doctor problems... some advice needed - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Fur-ball · 07-07-2004, 05:38 PM

I expressed my concerns to my doctor about my ADD because I was having trouble getting through my College courses in early December. I needed an offical diagnosis from a psychologist and it took the office 2 months to get the referral arrange and sent to him. I visted with a ADD specialist a month later and was diagnosised offically with ADHD a month ago.

The problem: My doctor will not prescribe me any medication. She said that she has never had a patient with adult attention deficit disorider and wants me to go to different psychologist and they will decide if I need medication or not and reccomend something. The first psycologist specialised in ADD said that my ADHD would work best with therapy and medication and even suggested a medication, but I do not know if he put that on my letter sent back to my doctor.

I went to the first psychologist a few times and my doctor said that I only need to see this other psychologist once, for her benefit since she has never medicated an adult ADD.

Does this just seem too bizzare? Why does she not just call the first psychologist and get a reccomendation from him? It is alot of work dragging my children to all of these appointments. At my last appointment 2 weeks ago I even suggested we just try a low dose of something since I know that even if they other psychologist reccomends something, it is not guaranteed will be the one that works for me. Well, it has been 2 weeks and no call from the mystery psychologist. How did you get your medication? was it this difficult?

Just a few notes: I have never had substance abuse. I am a mother and a full-time Engineering Student. My doctor is a Obstetrician, NOT a family practionner. I am in British Columbia, Canada. I am going to pick up a copy of the letter from the first psychologist tomorrow and see what it says.

Thank-you

Ocean

Fur-ball · 07-08-2004, 11:14 AM

Welll..this mystery pyschologist called and it turn out this doctor is actually a psychiatrist. I was informed that I have an appointment 3 MONTHs from now. Why did my doctor not just send me to the pyschiatrist in the first place?!

I have spent over $400 dollars on the first pyschologist because my student medical coverage did not provide coverage.

This entire thing has turned into such a mess. ANY suggestions or opinions would be great. If you could tell me your process it would be very informative. Thanks

Ocean

Jennita · 07-08-2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fur-ball

Welll..this mystery pyschologist called and it turn out this doctor is actually a psychiatrist. I was informed that I have an appointment 3 MONTHs from now. Why did my doctor not just send me to the pyschiatrist in the first place?!

I have spent over $400 dollars on the first pyschologist because my student medical coverage did not provide coverage.

This entire thing has turned into such a mess. ANY suggestions or opinions would be great. If you could tell me your process it would be very informative. Thanks

Ocean

I am guessing because of abuse and selling of the ADD drugs for such by many college students has lead to alot of caution.

Fur-ball · 07-08-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennita

I am guessing because of abuse and selling of the ADD drugs for such by many college students has lead to alot of caution.

I do not think that is the concern at hand with my doctor. As someone who has never even had a speeding ticket in her life and has children, is probably in the lower risk spectrum than most people. I have been with my doctor for 6 years and her and I have a very good rapport.

Sandie5 · 07-08-2004, 04:46 PM

I've had a very hard time too; I'm in Ontario. Family doctors and ob/gyn probably are reluctant to give out this Rx because it's a controlled substance. I can only get one month's worth for my daughter at a time. A psychologist cannot give prescriptions at all. My GP doc didn't believe I had adhd and after I pressed him, he gave me the name of a psychiatrist. Well the psychiatrists here don't deal with ADHD so I hit a dead end. I got a diagnosis from a private psychologist like you. Now I'm waiting for the report from her to take back to my doc. If the doc doesn't want to give me meds, I'm shopping around for a new doctor because I've had it with this hell. Right now, I take my dd's meds from time to time to help me get by. It really makes a difference.

I think your psychologist report should have been enough. I wonder if the psychiatrist will tell you that they don't deal with adult ADHD?
Does he/she know why you've scheduled your appointment in 3 months?

Perhaps you should also get a family doctor who can look after you? It's much harder for adult women than little boys. We aren't crazy hyper boys but distracted women. We look fine and the docs don't see why we need help.