Advice for TTC/Adult ADD

[erinshelley21]

I intro'd a few weeks ago and haven't really participated since. My work is pretty seasonal with this being a busy season. However, I am asking for advice from those who have ADD/ADHD, if anyone can help me.

Backstory: I was never actually tested for ADD, but based on my symptoms at 20 years old, my doctor felt comfortable enough to prescribe Adderall. I took it from 2009 through 2011. Stopped in January of 2012 because I didn't think I needed it since I was done with college and we wanted to TTC. Started taking it again in October 2015 and felt like "me" until mid-March 2016. My rx ran out, we were TTC, and I quit cold-turkey. Looking back, quitting cold turkey was not the right move, but the pharmacy didn't fill my rx for 5 days so it all just kind of happened.

I have been struggling with life since then. I am forgetting things, doing the bare minimum because everything seems like a huge project, and I can't finish anything I start. It is starting to have an impact on my work, which just about cost a client thousands of dollars, which would have affected my livelihood and I can't afford that. I've ran stop signs and made numerous little mistakes. I am just kind of floating through life and not really living. Its not fair to my H, my son, or myself. I have hope for when I do become pregnant because I've read that the increased hormones help with the ability to focus. I remember being able to focus when pregnant with DS and I felt like I was okay while BF'ing, it was after I had fully weaned and my period came back that I started losing control again.

Does anyone here have ADD/ADHD and how do you cope while TTC? From what I've read most medications aren't pregnancy safe, but if anyone knows different I'm all ears/eyes. Also willing to hear any and all tips. I think my best bet right now is to seek the help of a therapist, which is on the agenda for after my busy season and when we have all of our new health insurance info from DH's new job.

Thank you for sticking with me if you read all of that

[jax1182014]

I've had similar issues as you. I'm not on anything at the moment and stopped with the help of my doctor because I felt better and wanted to TCC. The doctor I spoke with a few years ago did say that some medication are safe during TTC and pregnancy and goes along with what @yaga stated, it's a risks/benefits thing. The doctor monitoring you will work with you if you explain all these concerns, so I think it's worth a call. Good luck to you hope this helps.

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

Based solely on the amount of information you have provided us, it seems like you have been trying to tackle this by yourself. I think it would be very beneficial to essentially start over with this. Find a doctor that you AND your husband like and trust. You are going to need YH to help you be accountable. I've seen this with close family members. I wish I could provide advice/information for balancing this type of mental health with TTC, but I did grow up around ADD and bi-polar tendencies.

I hope you can pursue treatment sooner than you plan. It's important and a crucial step towards gaining control of your life. When does YH's new insurance kick in?

ETA: I cannot stress enough that you need an ally. My family member will occasionally spiral and think it is okay because it feels good. 

[Deleted]

erinshelley21 - There are several non-stimulant medications for ADD/ADHD which they've deemed safer. I also know there have been some ladies on the boards that were able to stay on ADHD medication throughout their pregnancies without any complications.

Additionally, I want to encourage you to checkout the mental wellness board as the ladies there have some great information. I'm also one of the mods for that board, so I promise that even though the board might look quiet, there are people around to answer questions.

#gottapromotemwwhenIcan


Eta: I take several medications that are not deemed safe, but I will have to remain on them if I get KU.

[erinshelley21]

Thank you for the responses!

Dh's new insurance has started, we just do not have cards or anything. My schedule also doesn't allow for me to dig into this with a doctor until mid-August.

Depression came to mind but like someone said a lot of the symptoms overlap so it's hard to tell. Depression is a common thing on my dads side of the family so I have witnessed it. I feel very confident in my issues being more on the ADD side.

I have been trying to tackle this by myself. I've reached out to my mom to have her help me research if there are any safe supplements or safer medications. Dh is completely supportive, but has never dealt with anyone with ADD/ADHD so he just takes my lead and I think since he is around me mostly every day he doesn't notice all of the little things that are adding up to me.

[daisy818]

Please don't quote bc I might poof this later for privacy,

*poof*

[emilie]

sorry you're dealing with this erinshelley21. I have anxiety issues and was diagnosed with adult ADD as well. I took Adderall for a couple years. I weaned myself off it along with anxiety meds a few years back with the help of a cognitive-behavioral therapist - I didn't want to be on drugs anymore. It was hard, and some days it is still hard. I use a LOT of the tools I learned in therapy every single day. You say you are trying to deal with this yourself, but I would really, really recommend finding a therapist to work with. It is the best thing you can do for yourself, and you deserve it. Maybe you can do some research now and set up some appointments for August if you truly aren't available until then - but remember, therapy can be as little as an hour a week. There are also clinics that are cash that accept patients on a sliding scale based on income. I understand what it's like to not want to "throw away" money on therapy - copays can be expensive, even with insurance. But it is so, so worth it. Think of it this way - drugs keep things under control for the day (or in the case of a short-term drug like Adderall, a half-day), but tools that you learn in therapy can be used every day, for the rest of your life.

also, I agree with ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪ about getting H on board as your ally. it can feel good to wallow/spiral/let things slide for a day or a week or whatever because you feel like "yourself" and it feels good, but to have someone there who knows about your issues and who can keep you in check when that shit starts to happen is invaluable. Hugs and I wish you the very best of luck with all this, it's not easy.

[jax1182014]

Just wanted to add that I spoke with my doctor a few years ago about how important it really is to eat healthy and work out.. It may be a good think to think about while you are in the beginning stages of getting things started.

[erinshelley21]

I really appreciate all of the advice. I think this was the final push I needed to really convince myself to consult professional help, which will have to wait until August. I really do not have an hour to give right now. My H is a firefighter who works 24 hour shifts, I'm in my busy season at work that will end the last week of July hopefully and we are going on vacation at the end of July. I can make it until then. DH has been encouraging me for a few months to see a therapist, but money has been tight (which doesn't help) and I think I was in denial. I'm not good at actually going out and asking for help.

As for eating healthy and working out, I am getting back on track. June was a busy month with my brother getting married (which took 2 weeks of my time for a bachelorette party and the wedding) and work gearing up to be busy. DH had a lot of time off of work so that got me out of routine, which I need.