Diagnosed at 40

[Dennis Stork]

Greetings ADDer world!

I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 40 while being helped with my adult child of an alcoholic, ACOA, issues.  It sure did explain a lot especially why I could not complete tasks.  I contacted an ADD group back then, which was 40 years, but those people were parents with children that were ADD.  Now there are books on adults with ADD.  

I heard that there were drugs that could help me.  A doctor prescribed Cylert, similar to Ritalin and was skittish to do so because it was a controlled substance.  Like many ACOAer, I am an alcoholic in AA.  My AA sponsor was wary of my taking Cylert.  It only lasted a few days.  It sped me up and did nothing for my ADD.

There is no H, Hyperactivity, in me.  I almost wish there was.  The activity could help me with my weight.

Hoping to hear from others,

Dennis

[Sabrina A]

I was dx with ADD at age 38, after learning about ADD for my son. Looking back, my sister was ADHD & is bi-polar. My dad agrees he'd have been ADHD, and I recently found out had been dx as bi-polar as well on at least 2 occasions.

I managed in childhood only through having a daily routine, which helped me get good grades, which fed into sticking to the routine. OTOH - it was a Daily Routine, which of course ended when school did. Once I became an adult, I became very "type A". Now I know why.

Upon learning more about ADD & ADHD for my son (who failed to respond much or for long w/ Ritalin/Concerta, but has done wonderfully on Vyvanse), I tried meds as well for those days I really need to stay focused. Adderall gave me horrible insomnia & little to help focus, Vyvanse did the same for non-focus, so I'm on generic Ritalin. Concerta worked well, but at the time it wasn't available generic.

I have a history of alcoholism in my family as well. Both grandparents on Dad's side, and my sister was a school-yard drunk. So I was very leery of taking meds - but I have found them to be very helpful to stay on task, even with the compensating methods/behaviors I'd developed over the years pre-diagnosis - including "living by my planner".

Good luck!

[Dennis Stork]

Eating.  The final addiction.  Knowledge is not the problem.  Willingness is.

Thank you for your generous offer Benjamin.

Dennis

[Benjamin Glurich]

Hello Dennis, I was diagnosed inaatentive type ADHD at 30. Concerta and counseling have helpedme a great deal. I also grew up surrounded by alcoholics and codependents. I have a mother and sister who have bi-polar disorder. I have read that some ADDers go without meds and from what I was told the meds are only a small part of the solution. i agree that a planner helps, it has helped me a lot. I also had anger management issues and some mild depression before my diagnosis and my current therapy has helped in those areas too. I have picked up the book, "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy" by Peggy Ramundo and Kate Kelly. It has helped my to better understand ADHD, myself and helped me find some ways to cope.

I am also in the final semester in my journey to become a Registered Dietitian and would be more than willing to listen to you about your weight concerns if you are interested. Thanks for sharing.

Benjamin

[Dennis Stork]

http://emotionsanonymous.org/EATwelveStepProgram.pdf

There are a lot of tools in this pdf.

[Dennis Stork]

That is a good one Wendy.  "be my own Mommy".  I never put that way but that is part of what I do.  Starting early on tasks really helps too.  The rushing to accomplish something over loads me. 

Thanks, Dennis

[Wendy Benson]

Hi Dennis,  I was diagnosed late in life too and I was relieved that there were medications I could try.   But every one I tried gave me side effects, the worst being severe depression,   So be really careful that you go slow with any new meds that are prescribed to you.  I haven't found anything that helps yet.  Luckily for me I teach preschool so my ADD isn't much of an issue.  I just have to "be my own Mommy" and force myself to finish one task at a time.  Good Luck

[doug puryear]

dennis

you're welcome.  interestingly we just watched a french movie that had emotions anonmyous in it last night - title was something romance.

doug

[Dennis Stork]

Margaret and Doug,

Thanks for the welcomes and tips.  After 20 years of ADD I am pretty good at living with it.  The fellowship of Emotions Anonymous is a big help to me.  As a truck driver it really tricky taking drugs and I do OK without them.  Getting enough sleep with my CPAP is important.  Trucking works with my ADD.  I drive in the direction I need to for as long as I can, talk to people on the cell phone with a headset on along the way and sleep when I get tired.  There is nothing to remember but my destination so it is hard to become distracted.  Works for me!

Dennis

[doug puryear]

dennis

you might try strattera, basically an antidepressant but used for ADD.  shouldnt be any issues with it if it works.and of course, strategies, like margaret is talking about.

best wishes

doug

[Margaret]

Hi Dennis, and welcome!

I too, have ADHD - primarily inattentive. I was not diagnosed until I was in my 30's. It really made everything else make sense.

I started Concerta (have since switched to Vyvanse) and it made a world of difference.

Have you seen a psychiatrist who specializes in adult ADHD? You may want to try some Vyvanse - it is what is called a pro-drug, so what you swallow in the capsule has to be absorbed into your blood stream and broken down by an enzyme to become active. This means that it is almost impossible to abuse it. I am not saying that you would, just that everyone seems to feel better about it when someone has another addiction (i.e. alcohol).

In terms of helping, there are lots of strategies to put in place as well as meds. Things like making sure that you regularly get enough sleep, proper diet (ADDers seem to do better with higher protein and lower carbs), and EXERCISE (I hate that part). Using a planner of some kind, written routines, etc. can be helpful. Lots of people find an ADHD coach very helpful as well.