[jh479352]

I can relate to all the dissatisfaction with meds but I find my pharmarist is such a helpful resourse. I can tell you my experience and I have read this in many books: Menapause makes it worse. I can not keep my house straighten around especially my kitchen table. And I hate having to take sleeping meds. I feel like I'm losing it slowly. What does help is 8 hours of sleep, lots of protein, mainly eggs in the AM and no caffeine.

[luv2shopp85]

How do you guys stay organized while working? I'm a nursing student and having a lot of trouble with this while I'm at clinical. My instructors have even commented it. I'm thinking about getting a PDA because that might help. Does anyone here have a PDA and thinks it helps? Or has tried a PDA and found it didn't do any good?

[firstaiddave907]

Originally Posted by Metron

I started this thread because I wanted to talk to nurses with ADD. Please save the "overabused" or "it doesn't exist" argument for another thread. I deal with these myths enough in everyday life.

I totally agree with you I am 20 years old and i am currently going to school to become a medical assistant then to go on for my LPN then my RN. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 5 years old and i also have a learning disability. I hate when people say it is over abused or it doesn't exist I have heard it all and it makes me angry.

[chris_at_lucas_RN]

Originally Posted by luv2shopp85

How do you guys stay organized while working? I'm a nursing student and having a lot of trouble with this while I'm at clinical. My instructors have even commented it. I'm thinking about getting a PDA because that might help. Does anyone here have a PDA and thinks it helps? Or has tried a PDA and found it didn't do any good?

I've never used a PDA, being of the "typewriter generation," but I can tell you that my first laptop changed my life. (In a good way!)

[Balder_LPN]

I think strattera is great, but if I go off of it I get stomach issues and it even makes me "high" the first 5-7 days I go back on. I really like my doc, but he doesnt believe me on the high part. So I have to take it before bed instead of in the morning the first week, even though it causes a bit of insomnia. It's not an amphetamine so you can get a 3 month scrip and you dont have to do any explaining if you have a UA.

[Chaya]

Originally Posted by luv2shopp85

How do you guys stay organized while working? I'm a nursing student and having a lot of trouble with this while I'm at clinical. My instructors have even commented it. I'm thinking about getting a PDA because that might help. Does anyone here have a PDA and thinks it helps? Or has tried a PDA and found it didn't do any good?

This has always been my problem, in clinicals and now on the job. A big part of my problem is that I don't often "get" things the first time around. I know I do best in an environment where I can build on past experience and don't have to react to unique situations on the spur of the moment. Once I have seen a situation 2-3 times or worked with a patient before I am a champ at putting a lot of complex info together into the big picture.

For me this involves writing lots of lists (I don't have a PDA as yet but am thinking about it). Something about physically recording info and seeing it in print makes it "click" for me. I also find I am immobilized until I have "sequenced" the steps I need to take in my mind: what I need to get or prepare, what I do first and in what order, etc. I know I need to allow extra time to get my thoughts together before I can be productive.

[Psychaprn]

I don't have it but wanted to lend my support. I treat people with it and have friends with ADD/ADHD. I really admire those of you with the dx. who are nurses-it must be really tough -nursing's hard enough without problems concentrating or focusing!

[FairyPrincess06]

I will be a frosh nursing major in the fall of '06 and have had ADHD since 4th/5th grade. It suprises me how far I have come even though I'm still not perfect like other ppl r but I got into a top nursing school (U-Mass Dartmouth) w/ average grades mostlys B's and A's a 1-2 c's but I feel other than the academics I have the skills to work w/ kids and I want to be a ped's nurse at the end of the road in 4yrs. Good Luck to all out there and I too will check this board often.

[FairyPrincess06]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

Hi,
My symptoms?
Well, nursing requires ALOT of long periods of concentration which is something I always stuggled with. After going on the meds, my grades went from a D to almost a B the first semester. And I just completed the second semester and ended with an 82%, and this semester was TOUGH! And believe me, I was evaluated by a psych and tested MYSELF and like another poster said if I don't have ADD, I don't know who has. I will admit I could be in denial about it sometimes, but I'm starting to accept it more and more as time goes on. So, yes I need meds, and no I don't want to have to take this stuff the rest of my life but If I have to I will. Good luck to all of you struggling with ADD(and those who aren't), I know it could bring you down at times (maybe not) because we have to resort to meds in order to funtion "normally" but I'm also very thankful that I don't need insulin or have any other problems.
Other symptoms I forgot to mention,
Blanking out on tests and forgetting everything
Forgetting appointments
Misplacing things
Saying things that I don't mean on impulse
Feel like I'm driven by a motor, etc etc.
Here's the good part, when i'm under pressure, I function better, that's why I know I'll be a good nurse. I need to be busy. Plus, the meds help emensly!

You sound just like I am but I'm only 18 and have been experiencing similar symptoms from 4th grade on especially through out middle school and high school. Good luck in nursing and if u have q's 4 me just ask but I am only a frosh so I dont have many nursing answers yet!

[HM2Viking]

I wasn't diagnosed until my mid 40's. I worked for a neuropsychologist who did not believe in adult ADD?ADHD or tolerate ADD/ADHD cognitive styles. I have been on ADDERALL for a year and I can tell the difference when I don't take it. I am starting nursing school in 6 weeks. I want to become a nurse practitioner just so I can be an advocate for people who experience ADD/ADHD. (FWIW I also struggle with organization and time blindness)

In my reading about ADD/ADHD nursing and teaching are professions that are considered ADD/ADHD friendly. Anyway, I just wanted to say that ADD/ADHD is not a bad thing. It is just a different way of relating to the world.

If you as a person have difficulty with relationships due to ADD/ADHD GET TREATED. Its not worth it to live with low grade depression or frustration. My life is better since I started treatment.