Hi am new to this forum, I am a member of another great forum for ADHD, just recently also.

A little background about us...I am a mom of 5, between the ages of almost 5 and 12 yo, (his, hers, and mine thing). I bartend at night. I have a computer degree, but I have to work nights since he works days so that someone (me) can get the kids to all the functions, soccer practices, soccer games, appointments, homework done, meals ready, to and from school, be at home with my youngest during the day, etc., etd., etc.!!!

I am going through a medical transcription program (online) that I will probably finish in a few months. I am doing this course so that I can get a job where I can work at home (for the kids). Working nights can make me a "Zombie" in the mornings when I still have to function!

My 10 yo daughter is ADHD, diagnosed this year when the 7th teacher (including music and P.E.) had asked me if I thought she might be ADHD. The 1st time I heard this question was when she just turned 4! I had been trying to keep her off medication, but this year it was really affecting her in school. We tried methylphenidate and methylin before trying Concerta. Those 2 drugs kept her up and made her lose weight, which was not acceptible to us. My daughter is already thin as it is. Her doc put her on Concerta, and it seemed to have no side effects...she was gaining weight, sleeping, and doing great in school. But, there is always a "but," she just recently started exhibiting tic behavior. She would breathe in deeply every so often (about every 3-4 minutes) and had started to slurp in air when she did it. I took her off the Concerta when I realized it might be a tic (she is only 10)!

Well she obviously wasn't doing as well as I thought on her homework...she just had to turn in a bunch of late work that I wasn't even aware she had been assigned, until I came and got her from school for an appointment. That is when her teacher told me...when she was about 15+ assignment packets behind!!! Who would have thought the teacher wouldn't pick up the phone. I use to get progress updates because I would volunteer 2 hours in the morning on Tuesdays. Since I stopped, due to my youngest, her teacher doesn't keep in touch!

I tried the placebo effect?? With horrible results! Duh...but it was worth a try!
She decided herself, after talking with her about Adderall, she really wants to stay on meds since she can't seem to finish anything without them, gets in trouble with her soccer coach (she made U11 A team, so we do 6 days a week), and has a very hard time with being impulsive and focused without medication.

I started my daughter on Adderall XR 10 mg yesterday, and she came home in a great mood...then snap, crackle pop! She said school was fine (they had a sub)! She seems to be more arguementitive though, I hope that she was just having a bad day, and that it is not from the Adderall! She was also up 'till almost midnight, but on the positive side, it didn't seem to affect her eating! It was the first day so we'll see how it goes as her body gets use to it!

As for myself...I just took a test that there was a link for. It said I scored 42 (I think 25 was severe ADHD). I don't have insurance for myself, so I have not been diagnosed, but I have always thought that sounds soooo much like me!

My 10 year old has severe ADHD, everyone says she gets that from me! I think that if I had some help for myself that the house would run a lot smoother! I do get everything accomplished and the kids where they are suppose to go, yet, it is chaos doing it!

This family is already over scheduled, without my palm pilot (my brain) I wouldn't know the appointments, or get anyone any where on time!LOL

Any ways I just wanted to introduce myself, and give a brief background...sorry it got a little long!LOL I have a tendancy to babble!

If anyone has any suggestions on either my daughter or myself, it would be much appreciated???