I would definitely do your own research before considering meds! My number one recommendation is Dr. Amen's Healing ADD. He describes the 6 types of AD/HD in detail and treatment plans, which can be different for different types! I know you said you're combined, but I can't resist mentioning that book, I found it ever so helpful, and that was after doing a ton of reading on the internet and several other books.
Also, have you been diagnosed? In my experience trying to get a health professional who was invested in me and actually listened to me was next to impossible. The first psychiatrist I went to had me fill out a 12 question form, talked to me for 30 minutes, told me that I was probably bi-polar and he wanted to start me on an anti-seizure med. When I expressed concerns with ADHD and bi-polar having similar signs, he said that it was more dangerous to start me on ADHD meds if I was bi-polar because they would launch me into an episode. He was not interested in any further discussion, that was his final decision.
A year later after research, prayer, discussion with my husband and family I tried again-- this time with my new family doctor. After simply talking to them they prescribed me what I asked for which was Adderall and monitored me. No more psychiatrists (and I can choose who to go to for this kind of help)! Although I had to be very firm. They started asking me the bi-polar questions too. I interrupted her (kindly) and said that I had done a lot of research and thinking, I know that I am not bi-polar (which she hadn't mentioned by name), and that I was fairly sure I was ADHD.
I also had to persevere when I needed a higher dosage. I've read it's more dangerous to under-medicate than over-medicate on these because it can make you want to give up when you feel like nothing will ever work. After reading Dr. Amen's book I knew what he tended to prescribe so when I tried my dosage that was less than half of that and it didn't last more than 2 hours I knew I wasn't crazy for asking them to consider increasing it. Patience and perseverance paid off, they were convinced that I was not a drug seeker (which I was afraid of), and eventually got to the dose I am at now-- I take it twice a day (the extended release has a higher risk of complications, so we stayed away from it).
I have had great success with Adderall. SO much has improved. I will always be ADHD, but the meds make it a lot easier to focus, remember small details, and keep momentum going. I'm of the Inattentive variety which is different from the classic ants in the pants variety; I'm the daydreamer, spacing out type. There was one occasion recently that I had run out and had difficulty getting my script refilled so I went without my morning dose that I usually take at 6 am until 1 pm. It was incredible to experience the difference. Without it I feel like I am struggling through water to stay awake and not doze off just walking around or focusing on someone (unless I have something I'm interested in going on). It takes so much energy, no wonder I was so tired for so long.
So anyway, sorry for the novel, but hopefully this is helpful to someone-- navigating the medical community can be so difficult sometimes.
30 Jun 2013, 2:16 pm
