I’m a 45-year-old dude who’s only now coming to grips with having probably lived my whole life with undiagnosed inattentive-type ADHD. My wife and online communities like this one (and formerly Reddit) have helped me see that I may have been playing life on hard mode by pretending I didn’t have ADHD.

My doctor had me try Strattera (atomoxetine) about a year ago, but all it did was make me feel like I was nervous.

Have any of you inattentive-types had any success with simulant meds? I know it would be a lot of trouble to get officially diagnosed and even more trouble to fill the prescription, so I wonder if it’s worth trying.

edit: Thank you everyone who shared their experience. It sounds like Adderall or Vyvanse are effective for focus and executive dysfunction. If anyone is still keeping tabs on this conversation, have you had any improvement in forgetfulness/distractedness with simulant meds?

  • Thisismyusername@feddit.ukEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’m 38. Diagnosed with combined (everything) type ADHD 2 months ago.

    The experience for being on meds for me has been life changing. I’m on elvanse (vivanse in the US). It’s like suddenly being in the driver’s seat of my own mind. The guy that was driving before was an idiot. I can now just choose to do stuff.

    What struck me is that not only are you playing on hard mode, but everyone else is playing on easy mode and telling you it’s hard mode. “Life is hard” means something completely different to everyone else.

    Definitely try it again. Medicating ADHD is really well understood and incredibly successful for so many people. I think it’s insane not to give it a go and see if it’s right for you.

    The stigma around being medicated is completely backwards imo.

  • Rakqoi@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    it is absolutely worth it. It’s so life-changing that it’s worth the struggles to get on a medication. I’m on Adderall, and have tried Focalin and Ritalin but neither worked for me (caused anxiety among other issues), once you find the right medication for you it’ll change your life for the better.

    Also for what it’s worth, it might not be as hard as it seems to get diagnosed and get a prescription. I originally went to my family doctor talking about my experience and research into ADHD, and she prescribed a low dose of Adderall that day. The real hassle, at least for me, has been having to remember to call every month to have the doctor refill my prescription, and scheduling and attending appointments every 3 months. There are no auto-refills for stimulants, at least in the US, because it’s so federally regulated. and it’s a medication you’ll be on for life most likely. even so, it’s definitely worth it in my opinion.

  • burt@programming.devEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Echoing what others have said, get the meds. I’m 39 and have been taking Vyvanse for a couple years; when I forget I am a mess, I can’t believe I made it this far without.