My Life with ADHD: Day 2

I fall asleep while the TV is on. I don't mean to, but my friends and family know that after 5:00 is sleepy time if I’m in front of the TV. It's been this way my entire life. This is the reason that I end up multi-tasking while I watch TV - because it keeps me awake. Husband™ hates it when I don't pay attention to watching the TV when I'm watching TV. I now know that my ADHD brain is just stimulated enough by watching TV that it doesn't need to go hyperactive and I can finally relax (i.e. sleep).

Husband™ also knows that if I do end up falling asleep in front of the TV, just leave me there and let me sleep. Because after I wake up and turn the TV off, I can't go back to sleep after that.

This is precisely what happened last night. We are at the end of a kid-free week (Thanks Nana and Gampy!) and were watching the grown-up things that we don't get to watch much. Of course I fell asleep!

What happened last night is not anything different than I typically experienced. What is different is that I started my ADHD medication earlier in the day. If you read my last post, you'll know that I didn't even realize how much my brain hurts all of the time without medication. Well, when it wore off, I was in pain for the rest of the night. I didn't take anything for it because I was hoping that it would go away and I didn't want to worry about any interactions on my first day.

I also heard from my doctor that insomnia is a typical side effect from my medication. I have never had problems sleeping in the past. In fact, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat most of the time. But last night after I woke up and we stopped watching TV, then I couldn't sleep. I finally was able to get to sleep around 11:30. Not too bad, all things considered. Better than insomnia anyway.

 

Time of Dose: 7:45 am

I'm still feeling sleepy after last night. I remembered to cut the caffeine but I can feel myself dragging this morning. Maybe just one can of soda won't be too much. I am a diet soda junkie - at least 3 cans a day in my current habit.

I also started listening to relaxation music. Which in hindsight may not be the best idea when I'm already feeling sleepy. But I need the auditory stimulation, and I'm working from home so it's way too quiet.

 

First effects: 8:30 am

I'm starting to feel more awake and less brain foggy. Still a little headache, but probably caffeine related.

 

Full effects: 8:45 am

Goals for today:

1. Stay on one task at a time as much as possible. (This means don't look at the phone every 5 minutes. I don't care if the report/page/file is still loading - just wait for it!)
2. Drink more water.
3. Finish the tasks that I told my boss I wanted to get done this week. Like actually finish them this time.

9:00: Caved to the caffeine. Going to take it very slow though.

10:00: Ate a snack. Probably less than half a can of soda and my headache is gone. (Finished the soda at 2:00 - progress!)

11:00: Feeling a little antsy. I get easily annoyed by people who leg jiggle, and it's even worse when it's me! For now I'm not a full-on jiggler, more like just my feet. I would take a walk but I'm trying to get things done at work!

I got my flu shot over my lunch hour. A necessity this year! If you haven't got one yet, GO DO IT if you can.

The afternoon has been going well. I'm not going to be able to completely finish the tasks that I wanted, but there was a lot more left to do than I had thought. I am still proud of the amount of effort I put in today.

2:30: I noticed it starting to wear off. Good thing I'm almost done with my work day. The post-meds headache isn't as bad yet today. 

 

Outcomes:

I didn't do as much multi-tasking as I would do prior to starting medication. I am more self-aware of my habits and where I struggle. I'm trying to correct myself sooner.

I didn't get the headache that I did the first night, which was such a relief. I didn't feel tired until after 11, where as my usual has been around 9-10. Maybe my brain isn't working as hard, which is the goal!
 

Hurdles:

Next week I start working in the office again. I notice when I am around people, I tend to be less distracted. Which is good, but also the proximity of people terrifies me with COVID-19 in full swing right now. Also the sensory part of being around people and close to a warehouse area was hard for me the last day I worked in the office. I have my headphones ready to drown out the noise.