ADD diagnosis - 2 years after RNY Anybody Else?

cathyteal
on 10/30/11 9:02 am - Arlington, TN

I have gained some weight since surgery (20 pounds). I have been really upset about it, but I don't seem to be able to get back on track. I have recently been diagosed with ADD...not the hyperactive kind. Has Anyone had experience with this. I had been told I had it some years pre-surgery, but elected not to take anything for it. I am 59 years old, I hesitate to take any medication for this now. Just wondering if anybody else out there has had this diagnosis? What to do??????not sure.

HW/297 SW/265 CW/206 GW/165 Lowest Weight 171 (12-09)

Lynn Brown
on 10/30/11 9:25 am

Lap Band on 11/09/11

I have three children diagnosed with ADD, two with hyperactivity. They are all adults now. We tried the meds for a while but didn't like the affect it had on the kids. We started working on coping techniques when they were young and now they do it on their own. I can't tell you what will work for you because it is very individualized. Think about ways that your ADD interferes with your life/goals. Then think of things you could do to redirect your attention when you get in those situations. For example, list making really helped the one that was not hyperactive. Whenever she caught herself off task she would look at her list. Eventually you get better at catching yourself.

As it relates to eating, people with ADD tend to like repetitive activities. I would guess you graze all day and don't pay much attention to what you are putting in your mouth? If so, try journaling your food everyday. The nutrition tracker on OH is pretty handy for that. In fact, you could use it to preplan your meals for the next day and that would become your 'list' that you will bring yourself back to when you discover you are off task.

Hope it helps.

Citizen Kim
on 10/30/11 10:14 am - Castle Rock, CO

RNY on 07/27/04

My oldest son was diagnosed 10 years ago (he's now 21) and has never taken drugs ... He manages his day to day life very well because he's probably always had it and has adapted very well!

I also have a son with autism that doesn't take any medication either - we don't do anything pharmaceutical until it's absolutely necessary - ie, if there comes a point that anyone is unable to cope with day to day life, then we'd do it but not UNTIL then!

You know how you feel and how you are coping - unless you are really having a problem, often the side effects outweigh the benefits - only you will know if this is the case for youor not.

Good luck with whatever decision you make ...

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

poet_kelly
on 10/30/11 11:37 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

If you've managed to live with it for 59 years without medication, I'm wondering why you would need medication now. I'm not saying you don't, I don't know you and maybe you do. But many adults with ADHD function pretty well without meds. What symptoms are you having?

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

cathyteal
on 10/30/11 11:41 am - Arlington, TN

RNY on 02/09/09

Gaining weight, Not able to keep on track. All old patterns pre-surgery. Get up in the morning saying "im not going to do this: and by the end of the day I have done it anyway. Not able to focus on task. Grazing all day. and the list goes on and on. Completely impulsive behavior.

HW/297 SW/265 CW/206 GW/165 Lowest Weight 171 (12-09)

poet_kelly
on 10/30/11 11:44 am - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

Honestly, difficulty focusing sounds like it might be ADHD, but not sticking to your resolutions and grazing all day sound like things many of us with weight problems deal with, not necessarily symptoms of ADHD. Meds might help you focus more, but do you think they will stop you from grazing? Do you think they will decrease the urge to eat?

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

cathyteal
on 10/30/11 3:14 pm - Arlington, TN

RNY on 02/09/09

I am very confused by this while thing. I was the first one to say I would NEVER go back to the way I was before. I have sought help to figure it out. I was diognosed with ADD. It is strictly my call if I want to take the meds, but part of the symptoms apparently is impulsiveness and not able to stay on track. Since they feel as if I have dealt with this problem for years, they think that the old habits may be symtoms of the ADD which manifests itself in my inability to stay on task. Or at the very least contributes greatly to my impulsive behaviour. I am just seeking answers on how it is that I would accomplish the weight loss with surgery and then let the weight creep back on by no self control.

HW/297 SW/265 CW/206 GW/165 Lowest Weight 171 (12-09)

poet_kelly
on 10/30/11 3:22 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

If you think medication would help, then by all means try it. I'm just saying that many people struggle with going back to old habits after WLS and most of them do not have ADHD. I think it happens for many different reasons. Many people eat for emotional reaons, like grazing out of boredom or eating to relieve stress, and if they don't learn other ways to deal with their feelings, then after surgery they still want to eat to deal with those feelings. Some people are addicted to food and WLS does not cure addiction. Some people aren't very good at planning meals in advance and tend to grab quick and easy things to eat that may not be very healthy, and having surgery doesn't teach them to plan meals or prepare food in advance.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

cathyteal
on 10/30/11 3:24 pm - Arlington, TN

RNY on 02/09/09

I agree with all you said and have been dealing with it in those terms. The Dr. has just introduced another possability that could be adding to my issues with trying to conquer my problem with food. I am still struggling with taking the meds. I am just searching for answers. I am trying hard to fight this, but I am having serious problems with it. I just want answers and I just want to stay thin. I sought help to understand and now I am so confused. I havent decided, but I think I will at least try to see if it helps. Although I don't want to take anything that is not necessary. I don't take Anything now. Not even a blood pressure pill.

HW/297 SW/265 CW/206 GW/165 Lowest Weight 171 (12-09)

poet_kelly
on 10/30/11 3:46 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08

There is probably no harm in trying the meds and seeing if they help. They can have side effects just like any meds can but if the side effects are too troublesome for you, you can come off the meds of course. If you decide to try the meds, I think I would look at them as one more tool that might help you, not as a "magic pill" that's going to solve all these problems, just like WLS wasn't a magic fix. I'm not saying you do expect it to be a magic pill, I'm just saying make sure you don't fall into that kind of thinking.

I am on meds for depression and I generally make healthier food choices when I'm not real depressed so in that regard the meds help me maintain my weight loss, but it's not like the pills themselves keep me from eating junk food in some way. It's just that they help me manage my depression and when I am less depressed, I have more energy to shop for and prepare healthy food for myself.

Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.

ADD diagnosis - 2 years after RNY Anybody Else?

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ADD diagnosis - 2 years after RNY Anybody Else?