How does aging impact ADD.

[Addledsenior]

I am 59 years old and was diagnosed with ADD and started taking 10 mg ADDERAL daily 4 years ago though I've had symptoms all my life.  I had a very difficult time in elementary school but at around age 13, I developed some strategies to help me do better in school: Sit in the front row; used spiral composition books instead of loose leaf paper for note taking; make lists; drink coffee; do my homework after everyone else went to bed; etc.  I was able graduate from college with honors and have had a rewarding but mentally challenging job.  It has always taken me longer to complete projects and paperwork than my colleagues and I have mostly worked part time because I am so fatigued when I try to work full time that I don't enjoy life.  At around 50 I began to find that it was taking longer and becoming more difficult to manage workloads that I had previously been able to manage. The Adderal was very helpful for a while, but now I am finding my ADD symptoms are getting worse.  I also have a sleep disorder which is also getting worse with age and when I don't sleep well all the ADD symptoms (poor concentration, impulsivity, anxiety) seem to be increased.  Does anyone know of any good research on the effects of aging on ADD.

[Sandman2]

     My wife would totally agree with your statements and she doesn't have ADD, but certainly was having the sleep problems after menopause.

[Addledsenior]

My experience tells me that you are absolute right about hormones, but my doctor never seems to give it any credit.  Menopause is when my ADD and my sleep patterns both got much worse.  Many post-menopausal women who don't have ADD tell me that they start having problems with  concentration and sleeping after menopause - I assume that I just went into it with a different baseline.  I was able to manage my ADD and sleep without medication prior to menopause.

[sophiastockholm]

If you are female, the hormon changes (estrogen, progesteron) before and after menopause will most likely make your symptomes much worse. It's incredible how little attention is paid to hormones and females with ADHD, aspergers and migraine patients...

[Sandman2]

   My sister-in-law really struggled with sleep apnea.  She got one of those new light weight mask type things that just cover the nose.   They are very quiet when hooked up to the machine. She was using it at our house.  I didn't even know she had it with her.   It has made a HUGE difference for her.   So definitely check it out!!!

[Addledsenior]

Thanks for the link, I think I will talk to my doctor about over-night oximetry at home to diagnose sleep apnea. My ex use to tell me that I stopped breathing in my sleep but I didn't have insurance at the time and I couldn't bring myself to seriously consider having a sleep study done in an inpatient setting. Even with insurance,  it seems extreme, but wearing an oximeter overnight in my own home in my own bed seems much more practical.

[Addledsenior]

Thanks for your response. I'm glad to hear you confirm that sleep deprivation exacerbates ADD symptoms.  My experience has told me that it does but I have actually had a doctor tell me that I wouldn't die without sleep.  The problem is that yes, I might die -in a car wreck for example- if I am unfocused and slow to respond.  My job requires lots of driving and I take not getting enough sleep seriously.  I have had so many close calls in my life from not paying attention (not just when driving) that I sometimes fear for my life (and the lives of others I may impact). No wonder I am anxious. I have a brain that is not reliable at times.

[Sandman2]

   Unfortunately, the money goes where the meds go, so most of the research is done on kids.  However, with more and more kids entering the adult mainstream that may begin to change.  So, no I haven't yet seen any research on aging.  Doesn't mean its not out there.  Typically, the experience seems to be like yours - over the years you learn how to compensate.
    However, your sleep disorder is definitely a cause for the ADD symptoms and perhaps the main cause.  There is some good research on sleep disorder on kids and I think it would also apply.  Check out this link and look at the side bar.  There are several more studies on ADHD and sleep.  The link is http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407160751.htm
   Sleep apnea is a serious disorder.  There are some good, effective ways to deal with it - depending on the cause.  I would focus your efforts on getting a good nights sleep!   Hope this helps.  Please post if you have any more questions.