my constant fidgeting, and while I sometimes caught my feet and fingers tapping it only took a moment to let it go and become still again.



I’d love to hear back from anyone else about their process of testing and adjusting meds for ADHD.

Mine was driven by the NP in charge of my various mental health meds. We first started with Ritalin, which is her preferred front line medication. We started at a low dose, and ramped up every week until I hit max dose with no noticeable effects. So we then switched to Adderall. Boom! Even at lower doses I saw positive results. We then ramped up the dose to where I am now (15 mg 2x day) with the rapid release version. I found I have excellent results with little in the way of side effects. The rapid release runs out around 4pm or so, but by that time, I’m done for the day anyway. I take Sunday off the med entirely.

From the sounds of it, my ADHD is not nearly as invasive as yours. My biggest issues were staying on task, and impulse control. It’s very interesting though how many symptoms I have found that actually trace back to ADHD. One discussion we had here was how many of us run into doorways when we are walking! Who would have ever thought that something so innocuous would happen to be a common symptom!

 

[AlexBailey]

Mine was driven by the NP in charge of my various mental health meds. We first started with Ritalin, which is her preferred front line medication. We started at a low dose, and ramped up every week until I hit max dose with no noticeable effects. So we then switched to Adderall. Boom! Even at lower doses I saw positive results. We then ramped up the dose to where I am now (15 mg 2x day) with the rapid release version. I found I have excellent results with little in the way of side effects. The rapid release runs out around 4pm or so, but by that time, I’m done for the day anyway. I take Sunday off the med entirely.

From the sounds of it, my ADHD is not nearly as invasive as yours. My biggest issues were staying on task, and impulse control. It’s very interesting though how many symptoms I have found that actually trace back to ADHD. One discussion we had here was how many of us run into doorways when we are walking! Who would have ever thought that something so innocuous would happen to be a common symptom!

Thanks so much for sharing this.

Yeah, I’ve always been a klutz. I think part of it is that my mind is racing so much that I’m onto the next thing in my head before I’ve cleared the doorway.

Ever been a pencil chewer?

When I was younger, I was an adrenaline junkie. The more dangerous something is the better I am able to focus on it. I have absolutely no fear of heights and I’ve always enjoyed the feeling I get when I look over the edge of a very high place. Sitting on the edge of half dome in Yosemite with my feet hanging over a sheer drop of thousands of feet produced a calm state of mind when I did it for the first time at 16. I’ve often used that as meditation point. Even now I work with a lot of potentially lethal equipment and it can still have that effect, giving me an advantage for some of my work.

My doctor has ADHD himself. He says his best friend in medical school had it too, and they were able to hyper focus competitively with each other. He has a private practice now so he’s able to take enough time to get to know his patients. I’ve also been seeing a counselor about this and have been doing a lot of research, so he gave me the pills and wants me to keep track of everything I feel and experience.

His target for me is to experiment and establish a baseline so I have something to aim for, then to reduce the medication to figure out what the minimum effective dose is for me.

I’d rather not take meds on a long-term basis but if I need to, I will. The short time I’ve been on it has been life-changing already.

I actually think 10 mg might be too much - although it calms my mind, I was beginning to feel a little bit of speedy tension in my shoulders and neck. But that might just be due to feeling sick - I seem to have caught the flu yesterday. I skipped taking adderall today but it’s hard to know the effects under these conditions.


My oldest son went through similar medication trials for bipolar disorder. Once he established a baseline perspective he was able to learn to self-regulate effectively. Although it’s a very different condition, a lot of the process is very similar.

 

[Deadbed1968]

I am a bit of a walking pharmacy. When I walk into CVS it’s like Norm walking into Cheers. Fortunately most everything is not severe, or debilitating. Just incredibly annoying.

I didn’t actually get a diagnosis of ADHD until I was 48. I was lucky in that I learn very quickly, so I managed to get through school with good (not great) grades. However I know I would have been so much better off if I had been diagnosed when I was younger, but nobody knew about ADHD back then.

I’m also very lucky that all of my various medical caregivers actually listen to me. I really have an excellent group of doctors. I always do a ton of research on whatever is going on. I’m an engineer, and being able to have a deep dive With my doctors is a huge help

 

[Strixaluco]

I’m also very lucky that all of my various medical caregivers actually listen to me. I really have an excellent group of doctors. I always do a ton of research on whatever is going on. I’m an engineer, and being able to have a deep dive With my doctors is a huge help

Being able to really work with your doctor brings so much better results with chronic issues that you know quite a lot of yourself. I've met too many doctors that don't care to explain much, or don't really listen much.

 

[AlexBailey]

(This post was written over a 90 minute period)

I’m finally back on my feet after nearly a week with the flu. I’d stopped taking ADHD meds since my last post but now I’m back to checking out my newly Adderalled brain.

I’m going to try a 5mg dose and see if it makes any difference.

I woke with bluegrass blaring - as loud as conversation. At least it’s a song I like! But unfortunately since it’s one I don’t know very well it’s mostly just a few lines and licks repeating over and over.


I shotgunned the first season of the Netflix show The 100 while I was sick - fun sci-fi. It’s set a hundred years after a nuclear apocalypse, earth is on the mend. People from many nations had been surviving in a conglomeration of space stations but failing life support systems are forcing them to return to the planet. A drop ship is dispatched and when it lands on the surface one of the first things said is “Whoa listen. No machine hum.”

In the hour since I took my 5mg the music in my head has turned down a couple of notches, and more of it is playing than just the same tight loop of words and licks. Unlike when I woke up I can now picture the fingering of how to play some of the licks on guitar.

….ah there. I can now hit pause. Maybe I can change the music? Yep! Done! Now I’m “listening” to Leonard Cohen.

 

[Deadbed1968]

(This post was written over a 90 minute period)

I’m finally back on my feet after nearly a week with the flu. I’d stopped taking ADHD meds since my last post but now I’m back to checking out my newly Adderalled brain.

<snip>

Your auditory symptoms are so wild! It’s like your life has its own soundtrack!