Fur-ball
07-07-2004, 08:38 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
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
Sponsor
Fur-ball
07-08-2004, 02:14 PM
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?! :confused: 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
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, 02:20 PM
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?! :confused: 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.
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, 06:12 PM
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.
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, 07:46 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.
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.
Fur-ball
07-09-2004, 01:04 PM
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?
When the secretary called me yesterday I asked what it was for and she said for my ADHD. My doctor arranged everything. My doctor told me that me seeing this psychiatrist is for her practices benefit, since they have never had an adult with ADD. I dont not have to pay anything. I just do not understand why she didn't send me to this person first. It would have saved me $400 dollars and numerous visits to a psychologist. Well.. I did get my diagnosis there and I am *legally* diagnosed with ADHD.
Thank-you for taking your time to respond back..
Ocean
Does he/she know why you've scheduled your appointment in 3 months?
When the secretary called me yesterday I asked what it was for and she said for my ADHD. My doctor arranged everything. My doctor told me that me seeing this psychiatrist is for her practices benefit, since they have never had an adult with ADD. I dont not have to pay anything. I just do not understand why she didn't send me to this person first. It would have saved me $400 dollars and numerous visits to a psychologist. Well.. I did get my diagnosis there and I am *legally* diagnosed with ADHD.
Thank-you for taking your time to respond back..
Ocean
Jennita
07-09-2004, 03:30 PM
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.
That doesn't matter, some of the nicest, most responsible people can fall into addiction if not careful. It happens often, I'm not saying it would happen to you.
But it sounds like your doctor trusts you, perhaps she feels better sending you to a psychiatrist since ADD is actually considered a "mental disorder. Mental disorder is pleasant term for mental illness....yep, you've just been labeled! And since there are no biological tests given to prove biological illness, why they give drugs that can adversely effect ones health and moods is beyond me. I personally don't think it's a disorder at all but a different type of mind, which by the way seems to be highly intelligent according to most ADDer's IQ tests.
Just be careful with the drugs. If they work, fine, but if you start to develop tolerance (that means the working dosage stops working and must be increased) be aware that tolerance is a sign of physical dependancy, which is a component of addiction. More components are needed for true addiciton, such as euphoria-seeking and compulsive behavior.
But physical dependancy itself, without addictive behavior, can be a nightmare, especially when tolerance issues are involved because people can have withdrawal-like symptoms appear even while on the drug.
Also, new studies have indicated that long term use of ADD drugs have been linked to causing depression. Many health, such as heart and circulatory system problems can develop with them too, and poor quality sleep/disturbances can develop.
I know you will go ahead with your appointment and take the drugs as most do; however, I felt I needed to warn you of the possibilities of the future with these drugs, and wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
That doesn't matter, some of the nicest, most responsible people can fall into addiction if not careful. It happens often, I'm not saying it would happen to you.
But it sounds like your doctor trusts you, perhaps she feels better sending you to a psychiatrist since ADD is actually considered a "mental disorder. Mental disorder is pleasant term for mental illness....yep, you've just been labeled! And since there are no biological tests given to prove biological illness, why they give drugs that can adversely effect ones health and moods is beyond me. I personally don't think it's a disorder at all but a different type of mind, which by the way seems to be highly intelligent according to most ADDer's IQ tests.
Just be careful with the drugs. If they work, fine, but if you start to develop tolerance (that means the working dosage stops working and must be increased) be aware that tolerance is a sign of physical dependancy, which is a component of addiction. More components are needed for true addiciton, such as euphoria-seeking and compulsive behavior.
But physical dependancy itself, without addictive behavior, can be a nightmare, especially when tolerance issues are involved because people can have withdrawal-like symptoms appear even while on the drug.
Also, new studies have indicated that long term use of ADD drugs have been linked to causing depression. Many health, such as heart and circulatory system problems can develop with them too, and poor quality sleep/disturbances can develop.
I know you will go ahead with your appointment and take the drugs as most do; however, I felt I needed to warn you of the possibilities of the future with these drugs, and wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
bggmm
07-12-2004, 11:54 PM
Hi Jennita - You seem to have knowledge re: medications for ADD. I'm curious, if you don't mind, if you have ADD, or if you're in the medical field.
Sincerely,
Marlene:)
Sincerely,
Marlene:)
Jennita
07-13-2004, 01:57 AM
Hi Jennita - You seem to have knowledge re: medications for ADD. I'm curious, if you don't mind, if you have ADD, or if you're in the medical field.
Sincerely,
Marlene:)
Nope, not a doctor....have studied alot about them and other psychiatric medications; also some personal and family members experiences. I got interested in all psychoactive drugs when I had an unfortunate personal experience with benzodiazepines, one of the psychoactive drugs that can cause havoc over time, but luckily educated myself before I was on them for too many years....doing very well now without them but when on them, tolerance to the drug lead me to hell's door without explanation, and many wrong diagnosis. Whole mess started with a cold and some codiene; ridiculous how it was missed and my condition furthur messed up by so called professionals with benzodiazepines.
I was on to worse things then that, lucky I saw it coming before it was too late.
Then, a nephew had some problems with the various ADD drugs; he's off now and doing very well in school, despite diagnoisis of ADD. His parents also saw what was coming and nipped it in the bud.
Sincerely,
Marlene:)
Nope, not a doctor....have studied alot about them and other psychiatric medications; also some personal and family members experiences. I got interested in all psychoactive drugs when I had an unfortunate personal experience with benzodiazepines, one of the psychoactive drugs that can cause havoc over time, but luckily educated myself before I was on them for too many years....doing very well now without them but when on them, tolerance to the drug lead me to hell's door without explanation, and many wrong diagnosis. Whole mess started with a cold and some codiene; ridiculous how it was missed and my condition furthur messed up by so called professionals with benzodiazepines.
I was on to worse things then that, lucky I saw it coming before it was too late.
Then, a nephew had some problems with the various ADD drugs; he's off now and doing very well in school, despite diagnoisis of ADD. His parents also saw what was coming and nipped it in the bud.