KillerTA
07-07-2007, 12:02 AM
I have been telling my dr. about the problems I have paying attention and remembering things but he doesn't want to prescribe me any meds for ADD. I think I have ADD after doing a lot of research on the subject.
What do you tell a Dr. to get them to prescribe medication?
What do you tell a Dr. to get them to prescribe medication?
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frazzledparent
07-07-2007, 12:31 AM
Boy, I sure don't know enough about the disorder to give any advice at this time, since I'm still dealing with my daughter's diagnosis of ADHD (as an adult) and just starting a treatment plan. I do wonder what your doctor did say about your symptoms. I know that we had to fill out a long questionairre and there were many more areas touched upon besides inattentiveness and forgetfullness. Did you talk to a psychologist, psychiatrist or general practioner? I'm sure that you'll have many, many responses to your post from people who have ADD and have a lot more insight than I do.
rheanna
07-07-2007, 04:03 AM
KillerTA,
Short answer: You'll need to shop around to find a doctor who has a clue about ADD and is willing to give you the tests and determine if drugs are an appropriate response.
Long answer: Most doctors are trying to do their jobs the best they can, and the two main functions of their job is to diagnose and treat. Most doctors don't know a lot about ADD, so they can't diagnose it. If they feel that what you are talking about is outside their knowledge base, they certainly are not going to prescribe medicines that they are not familiar with. It would be irresponsible of them to do so. Of course, it would be nice if they said "I'm going to send you to a doctor who knows something about that", but a lot of them just figure that if they don't know about it, it must be bogus. Actually, they are just like non-doctors -- we all assume from time to time that if what we are hearing from someone doesn't fit in with what we already know, then we assume that the other person must be wrong, not that we could perhaps learn something. It's human nature.
You'll need to find a doctor who is familiar with ADD.
--Rheanna
Short answer: You'll need to shop around to find a doctor who has a clue about ADD and is willing to give you the tests and determine if drugs are an appropriate response.
Long answer: Most doctors are trying to do their jobs the best they can, and the two main functions of their job is to diagnose and treat. Most doctors don't know a lot about ADD, so they can't diagnose it. If they feel that what you are talking about is outside their knowledge base, they certainly are not going to prescribe medicines that they are not familiar with. It would be irresponsible of them to do so. Of course, it would be nice if they said "I'm going to send you to a doctor who knows something about that", but a lot of them just figure that if they don't know about it, it must be bogus. Actually, they are just like non-doctors -- we all assume from time to time that if what we are hearing from someone doesn't fit in with what we already know, then we assume that the other person must be wrong, not that we could perhaps learn something. It's human nature.
You'll need to find a doctor who is familiar with ADD.
--Rheanna
momof3rbd
07-12-2007, 10:57 AM
I had a dr. tell me to test for add, drink a 16 oz bottle of mountain dew in am, if your symptoms improve dramatically you likely do have add, you will need to see a psychiatrist for accurate diagnosis,they can write you a letter and your family dr should be able to handle it from there.
Kirii
07-14-2007, 06:38 PM
You should try getting refered to a psychiatrist. They can diagnose and prescribe if necessary. Though you should look into a non medicated help. I was diagnosed with ADHD recently and am not taking medications. It's really up to you and your doctor. I see a psychologist and he can't prescribe meds, but if I wanted them he'd send me to some place that could work with me if i wanted it.
Jennita
08-01-2007, 02:21 AM
I had a dr. tell me to test for add, drink a 16 oz bottle of mountain dew in am, if your symptoms improve dramatically you likely do have add, you will need to see a psychiatrist for accurate diagnosis,they can write you a letter and your family dr should be able to handle it from there.
So Mountain Dew dramatically improves ADD symptoms? Well,it's cheap and no side effects!
So Mountain Dew dramatically improves ADD symptoms? Well,it's cheap and no side effects!
shmik1
08-07-2007, 07:18 PM
I didn't realize until after I was on Concerta, but coffee does help me concentrate at times.
To get diagnosed for ADHD: I just went in to the psychologist for an evaluation (I'm pretty sure thats correct - I can never keep it straight)
Came in for two sessions of tests, about an hour and a half each.
Later, came in for a diagnosis, went to the family doc and got a perscription.
For 'fine-tuning' the meds a psychiatrist would be best.
To get diagnosed for ADHD: I just went in to the psychologist for an evaluation (I'm pretty sure thats correct - I can never keep it straight)
Came in for two sessions of tests, about an hour and a half each.
Later, came in for a diagnosis, went to the family doc and got a perscription.
For 'fine-tuning' the meds a psychiatrist would be best.
Jennita
08-11-2007, 02:52 PM
actually,many people do use caffeine for ADD, it does work. Of course, there is no high with it usually or in moderation for anyone, unless you want to call alertness a high.
Oral prescription stimulants do not provide a high either in most cases, ADD or not because oral use plus lower concentration equal not enough stimulation for such a high as most define "high".
But did you know that euphoria itself is also defined, according to dictionary, as simply a sense of well being or happiness? Stimulants are euphoric drugs so the effect of "normal" can actually be euphoria.
Getting "high", though, requires more than therapeutic levels for most although everyone is different in their sensitivity to drugs. Alot is in the perspective of each individual.
Oral prescription stimulants do not provide a high either in most cases, ADD or not because oral use plus lower concentration equal not enough stimulation for such a high as most define "high".
But did you know that euphoria itself is also defined, according to dictionary, as simply a sense of well being or happiness? Stimulants are euphoric drugs so the effect of "normal" can actually be euphoria.
Getting "high", though, requires more than therapeutic levels for most although everyone is different in their sensitivity to drugs. Alot is in the perspective of each individual.
TM1
08-19-2007, 04:21 AM
actually,many people do use caffeine for ADD, it does work.
The problem is caffeines CNS to SNS stimulation ratio. The SNS effects particularly in the high doses needed to treat inattention might make a persons heart pound very hard.
The problem is caffeines CNS to SNS stimulation ratio. The SNS effects particularly in the high doses needed to treat inattention might make a persons heart pound very hard.
Jennita
08-19-2007, 03:17 PM
Amphetamines raise blood pressure and heart rate too. Some can get used to the drug, though, so the effect may be different. Some can also get used to effects of caffeine. It really varies with different people and if someone can use caffeine, why not at least it is safer(of course, not the healthiest thing to do but neither are drugs) and also cheaper.