Adults with PI, do you have 1 or 2 signs of hyperactivity?

[Christine]

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD PI at the age of 43. Once I started taking medication, it was if a light switch was turned on! Over the following months, I was able to connect a lot of dots. I was suffering from chronic headaches (myofascial) due to TMJ and clenching which to oral device could stop. I actually broke my teeth from the clenching in to the device (NTI).
I was also treated for back pain/hip pain on my left side(myofascial). My headaches were also on the left side.
Once I started meds, I noticed my clenching and muscle tightening...even toe scrunching that I never even noticed before (even though all toes are totally distorted).
Are these some signs of hyperactivity? Do any of you PI's have 1 or 2 symptoms of figits or impulsivity? Thanks in advance for your response!

[Jae Adams]

Primarily inattentive is just that.. primary (thanks for clearing that up, lol!). It is secondary to have hyperactivity, just not as frequent or as noticed because most of the time those with ADD, primarily the inattentive type (such as myself) are in a fog, seem to be daydreaming, zoning, whatever you want to call it. I've also broken three of my molars which are by the way, the hardest bones in your body... due to clenching. However mine was due to stress... and prior to meds. Most of the time I can be found stretching elastic bands, hair ties, spinning my bracelets, tapping my pencil, doodling or some other seemingly mindless activity that shows the hyperactivity... and of course there are times when I'm over-stimulated and very hyperactive. I just can't figure out which mode is more difficult to focus in when I'm in it's midst. We all have our own quirks, if you will, as to what we do in our hyperactive moments. It's just secondary as compared to our hyperactive "cousins" who are (almost) always on the go.

[Tess]

This is such an interesting question for me. I was absolutely not hyperactive or impulsive until I started caffeine. I was incredibly inattentive. A space cadet, in my own world, living in my head, etc. Once I started drinking lots of coffee, my inattentiveness changed. I now can focus pretty well but I also have periods where I am so hyper that my family looks at me and says "Oh my God, do not even THINK about going near that coffee pot". The impulsive symptoms also come at times from out of the blue. I cannot figured out if I have 'morphed' into a combined type or if the caffeine just makes me a combined type. Tess

[Dana Arcuri]

Tess, I NEVER used to drink coffee or too much caffeine, until 10 years ago when I was traveling alone. I was driving 7 hours in my car, feeling rather sleepy and I felt concerned that I may fall asleep at the wheel. I began thinking about what truck drivers must do to maintain their attention while driving long distance.

My first thought was, "No, I do not want to take drugs or speed so what are my other options?" Then I began thinking about possible options for helping me to stay awake during my long drive. Suddenly, it hit me, "COFFEE!" But then I remembered that I do not like the taste of coffee and I never drink coffee so I knew that I had to come up with another choice.

Just then, I drove past a sign on the turnpike that said, "STARBUCKS" and I decided to check it out for something flavored, instead of regular coffee. I ordered my very first grande mocha latte, which had me TOTALLY ALERT, AWAKE and ARRIVING HOME EXTRA EARLY!

From that day onward, I have been a huge Starbucks fan and I love flavored latte's. (Of course, I do not like the extra expense, but it sure taste great!) My family teases me about posting a bumper sticker on my car that says, "I MAKE FREQUENT STOPS AT STARBUCKS!"

I had no idea that the reason I probably loved the Starbucks was because it was the first thing that helped me to think clearly and to pay attention!

[Tess]

I had a Seventh Day Adventist Friend who once tried to take my Espresso maker. My family told the women that if she did not put the espresso machine down, they feared that I would wrestle her to the ground and hurt her. I would not have wrestled her but she absolutely was NOT leaving with my espresso machine!!

[Christine]

LOL!! So many ADHDers LOVE that caffeine, myself included. We also like it STRONG!!

[Dana Arcuri]

Tess, I wish that I had an espresso machine! Where did you buy this and are you able to make different coffee beverages with it? What is your favorite coffee beverage?

I am all about "flavors" so I love latte's, especially mocha, espresso chocolate truffle, gingerbread, vanilla and pumpkin spice!

Yes, Christine, I agree that we do prefer our caffeine to be STRONG! I love potent coffee!

[Sabrina A]

Until recently, I couldn't stand coffee, any flavor, brand etc. I got my caffeine from soda or in the past 8 yrs, Chai lattes (chai tea = nasty). I read up on how to acclimate myself to coffee (and beer) as they're cheap & plentiful in social situations.  I have a few Sbux flavored coffee lattes I can tolerate, when I have the $ to take a chance. Still no luck on the beer.

In past year, found a pre-mixed Chai latte powder @ Wegmans... 8 pkts (8oz prep), same calories, box = price of 1 Sbux latte. It helps.

[Bryan Hutchinson]

This is an interesting topic. I discovered coffee around the age of 30 and haven't looked back since! However, I must admit I drink far too much coffee, but since I am also primarily inattentive it explains why I was hooked on Pepsi and Coke sodas through-out my young adult life (until I started drinking coffee)! Like some of you have mentioned already, I also have some hyperactive traits that are not controllable, such as Restless Leg Syndrome. I am also very hyper mentally, although you would never notice it just by looking or observing me over time, but my output on things I enjoy tells the tale :)

[Kerri]

I understand about the constant clenching of some part of your body, Christine! I noticed this is my mid 20s when I began to have TMJ pain. I had headaches (also myofascial) since I was in 4th grade or so. I HAVE to clench something (a muscle) in order to focus. I am now almost 45 and still clenching, but not as much. I had braces back when the TMJ was bad and that solved the TMJ. I then had a healthy bite to clench down on :) I've also learned to release: partly with relaxation techniques and partly thru medication. I have an anxiety disorder (started late 20s) and so I take meds that help me not clench so much. Haven't broken any teeth LOL. If you search on Sensory Integration you will see that the muscle action can be necessary to think for some of us.

[Kerri]

Ah, THE CAFFEINE! I am a coffee addict AND a Diet Coke addict. I started the coffee in my 40s! I was hoping to reduce my diet soda input, as it's probably bad for my brain. Oh well, instead of replacing the soda, the coffee just added to it and I'm always drinking SOMETHING. Don't get me too far from a restroom :)

[Christine]

Oh Kerri, I am not alone!! I found that stimulants completely took away the jaw clenching. I can now see when I do it and stop...the same with food...control impulses. I never thought about sensory integration. Thank you! I'll read in to it! What meds are you on?I have been having a tough time finding the right combo.

[Kerri]

Christine, I'm not your classic ADDer, whatever that is! I have bipolar II and anxiety, and I can have trouble focusing. You really don't want to know my meds and supplements - too many! Anyway, I try to live a low stress life when possible (just enough stress to make life interesting - like having an ADD/LD son!) I take Provigil, which is a type of stimulant, and the insurance company always rejects it on the first try and then mine luckily approves it when the doc faxes back. I think I need it to keep me awake from the sedating effects of the other meds I take. Expensive drug! Several thousand a year if I had to pay. Side effect is that it helps me think a little better and stay awake all day. Ritalin makes me irritable, so good thing Provigil is approved...