Guinea pig on a controlled substance

So . . . I visited my doctor this morning.  Had an EKG, checked the ol’ blood pressure, reviewed the ADD eval and here’s what I learned:  my heart is “gorgeous,” my blood pressure is at the high end of the normal range and she isn’t concerned, my cholesterol looked good two years ago but we’re going to re-check in two weeks for good measure, and I got the go-ahead to try some controlled substances for ADD.

There are tons of options for medication: short-acting, mid-acting, long-acting (time-released), and even some SSRIs such as Wellbutrin.  Despite my husband’s warning – he thinks I should consider a time-released drug – my doctor and I decided on a super low-dose short-acting one, Adderall.  Our rationale is to start slow and see how it goes.  Sounds like a catchphrase worthy of Oprah or Ellen.  Anyway, I will try it and check back with her in two weeks for adjustments.  I may need to up the dose or switch to a different variety depending upon my reaction.  It should leave my system in time for bed so my sleep won’t be disrupted.  Another nice thing about Adderall is cost.  This should not be a big chunk out of our wallets.

Another thing that my doctor recommended is to find a therapist who specializes in ADD because medicine alone will not change my habits.  Now I need to do some research to see who works with adults who have ADD and what they’re therapeutic approaches are.  I am all about having a tool box full of strategies.  In addition to this research, I need to read up on some articles and look up some books at the library that have been recommended to me by a local psychologist and ADD specialist.  Exactly when I’m going to find time to do all of this, I don’t know.  The following three titles are on my list:

1. Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perspective, by Thom Hartmann
2. The Down & Dirty Guide To Adult ADD, by Michael Gordon, Phd and F. Daniel McClure, Phd
3. A Comprehensive Guide to Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults: Research – Diagnosis – Treatment, Ed. by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Phd – (more clinical than the first two titles and crazy expensive)

This one also looks good: You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy by by Kate Kelly, Peggy Ramundo, and Edward M. M.D. Hallowell (it’s considered a CLASSIC and I remember it from my book slave days at Hawley-Cooke Booksellers, so it has been around for a while) and so does this Winning the Clutter War by Sandra Felton.