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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by S.D. on July 15, 2000, at 23:19:57
Regarding that stuff about absent-mindedness, not staying on-task, starting 3 different things and not finishing anything, feeling like your running from thing to thing all day only to end up accomplishing nothing in a week...
I hope I'm not being overbroad here, but what helps the most with changing those behaviors?
"Overcompensating" by being forcing yourself to be anally organized and regimented? Other behavioral training to stay organized and to force good habits?If a stimulant does help you more than just with fatigue or sleepiness, how does it feel different than just 'stimulated'? I hope someone knows what I mean, because when I take caffeine or other non-Rx stuff, or the short Ritalin trial I once did, I think all it does is keep me more awake and alert if I'm tired/sleepy, or help me stay up all night working. I think studies show these stimulants can improve general mental quickness too. These may be good things, but they don't let me get by on less sleep over time, I don't find myself accomplishing more in the long term, and they don't address the kind of problems I described at the top of this message.
If a stimulant is "doing something special" for the ADD, will I really feel it?!?
peace and health,
S.D.
Posted by Sara T on July 16, 2000, at 2:11:36
In reply to Q for KarenB, other ADDers about focus, followthru, posted by S.D. on July 15, 2000, at 23:19:57
> Regarding that stuff about absent-mindedness, not staying on-task, starting 3 different things and not finishing anything, feeling like your running from thing to thing all day only to end up accomplishing nothing in a week...
> I hope I'm not being overbroad here, but what helps the most with changing those behaviors?
> "Overcompensating" by being forcing yourself to be anally organized and regimented? Other behavioral training to stay organized and to force good habits?
>
> If a stimulant does help you more than just with fatigue or sleepiness, how does it feel different than just 'stimulated'? I hope someone knows what I mean, because when I take caffeine or other non-Rx stuff, or the short Ritalin trial I once did, I think all it does is keep me more awake and alert if I'm tired/sleepy, or help me stay up all night working. I think studies show these stimulants can improve general mental quickness too. These may be good things, but they don't let me get by on less sleep over time, I don't find myself accomplishing more in the long term, and they don't address the kind of problems I described at the top of this message.
>
> If a stimulant is "doing something special" for the ADD, will I really feel it?!?
>
> peace and health,
>
> S.D.I can't believe it's 3 am and I'm sitting here with my bird on my shoulder answering psychobabble questions. I have told myself over and over to go to bed on time. Talk about your follow through!
Basically, the stims help keep up your mental alertness. But undoing the maladaptive behaviors you've spent a lifetime developing has to be done with therapy, or retraining and coaching. It's a relearning of more adaptive ways of doing things and you have to work at it constantly because it all falls apart sooo easily.
Sara T. (Glad to be on your list)
Posted by AndrewB on July 16, 2000, at 9:45:38
In reply to Re: Q for KarenB, other ADDers about focus, followthru, posted by Sara T on July 16, 2000, at 2:11:36
Sara,
How do stims help with the specific symptoms of BAAD.
Thank you,
AndrewB
Posted by CarolAnn on July 16, 2000, at 10:37:10
In reply to Q for KarenB, other ADDers about focus, followthru, posted by S.D. on July 15, 2000, at 23:19:57
I take ten mgs. Adderall three times per day. It helped more noticeably when I first started taking it, but still is better then nothing. I tried Ritalin, but it didn't do much accept give me a little 'high' that got me wanting more and more(it was addictive for me). With Adderall, I do get a boost of energy, but I also feel some mental clarity that I don't have otherwise. I would not say that Adderall increases my organization skills, but I would say that it helps me direct and maintain my focus in whatever direction I need it to go. I still have a tendancy to scatter, but Adderall helps me to use my 'will' to pull my mind together and stay on task. That said, I do have to say that the Adderall is becoming less effective over time and I have been taking the doses closer together, to increase effectiveness. So, now I'm going to see my Pdoc and look into Provigil and if that doesn't work, Adrafinil. Hope this helps! CarolAnn
Posted by SadSuzie on July 16, 2000, at 14:25:16
In reply to Re: how Adderall helps me...., posted by CarolAnn on July 16, 2000, at 10:37:10
Hi CarolAnn,
I too take Adderall, but at 5 mgs three times a day. If I move it up to 10 I get too antsy. Have you tried Dexedrine? I've done some reading and it seems to help more with the organizational issues - but I don't know since I've never heard from anyone that has tried it.
Another positive on Adderall, at least for me, is it doesn't kill my appetite. I can't afford to lose any weight. I'm wondering if Dexedrine might have more of an appetite suppressant, and if so I couldn't take it. Any thoughts?
> I take ten mgs. Adderall three times per day. It helped more noticeably when I first started taking it, but still is better then nothing. I tried Ritalin, but it didn't do much accept give me a little 'high' that got me wanting more and more(it was addictive for me). With Adderall, I do get a boost of energy, but I also feel some mental clarity that I don't have otherwise. I would not say that Adderall increases my organization skills, but I would say that it helps me direct and maintain my focus in whatever direction I need it to go. I still have a tendancy to scatter, but Adderall helps me to use my 'will' to pull my mind together and stay on task. That said, I do have to say that the Adderall is becoming less effective over time and I have been taking the doses closer together, to increase effectiveness. So, now I'm going to see my Pdoc and look into Provigil and if that doesn't work, Adrafinil. Hope this helps! CarolAnn
Posted by CarolAnn on July 17, 2000, at 9:45:40
In reply to CarolAnn and Adderall, posted by SadSuzie on July 16, 2000, at 14:25:16
Suzie,
You definitly would not want to take Dexedrine, because it actually use to be prescribed as a diet drug, so it does kill the appetite. Actually, Adderall cuts my appetite quite a bit, which is good, I need to lose about 20 pounds. I initially talked to my Pdoc about Dexedrine, but he prefers Adderall, so I don't think he would prescribe the other. You are lucky that Adderall is effective for you at such a small dose. Even though it is losing effectiveness, my dose is at a level that my Pdoc will not increase. Which is why I'm thinking about alternatives such as Provigil or Adrafinil. Sorry this post wanders a little - pointwise, it's that darn ADD again! Take care! CarolAnn
Posted by JudithC on July 18, 2000, at 9:21:15
In reply to Re: CarolAnn and Adderall » SadSuzie, posted by CarolAnn on July 17, 2000, at 9:45:40
> Suzie,
> You definitly would not want to take Dexedrine, because it actually use to be prescribed as a diet drug, so it does kill the appetite. Actually, Adderall cuts my appetite quite a bit, which is good, I need to lose about 20 pounds. I initially talked to my Pdoc about Dexedrine, but he prefers Adderall, so I don't think he would prescribe the other. You are lucky that Adderall is effective for you at such a small dose. Even though it is losing effectiveness, my dose is at a level that my Pdoc will not increase. Which is why I'm thinking about alternatives such as Provigil or Adrafinil. Sorry this post wanders a little - pointwise, it's that darn ADD again! Take care! CarolAnnHowdy,CarolAnn......
Are you going to consider taking the Provigil?
My doctor is at present asking me to try it and I am almost reluctant to switch from the Adderall to the Provigil as I have been through the mill dosing on so many various drugs. Should you decide to try the Provigil,would you please let me know?Take care,
JudithC
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