Question about brain spect for ADD - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Purple518 · 01-20-2003, 01:01 AM

I want to get a brain spect done for my ADD. I believe that the brain spect would be able to target better what specific type of ADD I have. Therefore, my treatment would be more individualized and less of this trial and error stupidity. I looked into getting a brain spect done and I am pretty sure it is covered under my insurance. I talked to my doctor about it. I get the feeling he doesn't believe it is necessary but he will go along with me if I want to get one. My doctor is making me second guess my decision of getting a brain spect done.

I just wanted to know if anyone out there felt it was beneficial getting a brain spect done for ADD.

The reason why I want one is because I think I might be helped more if a more specific diagnosis is made by the brain spect. I have been on 36 mg of Concerta Medication for over a year. I think it did help me keep my current job but at a price. I had a tendency to stare at a certain individual at work. This caused me to lose alot of friends and caused me alot of grief. I know the Concerta made me have the tendency to stare like that and even my doctor agreed. That is why I want to get a brain spect done so I could be treated more appropriately.

I hope my thinking is correct about the brain spect. If anyone felt that the brain spect helped better target the specific type of ADD so more effective treatment was allowed, please tell me. On the other hand if the brain spect for ADD was not helpful, please tell me as well. I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

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help · 01-20-2003, 04:38 PM

I had a SPECT scan done because my case was complicated also. A SPECT scan won't show you which med is the correct med, but it will give you an idea of what class meds to start with. SPECT scans do have dangers to them because the radiation is systemic.

I had mine done at the Amen Clinic in Newport Beach, Ca, and my insurance didn't cover it. The Amen clinic doesn't take insurance so if you are getting it done at their clinic you must pay up front, and then get rembursed by your insurance company later.

It costed around $3500.

Wil · 01-20-2003, 04:42 PM

Hi Purple:

I never had a brain scan done, but would be curious to hear of your results after the scan.

I am somewhat familiar with the different types of ADD and the affected areas of the brain and what medications might be more beneficial for each area of the brain that is affected.

As to staring at this coworker, other than he/she being some supermodel type, something else is not right with your meds and glad you are noticing. I have noticed that when I take meds, I tend to hyper focus on what it is I am doing, does this feel like you are hyperfocusing? My friends tell me I am really intense and tend to look at them more intently if they see me when I am taking them. Is this what you are referring to?
Good luck and let us know what you find.

Thanks in advance,
Wil

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 01-30-2003).]

Purple518 · 01-20-2003, 07:45 PM

Thanks for responding. I live in Illinois so California would be way too far for me to go to get a brain spec done. I know they do brain specs for ADD in Chicago which is about 2 and a half hour drive from where I live. I was thinking about getting it done there. I got different quotes for brain specs. One place said it would be $1200-$1500 and another said it would be $700. I know my insurance would cover most of it in one place and maybe cover it in the other place(I haven't checked for sure at the other place).

What kind of damage does the radiation cause from the brain spect? Does alot of people have damage because of it or only a small portion. That's kind of scarey.

I think my type of ADD is a bit of a complicated case and I would really like to have a brain spect done but I want to make sure I know what I am doing before I get into it.

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help · 01-21-2003, 03:30 PM

Well it's considered 'safe' by doctors but no one really knows the long term effects. However, some physicists disagree.