Hi Elaine, I began the Effexor for depression because I was suicidal. Once the therapist thought that the depression was better and found the possible root cause was the hyperfocus ADD, he added the Strattera. The really good part is that last year when the depression was deepening, I could tell it and try to stay on top of it -- and no suicidal thoughts/feelings! So, now I'm just wondering if the meds need tweaking or if actually it is my behavior that needs tweaking. Meds don't hold all the answers, right? Just like with diabetes, meds do not handle it all. Exercise and diet play a large role in that disease, and I think it plays a large role in this as well. I could be looking at the wrong thing.

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Joanna, The chart was exactly what I was looking for. My adult daughter has been on Wellbutrin for a couple of years now; we thought it was an anti-depressant. Interesting, since I've been thinking she has ADD too. Naturally we have some similarities as mother/daughter, but some of them like no sense of time, etc. are more than just the way she was reared and she could overcome that unless . . .

Thanks!

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Hey Hamster:

Thanks for your resonating comments. Your way of putting it is another way of expressing the questions that started this thread. In other words, "normal" folks may have some problems with impulsivity (e.g., rudeness), hyperactivity (e.g., fidgeting) or inattentiveness (e.g., distractions) but they don't necessarily turn to medications or inappropriate stimulating activities to solve the problems. They look to behavioral or other changes (diet, exercise, moral, etc.).

If ADHD makes our "gas tanks" (pre-frontal lobe, basal ganglia, corpus callosum & cerebellar vermis) abnormally low on dopamine, norepinephrine, structures or efficiency, then how do we fill the tanks and when are they considered full? I don't expect the engines to work perfectly. After all, non-ADDers have the problems mentioned above and tune them with non-med changes.

So, I ask, what meds and in what dosage will get us to "full" (normal)? At what level is it only up to non-med changes to tune the engine? Is it mere Rx alchemy to get to full?

Do you just work both ends (meds & other changes) to get to a "best" functioning range and stop? And, if all this mixing is going on simultaneously, how does one know whether or not a "better" mix exists?

Hmmm . . .

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Hamster said: Hi Elaine, I began the Effexor for depression because I was suicidal. Once the therapist thought that the depression was better and found the possible root cause was the hyperfocus ADD, he added the Strattera. The really good part is that last year when the depression was deepening, I could tell it and try to stay on top of it -- and no suicidal thoughts/feelings! So, now I'm just wondering if the meds need tweaking or if actually it is my behavior that needs tweaking. Meds don't hold all the answers, right? Just like with diabetes, meds do not handle it all. Exercise and diet play a large role in that disease, and I think it plays a large role in this as well. I could be looking at the wrong thing.

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ADDAWAY said: Hey Hamster:

Thanks for your resonating comments. Your way of putting it is another way of expressing the questions that started this thread. In other words, "normal" folks may have some problems with impulsivity (e.g., rudeness), hyperactivity (e.g., fidgeting) or inattentiveness (e.g., distractions) but they don't necessarily turn to medications or inappropriate stimulating activities to solve the problems. They look to behavioral or other changes (diet, exercise, moral, etc.).

If ADHD makes our "gas tanks" (pre-frontal lobe, basal ganglia, corpus callosum & cerebellar vermis) abnormally low on dopamine, norepinephrine, structures or efficiency, then how do we fill the tanks and when are they considered full? I don't expect the engines to work perfectly. After all, non-ADDers have the problems mentioned above and tune them with non-med changes.

So, I ask, what meds and in what dosage will get us to "full" (normal)? At what level is it only up to non-med changes to tune the engine? Is it mere Rx alchemy to get to full?

Do you just work both ends (meds & other changes) to get to a "best" functioning range and stop? And, if all this mixing is going on simultaneously, how does one know whether or not a "better" mix exists?

Hmmm . . .

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Yes, non-ADDers can have the same problems and correct them with non-med changes. However, those "normal" folks don't always have the problem to the same degree that those with ADHD have. We have all forgotten things, lost things, been disorganized, have trouble paying attention, etc. at times but for someone with ADD these behaviors are the "norm", not just an occasional problem. And it is important to differentiate between the two.

If I go to the doctor and tell him I am feeling tired and confused (aside from lab tests) he may conclude a number of different possibilities. Perhaps I have the flu, perhaps I have mono or Epstein Barr virus, maybe I'm just depressed, or I could have a thyroid problem or even diabetes. It is important to know what is causing my symptoms in order to properly treat it. Sure, some things can be helpful for a lot of different cases and I may need to get additional rest, avoid caffeine, exercise more, etc. Maybe that's all I need. But if I have a thyroid or diabetes problem, I'm going to need medication and other specific treatment.

In the same way, it is certainly helpful for those with ADHD to learn better organizational skills, social skills, improve my nutrition, get more exercise (which helps to focus better), and other non-med changes, But that isn't always enough for those with ADHD. Some people who have diabetes, depending on the type and severity, can make changes in their eating habits and exercise more and not require any medication. Others who do the same may still need to take medication in spite of making the changes, and some will have to take insulin, no matter what.

Some people who have mild ADHD and who live in an environment that is a perfect fit for their ADHD traits may do fine with simply learning some new skills. Others will not be able to function at their best without the use of medication. And some will even spiral downhill turning to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate, making impulsive decisions that cost them financially or that land them in jail.

I require glasses or contacts to function best in a sight-oriented world. In fact, can you believe they won't even let me drive if I don't have glasses or contacts in. Guess they can't accept that that is just who I am.

Medication is often a tool that enables those with ADHD to function at their best. And it has even been proven to reduce auto accidents in those who have ADHD! Hmm...wonder if I can get a reduced rate for taking meds? LOL

Elaine

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Guess I didn't do that quote thing quite right. My comments came out as a quote. You can tell I'm not computer savvy.

Elaine

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ADDAWAY said: So, I ask, what meds and in what dosage will get us to "full" (normal)? At what level is it only up to non-med changes to tune the engine? Is it mere Rx alchemy to get to full?

Do you just work both ends (meds & other changes) to get to a "best" functioning range and stop? And, if all this mixing is going on simultaneously, how does one know whether or not a "better" mix exists?

Hmmm . . .

When you're trying to eliminate allergens, you introduce one thing at a time. Of course, ADD impulsitivity says that takes too long. ;) All these interesting thoughts/ideas, my little wheel is whirring!

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Here are some ways that you may be able to tell that the medicine is starting to work.

As you know. Everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to meds, but you may start feeling that your attention span is improving, or procrastination improves, impulsivity lessens and if you ever feel scatterbrained that could improve too, etc. You may just start realizing gradually that you feel differently or start seeing these things change. I hope this was helpful. There is so much that I can say under this topic. I just cut it short.

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I had started Strattera in June and while it probably had been working a while, I was varnishing the cabinets in my kitchen when I noticed that the cabinets were different shades. The next session with the therapist I told him that "I noticed that I noticed" the difference in cabinets I had used for 20 years! That was 3 years ago. I know it made a difference then; I'm just not sure if I need an adjustment now.

How do you know when it isn't working well enough -- or that YOU need to work harder? Some things haven't changed in the last 3 years, so I think it could be me . . . maybe.

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