Posted by KarenB on July 7, 2000, at 16:36:02
In reply to Karen, Noa, etc. TOVA results, posted by Libby on July 7, 2000, at 11:58:39
Libby,
Wow, that is such good news! I mean, not that you HAVE ADD but at least now you know what is wrong. It's not an excuse, a writer once said...but it certainly is an explanation.
I also tested, at age 12, with 150...and proceeded to get mediocre grades through school, couldn't learn how to read music and almost failed 8th grade Algebra. At the same time that I got the "D" grade, I was also attending classes for gifted children. Go figure. And, I was not diagnosed until I started reading this board a few months ago. I began to notice how much the ADD people sounded like me and went to CHADD and a few other websites and took some tests. I scored 19 out of 20 on the first one I took. This has resulted in a change of medication and I now feel I am closer to being well than I have ever been, despite some med setbacks I have had. I was diagnosed for years with major depression and then bipolar disorder.
To me, ADD explains so much... Like the way I can have a conversation with someone in whom I am truly interested and my mind can completely leave the room without warning. When I "return," I am still gazing intently into the person's eyes, thinking, "Oh no, WHAT are they talking about?!!" And the way I can spin around my own home, from one unfinished task to the next, because something will grab my attention and I impulsively start something new, when I was in the middle of another project. I can have four or five things going all at once and I will stop myself, breathe and regroup. My husband always has to tell me not to forget the original reason I was going to the store. He has always said I have no concept of time - now I know that's a common symptom of ADD. Basically, I'm an airhead with a high I.Q.;)
I too am grateful for this board. It was some postings by someone named Sarah and others that first got me going on the ADD possibility.
I have to tell you, I was overseas for a while and on two medications that worked beautifully for me: Sulpiride and Amineptine (no longer available). I have spent months looking for something to replace that combination and have just started a trial of Adrafinil. I plan to try it with amisulpride, a drug very similar to Sulpiride. For me, the psychostimulant gave energy and focus (I have hypoactivity with my ADD) and the Sulpiride aided in the symptoms of physical sluggishness, fatigue and social anxiety. It really did help to stabilize my moods, which is a BIG problem for me.
Just out of curiosity: Do you suffer also from any chronic pain or PMS?
Sorry this is so long. I'm excited for you that you have finally gotten some answers. That, in itself, was a huge relief to me.
One last thing: You said,
> "I thought I was doomed to a life of chronic depression. Now I feel there's a chance I may never have to be
depressed again."I wanted to comment on this statement: Don't get discouraged if the first few (or several) med trials for ADD don't get you exactly where you need to be. The great thing is, at least you now know what you are fighting.
Karen
poster:KarenB
thread:38846
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/39714.html