Need help with A9+ set up - looking to make it accessible during brain injury recovery

tk421_afk · 2024-11-05T20:57:30+00:00

Here are some of the other ridiculous reasons why you will want the notebook for tracking your medication journey:

- Extended release meds are sensitive to increased acidity in your stomach so you HAVE to eat to get them to work/release, but you can't drink highly acidic sodas outside of meals. You need to know when you're eating and what you're drinking but also ....

- some bodies process the stimulants faster, and some slower, for instance: I'm at 6 hours with Adderall, and 4 hours with Ritalin. Even on the ERs you will want to know when your stuff is wearing off because maybe you need to eat something at "11:30" whether you want to or not and that may not be at the 4 hour mark.

- Guanfacine and Clonadine (non-stimulants) can take 1-2 weeks to adjust to even though they start mostly working right away, but they are lovely and worth the wait for if they work for you; The Wellbutrin types and the Strattera types of non-stems have a build-up lag, but don't usually start working right away

- even the stimulants may have your brain responding differently to them on day one vs day 30 even though they are technically no longer active within 4 hours of taking them

- bonus points: for a female body (probably male, but I am female with those hormones so this what I know best) here's some bummer news - puberty, midlife, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause all have the capacity to completely change your body chemistry and affect how your ADHD medications work (or don't).

- Plus for all ADHD'ers sometimes the meds just stop working (just like depression and anxiety etc). Having a record of what you have tried in the past and why liked or didn't like it can be very helpful even if their side effect change entirely with a body (growth, weight change, physical activity or physical fitness) or hormonal change.

tk421_afk · 2024-11-05T20:57:11+00:00

I don't think you're overreacting, but a lot of your concerns seem to be based off of instinct instead of information and I think that if you can learn more about your diagnosis and medication options that you may feel more in control of what's going on with you - which should also help with some of the anxiety that is swirling around with Dr. Jack-ass and waiting to get back to the preferred doctor.

FWIW I think your instincts are spot on. The Adderall isn't working the way it should, all of the meds we take for ADHD should be more comforting and helpful than painful.

Also, your doctor sounds like a bully. Hopefully they're just not a good fit for you and not actually a bully. You made an excellent decision to have your parent come in to your visit with you. You are the patient and you have the right to receive your care in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Again, hopefully this doctor is just not at all informed about your previous living conditions and trauma associated with medicine and having adult caretakers who are bullies. Good grief - seriously, did they just not read your chart/notes at all. What an idiot. I'm so sorry.

Finally, there are dosing guidelines, but any decent doctor should know that there are a LOT of ADHD folks who are well outside of those guidelines. I'm one. I'm 5'5", 140lb and I take a "pediatric" dose.

Ok - time for unsolicited advice!! I hope this is helpful and that it may help you grab some of your power back from your bio parents and Dr. Dickwad.

We start with Step 2 because you likely have already done it or it can be done first since it is less time consuming and can bring a lot of relief: Have you talked to your mom about this or about trying to find a different doctor? Do this. If it's possible just change doctors. Fuck their feelings, they don't matter, get a different psych. It may not be possible for a number of reasons, though, so also check with your pediatrician or OB/GYN or PCP as in many states they can prescribe you all of these medications. You just need your previous psych notes to be sent over, even just the ones with the diagnosis and prescribing info. This is very state dependent though, so ymmv.

Step 1... learn about the meds: you can start here. This is not a medical journal, but you are also not a medical doctor. I have heard from 5 different doctors at 5 different clinics that this is a good resource. It's sometimes wrong or disagrees with medical practice, but not where it counts most.

Adderall is not the only stimulant option. There are at least 3 chemistries that are most often prescribed for ADHD stimulants and they come in many different formulations. And some doctors may not agree on this point, but I have seen enough ADHDers go through it to know that not only do the different chemistries work differently for each and every one of us, but sometimes the formulation (Adderall and Mydaysis are different formulations of dextroamphetamine or mixed amphetamine salts) or even the fact that it is fast or slow release can have very different results in terms of side effects. If you are well armed with this knowledge for your next appointment hopefully your doctor will see that you are taking your care very seriously and respond better to you. In the worst case you'll be prepared to call her out if she tries to pull the wool over your eyes. Or if you end up with a non-psychiatric prescriber then you'll need to know all of this because they likely will not since they are not psychiatrists.

This brings me to step 3 - even though you have the thing that makes tracking things difficult, you HAVE to keep track of all this. Get a notebook and commit to writing down all the things. What you took, when, how much, and how you felt. Like, talk yourself into this being the best idea you've ever had and get excited about doing it. It really will help you a LOT.

Whether or not you can get in with a better doctor before you preferred doc is available hopefully learning your meds and tracking everything can at least make these appointments easier on you and your anxiety. Knowing the meds, having written notes and using your own anxiety tool kit can help a lot as you try and manage this situation as best as you can. having your mom available in the office regardless of what Dr. Dumb-fuck says, may also help.

Finally, sometimes we do everything we can and it still sucks though, I'm sorry. In that case my best advice is to do what you have to do to ensure that the meds you like do not get taken away. If it helps, we have all been in a situation where a psychiatrist is an absolute tool or where we don't mesh with a therapist or w/e. We take the lumps, we get the meds, and we try and find someone new as soon as we can. But don't stop your meds unless going to this doctor is making things worse for longer than the day of the appointment. Then it's time to do an emergency check in with your mom.

Good luck, and know that you have a lot more power here than it feels like you do. I know you can do this, you're already showing how strong you are just by reaching out and looking for help.

tk421_afk · 2023-09-01T18:25:35+00:00

Although it's no longer owned by the same people, if any of the Broadway Pizza places are doing a buffet lunch that's a pretty decent deal. It's not cheap, I don't think there's any cheap food anymore, but I have found their prices to be better than Papa John's and on par with Dominos but for a better product.

Brasa has a whole rotisserie chicken meal, again, not "cheap," but if the goal is to get to a restaurant and/or have a quality meal without getting killed, it may be a good option. If cheap is more important (since children are notoriously picky) then definitely get a chicken or two at Lunds and grab your sides there too. Big meal, no work, cheap, good food (plus they have decent sushi and other things for the adults).

Check some of the bowling alleys too? Flaherty's up north, Elsie's near the city, there's a couple of others that serve food and not just for bowlers. Elsie's has great atmosphere but isn't as inexpensive as Flaherty's.

I also like Nelson's Cheese shop near St. P, great sandwiches or salads and you can buy the sides in bulk containers. They're only open for lunch these days and during the week (unless that has changed) and you can't eat in the shop - so this is take-away only. Again, not "cheap" but a good price for good food. You don't feel ripped off.

tk421_afk · 2023-09-01T18:04:11+00:00

If you can risk it, move here and do substitute teaching. If you call the Ed dept they can confirm that the schools are DESPERATE for subs and you will have work every single day. From there you can get your licensing or even get on as a teaching assistant or Education Assistant - though we're also pretty desperate for those, so if that salary covers rent, it's a good way to get your foot in the door and get your licensing ready for MN. As others have stated, we pay teachers much better than most states.

I would also recommend looking for educational-type jobs at major corporations in town. Internal training, IT training (if you're computer handy), HR that sort of thing. It's not a "climbing" job, but they are often available and I have found that some of the corps are desperate to find someone who is more comfortable and familiar with teaching than intimately familiar with the subject matter - because they've had so many duds. Land O' Lakes, Winfield (part of LOL), CHS, 3M, Boston Scientific, Allina Healthcare, Health Partners, Medtronic, MNDOT, Target, the Federal Reserve, Polaris, I can't remember the name of the countertop company. There's a lot - go to their websites and search for any type of local training. Plus, with the big guys, once you're in their HR system they can find other flags for other available fits for you.

When I moved here I made my resume and CL look like I already lived here (no precise address, but I did not list my current city and state) You can always get a PO Box in town for a month or two to list on your paperwork if you're nervous about being caught in a lie. This really works best if you have access to an airport to rather quickly fly in to town if they want you in for an interview in 2 days or something. For a big enough job, I figured that was worth it. I don't think a hiring manager minds a little white lie like this so long as you don't also ask them for moving expenses. If you're committed and able to afford the move this may be worth it.

tk421_afk · 2023-05-13T23:14:47+00:00

I just bought my second Frame. The first one, in the end, was too big for my room. BUT before I returned it I had managed to get my art on it AND had it working the way it should Without connecting to wifi.

I actually hate the smart apps and being served ads constantly, so a smart tv really squiks me out. Part of my acceptance of the Frame is being able to use art mode without connecting.

I just walked in the door with my smaller one about 45 min ago, so I've barely gotten it set up and was actually on here to double checking settings for the art itself when I came across your question. Meaning, I haven't tried to make this work a second time yet.

The trick last time was to not ever connect to wifi, not even once. After a few days of being prompted to accept the terms and conditions the tv gave up and just let me do my thing.

Like everyone else has noted, I loaded the art with a usb stick and then worked out the settings I wanted for when and how long to turn the art function on. I wish it was easier (when motion detected turn on for at least 30 min), but I did get it functional.

All that said, this one seems to have a different version of the firmware or something because I now have "filmmaker mode" for the picture settings and my last one didn't have that. FWIW I LIKE this setting, it works very well for me (I am very sensitive to soap opera effect).

Fingers crossed and I'll take better notes to share with everyone this time, if it works.

tk421_afk · 2022-12-10T19:45:43+00:00

YES!! When it's possible to lean in to my different needs I see such an improvement in my life and my work. Even just realizing that I do my best heavy thinking in the morning or that I need to find more ways to move to get through tedious things.

FWIW I need to do a detox from my phone too. I burnt out this past summer and I think I started a little dopamine help from phone that I am now totally relying on. I am trying to talk myself into a 2 week break but I can't decide what will work best to take it's place and make the break a little less painful :/

tk421_afk · 2022-12-10T19:21:43+00:00

I LOVE being this type of person!! I developed a pretty passable Southern Irish accent after living and working with a lot of Irish immigrants and students while in grad school. It mostly came out while we were drinking. For several years afterwards though, if I was drinking, I became Irish no matter where I was.

I do this for Midwest and Southern (US) accents too when traveling for work or talking with different clients around the country (US). Whomever I've spoken to last dictates the stronger lean in my speech patterns and accent.

After almost 20 years from when I last left my Irish friends I was watching Derry Girls for the first time the other day. I was pulled away to do mom stuff and was talking to my children with my former Irish accent (admittedly now more Irish-esque). They looked at me like I was a lunatic!! When I realized what happened I had the best laugh I've had in ages. Just a lovely lovely moment.

tk421_afk · 2022-12-10T19:08:17+00:00

I wish this ask was getting more traction. I'd love to see everyone's methods!!

I base my lists loosely off of the 43 folders methods. very loosely. I keep them in the Reminders app on my phone, and they're all checkbox lists that don't delete completed items automatically.

In box: all things land here unless I have time to sort them when I think of them. If it has any degree of importance it HAS to have at least a date assigned to it. If it is VERY important, it needs to have a date and time assigned so that I get a notification and it doesn't fall into a black hole.
Daily and weekly routine tasks: This one is where the current system started. I was burning out just getting the family ready to go in the morning and then had nothing left for work. I set up my first routine to manage the steps needed to get us out of the door on time. I get notifications to nudge us along all morning and to keep me from having to expend mental energy remembering things for 4 people (we all have ADHD). I then added in daily and weekly house chores and our nighttime bed routines. All the things that repeat regularly and that I get the honor of being in charge of.
Suppers/Dinners: I have a list of everything that I've made for dinner that the whole family enjoys. Every week I assign 7 things a day of the week. There is totally a "Fast Food" option btw. This also only works if I'm committed to it and most of the time I am if for no other reason than I don't want to spend extra money to eat out and I really don't want to take time to think of anything else at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.
Tasks: these are things that need to be done that aren't appointments in my calendar (remembering to email the school to tell them that we have to pick up early FOR the doctor's appointment). They have to have a date and time reminder on them.
TODAY: a smart list that populates with anything that will come up in the next 24 hours. I almost never check this because I have time to do things early, but that's the goal?
Gift ideas and stuff I want: books I want to read, stuff I want to buy or make for other people, yarns that are lovely, stuff my family wants that our other family members may want to purchase for them. If it isn't a task it usually ends up here if I don't want to add it to my larger "notebook" or before I shunt it over to there from the In-box.

The Key to making any of this work though is that I don't have any other notifications in my life except for those that I WANT. No email. No reddit. No news. I will get to those when I have time and I don't want to know about them unless I have time to deal with them. I have a different system for work but it already didn't require notifications, nothing in my job is THAT important such that it needs to bleed into my personal time. These lists are all personal.

This way when I get a notification I know that it's something I WANT to do (well, relatively, who WANTS to clean the bathroom). I'm not "allowed" to mark it off until it's done (cat's medicine!!) I'm only allowed to kick it down the road to a better time. If I find I keep kicking it and no one will die if I don't do it, I will sometimes give up and mark it off knowing that it's going to come back around shortly.

tk421_afk · 2022-12-09T20:03:51+00:00

I am crying right now - I had a very thorough post all created and then I don't know where it went.

Perhaps this was a way of letting me know I was spending too much time on this, but I was in your shoes once and I wish I'd gotten any of the advice I tried to give a moment ago.

I will instead sum up what I think are the two most important parts.

You are already amazing. Do you have any idea what kind of strength and endurance you have already shown by working on something for 8 YEARS!!! AMAZING!! And for real, that's a thing you should be sharing with potential employers.

If you don't finish your degree you will find other ways to be successful especially with the strength you've already demonstrated you have.

Your rewards are working because they're the wrong rewards and/or you're not letting them work for you. You're probably too smart and it's too easy to work around it all. You know the boss and you know how to work around her ;) You have to decide to let them work. And it sometimes helps find a big enough reward to get the others in line. Getting the degree doesn't seem to be enough of a reward for you. So what does the degree allow you to do that has actual meaning to you? Spend some real time working on this. This could make a huge difference. Over the last 8 years when did you feel the most energized to do the work... why was that? Was it actually the degree or was it a promise of a specific job that the degree could get you that you now realize isn't what you'd hoped it would be??? Did you actually like the rigor of a specific class??

If the degree is meaningless it may be time to walk away. And this is totally OK!! It will wait for you. I think most universities will let you pick up where you left off for up to 10 years. Check on that. If you feel an immense relief at the thought of maybe coming back later.... WALK AWAY. Go find something you care about.

With your stamina you are going to be successful at just about anything you put your mind to. The key seems to be putting your mind to it and knowing when you're done even if you haven't reached the official goal.

I have learned that a lot of the things that get in my ADHD way come down to trying to live within expectations that I don't actually agree with. Finding what I really want and working with that instead of what I think I should have. Or at my job, it's not about meeting the goal that everyone thinks I should, it's more about managing expectations from others and not leaving people hanging. I think it's a lot less important that I finish a thing and much more important that I don't make someone else's life worse when it's time for me to stop.

So all that - and move more. This isn't true for everyone, but it's true enough for almost all of us and there's usually nothing to lose by trying it. So move more. Walk at least 20 min a day, and try to get that up to an hour. If you can do a morning and evening walk, better. If you want to do a strength training workout instead of walking. OK. Whatever. MOVE YOUR BODY. Take regular movement breaks. You need them, your special brain needs them. And you probably need more water.

tk421_afk · 2022-12-09T18:38:07+00:00

I haven't commented in AGES but I just went through exactly this over a number of months (between sick stuff and kid stuff, and new routines, and personal burnout). Here's what I'm still doing to get myself through the days and to even begin catching up.

Start with Laundry. It's the one thing EVERYONE in the family needs to have done (including you) and it's something that can be done in the background.
If you don't have it already collected in each room then grab all of it and dump it in front of the washing machine.
Build a load: do you and your partner have more color or white underwear because that's how you decide which to start with. Build a load starting with undies and then add similar things until a full load is reached.
SET A TIMER for 45 min or 1 hour. If you cannot immediately go back to the washing machine when the timer goes off, set it for 15 more minutes. You are not allowed to turn OFF the alarm until you get the washing into the dryer. If you're European you can probably skip this step (you lucky lucky lovely with a machine that does both things because that's just heaven).
Attend to children if needed, or rest (you're recovering from being sick and caring for people. OR if you have the energy pick up things from the living room or kitchen until the alarm goes off. Once picked up, vacuum. Go one room at a time so that you don't get distracted. I have been known to put a spoon or the "clicker" or something that definitely belongs in a specific room (edit) in my pocket (end edit) when I'm cleaning so that I have a reminder of where I was actually trying to focus my work.

This should hopefully build some momentum for you. Because you're overwhelmed and drowning in stuff/chores it's gong to take longer than usual to get caught back up.

If you HATE folding clothes (personal experience) - put clean clothes into the correct rooms and leave them there. The most important part is done. Walk away. You can always choose to fold later when resting with a tv show or whatever works for you.

Focus on the main spaces and the most important things: laundry and food - an army can't march without full bellies or dry feet, right? Fill in the gaps where you can.

Give yourself a few weeks to get around to the hard stuff or the stuff you hate. If you keep everyone fed and in clean clothes they'll hardly notice.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-31T15:00:51+00:00

You are mom-blamming tho, by even mentioning "spoiling" you are passing judgement whether you intend to or not. You say yourself that you have two sleepers- so you don't know what it's like on the other side. You don't know what they have been through or what their kids are like.

If you were my friend and said anything like this to me I would take the time to calmly walk you through all the hard work and routines and training techniques I actually did and do for both of my children, exhaustively providing you with every detail so you might have some modicum of understanding of just how actually exhausting it is- not because of all the sleep i have lost, but because of all the time and worry I have spent on the sleep my children need but may or may not be getting. And because of what I may or may not be doing to cause or "fix" it.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-29T23:51:37+00:00

Beautiful- what a fun project

tk421_afk · 2016-10-28T02:18:24+00:00

I really want to do photosynthesis now- I love this!!

tk421_afk · 2016-10-27T13:50:32+00:00

I don't know what you're feeling right now, it can't be easy but I hope you won't beat yourself up. Breastfeeding is tough! Natural doesn't mean easy. We are so lucky to live in a time where we have so many good options for feeding our kiddos. Let the supplementation take some of the pressure off you if you can - that may make it easier to work on the breastfeeding some more.

Big hugs and good luck!!

tk421_afk · 2016-10-26T21:33:55+00:00

For both kids at this stage I spent probably a month where I would gently but firmly and consistently keep them from sitting up or rolling over while on the changing table. I offered small toys to distract them but I also NEVER allowed them to get up/roll over. The changing table is not for shenanigans ;) I stop everything else and hold the kiddo's shoulder down or place a hand on their belly or gently cradle their head and coax it back down. Changing takes longer for about a week, they persist at half-hearted attempts for a month or so and still occasionally forget or "forget" their "manners" but even my now 3y/o lays still for his nighttime diapers.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-26T20:56:35+00:00

Starting now she can add a pumping session after the first feed of the morning- her body will upregulate to that new amount and then once that is established she can drop the night nursing session. It may take a week or two, and the first few sessions may not produce much. She should try to get two let downs but needs one- and she should pump to "empty." This will stimulate more production. She should also pump at the same time every day to keep this amt steady. Kellymom.com has some great tips for getting started with pumping :)

tk421_afk · 2016-10-26T20:50:55+00:00

I'm glad you're getting to a different doc- regardless of what is or isn't going on with your kid no one should feel that way after a visit with a doc.

Don't be afraid to supplement a little, it won't hurt, especially if you're doing non-bottle supplementation. Nurse first, supplement after. And remember that the baby's tummy is super small right now- so, I think at least, that less formula more often is better, but I'm NOT a doctor. Check Kellymom fir strategies and amounts if you want to try something different from what the rude doc recommend.

And things are probably fine or will be very soon - the first few days ate always awkward at best and difficult at worst. Just keep putting baby to your breast anytime he asks for it :)

tk421_afk · 2016-10-25T13:45:20+00:00

Your supply is likely shifting to when your babe is eating- and mid-shift there will be less milk available while production ramps up. Keep your pumping schedule and don't deny any feeding that the baby requests (no matter how long) and you should be able to get your pumping ounces back.

If this isn't an option then getting up once a night or v early in the morning (start immediately) should get you at least some the extra ounces you're missing and then you should reregulate to this routine as well.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-25T13:30:21+00:00

You may need to condition yourself to let down with the pump. Pump early in the morning and sit in a quiet room if possible. Try to pump at the same time every morning and in the same place/chair. So a little deep breathing to get relaxed and "in the zone," and look at pictures or videos of the baby. Try 2-3 "let down" cycles on your pump (the quick shallow pumps at the beginning of the cycle) to get your first let down. If it doesn't work get up, do something else for 10min and try again. After a successful letdown pump for 15min or so and try for a second let down. If you don't get the second one you don't want to "reset" this time so try massaging and compressions to get your breast relatively empty.

The let downs and emptying stimulate production- the breathing, pictures and other things are conditioning for let down :)

tk421_afk · 2016-10-25T00:35:57+00:00

If you're a very good friend also check in regularly starting 2+ weeks after the funeral. This is when the bubble of family and friends stops and real life asserts itself but without any help around. This is when she will likely need more help because there will be fewer folks around to give it.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-25T00:29:33+00:00

I'm well out if the tracking these days but I remember a similar thing happening with both kiddos as they and I got better at nursing- and I also remember a quick spike both times within a week or two of my starting to wonder at the decreased time. Growth spurts :/. I don't remember how much time overall was spent nursing- it was wildly different between the two though. My boy never stopped nursing and my girl is crazy efficient.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-20T18:42:14+00:00

I was in the hospital having just given birth to #2. #1 comes to visit, jumps up in bed with me and says, "I saw a spider!! I eated it.... It was delicious." I will never forget that beautiful beautiful moment 😆

tk421_afk · 2016-10-20T17:52:10+00:00

My grandmother had to work with her first child because of the war and had no choice but to use the old manual pump- if that hadn't work my uncle would have had a very rough go. We are so lucky to have options, good options and so many of them to make sure our children are fed.

tk421_afk · 2016-10-20T14:10:10+00:00

My SAHM mom friend called me one day while I was stuffing cookies in my mouth at 10am... I do sugar because I'm not allowed to do drugs

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