Did ADHD meds change your (or your child/other person’s) life?

[HouseSlippers]

I probably have ADHD (siblings both diagnosed but I’ve been resisting assessment for some reason), but I’m wondering if I’m being obstinate and I should just get an assessment and get meds if the outcome is I do have ADHD. Right now I find it very difficult to achieve the goals I want to, particularly around studying and a career, and also things like not living in a clutter box and constantly forgetting things. I guess I’m sick of living like this and if the problem is I need meds and it will help then I’ll take a deep breath and get that ball rolling.

Following

I asked this question on an FB forum. Some overwhelmingly positive responses.

I use a particular website to research experience with medications I have to take. I looked up the generic medication methylphenidate on Drugs.com.

The reviews there were very interesting and informative. Average 7 out of 10 which is incredibly good for any medication.

The website ADDitude is really good, informative and has various articles on this.

Yes (with a caveat).

I was diagnosed at 22. Had really struggled to hold down a job (went through 3 in the 18 months post-graduation), I just got bored and flitted. Struggled to focus on anything, couldn't sit and read, felt restless all the time, daydreaming constantly, not hearing what people were saying. Textbook combined ADHD, diagnosed and medicated within a month of referral (those were the days 😅).

I got a job a month later and kept it for 4 years until I moved on to progress my career. Went onto postgraduate study and could focus and did really well. Dealt much better with inactivity, I was more present and alert.

Caveat: I've been off medication for nearly 2 years now. I had to come off it during tests for another condition, subsequently diagnosed with that other condition, never went back onto ADHD meds. I expected to go straight back to square 1, but I haven't. I think the medication works enough for you to be able to develop your own coping mechanisms too, so even if you go on medication now, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be on it for life. I'm 2 years unmedicated and often forget I'm diagnosed because I'm a completely different person to who I was before diagnosis and medication.

Yes.
My DD1 was diagnosed at 6 years old... she was bright but an unfocussed whirlwind of a child, and her teacher asked if we were happy to have her assessed. She was diagnosed (correctly!) and went on Ritalin. Stayed on it til she was 14, came off it for a year or two but realised she couldn't manage.. resumed meds. She was very hyper, totally scatty and a trial to her teachers!

She's 32 now, still on a combo of slow release and quick acting meds and she is amazing... as long as she remembers to take them (she is learning to drive, finally and she forgot for one lesson... it showed!)
However she also has to manage her ADHD herself.. she has lists for everything, alarms for everything, many techniques to keep herself on the ball.

She went to med school and is now a GP, and she has no doubt that without medication and eveything else she puts in place to regulate herself, she would not be!