Hyper

Another issue I have had all my life is ADD. I took medicine for it as a kid, eventually I didn't need the medication anymore. I had figured out how to self manage it. I could make myself focus and not get too distracted in class. After HS and College, I worked various jobs that kept me moving and on my feet. So, I never really had to sit down and focus for an entire day. When I was a nurse, the office I worked in was pretty fast paced and the doctor always kept us on the move, so I never had any issues with focusing. When I started my current job, which is sedentary work, I could feel a change. It was hard to sit still, to keep my train of thought going. I would overlook things and sometimes would forget to do some pretty routine stuff. It would just slip my mind. I really do enjoy what I do, I like my job but it was a constant battle to stay on task.

I spoke with my former doc about this and she gave me a starter pack of Strattera back in March of 2011. What a productive month! However, towards the end of the starter pack, I felt a strong shift in my mood. I could feel a depression coming over me. Anyone that knows me will tell you that is NOT in my personality. The BF was starting to get concerned and one day he asked me if I was happy being with him. I love him so much, that was the end of the Strattera for me. I refused to risk my happiness for that. I called my doctor and told her that the meds were depressing me and I would no longer take them. The next time I saw her, she said to focus on the Thyroid and put the ADD on the back burner. Once one was corrected, the other would follow. That made no sense to me, but I trusted her opinion. Well, my thyroid never normalized and the weight kept coming on.

Wednesday, when I was talking to my new doc, he disagreed. I was relieved and the ADD struggle at work has only gotten worse and worse. He asked me what I took as a kid which was Ritalin. He gave me a low dose of Adderall and told me it was very similar to Ritalin, so I should not have any mood issues. Today, is day 2 that I have been taking it and I feel fine. More focused than I have in months. Hopefully this doc will bring me the answers I have been looking for. We shall see!