ADHD treatment with a traumatic brain injury??

[AlmostAlone]

ADHD treatment with a traumatic brain injury??

I was diagnosed in my adult life after struggling many years with the same symptoms. I was put on Adderall and my life became very crisp, clear, focused and straight to the point. I was able to carry out a thought process, and finish a task successfully, which was extremely difficult if almost impossible to do before. But after suffering a severe brain injury they have stopped giving me my Adderall and treating my ADHD entirely leaving me back to not only square one where I was before being diagnosed with ADHD, but a few steps further behind more so because I have a physical brain injury that impairs the brain to be able to focus properly. Looking for the very best possible way for treatment moving forward. Open-minded to holistic medicine vs prescription as well, just want to hear thoughts, and ideas as I'm feeling like I'm just spinning my wheels trying to become that organized, motivated person I can be again.

[MadaEroom]

I’m sorry to hear about your traumatic brain injury. For many years before I was diagnosed I thought my adult adhd was caused by a concussion I suffered in me early 20s. Can I ask have the drs warned against taking the add meds for a specific reason? Will they potentially damage your brain more? I want to understand why they don’t want you taking them. If it’s a precaution I understand, have you explained to them the life change the Adderall brought to you?

[AlmostAlone in reply to MadaEroom]

Unfortunately, Adderall changes brain chemistry which can be detrimental to my health, and any meds that do are off the table at the moment. I wasn't sure if anyone had suggestions if they've been in a similar situation. Thanks all for your time!

[Nick1913]

Hi Almost

I am very sorry to hear about your traumatic brain injury. I am not going to try and guess at the reason or reasons your meds were stopped. I am going to suggest that you consult with your physician and ask him why, how long, potential risks, and anything else that you want to know.

I will also say that what happened to me so that you will know in advance... I was on Adderall for a while and it worked very well. Various reasons happened and I didn’t use it for a long time. Life changed and my ADD was showing it’s negative effects, so I talked to a physician and we restarted it... luckily I kept a written journal about my meds, foods and supplements...

The Adderall made me feel easily frustrated, less control over my emotions and EXTREMELY aggressive and angry. That med HAD to be stopped... bottom line your body may change, medication may not effect you as you expect. Please keep a close eye on what you feel and experience... I journaled it because I didn’t want to forget what happened, I was sitting across from my doctor... (handing him my book made it a lot easier for both of us).

Good Luck

[AlmostAlone in reply to Nick1913]

Great idea Nick! Never thought about keeping a med/food journal, journalling has been a part of my life for years but more for thoughts emotions and thinking. Riddlon gave me negative effects before similar to how you described your experience with Adderall. Anything that changes brain chemistry is out of the question at the moment because my head injury was very severe (a gunshot wound) but now I'm feeling left without anything at all, I have no natural sleep patterns, my days seem chaotic and out of control. I'm easily overwhelmed and overstimulated and looking for reprieve. Thanks for you help, time, and advice!

[Nick1913 in reply to AlmostAlone]

Hi Almost Alone,

Yes brain chemistry is a delicate matter and should be handled by professionals....

I was just curious as to whether you are exercising, or doing physical therapy....

I am not really a good journalist so my stuff has been sporadic, unless it was important to me....

just here to try and help...

[AlmostAlone in reply to Nick1913]

I'm trying to be better about journalling, especially my daily gratitudes! Maybe I'll give it a try with diet and exercise!? Why not worth the try!? It would at least help track habits and behaviors and any links that can possibly made among them. Thanks for the advice Nick!

[Nick1913 in reply to AlmostAlone]

No problem, glad to assist.

Let me know how it goes... I am not computer savvy....so I don’t know if any links... I am a dinosaur but still flying.... I don’t have it but think it’s called Evernote and other journals... I use this one called notebook... it’s an app I keep in my phone... I prefer the paper journals or old fashioned composition books🤣🤣.... I use the one in my phone for the meds and food cause it’s always with me... easy for me to tell the doctor that the meds gave me headaches or gi upset... when I go see them weeks later... I use the paper for mostly everything else.

Good Luck

Keep in touch

[AlmostAlone in reply to Nick1913]

Thanks Nick!