Neurodiversity

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Kimbo

Apocalipstic I am very curious about how you came about being diagnosed later in life. I have been really struggling for quite some time now, because I am in full blown butch-o-pause everything is getting blamed on that. I read in here and am amazed at how much I relate to things. I know that many are diagnosed earlier in life. I have ADD, diagnosed by my clinical Dr but I am considering seeing a Psychiatrist. When I had my physical last month my Dr again keeps wanting to prescribe meds for some of the pausal symptoms I am having but every time I do something like this is makes my head worse. I have lost much of my reading comprehension, my thought process is really garbled, I struggle communicating and keeping my head from going in circles and if I am tired, forget communication. This is really becoming an issue for me—and the frustration I feel trying to communicate just makes things worse and adds to my anxiety level. My retention of data is nonexistent and people often have to tell me things several times before it sticks in the ol’ gray matter. It feels like I am losing the battle. How did your diagnosis come about and by who, if I may ask? I do IT for a living—data and detail are mandatory parts of my job and I’m really struggling at work and they have noticed. I went from getting the employee of the month 3 months in a row to the worst evaluation I’ve had in 30+ years of employment.

I don’t mind taking meds if needed but I need to know that I am taking the right meds for what is going on in my head—taking meds normally given to treat people with bipolar for my night sweats just doesn’t seem right. Do to past health issues I am unable to take any HRT but I see the impact of my hormones on my ADD and really I am wondering if there isn’t something deeper in my brain that should be evaluated. When I spoke with my Dr about this her response was—call your insurance company and see what they say. That response was quite frustrating to me.

I’m very curious as to how you all came about your diagnosis.

And the apologizing thing---oy vey! Raising my hand!

I began to research after my G/F pointed out how much I fall. She wondered if something was wrong. Things just jump out of my hands and off shelves around me. As I read I noticed other things like I have ticks and stims (like flapping when I get overwhelmed or rubbing my thumb and index fingers together in circles and other things.)

A Urologist suggested it might be MS, based on some other symptoms and I visited an neurologist who thought it might be just being fat or could be neurological. I then visited a psychiatrist who had me take some tests and talk for a really long time (hours) with a Nurse Practitioner and together they thought based on my past and so forth that AS. fibromialgia and PTSD might be the explanation (I had been diagnosed with PTSD in my 20's).

It did not seem like a very exact science for me and to be honest, I am still unsure if that is an accurate diagnosis. I sort of think everyone is at a different place on the neurological scale and we all experience things differently.

I do take medication and have found it very helpful. I also have significantly changed my footwear and clothing which helps with stability/mobility and am in therapy. I'm sure being Butch you have not been wearing unstable shoes, but for me it was a huge deal to change to solid sensible footwear (ugh).

Without medication I am a huge mess.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask me anything on this thread or in PM.