I got a message in my reps that Strattera does require a prescription. I wanted to update this to make it clearer (more clear?).

The stimulants used to treat ADHD require a "special" prescription - because they are considered a "controlled" substance. Strattera still requires a prescription, but it's easier to deal with because it's the normal kind of prescription where you can get refills and such without having to go to your doctor's office to pick up a new prescription each time.

I've seen herbal supplements which are supposed to help with adhd, but I haven't explored them for the most part. I did take a break from stimulant medications for about 2 years - and during that time my symptoms did improve when I walked to work and back (3 miles a day), cut out simple carbs, ate mostly organic and meditated regularly. I never thought sugar affected my brain function until I had been on this type of eating plan for a few months - then had some sraight maple syrup. My ADHD symptoms immediately were exacerbated.

However, the stimulant medication still does a better job. Not sure if it will shorten my lifespan. I assume if I develop heart issues at some point, I'll probably be forced to explore non-stimulant options.

I'm hoping to walk to work and back again soon, though I'm waiting for this Texas heat wave to be done. It makes a big difference in my brain function and stress levels.

Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant which my psychiatrist said sometimes helps with ADD. I was on it for a bit and I was able to focus better, but it made me super duper anxious (more so than I already am!) so I had to stop it.

Adderal addiction
 

I was diagnosed with ADHD 2 years ago and was prescribed adderal, but the dose was too much and I know from my really early years, the effects of speed. Clenching my teeth, heart racing, so went back to my doctor and asked if I could go on a lower dose, she prescribed a little lower and things seemed great. My life was back on track, I was taking college courses, getting A's, had the perfect job and was able to concentrate on tasks, getting raises and promotions, perfect right? The Adderal finally kicked my butt, I was a friggin speed freak. I do have ADHD and Adderal works, but do I want to live the rest of my life addicted to a drug or is there a way to learn how to concentrate and function without the medication? I don't have to be perfect, but I want to be normal, I don't want my mind wandering, I want to stay on track, I want to have normal conversations with people without acting like I am disinterested in the conversation, and most of all I don't want to cut off people in the middle of a conversation with what is in my own head and not part of the conversation. It is hard to make friends and be around people and have heathy relationships with women, when you appear to be spaced out, dis-interested and most of all rude.......

Personally, I didn't have much luck with herbals or Straterra, but that's just me and everyone's body chemistry is different. What works for one doesn't work for another.

I'm with you on the proper diet and exercise. Sugars and simple carbs definitely exacerbate my ADD symptoms. I walk 4 miles everyday, Pilates three times weekly, and also mix in tennis and yoga. I find I'm more clear headed, especially with the exercise, plus the endorphins help elevate my mood!

Years ago I decided to stop wanting to be "normal". That is a nebulous concept to begin with and having that as a goal never leads to happiness imho. I changed the wording in my head from normal to functional. Being as functional as I can be is a more realistic goal without the sting of judgment attached to it. However, with my myriad of diagnoses (addict, PTSD, agoraphobia, bipolar, ADD) I still have to keep my expectations more realistic. My unsolicited advice is to drop the word normal from your list of goals.

As for the addiction, all I can say is if you are only taking the amount prescribed and not taking it for reasons other than your ADD, then you are ok. If, however, you are finding yourself fiending for it, tempted to take more or are taking more than prescribed, and/or taking it for other reasons (to party, to deal with stress, etc.) then it is a problem and you should talk to your doctor about it. Above all, be honest with yourself. It sounds like you already are, and that is good. I wish you the best of luck and if you do need to take something else instead of the adderal, I hope that you find something less addicting that works just as well. :)

yeah "normal" was a poor choice of words-I am definitely not normal, nor do I want to be normal....., "funcitonal" would be the word I would choose, I just want to function, without drugs....

ADHD
 

I have not taken any medications for the last 2 mos. and although, I still have symptoms of ADHD, I would rather have the symptoms of ADHD, then the medication in my system. My mind still wanders and I do tend to be somewhat hyper at times, but the effects of the wrong medication, really made my life difficult. I would be curious to find if the Straterra would work for me, the next step for me is to check it out with my Dr.

It helps to know I am not alone and I am glad the support is here.

I appreciate this thread and the thorough information and experiences presented here. My neurologist believes I have ADD. I have never been tested nor am I on medication.

Like Nat, I have noticed a big change when sugar is added/taken away from my diet. I also notice that my sleep - the amount and quality - affects my ability to concentrate. Exercise also very much helps focus my mind.

Two things -

1) Some of the greatest minds and most innovative artists would present now as having ADHD or ADD. I talk with my students about this when we cover a section on "learning disabilities" in the introductory college skills course I teach. It's important to remember this.

2) I'm curious about how modern choices affect you. I have resisted getting a droid because of the expense and because I see it as one more tempting distraction. How have you coped in the age of the Internet, 4G, hundreds of cable channels, Facebook, pervasive advertising and so on?

Remember you hoped for this! ;-) I don't think someone having ADD or ADHD and not knowing, is that big of a deal. Since it really only affects the person who has it. The real problem, that I deal with everyday on our highways, are the ones with Shaken Adult Syndrome!! :-D

As far back as I can remember I have had a problem with keeping my consentration and focus on many things,sometimes I totaly lose my train of thought,I also fidget a lot cause its not often I sit still for long...lord knows my mind normaly goes a mile a minit.Both my kids have some for of add,my oldest was way worse than my youngest.When I was growing up there was no diagnoses for it so my doc told mom I was just an over active kid.As I grew up I just found ways to just deal with it,my oldest son took meds for it but after the meds made him a near zombie I slowly took him off it with the docs help.

ADHD affects anybody who lives with, loves, works with or in any way counts on the ADHD person. Some of us manage it better than others, but it can be frustrating for those close to us that we have so much trouble staying focused on conversations, on following up, on following through, on completing tasks, on noticing that it's been a long time since we called, on remembering dates, on knowing what day or month it even is. I will have something in my hand and intend to take it one place, then I'll get distracted, put it down somewhere weird and never notice. This happens multiple times a day. I lose my keys regularly. I lock my keys in my car regularly. yadda yadda. It's a pain to be with an adhd person in some ways. It's frustrating when people don't realize it's a real thing, and then they blame it on character flaws and attribute evil intent to absent-minded forgetfulness or differing perspectives and definitions.

It is, Nat. I have to leave keys and glasses in a certain spot or I'm lost. I also have to turn the "noise" on things and simplify, whether that means unsubscribing to some e-newsletters or closing some browser windows or telling myself to finish out a task, though the next task is already beckoning me. :-)

I was reminded today of the time thing - how I can get engrossed in life and forget that time has gone by and I haven't reached out and made necessary contact with those I care about. My grandmother sent a message through my mom that she misses me. I used to have a regular habit of going to Austin, spending the evening with a dear friend, sleeping on her floor, getting up the next day and calling my grandmother to volunteer to bring her and my grandfather a surprise lunch. I did this every month or two. Then a year ago, in the aftermath of many changes and the suicide of a mutual young friend, that friendship just burned down entirely. So I stopped this ritual and never replaced it. And so I've only seen my grandparents at family gatherings over the past year. Part of it's just the sheer cost of gas, and maybe a little is how grumpy my now dementia-riddled, bed-ridden grandfather is, but I love them both and yet I have not been there like I intended to be lately.

So I'm making plans to visit them in a few weeks' time.

Otherwise, my biggest challenges right now are mostly dealing with my house and organization and messiness. I'm happily in a job now that works way better for my brain. It's a reminder that sometimes a job that sucks is a job that sucks, and adhd may not be the entire reason you might find yourself miserable. I love my job now - thank goodness and knock on wood. This last year, I've really had to prove myself capable to myself. ADHD or not, I'm a capable person. I may not live a life that makes utter and total sense to people who have a higher degree of executive function, but I get by in my way. I'm really trying a bit harder to see the positives in my life instead of criticizing myself for not being perfect - whatever perfect actually is.

ADHD
 

I was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Subtype at around the age of 26. I had no clue that my "dazing off" and "being in my own world" could be attributed to such a diagnosis, but I was given a battery of tests (WAIS-IV, memory, impulsivity), and that was the diagnosis I was given. Symptoms have moderated now, but I still drive my partner nuts with my disorganization.

This is a podcast for supporting kids in the classroom, but I found it really pretty cathartic to listen to as an ADHD adult as well as informative.

Link

Combined type. It's actually gotten worse as I get older. My current job is so boring that I have to medicate.