So I’m 53 and joined this because I feel more insane than ever. I was diagnosed having ADHD when I was 45 or 46...( I have zero sence of time and linear anything at moment) Any way ,?pist diagnosis my doctor urged me try adderal in conjunction with other psychotropic medications. This was a colleague and a person I trusted.
Life was awesome. It was like dorthy in wizard of oz when everything goes color. I was excelling in my career and in my personal life. Than 3 yrs ago I moved to LA because my husband needed to for his work. I am from here but didn’t recall much of childhood but new I really didn’t want to. I got slammed once I got off the plane with all sorts of feelings ( depressive/ insecure/ shame etc..) as I did when I was young. Apparently when your estrogen levels drop.. so does dopamine levels and stuff stoped working. There was some real scary , borderline abusive stuff that went on with therapist but that’s for another time. Can one person tell me if it will get better? I’m new to all this and I feel I’m way worse than I was right before going on meds .
Written by
JenInk
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I could have written this myself - I'm 54, going through menopause and having a similar struggle with anxiety, insecurity, and depression that got significantly worse in the last year or two. Neither Adderall or antidepressants are working like they used to for me, and I'm convinced the drop in estrogen has a lot to do with it. ADDA has a twice-monthly virtual peer support group for Women 50+ that you might want to check out. I've attended a couple times recently and found it a good place for information and support from other women who can definitely relate to what we're going through. You can find the info here if you're interested: add.org/adda-virtual-programs/. Best of luck!
Absolute gift- I was trying to find some online support group like the one you sent and was getting overwhelmed. I thought this place may be the right first step and BAM- a link. Thank you 🙏
Have you talked with your doc about making changes to your meds - either type or dose? I read somewhere that when we go through the menopause process meds often need to be adjusted.
I'm 56 and was just diagnosed this year and am still working out meds. I had a total hysterectomy when i was 48 and i am taking tamoxifen for breast cancer - and that makes the hot flashes and night sweats even worse. Before meds I was already on a horrid roller coaster ride and now - lets just say the adventure continues.
Having started meds after surgical and chemical menopause give me an advantage because I never had anything that used to work. It's just taking months to figure out meds.
One of the things that helps me most is an app called Headspace. It's guided meditation. I haven't done a subscription, I just keep using the free week at the 10 min setting. It helps me slow my brain down. I also use it after I get in bed at night and I'm usually asleep before the segment is finished.
That’s brilliant. I actually joined head space - then I saw cost and cancelled. I will follow suite. I have been on a rollercoaster for a bit now, I have a JC of depression and anxiety but hadn’t had panic attacks since I was in my early 20’s! I feel like I have about as much emotional resilience now at 53 as I did at 22 ( I was, needless to say, a much less grounded animal back then—- I think the clinical term is “ shit show”).. lol. I have some very painful physical issues I’m struggling with but not cancer to the best of my knowledge. I’m having trouble AGAIN since late adolescence/ early audultish hood making it to appointments. It’s as if I’m a mother to this major pain in the ass who is ME.
I am so grateful for your note! Not only do I feel like less of a freak , but it really “ right sizes” my issues considering you have even bigger fish to fry.
My fish are different, not bigger. I learned that in my cancer group. Mine was caught early and I was still coming undone. Most of the women in my group battled much worse diagnosis’s.
What I learned is that cancer is cancer and the mental and emotional impact isn’t less because your tumor is smaller.
I’ve been applying that lesson to other life challenges.
Your comment:
“I’m having trouble AGAIN since late adolescence/ early audultish hood making it to appointments.”
is something I resemble. I seem to have cycles exactly like that. They can last days or weeks. And I can go years between cycles sometimes. Yet, Generally speaking, unlike many with ADHD I am rarely late or miss appointments.
I was taught from an early age to set a timer and I had a dad who somehow managed to instill in me the importance of time.
The basic lesson I was taught is that being on time shows respect for those who would otherwise be waiting on me.
All of my life I have used a timer. I set it for 15 min earlier than I need to get ready, set it again for 15 min earlier than I need to leave. If I’m in the middle of something when the timer goes off I reset it for 5 min to wrap up what I’m doing.
And even having used the timer for 50 years, I can still have a cycle where I just can’t get anywhere I “need” to be.
Life is an adventure. Never know where the roller coaster will change tracks lol
I'm afraid there is a good chance it will get worse, but your case is your own, so don't lose hope of having the life you deserve. I'm 60, and have gotten worse over the years. I was first diagnosed at 38, but the benefits of treatment at that time didn't seem worth it. Looking back, I now know that life would have been so much better with proper treatment. I have a very young spirit, but sometimes it's crushed by depression, anxiety and fear. Do you live in Los Angeles or Louisiana? I live in Louisiana, and have found one psychiatrist and a neuro-psychologist who are compassionate, and concerned with helping me get better. Although I'm not out of the woods, I have managed to hold on the hope that I will have happiness, after merely existing for so much of my life. I don't have anyone local to share struggles and mutual support.
I have been in Los Angeles for 3 years. I wish I had been set up with a compassionate doc! Mine was great until I got depressed and was beginning to change body chemistry. He kept upping the adderal amount ( I wish I had been due diligent about research prior). He wanted to do this TMS thing , like a modern day electroshock thing for 7 k. I rejected as this has really hindered my ability to work so money is tight, plus I knew hormones played a role. I was given supplements and for 3 very short months I was real happy. BUT THEN pulled off them due to elevated platlets ( which predated hormone replacement) - that physical portion is due to some nerve issues ( pinched) I have in neck and wrists. Anyhow , the secound reason I rejected the electric shock thing is a good friend of mine did it ( male) and he then killed himself. He told me before it was like his memory was obliterated. That’s a nightmare side effect for a memory chalange ADHD / menopausal “ shit show”. Needless to say, my heart broke at his passing,,, but it did solidify that it was a bad choice.My spirit had always been young too, but I now feel every moment of my 53 yrs on earth- I really wish there was more science and medical education for us “ transitioning “ ladies. Perhaps we are not the sexiest demographic to look at, but boy is it needed! I am a generation x girl and there are likely hundreds of me right behind me!
You are super blessed you found a great doc. That is 999.99999 of the battle. ❤️
Yes, there is hope that you will move past merely existing! I am only 4 years younger than you and felt like I simply existed most of my life. I was never sure of how I fit in to a group (prob because I never paid attention long enough to know what was going on).
Because of a good therapist and supportive adult children I am learning to trust my instincts (unless it involves spending money), I am experiencing more of life rather than just watching life go by.
Acrononymous: Thanks for the encouragement. I do try to be more positive than I sound. It's just that I feel like I've run out of time. I know it's not my fault, and finding that so many people have the same problems I do, helps me not feel so alone. In fact, like JenInk, I too feel that we are a set who has been neglected by society and medicine. It seems young adults and teens have all the attention. Don't get me wrong. I know they need the attention. It's just that there is hardly any help for those of us who are nearing the end of the track. And of course it could be more lack of than actual disregard. Going to try to start my day now. (at 11 am!
I'm so sorry about your friend. Losses hit us hard, worsening the depression we've already been dealing with . Yes, it's refreshing to have a doctor who cares. I too have had really bad experiences with so called doctors who just want your money. I just hope she can help me get to a level of functioning that will bring a better quality of life. I have some serious chronic physical issues that have not helped matters. I could literally write a book on life with ADHD. But because of the ADHD I haven't made that happen. So many unfinished, (or never started,) things that would have made huge differences in my self-esteem. However, even though life isn't at all what we may have imagined, may God grant us some much needed joy and contentment these remaining years. I'm praying you find the help you need soon!
I agree that there is not much information out there for ADHD in menopause. But here is a link to ADDitute magazine that has a few articles about hormones and women our age.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
“You just want the label don’t you?”
life anxiety or medication anxiety 
Is anyone in an abusive marriage and know that your marriage expired a long time ago? 
Im the Mom who keeps the entire ADHD family afloat and I’m burnt out!
How can we live harmoniously?
