Oh yes they do. When you find the right med it can open up the world to you! When I started Stratera I didn't know what to do, lol. It was a wounderfully huge change for the good. I also use natural therapies as well.

i AGREE WITH PEACE, THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME AS WELL HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT JUST NEVER DIAGNOSED TILL RECENTLY ! I JUST THOUGHT I WAS DUMM AND HAD A HARD TIME DEALING WITH IT I SO MOST OF MY LIFE I SELF MEDICATED, BUT SINCE I GOT ITO THERAPY AND MEDS I COPE WITH THINGS MUCH BETTER IAM ON OXAZEPAM, AND WELLBUTERIN. SO FAR SO GOOD EVERY ONE CAN BE DIFFERENT WITH ADJUSTING TO THEM GOOD LUCK TO U.

Hello linalg1 - There are many different medications available for the treatment of AD/HD and ADD. Were medications recommended to you? The benefits of medication treatment are a very individual experience. It takes a well-trained doctor with an expertise in AD/HD meds to do a great job for his or her patients. When I first took ADHD meds, it was like turning on a light switch - absolutely amazing difference. Over the years, the ROI for taking the meds has become less and less. I found the need for new treatments such as neurofeedback - both EEG and HEG. Doing well from them.

There is a study that was done some time ago, the MTA study - longitudinal study about ADHD and medications. Sorry I don't have the link right now, but you should be able to find it online.

Oh yes.....meds can make all the difference. I was only diagnosed with ADHD 4 mths. ago......for 20 yrs, I was told it was major depression. But then I found a new psychiatrist, and he dx me with adhd with depression. Prescribed adderall, with only 20 mg. prozac at night, and voila ! I am a new person !! Most of the drugs for ADHD are controlled substances, so you must be monitored closely. But, I have my life back and can handle so much more of lifes challenges. Good Luck.......

Hi Sadall - What a great share! Thank you. I love to hear that there are doctors out there who understand diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADHD and co-existing conditions. How fortunate for you to have found such a doctor. I hope that life continues to go well for you.

ADD/ADHD specialists are a gift from the highest and the meds are their soldiers.... they do amazing things only meds can do.

I started Concerta 27mg OD daily along with 20 mg of Prozac and what a difference it makes. My first day on the meds I read a whole book in one day. I havent finished a book in over 10 years!!! The meds to take some getting used to. I felt stoned the first day i took them. Also, my med is supposed to last the whole day but it doesnt! I will soon be starting another med in the afternoon to supplement the COncerta! It doesn't feel so great when it starts to wear off!

Most importantly- document how your feeling each day, and when side effects appear so your doctor can adjust your medication accordingly!

Good luck!

I am now a 53 year old nurse who works with special needs children. I was diag. at 38 with ADHD and biploar I take ritilan I went from receving C D's in high school to A's and B's in nursing at 38. I still take my meds daily I also take lexapro and Zyprexa also they have a book on ADHD writen exspecaially for women it is worth reading. God bless karen

Meds are good, try them. But there is nothing compared to that knowledge can brings. Books can do a lot of good ( permanent, and no side effects).

The more you know about ADD, the more you will understand yourself, and more likely to have compassion for your mess and your complex life (and for others for being so slow).

Hi ~ just joined this group. I was diagnosed with ADD at age 65 by my psychiatrist, after jokingly telling him how I had a million projects going at one time, couldn't find anything, etc., etc. All my life, I thought it was just my personality type. He had me read two books to see if I found myself reflected in the content, (oh yes I did!) and then started me on dextroamphetamines. My life has become as perfect as it can humanly be, and I will forever be grateful for my doctor and the meds. He said he prefers to prescribe this med because the dosage can be self-regulated, which is a real plus. The other wonderful advantage of this med to me personally is that I also have fibromyalgia and have lived for nine years with zero energy. I have a "normal" person's energy level now, and wow, it feels great. And I'm actually following through on plans and projects now. Good luck to all of you! And, yes, read the books...full of good tips and encouragement.

I see here a lot of encourage ment and most important a doc with experience in the disorder. I ahve hope I can get my fiancee on some meds because I can see where the ADHD is litterally compromising his potential. I had him go for an evaluation for ADHD and have heard nothing. I guess I need to litterally request a followup and explanation of the findings cause all sehe told him is she'd have to check with his other counselor. Guess this will be a pull teeth kind of solution for him.

Hey All,
I just joined the group today and I am warning you that I have a LONG response, but if you have time, please read it b/c I believe in support and although I've had ADHD all my life, I am new to the medication thing.

Again, I have had ADHD all my life and was re-diagnosed as having AD/HD (of the combined type) about five years ago. Because of my upbringing and the ignorance my parents and others had concerning ADHD, I was never on medications. I used to drown myself in books when I could just to try to self-medicate if you will, by trying to teach myself how to focus. I tried hard all my life to get my brain to function right, if you will. I was somewhat successful as I am an overachiever, but I have definitely had my struggles and the OLDER I get, the more I struggled.

I refused medication, treatment or ANY type of assistance (like extra time on test, etc) throughout high school, college, etc. As a result, my SAT and LSAT scores suffered and I was always short of being that HONOR roll student per say that my parents and everyone else expected me to be because they thought I was so smart because of how they felt I performed in school. They had NO IDEA how extra hard it was for me, the extra work I had to put in and master, or what my mind/brain went through trying to be successful (b/c I had this dream of being a lawyer since I was about 3 years old--after watching the Cosby show as a kid and miraculously, I can remember back to the age of 2).

At any rate, I start taking the extra time on test during my second year of law school but was still ANTI-medication because of the negative and ignorant thoughts of the people who surrounded me. I have taken the California Bar exam twice and was unsuccessful. The last time I missed it by 16 points and I had just had my 2nd child, experienced a lot of stress, my husband was hospitalized the 1st night of the 3 day exam (yes, in California, it's 3 days) and to miss it by 16 points hurt more then I can express.

A lot of people, no matter the state, are not successful on professional exams, be it the medical boards, dental boards OR the bar exam. So to miss the bar exam, specifically California's which is known to be the hardest in the country by only 16 points is not really a bad thing. However, it devastated me because it was like yet another hurdle for me on an exam that means EVERYTHING for my chosen profession. I even have been granted the extra time (time and a half) for the exam to even out the playing field sorta speak for me.

My best friend (my husband) knows how emotional and stubborn I am but suggested the medication of Adderall. He is a health professional who has a licensed DEA # to prescribe medicine and he is not one who likes to just give out medicine like that. However, he did the research and really believed it would help me. I am stubborn and have had ISSUES even debating taking any medications b/c I felt like I made it this far without it, why take it now. Plus, in all honesty, underneath the stubborn personality is the FEAR I had because of seeing the effects of things such as Ritalin on children who had ADHD like I did growing up.

Also I was afraid of "changing" b/c of the rumors associated with people NO LONGER acting like themselves, etc. You know I like myself so the thought of me no longer being me truly bothered me. Plus, I've read so many books on ADHD, have searched things through the internet, etc, and I have always been successful without medication so I rejected my husband's concern. He suggested this a few years back when I was in law school but again, I refused.

I got really scared with the birth of my 1st son, but he doesn't have it. I also got scared with the recent birth of my second son (who is 10 months today), BUT you know what, I have heard of SO MANY success stories since I have been an adult b/c I found out so many professionals, attorneys I went to law school with or fellow MDs or DDS my hubby was in school with had ADHD too and have been successful on medication. I recently stopped breastfeeding (which was my most recent excuse for NOT taking medication) and decided for myself and my boys (my hubby and 2 sons) that I would not keep blocking a potential blessing and at least try to see if it would make a difference. I was even told that the 16 points I missed would have definitely been straight had I been on medication.

2 weeks ago I took a EKG to make sure my heart was right and I had an abnormality shown in my left atrium. FEAR AGAIN and another reason to NOT take meds. I had a stress echo test done last week and I was fine. In fact, I did really well on the treadmill (running) part and I have been trifiling in terms of working out so I was very surprised, but relieved that at the age of 30, my heart was not trippen.

Friday, I had a physical and paps, along with a clean bill of health, so my primary physician prescribed me 30mg of Adderall. She knows I am very anti and scared, so she prescribed me a months worth, i.e., 30 pills to take 1 30mg pill a day. I just started yesterday and I was emotional and scared but I decided to take this on like a new challenge, a new chapter in my life and perhaps a new outlook on my situation. I feel like I am defeating myself and my family if this could be helpful but I refuse it out of ignorance, fear, and being stubborn.

So here I am, today is day 2.. Yesterday I cried and I was a bit emotional. I didn't feel a difference but I don't know if that is because my system wasn't used to it or because I had created a mental block because of my fears. So I decided I would take them between 7 and 9 am on the weekends and 5 and 6 during the weekday. I took it this morning and felt ENERGIZED if you will. I dropped my husband off at work by6am and took my boys to the babysitter by 6:30. I am supposed to be studying as we speak and see if there is a difference. I have so much energy and I am so excited about the new change because I still feel like me, but it's like I'm a little more alert. It is TOO soon to know how well this medication works for me, but I am encouraged, optimistic, and excited all at once.

I decided to join the support group because I'm sure others are out there like me who are new to medication or perhaps just a bit uneasy about having ADHD. I am finally at a point in my life where I embrace my ADHD and I am interested in seeing how the medication plays out for me.

My mother in law suggested I write a journal entry per day for my 30 day trial period to see how I felt and if there was truly a positive and significant change. I've taken her advice and I'm looking forward to my success. I believe this is a good thing and if it works, I will continue usage throughout my study preparations all the way through the bar exam. After the bar, I will only take as needed because we are looking at possibly having another child in a couple of years and I don't want to be on that type of medication during pregnancy.

At any rate, to the person who posed the question, I am told that medications are extremely helpful. I actually have worked with children with autism, ADD, and ADHD who were on medication and I have found a way to take my knowledge and help them and it seemed like their medication along with assistance from people like me or others who desire to tutor or teach really helped them out.

I've been told by other professionals that there world changed like the moment after they took it, they could not imagine how they had been getting along without it. Me personally, that has yet to be determined, but my thing is this, why not try and see?

I was VERY against it for myself (as you can tell by what i just shared) but you know, if it does not work for me, simple, I don't have to continue taking it. But why rob yourself of what could truly be life changing without at least taking the precautions and trying it for yourself. As many have said, individual results vary BUT thus far, I am not regretting the decision to get the assistance that is given to us in the form of medication.

Thanks for reading what I had to say. I need to go and study now, lol! You all have a blessed day.

Van,
You bring hope to me. I was that way, it took me 19 years to finish my AA at a CC for GE. I want to go into nursing, but so afraid I won't get the grade I need. Maybe there's hope for me yet :0)

I was diagnosed at 9 and again at 17. I'm now 39 and just started taking meds 10 months ago. Let me tell you, I wish someone had suggested medication 30 years ago! I describe the feeling as being "switched on"! I'm able to concentrate and home life is much better for me and my family with the meds. I don't get so overwhelmed with life anymore and I am much more able to deal with conflict.

I also read the book "Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowel, M.D. as recommended by my doctor. It was like reading about me! It's a great book that discusses everthing about ADHD including meds.

Keep in mind that not everyone responds to meds the same way or to specific meds the same way. I take Focalin and it has been a God send.

I was diagnosed at 9 and again at 17. I'm now 39 and just started taking meds 10 months ago. Let me tell you, I wish someone had suggested medication 30 years ago! I describe the feeling as being "switched on"! I'm able to concentrate and home life is much better for me and my family with the meds. I don't get so overwhelmed with life anymore and I am much more able to deal with conflict.

I also read the book "Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowel, M.D. as recommended by my doctor. It was like reading about me! It's a great book that discusses everthing about ADHD including meds.

Keep in mind that not everyone responds to meds the same way or to specific meds the same way. I take Focalin and it has been a God send.