Adult ADHD: Anyone have experience?

Im on 12.5 mgs a day of ritlain. 10 in the am and 2.5 in the afternoon. Anymore than that, which is not a typical adult dosage, but way under it and Im awake 24/7.

So its about finding the right meds and mgs. I tried a time release one that was awesome to have a constant med supply throughout the day but I was up 24 hours a day on it since it was 18 mgs, the lowest dosage they make a time release ritalin.

I work with heavy equipment and tools and cant afford that type of exhaustion. So went off it and back on the 10 mg + 2.5 daily. But I have "duh" periods now. And dont like them.

Thank you so much @gosherd1960.

Will check it out right now. Justs wanting to avoid those "Internet quiz" sites or links that you know lead to comercial links. If I find something especially promising and credentialed, I'll go ahead and post the link here too.

Best wishes!

Not ALL sites lead to the rabbit-hole of spam sites. There are Orgs out there and are the top ones to com up inmy browser. On the ADHD Orgs sites they all have adult tests. I cant post a URL here.

Remember that women and men do NOT have the same symptoms, so keep that in mind when taking tests. Take a few different org's tests, print them out and take them and a list of concerns ad issues that YOU feel are representative of why you initially started thinking it was ADHD that you have. Take them with you to your primary care Dr. If they dont understand adult ADHD then get back online and find a therapist who does, it can be a therapist who tests you and then take that to a Dr. Just check out their credentials to make sure they are who you want and then set up an appointment with your Primary care Dr and show them the results.

Many adults ( altho I dont really believe its many and probably just a few bad apples) are out there resource seeking and lying in order to get stimulants. You can take in additional information from orgs like AARP who recently (maybe a month ago) had an article on senior ADHD. It has become WAY more mainstream than Drs seem to understand. Take in verified information.

I do not understand how Drs think- quite honestly- so we have to be our own best advocates and NOT rely upon them. So just keep going.

@gosherd1960 I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a website with your post to @brandysparks.
You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Adult ADHD Test https://add.org/adhd-test/

I was suspected to have had it way early on like early elementary school and went to my main phsician. He told my mom he saw it too and since that was about 1976, tge only thing to turn to , other than suffering was Ritalin. My mom chose no meds. I’m 51 now and met the given amount of criteria in the DSM5 and was prescribed Adderall (high dose to start - 90mg daily!) once I was stable from my bipolar I with some psychotic episodes. I have the mixed state kind - both inattentive and hyperactivity portions. The meds worked wonders! I could remember where my keys were, I could retain what I read, I could focus and take semi interest in conversations I really didn’t care about. Mostly, I wasn’t going either in 100 different directions or zoning out. Some people call it a crutch, but I call it a necessary lifeline. Hope this helps. Keep in mind that some/many ADHD meds are highly addictive. Just sayin’

Try using the goodrx app or goodrx.com or great out of pocket discounts. Often less expensive than insurance. Just plug in your med, dosesfe, tab or capsule, and the area you are looking in and it will generate a list in order of prices with the coupon for you.

<p>Anxiety and ADHD: What medications work together for both?</p><p>-I take Fluvoxamine, lamotrigine and trazadone at night.<br />-I keep waiting up chronically overthinking. I have been trying different anxiety medications with Adderal to keep me focused and not overthink at work during the day.<br />-I have tried Xanax, vistural, propranoloL. The only two seemed to be helping with Adderall Valium and Clonazepam however they are still not doing the best with my day anxiety<br />*-*Did you try anything helpful?</p>

I was diagnosed at 50 and completely relate to your post. Somehow I have managed to get a Masters degree and I finally navigated the process of becoming a licensed counselor at 63. But it took a LOT of support. There is often little understanding and validation even among mental health professionals.
As time goes on I still struggle with embarrassment related to disorganization and other ADHD symptoms.
For women, additudemag has simple test plus some resources if you search
self-test-for-women-do-i-have-adhd,
Glad to have found this group!

@wellgracie Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You're an inspiration for many of us, showing perseverance in getting more education and obtaining your counseling license. I bet you will be great at it, since you know personally the struggles some of us go through!

What led you to being diagnosed in the first place, if I may ask?
Ginger

Hi @wellgrace, is this the link you wanted to add - a test specifically for women with ADHD symptoms?

- Female ADHD Test: Symptoms in Women and Girls https://www.additudemag.com/self-test-adhd-symptoms-women-girls/