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Posted 1/31/2013 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am starting to consider going back on ADHD medication, while it is definitely a desperate measure.... I am working full time and going to school at the same time and I feel like I am constantly saying, "What was I gonna do again?" It's soooo frustrating!! I'm sure many of you experience this, and I would LOVE to hear any input on ways that you've been coping or meds that you're currently on. It would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 1/31/2013 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
IME, medications are little help with this.

I keep lists. Work and home. I keep a calendar with both appointments in it, a hand-calendar because that way I can carry it, and see it. I still, periodically, double-book. That reminds me, need to reschedule an appointment. Better write it down.

I finished my PhD after I was diagnosed. My best tool was my kitchen timer. I would set it for an hour, and do something, writing or reading or grading, until it went off. No other interruptions. No email. No browsing. No pee-ing, or wandering to another room, or anything. Do what you are doing, no excuses. Then, break time. This is great for long-term projects, but not so good for the little stuff.

Yes, you forget stuff. I have been dealing recently with missing words, which has been somewhat embarrassing. It has been worse than usual so far this year. Take your time, and try not to let yourself get distracted.
Posted 1/31/2013 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I keep a notebook to remind me of things. Sticky notes help, too! I find I have to write down just about everything, and it sure feels good to cross them off later. :)
Posted 2/2/2013 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
A huge problem for me, too. I can wander to another room, as Myself put it, endlessly! I am putting my foot down with myself (?) and getting rid of a lot of extraneous stuff. Really, I wish we could downsize to a smaller house so I wouldn't have so much room to spread out....because I seem to have absolutely no discipline. It's not that I have so much stuff per se, but there will be Christmas decor, genealogy, receipts, old letters, etc. all mixed together.

I have a new plan, a "big box theory," - putting everything having to do with a particular subject in a big box :) It sounds like a "duh!" idea, but I have to keep trying different things, because nothing has worked so far...not files, not big envelopes, not bags...

Gee, and here you asked for help! Sorry, guess I'm not the one to help on this subject :( I hope you find something that'll work.

Debbie
Posted 2/2/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
No doubt, it is frustrating when you feel like your thought process has been hi-jacked. Some days it takes me a few trips out to the car because I forgot my keys, purse or sunglasses. I used to pride myself on my organizational skills and now just packing a suitcase has become a huge mission. My spelling has become atrocious and re-reading my posts there are days that look like I took too many meds.

Keeping my appointments straight is a high priority and I use a big calendar to write down everything. In each purse, I keep a list of all my specialists, meds, dosages and medical history. I would never remember everything if it weren't written down.
Each time I go to a doctor, I bring along a list of questions so I don't forget.

I go online and play games for the brain...days that I'm foggy a simple game of checkers can be a challenge but I think it is good for me, so I try.

Staying focused is more difficult on days where I'm flaring so I avoid doing anyrhing where I really have to pay attention. There are days I decide for my own safety and the safety of others not to drive.

Wishing you all the best...take it one fay at a time :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 2/2/2013 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have ADD plus fibro (with the "fog"). I do take 20 mg of Adderall just in the morning to get the most pressing things off my list. If I don't I get bogged down and then almost feel powerless to get anything done. Good luck, stay with your studies!
Posted 2/2/2013 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
I've never been diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure I have ADD....but it could just be Fibro Fog. When I was in school, I actually took Ritalin to help me get through the periods of writing essays and studying for tests. It did seem to help me focus better. It does get worse when I'm flaring though. I often forget things very easily or just have a hard time paying attention to things when I'm not feeling well. Sometimes I hear people talking to me, but I have no idea what they were saying to me since I start to zone out LOL. I could definitely do better with my organization skills these days, I'm slacking off in that department.
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