Frustration
Hi Everyone!!
I was just wondering how many of you get so EASILY frustrated?? If so, how does it affect your children? I am currently being bounced from med to med and am having trouble finding the medication success I had when I first started. So, daily i feel soooo intensly frustrated with everything. Does or has anyone else experienced this? If so, what did you do to combat it? Thanks in advance for your input!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Erica Allen on -
I'm the same way and soooo snappy at times. I also have horrible PMS called PMDD that I tend to throw tantrums and yell or bark orders. It's not me, but it's what the kids see. I've not has any luck thus far getting it under control with meds. I'd love to find a way to teach myself self discipline and self control. Unfortunately, I never learned those things as a child and now I'm passing it on to my kids. I spend 2 wks of my month in complete frustration, bitter, snappy, irritable and the other 2 wks, everything rolls off my back and I could care less if the house is a mess and the kids haven't gotten a bath in 2 days. But it catches up on those other 2 wks and it's like the reality of being laid back and the fuss it's caused send me over the edge. Oh how I wish there was a miracle to create balance in my life! LOL It's a mess and chaotic, so a happy medium would be fantastic!! Looking to see in anyone else can help!
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Permalink Reply by Christine on -
Its funny, I go through periods of "whatever". I think that is overwhelm shutdown. My friend, also with ADHD, suffers from PMS PMDD. She found great success with Lamictal combined with Lexapro. It gave her a more even keel. What have you tried?
Erica Allen said:I'm the same way and soooo snappy at times. I also have horrible PMS called PMDD that I tend to throw tantrums and yell or bark orders. It's not me, but it's what the kids see. I've not has any luck thus far getting it under control with meds. I'd love to find a way to teach myself self discipline and self control. Unfortunately, I never learned those things as a child and now I'm passing it on to my kids. I spend 2 wks of my month in complete frustration, bitter, snappy, irritable and the other 2 wks, everything rolls off my back and I could care less if the house is a mess and the kids haven't gotten a bath in 2 days. But it catches up on those other 2 wks and it's like the reality of being laid back and the fuss it's caused send me over the edge. Oh how I wish there was a miracle to create balance in my life! LOL It's a mess and chaotic, so a happy medium would be fantastic!! Looking to see in anyone else can help!
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Permalink Reply by Erica Allen on
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Right now, I'm on Lactimal and Celexa. I also take Adderall IR, which I take 2 times a day. I am not sure what is going on, but something isn't right. Can't figure out if it's the celexa or the lactimal. The doctor thought it was the topamax, but I'm starting to think the Celexa is not agreeing with me. He had me on 20mgs a day and then up'd it to 40mgs a day. I got very anxious and moody, so he said go back down to 20mgs, but I'm still all over the place during my PMS/PMDD times. I actually really liked the Topamax and felt it was more effective than the Lactimal, plus I get migraines, so it was helping in 2 ways, but he felt lactimal would be better. I'm on 25mgs of lactimal right now, which I think is a very low dose and will need to be increased. I'm very short tempered and grouchy, which should not be happening now that my cycle is over. I'm also very distracted and not getting anything done, which usually only lasts during the PMS/PMDD time as well. My cycle ended a week ago and I'm still finding myself moody and frustrated. I'm also very jittery and have a hard time getting to sleep at night. Again, I thought that was the Lactimal, but now wondering if it's Celexa. The Celexa or the Lactimal is making my skin break out HORRIBLY as well, so I'll be happy to see whichever one is causing that to go. LOL I sit at the computer hour after hour after hour looking for something else that pops into my head all while I get nothing done. I wake up counting down the hours until I can put down the kids for the their nap so I don't have them fussing at me while I'm trying to read online or figure something out. I have a very severe form of anemia that I have to go to the cancer center to get IV iron infusions every few weeks, which I thought was part of the problem. Just a few weeks after starting the new iron treatments, I was hit in a horrible car accident and my arm needed a metal plate and screws put in. I was on the highest dose of pain meds of my entire life (I've had 9 other surgeries, so was shocked to be in so much pain from the plate surgery) and things got VERY VERY VERY dark at that point. I wanted to leave my husband and kids, I stopped talking to anyone, thought horrible thoughts (not dying, but just bailing on my family) and after 6 wks of this, the doctor said he thought it was the pain meds. I was put on 20mgs of Percocet every 4 hrs and that was for an entire month!! My psych. said that causes deep depression, so things did start seeming better once I was able to cut off the Percocet. BUT, he put me on Celexa in November and I've just been a very unfriendly, unloveable person to be around. This was even before the car accident. So, I'm thinking the Celexa may be the true culprit and not the lactimal. Oh how nice it would be if a happy balance could be found. I just hope it's soon! I've gotten to the point I don't bother taking my 7 yr old to school because I don't want to stress about our morning routine or clean the house because it's just going to get messy again. It's frustrating because even with my having depression (it's been the worst this past year as I have also had postpartum depression this year along with the anemia being the worst it's ever been) I've always been one to pull our life together. Now I just don't give a darn and that's not me. Sorry for the long post. It's just been a crazy last few months trying to work all of this out.
When I was first diagnosed with PMDD about 5 yrs ago, my doctor put me on Prozac. I was on that for about 3.5 years. I didn't take it during any of my pregnancies except my last pregnancy. I was hoping to ward off the intense hormonal meltdown I usually have about 5 days after having the baby. It did help with that, but then I developed very bad postpartum depression. I was increased with the Prozac, but my doctor recommended I see a psychiatrist right away. I agreed as I couldn't bond with the baby, I didn't want him and wanted to just walk out on everyone. (All of our pregnancies were intended and planned, so not wanting him was very difficult!) He was a colicky baby and just turned a year old last month. His colic is JUST NOW calming down. He's been screaming all night and day for the last year, which I imagine could cause anyone to want to run away! Anyway, the psychiatrist went ahead and changed me to Lexapro (10mgs) and put me on dextroamphetamine. The dextro worked great, but insurance stopped covering it. Then she switched me to Vyvanse because my 7 year old takes it and has good results with it, but it didn't do anything for me. Finally, she tried the Adderall IR (insurance doesn't cover the XR) and I'm on that 20mgs twice a day. I didn't care for that psychiatrist because she always treated me suspiciously, so I changed to a new doctor who I felt was more capable. He changed me from the Lexapro to Celexa and added the Topamax for mood stability. He said he felt I was dealing with post traumatic stress disorder as well. After 2 months (and in the midst of the car accident and all the other stuff) he said he wanted me to go on Lactimal instead of the Topamax because I was getting very angry and hateful. But now I'm thinking it's the Celexa causing all the problems and Topamax was never the issue. Ughh. As you can tell, I have a million and one things going on in my head! Does she take the Lactimal all month or just during her PMDD times? Also, I know it's said that women with ADD/ADHD have more severe PMS symptoms and our ADD meds are less effective during that part of our cycle, so I wonder if it could all be treated with an increase in ADD meds during those times instead of using Lactimal or Topamax? I have no idea but dread having to ask the doctor who surely will think I'm trying to tell him how to do his job. gotta love the hyperfocus we get with ADHD that causes us to research every nook and cranny to find answers even if it means we get absolutely nothing else done! LOL
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Permalink Reply by Christine on
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You're making me laugh as I see soooo much of me in your response!! I hyperfocus and research EVERYTHING whike my house crumbles around me...the need for structured stimulation, I guess?? I have heard Topomax has ALOT of side effects. My friend is very med sensitive and has a hard time taking anything. She can NO way take ADHD meds. She tried Concerta once and said she felt like she was going to hurt someone. If Dex worked. I'd do my damndest to get it. I was on Vyvanse and Prozac and felt the best I have in years. I don't know if it was toxicity or too quick of a titration, but it stopped working and actually made things worse! I see a nurse practitioner and she doesn't seem knowledgable enough to move my meds around. She will not take me off the Prozac, which doesn't go well with amphetamines...so I am VERY limited. I am going to try to find a psychiatrist that I like....not easy. I have heard Lamictal is a great med!
Hormones are a curse, aren't they? You sound like you have had a tough time. Get someone to help with the kids so you can get out or just gill out.
I also HATE trying to get the kids out of the house. I have twins and do very little with them as I can't bare it. I was just diagnosed 4-5 monthes ago and am relieved to know what all this "stuff" is. I see myself in so many women here and find solace knowing I am not alone.
Erica Allen said:Right now, I'm on Lactimal and Celexa. I also take Adderall IR, which I take 2 times a day. I am not sure what is going on, but something isn't right. Can't figure out if it's the celexa or the lactimal. The doctor thought it was the topamax, but I'm starting to think the Celexa is not agreeing with me. He had me on 20mgs a day and then up'd it to 40mgs a day. I got very anxious and moody, so he said go back down to 20mgs, but I'm still all over the place during my PMS/PMDD times. I actually really liked the Topamax and felt it was more effective than the Lactimal, plus I get migraines, so it was helping in 2 ways, but he felt lactimal would be better. I'm on 25mgs of lactimal right now, which I think is a very low dose and will need to be increased. I'm very short tempered and grouchy, which should not be happening now that my cycle is over. I'm also very distracted and not getting anything done, which usually only lasts during the PMS/PMDD time as well. My cycle ended a week ago and I'm still finding myself moody and frustrated. I'm also very jittery and have a hard time getting to sleep at night. Again, I thought that was the Lactimal, but now wondering if it's Celexa. The Celexa or the Lactimal is making my skin break out HORRIBLY as well, so I'll be happy to see whichever one is causing that to go. LOL I sit at the computer hour after hour after hour looking for something else that pops into my head all while I get nothing done. I wake up counting down the hours until I can put down the kids for the their nap so I don't have them fussing at me while I'm trying to read online or figure something out. I have a very severe form of anemia that I have to go to the cancer center to get IV iron infusions every few weeks, which I thought was part of the problem. Just a few weeks after starting the new iron treatments, I was hit in a horrible car accident and my arm needed a metal plate and screws put in. I was on the highest dose of pain meds of my entire life (I've had 9 other surgeries, so was shocked to be in so much pain from the plate surgery) and things got VERY VERY VERY dark at that point. I wanted to leave my husband and kids, I stopped talking to anyone, thought horrible thoughts (not dying, but just bailing on my family) and after 6 wks of this, the doctor said he thought it was the pain meds. I was put on 20mgs of Percocet every 4 hrs and that was for an entire month!! My psych. said that causes deep depression, so things did start seeming better once I was able to cut off the Percocet. BUT, he put me on Celexa in November and I've just been a very unfriendly, unloveable person to be around. This was even before the car accident. So, I'm thinking the Celexa may be the true culprit and not the lactimal. Oh how nice it would be if a happy balance could be found. I just hope it's soon! I've gotten to the point I don't bother taking my 7 yr old to school because I don't want to stress about our morning routine or clean the house because it's just going to get messy again. It's frustrating because even with my having depression (it's been the worst this past year as I have also had postpartum depression this year along with the anemia being the worst it's ever been) I've always been one to pull our life together. Now I just don't give a darn and that's not me. Sorry for the long post. It's just been a crazy last few months trying to work all of this out.
When I was first diagnosed with PMDD about 5 yrs ago, my doctor put me on Prozac. I was on that for about 3.5 years. I didn't take it during any of my pregnancies except my last pregnancy. I was hoping to ward off the intense hormonal meltdown I usually have about 5 days after having the baby. It did help with that, but then I developed very bad postpartum depression. I was increased with the Prozac, but my doctor recommended I see a psychiatrist right away. I agreed as I couldn't bond with the baby, I didn't want him and wanted to just walk out on everyone. (All of our pregnancies were intended and planned, so not wanting him was very difficult!) He was a colicky baby and just turned a year old last month. His colic is JUST NOW calming down. He's been screaming all night and day for the last year, which I imagine could cause anyone to want to run away! Anyway, the psychiatrist went ahead and changed me to Lexapro (10mgs) and put me on dextroamphetamine. The dextro worked great, but insurance stopped covering it. Then she switched me to Vyvanse because my 7 year old takes it and has good results with it, but it didn't do anything for me. Finally, she tried the Adderall IR (insurance doesn't cover the XR) and I'm on that 20mgs twice a day. I didn't care for that psychiatrist because she always treated me suspiciously, so I changed to a new doctor who I felt was more capable. He changed me from the Lexapro to Celexa and added the Topamax for mood stability. He said he felt I was dealing with post traumatic stress disorder as well. After 2 months (and in the midst of the car accident and all the other stuff) he said he wanted me to go on Lactimal instead of the Topamax because I was getting very angry and hateful. But now I'm thinking it's the Celexa causing all the problems and Topamax was never the issue. Ughh. As you can tell, I have a million and one things going on in my head! Does she take the Lactimal all month or just during her PMDD times? Also, I know it's said that women with ADD/ADHD have more severe PMS symptoms and our ADD meds are less effective during that part of our cycle, so I wonder if it could all be treated with an increase in ADD meds during those times instead of using Lactimal or Topamax? I have no idea but dread having to ask the doctor who surely will think I'm trying to tell him how to do his job. gotta love the hyperfocus we get with ADHD that causes us to research every nook and cranny to find answers even if it means we get absolutely nothing else done! LOL
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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on -
My poor kids must think life is hell, I get so angry and frustrated over even the smallest little things sometimes, and other times Im just fine. Its never consistent and always chaotic and it sucks! Most of the time Im just frustrated at myself mostly because I dont get anything done and I dont follow through with the kids chores or discipline or routine or homework or really anything at all and it has caused a lot of problems in my marriage and with my kids feeling resentful, and it makes me very upset with myself and then I snap over the smallest little thing because I have so much internal anger and anxiety over my own inability to do what needs to be done on a regular basis.
As far as meds go, bwahahahahahaha what a nightmare! I have bipolar disorder in addition to the ADHD and PTSD and have been on Lamictal and Celexa and Topomax and Prozac and every other damn drug known to man and am extremely extremely sensitive to medications and ADHD meds were HORRIBLE!!!! The bipolar meds made me non-functional, I literally stayed in bed hiding because I was paranoid that someone was going to kill me and didnt bathe and it was just REALLY bad and then when I was first diagnosed with ADHD I was put on Adderall and I felt like a drug addict when it started to wear off, I was climbing the walls and irritable and angry and my skin crawled and it was just BAD, so I fought my insurance company and got them to approve Strattera for me, and its not nearly as effective as the Adderall was for the ADHD symptoms and I have to take a really high dose for it to work decently, but it doesnt have the unbearable side effects, so its worth it to me.
I hate taking meds, really really really hate it, and I am working with a doctor to get to the root of the cause of my ADHD vs just medicating the symptoms with drugs that arent very effective. The way I see it is, I wasnt born with an Adderall deficiency, there is SOME cause and I intend to search till I find it.
Im obsessed with researching stuff online about ADHD and Asperger's and PTSD and all the other "issues" we have in our family and I spend an enormous amount of time hyperfocused on the stupid internet! LOL!
I dont know what the answer is yet, but I know that Im on the right track because what I have already accomplished was getting my moods stabilized without meds and Im not on any bipolar meds anymore, so Im getting closer every day...so its just a matter of time till I figure it out.
Erica--I had horrific PPD with both of my kids, I needed to be hospitalized with the first one, but there was no mental health services in the area I lived in, so I just suffered....I know how hard that is and its miserable and Im really glad you at least had the mental capacity to know you needed help and keep trying till you got what you needed and havent just given up. Good for you!
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Permalink Reply by Brandy Boulting on
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I too get easily frustrated, and lately I feel very overwhelmed by everything, resulting in many crying jags and ranting fits.
I am taking 25 mg of Adderall XR in am and a booster of 15 mg short acting in the afternoon. It does help, but it is still exhausting to be in my head all day! It is a constant battle of my brain taking me in all different directions, when I really just want to complete one task at a time. I was on 40 mg of Lexapro for six years up until last May. I was much more even keeled and quite a bit happier, but still forever disorganized and frustrated. It stopped working this past May. I was diagnosed (now I know wrongly) with depression and so that was why they started the Lexapro. Docs tried Cymbalta, but it only kept me from dizzy spells, and did not improve my attitude or feelings of anger (now I understand it was severe frustration, not anger) and depression (which I realize now was caused by the complications of AD/HD). So, they weened me off the Cymbalta and my therapist suggested I give Adderall XR a try. It has worked in the sense that I am more able to control impulses, but I still have bad days where it just all gets to be too much. Having a therapist that understands AD/HD is great, and I always feel better about myself and the situation after a session with her.
I snap at my kids on a daily basis. I can remain calm and collected for a few moments at a time, but then some stupid little thing gets dropped on the "scale" and it all tips to one side and I lose it. It's not to say that I don't have "normal" mommy moments and the children deserve the consequences and talking to that has been doled out, however, a lot of the time I end up apologizing and trying to explain why I do the things I do. It's exhausting. But you probably know that already!! :-)
Honestly, it is a daily battle of talking myself down and constantly (and I mean all the time, all day, every day) having conversations with myself about how I can solve a current problem or complete a certain task. Even with the meds, it is a 70/30 split. 70% is behavioral changes, and 30% is meds. The meds only assist in focusing, we have to do the rest. My therapist says that even with meds and behavioral changes, you will still have super bad days where you just want the world to go away and leave you be. Most days are okay, and I survive. Lately I have been in a slump, where I would really just like everyone to take a vacation and leave me alone for just a couple days. It is something we have to work with for the rest of our lives. I luckily have a husband who tries to understand my behavior, however, it wears on him as well.
So finally (geesh, took me long enough!) my suggestion is to find a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist that has experience with AD/HD in adults and set up some sessions with him/her. If you go to the CHADD site, you should be able to find some mental health professionals in your area that specialize in the field.
Hope this helped! Keep your head high and know that you are not alone.
Brandy :-)
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Permalink Reply by Christine on
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I agree with you completely about finding a proffessional, however, I went to CHADD, and they have NONE in my area!! I am going to see a "regular" therapist tomorrow and hopefully be referred to an ADHD Doc in my area. I found that Vyvanse took away ALOT of my short fuse so I could stop and think...hence much less frustration. I could see a TREMENDOUS difference in my kids. Everyone was calmer and happier. I think being able to stop and think is paramount in deflating the chaos in the house (which brings ADHD symptoms down). It is a domino effect.
My husband and (at least) one of my 3 kids have ADHD. We're going to look in to parenting/family counselling, as well. I find that sometimes the meds can make it worse when you keep switching (aggression and anger). At least we recognize our short comings and work on them!!
Brandy Boulting said:I too get easily frustrated, and lately I feel very overwhelmed by everything, resulting in many crying jags and ranting fits.
I am taking 25 mg of Adderall XR in am and a booster of 15 mg short acting in the afternoon. It does help, but it is still exhausting to be in my head all day! It is a constant battle of my brain taking me in all different directions, when I really just want to complete one task at a time. I was on 40 mg of Lexapro for six years up until last May. I was much more even keeled and quite a bit happier, but still forever disorganized and frustrated. It stopped working this past May. I was diagnosed (now I know wrongly) with depression and so that was why they started the Lexapro. Docs tried Cymbalta, but it only kept me from dizzy spells, and did not improve my attitude or feelings of anger (now I understand it was severe frustration, not anger) and depression (which I realize now was caused by the complications of AD/HD). So, they weened me off the Cymbalta and my therapist suggested I give Adderall XR a try. It has worked in the sense that I am more able to control impulses, but I still have bad days where it just all gets to be too much. Having a therapist that understands AD/HD is great, and I always feel better about myself and the situation after a session with her.
I snap at my kids on a daily basis. I can remain calm and collected for a few moments at a time, but then some stupid little thing gets dropped on the "scale" and it all tips to one side and I lose it. It's not to say that I don't have "normal" mommy moments and the children deserve the consequences and talking to that has been doled out, however, a lot of the time I end up apologizing and trying to explain why I do the things I do. It's exhausting. But you probably know that already!! :-)
Honestly, it is a daily battle of talking myself down and constantly (and I mean all the time, all day, every day) having conversations with myself about how I can solve a current problem or complete a certain task. Even with the meds, it is a 70/30 split. 70% is behavioral changes, and 30% is meds. The meds only assist in focusing, we have to do the rest. My therapist says that even with meds and behavioral changes, you will still have super bad days where you just want the world to go away and leave you be. Most days are okay, and I survive. Lately I have been in a slump, where I would really just like everyone to take a vacation and leave me alone for just a couple days. It is something we have to work with for the rest of our lives. I luckily have a husband who tries to understand my behavior, however, it wears on him as well.
So finally (geesh, took me long enough!) my suggestion is to find a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist that has experience with AD/HD in adults and set up some sessions with him/her. If you go to the CHADD site, you should be able to find some mental health professionals in your area that specialize in the field.
Hope this helped! Keep your head high and know that you are not alone.
Brandy :-)
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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on
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we are doing family counseling with the same therapist that sees my son for his Asperger's and my daughter for ADHD and its extremely helpful! Its probably one of the most beneficial things that has happened to help us as a family. She makes my husband realize that his feelings and frustrations are normal but still gives him different options to try to help it get better and she works with the kids with their issues and doing more for the family as a whole and she is actually going to start seeing me individually for my issues because I had an insurance change and my current therapist has a waiting list a mile long so I cant go into the other area of counseling yet(she works out of several offices and each one has its own rules and regulations) and we also do some couples sessions with the kids therapst as "family therapy" so she is kinda covering all the bases for us and its really really really been helpful. I highly recommend family therapy for anyone that has that option!
Christine said:I agree with you completely about finding a proffessional, however, I went to CHADD, and they have NONE in my area!! I am going to see a "regular" therapist tomorrow and hopefully be referred to an ADHD Doc in my area. I found that Vyvanse took away ALOT of my short fuse so I could stop and think...hence much less frustration. I could see a TREMENDOUS difference in my kids. Everyone was calmer and happier. I think being able to stop and think is paramount in deflating the chaos in the house (which brings ADHD symptoms down). It is a domino effect.
My husband and (at least) one of my 3 kids have ADHD. We're going to look in to parenting/family counselling, as well. I find that sometimes the meds can make it worse when you keep switching (aggression and anger). At least we recognize our short comings and work on them!!
Brandy Boulting said:I too get easily frustrated, and lately I feel very overwhelmed by everything, resulting in many crying jags and ranting fits.
I am taking 25 mg of Adderall XR in am and a booster of 15 mg short acting in the afternoon. It does help, but it is still exhausting to be in my head all day! It is a constant battle of my brain taking me in all different directions, when I really just want to complete one task at a time. I was on 40 mg of Lexapro for six years up until last May. I was much more even keeled and quite a bit happier, but still forever disorganized and frustrated. It stopped working this past May. I was diagnosed (now I know wrongly) with depression and so that was why they started the Lexapro. Docs tried Cymbalta, but it only kept me from dizzy spells, and did not improve my attitude or feelings of anger (now I understand it was severe frustration, not anger) and depression (which I realize now was caused by the complications of AD/HD). So, they weened me off the Cymbalta and my therapist suggested I give Adderall XR a try. It has worked in the sense that I am more able to control impulses, but I still have bad days where it just all gets to be too much. Having a therapist that understands AD/HD is great, and I always feel better about myself and the situation after a session with her.
I snap at my kids on a daily basis. I can remain calm and collected for a few moments at a time, but then some stupid little thing gets dropped on the "scale" and it all tips to one side and I lose it. It's not to say that I don't have "normal" mommy moments and the children deserve the consequences and talking to that has been doled out, however, a lot of the time I end up apologizing and trying to explain why I do the things I do. It's exhausting. But you probably know that already!! :-)
Honestly, it is a daily battle of talking myself down and constantly (and I mean all the time, all day, every day) having conversations with myself about how I can solve a current problem or complete a certain task. Even with the meds, it is a 70/30 split. 70% is behavioral changes, and 30% is meds. The meds only assist in focusing, we have to do the rest. My therapist says that even with meds and behavioral changes, you will still have super bad days where you just want the world to go away and leave you be. Most days are okay, and I survive. Lately I have been in a slump, where I would really just like everyone to take a vacation and leave me alone for just a couple days. It is something we have to work with for the rest of our lives. I luckily have a husband who tries to understand my behavior, however, it wears on him as well.
So finally (geesh, took me long enough!) my suggestion is to find a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist that has experience with AD/HD in adults and set up some sessions with him/her. If you go to the CHADD site, you should be able to find some mental health professionals in your area that specialize in the field.
Hope this helped! Keep your head high and know that you are not alone.
Brandy :-)
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Permalink Reply by Michele L on -
Hi Ladies!
I am new here, just joined today and I can't tell you all how refreshing and sad it is. Refreshing knowing that I am not alone, but sad to hear that we are all struggling so. I also struggle with terrible frustration, irritability, anger and depression. I was on a pretty good combination of wellbutrin 300, Lexapro 20, and vyvanse 60, and about 100mg of trazadone for sleep until about a month and a half ago. I started having what my dr. belived was panic attacks, but I was not panicky about anything when they would come on, just doing regular stuff. Anyway, my doc had me go down on the wellbutrin to 150, lexapro to 10 and vyvanse the same but added Lamictal. I was starting off with 10mg (i believe) for two weeks and then doubling. I didn't even make it to a week and a half w/ the Lamictal. I felt awful on that stuff. and for Erica; it messed my sleep up so bad that I am still trying to recover and I stopped taking it about 2 weeks ago. I had to double the amount of trazadone I was using 250 and 300 is the max. it got to the point that I was adding muscle relaxers to get to bed before 2am. Needless to say I was not productive during the day waking up at 11 and later and then feeling like crap the rest of the time. Plus when I did sleep, I was sleeping 10-12 hrs a night. And then I was becoming depressed because I felt like such a turd for not getting anything done and for sleeping half the day like a lazy bum. Thankfully, my little brother is living w/ me right now so he helped me tremendously w/ the kids and was getting my boys ready for school in the am and driving them. So now the depression is getting worse, still not getting anything done and still having to take 250mg of traz that isn't even working. I feel so overwhelmed and depressed. I feel like such a looser all the time sinking deeper. I'm so tired of this battle and just want to feel normal, whatever that is. I have this constant feeling that I'm never going to get it together. I feel like a horrible, horrible inadequate mother and wife and just want to go hide in my closet. I am considering trying Abilify, which I have been reading about and some great results. But of course, I am not hopeful and terrified of gaining weight. In the past year and a half or more I lost about 70 lbs. I was way overweight after having my 3rd baby, but after starting Wellbutrin it really helped get my eating under control and then starting w/ the stimulants it kicked into high gear which most of you already know. Anyway, I don't even know how I got onto all that. I just wanted to add my 1cent about the lamictal, oh and it can cause a dangerous rash on the face so Erica, you may want to look into that. Sorry to be such a downer/whiner, I do hope to be happy soon and be more help. If anyone knows anything about Abilify, could you let me know please?
God Bless
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Permalink Reply by Christine on
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Wow!! We all are having the same feelings of frustration! I wonder if it is due to the inability to be what and who we know we can be? The trying out different meds does make it sooo much worse, though. What were your symptoms that were like a panic attack? How were you feeling before the med switch? I have never tried abilify but have heard good things about it. I always thought my inertia was due to depression, but it was actually caused by the ADHD. The more productive and calm I was, the better I felt. It is that productive calmness that seems so elusive...
Michele L said:Hi Ladies!
I am new here, just joined today and I can't tell you all how refreshing and sad it is. Refreshing knowing that I am not alone, but sad to hear that we are all struggling so. I also struggle with terrible frustration, irritability, anger and depression. I was on a pretty good combination of wellbutrin 300, Lexapro 20, and vyvanse 60, and about 100mg of trazadone for sleep until about a month and a half ago. I started having what my dr. belived was panic attacks, but I was not panicky about anything when they would come on, just doing regular stuff. Anyway, my doc had me go down on the wellbutrin to 150, lexapro to 10 and vyvanse the same but added Lamictal. I was starting off with 10mg (i believe) for two weeks and then doubling. I didn't even make it to a week and a half w/ the Lamictal. I felt awful on that stuff. and for Erica; it messed my sleep up so bad that I am still trying to recover and I stopped taking it about 2 weeks ago. I had to double the amount of trazadone I was using 250 and 300 is the max. it got to the point that I was adding muscle relaxers to get to bed before 2am. Needless to say I was not productive during the day waking up at 11 and later and then feeling like crap the rest of the time. Plus when I did sleep, I was sleeping 10-12 hrs a night. And then I was becoming depressed because I felt like such a turd for not getting anything done and for sleeping half the day like a lazy bum. Thankfully, my little brother is living w/ me right now so he helped me tremendously w/ the kids and was getting my boys ready for school in the am and driving them. So now the depression is getting worse, still not getting anything done and still having to take 250mg of traz that isn't even working. I feel so overwhelmed and depressed. I feel like such a looser all the time sinking deeper. I'm so tired of this battle and just want to feel normal, whatever that is. I have this constant feeling that I'm never going to get it together. I feel like a horrible, horrible inadequate mother and wife and just want to go hide in my closet. I am considering trying Abilify, which I have been reading about and some great results. But of course, I am not hopeful and terrified of gaining weight. In the past year and a half or more I lost about 70 lbs. I was way overweight after having my 3rd baby, but after starting Wellbutrin it really helped get my eating under control and then starting w/ the stimulants it kicked into high gear which most of you already know. Anyway, I don't even know how I got onto all that. I just wanted to add my 1cent about the lamictal, oh and it can cause a dangerous rash on the face so Erica, you may want to look into that. Sorry to be such a downer/whiner, I do hope to be happy soon and be more help. If anyone knows anything about Abilify, could you let me know please?
God Bless
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Permalink Reply by Sheryl Greenfield on
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Hi Christine, I too have struggled my whole life with ADD and wasnt diagnosed until I was in my 40s.I always struggled with low self esteem, depression, anxiety, overwhelm, not quite sure what was different and why I didnt feel like I fit in. when I began to raise my 3 children ( oldest son had ADD) the pressures of trying to do it all put me in total overwhelm which led to many temper tantrums in front of my family, depression, anxiety etc I must say thank goodness that I have a well balanced easy going loving husband that took up the slack with the kids when i couldnt handle many things As I became more aware of my struggles with ADD I started the process of taking care of my well being. I went on Meds( I am now on 60 MG of adderral a day, I take prozac, I am in therapy, I have gotten rid of many Toxic friends, came out of the closet about having ADD and share my struggles, and surround myself with people who support me . Over the last year I have read many books on ADD to educate myself . this summer after I read this one book called The Gift of Adult ADD by Lara Honos- Webb i had a AHA (or many AHA ) moments ..a shift in how I hold my ADD ..not as a curse , or that I am broken and I have to get fixed more like I have ADD but my good qualities are what I want to share . I had a shift in myself and now all I wanted to do was share my true self with other who are struggling . I decided that I wanted to become a coach for Adults with ADD so I googled that and a list of many ADD coaching programs came up. to make a very long story short I am now enrolled in the ADD Coach Academy and am being trained to coach people who have ADD. It will take me a few years to get my certificate but it will be well worth the process..and trust me its a struggle some days to believe in myself that I can make a difference and finish this course we all know that ADDers start a alot of things with good intentions but never finish them ..Why i wanted to share my story with you and hopefully others that will read this is I think you should really look into getting yourself a ADD coach. The meds wont fix you, they definately help get you going but having someone that has the true understanding of ADD and can help you Understand, your ADD , how it manifests and gets in the way .An ADD coach nurtures personal awareness and responsibility and can encourage you to look for options that lead to success .If you are interested in finding a a well trained ADD coach . ADDCA provides a directory of ADD coaches as well as ADDA and CHADD. I hope this helps.. Good Luck!!!!
Christine said:I agree with you completely about finding a proffessional, however, I went to CHADD, and they have NONE in my area!! I am going to see a "regular" therapist tomorrow and hopefully be referred to an ADHD Doc in my area. I found that Vyvanse took away ALOT of my short fuse so I could stop and think...hence much less frustration. I could see a TREMENDOUS difference in my kids. Everyone was calmer and happier. I think being able to stop and think is paramount in deflating the chaos in the house (which brings ADHD symptoms down). It is a domino effect.
My husband and (at least) one of my 3 kids have ADHD. We're going to look in to parenting/family counselling, as well. I find that sometimes the meds can make it worse when you keep switching (aggression and anger). At least we recognize our short comings and work on them!!
Brandy Boulting said:I too get easily frustrated, and lately I feel very overwhelmed by everything, resulting in many crying jags and ranting fits.
I am taking 25 mg of Adderall XR in am and a booster of 15 mg short acting in the afternoon. It does help, but it is still exhausting to be in my head all day! It is a constant battle of my brain taking me in all different directions, when I really just want to complete one task at a time. I was on 40 mg of Lexapro for six years up until last May. I was much more even keeled and quite a bit happier, but still forever disorganized and frustrated. It stopped working this past May. I was diagnosed (now I know wrongly) with depression and so that was why they started the Lexapro. Docs tried Cymbalta, but it only kept me from dizzy spells, and did not improve my attitude or feelings of anger (now I understand it was severe frustration, not anger) and depression (which I realize now was caused by the complications of AD/HD). So, they weened me off the Cymbalta and my therapist suggested I give Adderall XR a try. It has worked in the sense that I am more able to control impulses, but I still have bad days where it just all gets to be too much. Having a therapist that understands AD/HD is great, and I always feel better about myself and the situation after a session with her.
I snap at my kids on a daily basis. I can remain calm and collected for a few moments at a time, but then some stupid little thing gets dropped on the "scale" and it all tips to one side and I lose it. It's not to say that I don't have "normal" mommy moments and the children deserve the consequences and talking to that has been doled out, however, a lot of the time I end up apologizing and trying to explain why I do the things I do. It's exhausting. But you probably know that already!! :-)
Honestly, it is a daily battle of talking myself down and constantly (and I mean all the time, all day, every day) having conversations with myself about how I can solve a current problem or complete a certain task. Even with the meds, it is a 70/30 split. 70% is behavioral changes, and 30% is meds. The meds only assist in focusing, we have to do the rest. My therapist says that even with meds and behavioral changes, you will still have super bad days where you just want the world to go away and leave you be. Most days are okay, and I survive. Lately I have been in a slump, where I would really just like everyone to take a vacation and leave me alone for just a couple days. It is something we have to work with for the rest of our lives. I luckily have a husband who tries to understand my behavior, however, it wears on him as well.
So finally (geesh, took me long enough!) my suggestion is to find a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist that has experience with AD/HD in adults and set up some sessions with him/her. If you go to the CHADD site, you should be able to find some mental health professionals in your area that specialize in the field.
Hope this helped! Keep your head high and know that you are not alone.
Brandy :-)
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Permalink Reply by l fitz on -
I say sorry alot and explain why I react the way I do sometimes...I want my children to know I am human too so they will always find me safe and share their hearts and feelings with me. I find the week before my period is the worst but my husband and I are new christians and recently started praying together (yes I know it's sounds corny and I thought I'd never see the day but...) if I remember to be honest with him too we actually pray for God to share some extra compassion, understanding and patience for my children (and husband...lol) and also wisdom on how to survive that week. I hate getting mad at such little things and whining is a big red button for me.
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