tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post1142651341263519918..comments2024-02-25T02:44:23.243-08:00Comments on You and Me — and Adult ADHD: Q: How to Deal with "Meds Roulette"?Gina Perahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-68803417532994194112013-07-13T12:27:55.293-07:002013-07-13T12:27:55.293-07:00Hi Dotty,
Thanks for bringing that to my attentio...Hi Dotty,<br /><br />Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Unfortunately, the PDF of my book is no longer available. But you can still read the chapter in the paperback version of the book.<br /><br />And, you're welcome!<br /><br />best,<br />gGina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-2035943285247638692013-07-13T11:20:31.521-07:002013-07-13T11:20:31.521-07:00Hey Gina, the link to the PDF version of the book ...Hey Gina, the link to the PDF version of the book on medication strategies isn't working. I know the general guideline is, "Start Low and Titrate Slow." Is there a guide in your book that I'm just skipping over? Thanks so much for all you do! Dottyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708112496790306606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-30266208250722741232012-01-19T17:44:39.112-08:002012-01-19T17:44:39.112-08:00Hi Shanna,
Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, ...Hi Shanna,<br /><br />Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, the Meds Roulette Ride can be a wild one! <br /><br />In our local Adult ADHD group in Palo Alto and in my lectures, I try to share strategies for minimizing the whiplash while speeding the learning curve.<br /><br />And yes, good coaching and evidence-based strategies can go a long way. For some people, these are hard to come by, Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-28079501987531197212012-01-18T12:31:59.086-08:002012-01-18T12:31:59.086-08:00Gina--
Thanks for this great post.
I was not dia...Gina--<br /><br />Thanks for this great post.<br /><br />I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was in my 30s. I definitely have noticed, like several of the women here, that my hormones affect my ADHD symptoms. I'm fortunate to have a partner who helps me to be aware when I'm starting to have more issues than normal. While I am grateful to him, I also recognize that we are each Shannahttp://onefocustotalsuccess.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-82226395535285252532011-11-02T13:09:41.841-07:002011-11-02T13:09:41.841-07:00Hi Ronnie,
It's so sad when it comes to this...Hi Ronnie,<br /><br />It's so sad when it comes to this, when couples struggle for so long without answers/solutions that at some point, one or both is just DONE.<br /><br />Perhaps it's best to go it alone with the treatment for a while, focus on making solid changes so that she can "see" rather than just have faith. Then, as she sees that maybe there is something to this Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-11717729301785045382011-10-29T13:52:58.672-07:002011-10-29T13:52:58.672-07:00My marriage is in serious jeopardy, after 16 years...My marriage is in serious jeopardy, after 16 years. I am 38 and have just been kinda diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and am seeking a more experienced doc for a better diagnoses. I have always thought I had this issue. My wife however has always made it seem that this was just my way of getting the blame off of me. So to not ruffle anymore feathers I would never push the point. Well now she has asked me Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-15893274037722189732011-09-26T08:22:59.187-07:002011-09-26T08:22:59.187-07:00I am ADHD TEEN. Speaking out on ADHD Read my Blog....I am ADHD TEEN. Speaking out on ADHD Read my Blog.<br />www.AdhdFromATeensPointOfView.blogspot.com<br />follow the twitter page @ItsOkHavingADHD<br />thanks guysAdhdBoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05475727056663969175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-38184704350173501812011-09-03T17:46:47.366-07:002011-09-03T17:46:47.366-07:00Hi Katy -- oh yes, genetic factors are paramount. ...Hi Katy -- oh yes, genetic factors are paramount. Trouble is, we have no way of predicting these on the front end.<br /><br />That's true except for one: an enzyme called Cytochrome P450, which savvy docs will sometimes will have a client tested for if medication is metabolized far too rapidly (I first learned of this about 10 years ago and haven't revisited, so I *think* it's Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-26248894699526966792011-09-02T21:08:09.091-07:002011-09-02T21:08:09.091-07:00"So small children might actually require lar..."So small children might actually require larger dosages than their adult counterparts." Fascinating! So perhaps I should have had my drinking heyday in elementary school? (Kidding...only kidding...)<br /><br />Also fascinating to me in this arena: Genetic factors. I have two parents who also have "intense" reactions to meds/chemicals. Once, they tested my mother to see how 18 Channelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16841490256076600058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-34521643965420592722011-08-28T12:22:29.821-07:002011-08-28T12:22:29.821-07:00Hey, sewing-and-singing-momma. If you sew it, ple...Hey, sewing-and-singing-momma. If you sew it, please share a photo! :-)<br /><br />I know what you mean about feeling the need to be a scientist. For my own husband, it was doubly confusing when I felt the need to be a scientist when he began treatment -- because he IS a scientist. And he was working with an MD. Geez, wasn't that enough?<br /><br />Later, I came to call the episodes of my Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-54717707593673456452011-08-27T23:06:31.717-07:002011-08-27T23:06:31.717-07:00Gina, you know, I mostly consider myself a nice li...Gina, you know, I mostly consider myself a nice little momma that likes to sing and sew, but with three of four members of my house in the midst of this "medication roulette," I often feel like I am supposed to be a scientist. You stole my breath a little with your reply to my comment when you said "the process is more art than science." <br /><br />I love art! :)<br /><br />IAlissa Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169839733108595480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-87862259149820268892011-08-25T12:21:13.713-07:002011-08-25T12:21:13.713-07:00Well said, Katy!
A few points.
1. "I take d...Well said, Katy!<br /><br />A few points.<br /><br />1. "I take dosages of medication that my prescriber would ordinarily probably prescribe to a 6-year old child, but I'm a 35 year old woman (granted, I only weigh 110 lbs...but I'm a lot bigger than the average 6-yr old)"<br /><br />Actually, children are typically faster metabolizers than adults (has to do with kidney Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-72041022854804451122011-08-24T21:55:45.493-07:002011-08-24T21:55:45.493-07:00I am not a clinician OR researcher but I'm wil...I am not a clinician OR researcher but I'm willing to speculate that part of the problem is that while researchers kind of have an idea what chemicals may be in or out of balance in the brains of many people with ADHD, they don't really know what "levels" might indicate a problem in individual people. Using myself as an example, I am extremely medication sensitive...I take 18 Channelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16841490256076600058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-20335063041921061202011-08-22T09:46:14.825-07:002011-08-22T09:46:14.825-07:00Hi, I like the title Meds-Roulette. I cannot unde...Hi, I like the title Meds-Roulette. I cannot understand why there is not a blood test to check the chemical levels before going on a medication to increase or decrease certain chemicals in the brain. I have asked several doctors why there isn't a blood test, since we test chemical levels in other areas of the body <br />and the ones I have asked told me there probably could be and they do Linda Althoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-2553068705047746292011-08-21T14:46:20.520-07:002011-08-21T14:46:20.520-07:00Hi Anonymous,
One thing I've learned after se...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />One thing I've learned after several decades on earth is this: There are no relationship "rules," and anyone who tells you otherwise just might be pulling a power trip or trying to sell you something. :-)<br /><br />What works for one couple can drive asunder another couple. The individuals who comprise a couple are, well, individuals.<br /><br />That said, Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-70510138833306699512011-08-21T10:34:36.624-07:002011-08-21T10:34:36.624-07:00My significant other refuses to take medication fo...My significant other refuses to take medication for ADHD because he doesn't like how it feels. To his credit, he has done exceptionally well in managing his condition but lately it has come at a great cost to me. We are now in a long distance relationship pursuing our graduate degrees and the new environment is putting heavy strain on us. He wants a break because he cannot see living with Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-26370882073646768212011-08-19T21:47:30.485-07:002011-08-19T21:47:30.485-07:00typo...I meant "treatment process." (Wis...typo...I meant "treatment process." (Wish Blogger allowed edits!)Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-31909183303242086572011-08-19T21:46:18.752-07:002011-08-19T21:46:18.752-07:00Hi Addy,
You are so right! When a member of the ...Hi Addy,<br /><br />You are so right! When a member of the "partner's of" group complains of their partner's lack of progress with medication treatment, I ask, "What is he/she taking?" If they don't know, I tell them they need to learn about it. To help their partner track, if necessary.<br /><br />Some therapists and physicians do not help matters, by not Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-27984855292082600412011-08-19T21:42:09.401-07:002011-08-19T21:42:09.401-07:00Alissa Rae -- good for you. No matter how nice our...Alissa Rae -- good for you. No matter how nice our doctors are. No matter how much we like them. No one is going to be as invested in our (or our children's or partner's) lives as WE are. :-)<br /><br />I think it helps to know that there is no one "right" medication or dosage. The process is much more art than science. So, maybe that helps us to be less intimidated by the Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-42279565754040415992011-08-19T17:48:59.824-07:002011-08-19T17:48:59.824-07:00I read somewhere (maybe here?) that women who aren...I read somewhere (maybe here?) that women who aren't diagnosed in grammar school, will often not get diagnosed until a major life/hormone shift like starting college, becoming a newlywed, or after just having had a baby. <br /><br />Having ADHD myself, I didn't really catalog where that information came from so I am paraphrasing, but I remember having an aha! moment when I read it. I was Alissa Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02169839733108595480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-85174832997557519902011-08-19T13:23:14.559-07:002011-08-19T13:23:14.559-07:00Ah, meds roulette.
I'd also like to say to &q...Ah, meds roulette.<br /><br />I'd also like to say to "Nina", who asked the original question, that your support is very important at this time. Meds roulette is a pretty difficult thing for the person going through it. Whenever I've gone through it (and I'm going through it right now) it's helped me immensely to know that my partner is behind me, encouraging me to Addy Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14015984115893693050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-5341753979212478482011-08-18T12:46:34.298-07:002011-08-18T12:46:34.298-07:00Thanks, Katy, as always, for sharing your experien...Thanks, Katy, as always, for sharing your experience.<br /><br />Maralu, the simple answer is that you won't know when you and your husband have found the right dosage if you and your doctor are just "winging it." What has been the process? Did you start out targeting trouble areas, so you have something to measure by? That is the first step.Gina Perahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617490362195568500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-3357686933056646462011-08-17T23:24:12.764-07:002011-08-17T23:24:12.764-07:00My husband just started treatment for his adhd six...My husband just started treatment for his adhd six weeks ago. He is on the Daytrana patch. He started with 10 mg for the first 4 weeks and is now trying 15 mg this month. How will he and I know when he has found just the right dosage?Maraluhttp://www.lilyannaforgirls.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6846377402285832776.post-74811514686232390562011-08-15T13:59:54.070-07:002011-08-15T13:59:54.070-07:00This is a great post Gina.
I just wanted to post ...This is a great post Gina.<br /><br />I just wanted to post to affirm the need to have patience and not force a fast solution. I started the search for the perfect medication(s) 2.5 years ago and it took until...I think about 6 months ago before we really found the winning combo for me. I knew it might take "a while" but I had no idea it could take that long. Not that everyone will need18 Channelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16841490256076600058noreply@blogger.com