ADDConsults.com

radhere · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: U.S.A.

I am 44 yrs old male from U.S.A. I was diagnosed with bipolar 12 yrs ago, curently taking depakote2000mg, effexor75mg, trazodone150mg, valium15mg, I have been poked and prodded with every med you can think of over the last 12 years. 2 years ago my daughter was dignosed with ADHD and is taking adderall xr15mg and zoloft 50 mg daily, and it has worked very well, her grades have improved and she is much calmer now and has friends. I did a tremendous amount of reading about ADHD in adults, and read many many of peoples stories about their life. My daughter only takes her adderall only on school days. The stories Ive read looked liked I had written them about my own life as a kid and growing up and into adulthood, One day I made the decsicion to try her medication, I know this was very wrong, and should waited till I had a proper diagnosis. I see a therapist 2 time a month and a phyciatrist 1 time a month, he said he would treat me but has to have a certain type of test done despite all the information my therapist has given him, its been months looking. But when I tried the adderall within 30 mins. it was if a light switch had been turned on, I stayed on the med and ramped up to 30mg slowly over a four week period. For the first time in my life I was CALM, didn't need valium, I also watched my blood pressure very close 10 time a day at least with no changes. I had no panic attacks, no agoraphobia, no social aniexty, no depresion, for the first time in 37 years I was able to go to crowded stores socialize with people, have good conversations with my wife, I was no longer moody, I had a very bright outlook because it was if it were a miracle had happened, all my life i wasted, dropped out of school frequent job changes, till I got to the point I was put on disabilaty and unable to work. I ramped back down 10mg at a time to avoid any complications, and got off of them, i didn't deprive my child of her mediation. I'm at a point that I dont know what to do, I cant go running to my doctor and tell him what I did, Its against the law to do what I did, but I found out their is a medication that can finally give me my life back that I never seemed to have to begin with, I just dont know what to do from here. Has anyone been in any simaler situation? Need someone to talk to about this. Thank You

BeckyW · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Carlton, OR

Hi radhere,

Wow..............you've really been through the wringer haven't you? I feel the same way most days........until I hear stories like yours and then I realize that my situation is not so bad.

The bottom line is that the Addreall worked. Can you ask your regular doctor to let you give it try for a month? As wrong as it might be, you're not the first person who has ever tried their kids' medication and I'd be willing to bet you won't be the last. (I've been tempted to do it myself.)

I think the concern with some doctor's is that people will be abusing the stimulant medications. (What are you taking the Depakote for? The name is familiar but I can't remember what it's used for.......)

Distinguishing ADHD from Bipolar can be tricky - as you probably know from your reading. They can look very similar and take a very knowledgable doctor to determine what's what. They can also co-exist.

I'm currently taking a bipolar medication for mood stabalization. It's Lamictal and was originally used for epilepsy and bipolar, but has provided benefits for depression and anxiety in some people. I have very strong emotional reactions. I normally can keep things inside, I mean I don't explode and rant and rave at people, although sometimes I probably should........but it's a real problem for me and the Lamictal seems to be helping. I just started on Adderall about a week ago and am only taking 10mg right now........I'm not noticing anything yet so Tuesday I'm supposed to increase it to 20mg........and I'm getting off the point....

If you know that the Adderall works, and it sounds like you do, then I would consider telling you GP that you tried your daughter's medication. A good doctor should be more concerned for your health and well being and realize that perhaps you're NOT getting the correct medicines for you. If not, you might need to find another doctor.........what is the test he says he needs you to take? Perhaps you can find a way to take the test sooner rather than later....?

Hang in there............at least you KNOW that there IS something that works for you. I've been waiting for a ADHD prescription for months and have had to wait for the depression to be treated first.......and the antidepressants actually made me worse. I know it makes it harder to wait when you have knowledge of someting that makes it better........but be patient a little longer.............

Keep us posted!

Becky

Iktomi · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

I second what Becky says.

Sounds like you need to have Neuropsych testing done - I'd talk to your psych &/or GP and get that (or whatever test your doc believes you need) scheduled ASAP. It may well be that you've been misdiagnosed and are on the wrong meds.

And quite frankly, any doc that will let you wait months for a proper diagnosis needs to be replaced.

Kaiti
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Aude Aliquid Dignum

FruitBat · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 17 Location: MI

A big ditto on what everyone else said. Get tested. And as Becky said, your probably not the first nor will be the last, to test their kids meds. If your doc is that uptight get another one. They should be interested in your welfare. Hang in there and stay tenacious-you'll find what you need. Just keep looking and asking questions and reading.
FruitBat

radhere · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: U.S.A.

I'm finally getting tested for adhd/ add on april 18th, so I should know for sure I will keep you all posted on results, I can't tell my doc about my dabbaling with unprescribed meds, if I had to do it over again I would not have done it. thank you all for your input!!!!!!!!

Iktomi · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 27

I think you should really consider finding a new doc. If you can't tell them about the things that pertain directly to your health and well-being, well, how the heck can they treat you?
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Aude Aliquid Dignum

joeypruett · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

i empathize. i'm looking for just a bit of contentment, and maybe the ability to enjoy a book or watch a movie some time. i'd really like to be able to focus and remember enough to enjoy my job, too.

i'm AD/HD, the inattentivie type, i believe, and i'm bipolar. i'm being treated with wellbutrin for both AD/HD and bipolar - i've only been on the meds for a few days, and i pray they work. i was on lamictal for BP and strattera for AD/HD, but developed an alergic reation to and the strattera caused horrible constipation (i'm already IBS-C). i felt strattera, at the colon-crippling 20mg, was starting to help. but, alas.

this adderall has my interest piqued.

best wishes mate, let us know how it goes.

-joey

dw · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

similarity in "borrowing" meds - go to your physician, explain as you have here... as my counselor once said, "whatever works for you...just have to get those whom are uniformed, informed". good luck! Wink

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debby