Need Advice - Best "expert" to diagnose? | ADHD Information

Thanks Glenw, and kibbles - I won't go 3 years w/out calling.

I scored low on the impulsive and hyper part, but, whew, off the charts with disorganization, not finishing what I start, etc ,etc.

See, I can't stop thinking, it's 3:30 am here, I got up to go to the bathroom, the thought of these boards and whether or not I got responses came into my head and I went straight to the computer instead of bed.

I should go back to bed, but will probably hang around a little longer.

[QUOTE=valzap]

Anyhoo, Kibbles I am totally looking for the freedom that comes with being diagnosed. I want to make sure that I officially have this, this way I have an excuse as to why I have 10 different projects waiting for me to start and/or finish at work, why I didn't accomplish any of my goals this year, why I daydream excessively about winning the lottery or having a conversation with a person who is not there (like my preparation for the seeing the dr).

Thanks for understanding!

[/QUOTE]

Oh my Gosh!!! I do that soooooo much!!! Almost to the point of doing it subconsiously... I 'll just start talking to myself and my kids will come in and wonder who I'm talking to!! LOL

My poor kids... they think I'm a total nut..

Prediagnosis...umm I pretty much agreed with them.

Trust me, there is a lot of understanding on this board and a lot of acceptance. Keep posting and let us know how things are going.. One last thought: dont let ADD be an excuse for what is going on, let it be a reason and a springboard for figuring out how to problem solve what you can do to make life easier. But never an excuse.

Good luck!

Sherry

Thanks for the advice!

I was thinking a psychiatrist would be the best route to take. It's just very hard finding someone who specializes in this for adults. Since I left the neuro I feel quite crazy and now think, maybe I need the shrink because I am crazy. in addition to ADD. (all before I took the meds, no suicidal thoughts).

I have started the Strattera anyway, I just wasn't given any direction for it - Like, can I stop it on the weekends? Or do I have to take it all day. I was also told to take one capsule once a day for 10 days and then up it to 2, these are 45 mg each. That seems like a lot, don't you think?

I notice though that my vision gets blurry, especially while driving in the dark. I can't focus on the tail lights. Little scary since I commute 60 miles to work.

Thanks for understanding!

Oh my Gosh!!! I do that soooooo much!!! Almost to the point of doing it subconsiously... I 'll just start talking to myself and my kids will come in and wonder who I'm talking to!! LOL

My poor kids... they think I'm a total nut..

See, I knew I liked this board for a reason. I will talk to myself out loud for a few reasons - either because I have been obsessing about the thought for so long that I have to speak it out loud in hopes that it will leave my brain and leave me in peace. Like with realizing ADD is my problem and wanting to explain it to the doctor.

Or, well, shoot, I can't remember the other reason! But, sometimes I can be so totally entrenched in the thought that I have to go find some privacy just so I can do that. My husband gets upset sometimes because I'll "go to bed" right after dinner (we eat late), but I go up there to do my daydreaming or invisible conversation.

I seem to get obsessed with money and calculations. Like the lottery - when it's over 100 million I will sit here for HOURS and calculate the same numbers over and over - how much will that be lump sum, after taxes, what I will give to my family and friends, what their payout will be after taxes, etc, etc. Or, I'll do this with our regular salaries, - what do we make, what are our expenses, if I pay off this bill, could we save then? how much will that amount be in 10 years.

On any given day, you can come into my home or office and find little pieces of paper with the same numbers and words written out on them. It's sick, i tell ya, sick!

It took me 3 years to get around to calling about the ADD!!! It took a big event to make me actually take the bull by the horns and take care of getting tested..

so, your not alone in putting things off -- just dont take as long as I did!!

Valzap, I'm so sorry you've had such a hard time! It's really difficult to find the right doctor...I'm trying to do the same thing right now, but my problem is with my insurance company more than with a specific doctor. There are doctors out there who will listen. Do you know anyone else with ADD or maybe know of a doctor who works with ADHD kids? They might have a referral for you.

Your post sounds a lot like me -- I haven't been diagnosed, but there's definitely something going on and it seems to be getting worse (or maybe I'm just more aware). I found a doctor and will be doing some testing next week to hopefully get some answers soon. The doctor thinks it probably isn't ADD in my case, but she does see a mixed bag of symptoms...a little ADD, OCD, mania and "possibly others" -- basically, she's stumped. Based on my own research (on this site and others), I am still fairly certain that it's ADD, though it's somewhat mild. Reading the messages on this board has been sooo helpful. It's great to know there are so many others out there who are living with it and finding ways to adapt.

Good luck to you - I hope you can find the help you need. Keep us posted!

See a psych.
What dosage did Doc begin you with on Strattera? You have to build up slowly or the side effects can be rough. I started with 18m first week, 25 second week, then 40m. after that. Still on 40, but , think I need more. You may want to take it in the afternoon too, because it might wipe you out. Makes me sleep great. One of the positive side effects. Has sexual side effects too, but can go either way - for me - lets just say I'm fortunate.

Hi again

Thanks to everyone for the great advice and concern. I love the fact that we are all functionally dysfunctional! So, hmm, let me try to answer as many of the questions as I can...

Strattera - 45 mg. One pill a day for 10 days and then I'm to up it to 2 pills a day. I took it for the first 3 days and then of course have forgotten to take it ever since. Don't want to take in the afternoon as I'm not sure what kind of effects it will have on my sleep patterns - and sleep is important to me.

I have been talking to a few people who have recommended some doctors. They don't know if they specialize in ADHD but it's a research place to start. Problem is, I usually forget to call during the day or lose the numbers. You know how the organization goes. I think I'm a trifle put off by my previous responses so it makes me shy away from talking to other drs thinking I'll get the same reaction. I know, get it over it!!

I have taken quite a few of the evaluations for ADD. I took the large one with 76 (?) questions. I answered 45 with frequently or all the time. I brought it with me to the neuro. He glanced at it and never looked at it again. Jerk.

I do have to call my insurance company and try to find out what and who is covered. Another phone call I'm putting off.

Oh well, one of these days I'll get on the right track!!

Don't stop taking Strattera on the weekends. It's something that is supposed to build up in your system. If your doc isn't being supportive, call your pharmacist.

Don't feel bad about the test valzap - in what is probably the same one you took I only didn't score on the ones for anger. I have been a pacifist as an adult successfully and have learned through hard work and effort to tune myself to other ways to deal. Tempts me as all others though. I was bowled over though at getting such a high score when I did - it pretty much screamed at me to get to an MD LOL!

Those phone calls - yup, the ADHD makes us subconsciously forget what we either dislike or fear. You'll notice that if you made plans to phone someone you like to go out for dinner - your chances of remembering are way better! I noticed it after actually listening to other's complaints of me past and present - how they noticed that I only seemed to have memory when it suited what made me happy immediately and the rest fell to the side.

It gets better - perhaps you'll find strattera does it for you (just zoned me out but others find it good) or something else can do it.

Valzap - first of all Welcome to the family!! We're all one big dysfunctional family - like there's any other kind!!

I agree with the rest of 'em - get another MD. This one is under the spell of the day - that amphetamines are bad and that it will end up being sold yada yada yada. In the US I am seeing this a lot lately. Big fear factor.

Strattera should be number 3 given - after ruling out the amphetamines because they either don't work or the side effects are too much for you.

Make an appointment for another MD - ask friends/family who they would recommend as a good listener and who takes your opinion as being valid and useful. People ask about muffler repairmen - but for MDs some reason they don't.

Also, print out and take a couple ADHD tests - the ones at www.oneaddplace.com are very good. I took them with me to my MD and they helped him see I did my research. Ask if he/she can put you on a trial of ritalin or dexedrine. They are far better to start than strattera - personally it left me drained and overly focused on nothing.

Try this out - and let us know how it went!

Hi All,

Brand new, newbie here. I'm sure the answer to this question is somewhere in this message board, but I don't have the patience to sift through everything and/or I get side tracked.

I am 35 years old and truly, truly believe I have ADHD. This has come through extensive research on my part trying to discern what my problems are - I've looked up depression, stress, compulsive overeating, general anxiety, etc. ADHD is the one that I seem to fit into the most. I have taken every self evaluation out there and I pass them all with flying colors! and now so many things make sense to me. It's like the shade has lifted from my eyes.

Trouble is, I spoke (or tried to) to my doctor about this concern and she just gave me the "you must be stressed" talk, but sent me to a neurologist anyway. The neurologist looked at me with a condescending smile and made comments like "my wife does that" or "we all do that". I started to cry in his office and told him that nobody believes me when I say this. It's like its the new "fad" diagnosis for adults.

he wrote me a prescription for Strattera because "that's what they're advertising nowadays" and sent me on my way. I left there distraught and angry at him, the medical professionals and myself for not being able to speak out and stand up for myself.

I finally found a "specialist" that deals with adults but he is not covered under my insurance and its 0 for the initial eval, 0 to get the results, and 0 for each meeting thereafter and to keep up with whatever meds he prescribes. Also, no available appointments til december.

So, anybody have any advice as to where else I can turn to get officially evaluated and treatment?

I filled the prescription for the Strattera anyway and started taking it this week. I need to do something to get myself back on track. I am afraid of the consequences at work if I don't at least try something. But it just dawned on me that the neurologist isn't going to be monitoring me so I'm left hanging like a fish out of water. Don't just want to do drugs for the sake of doing them, you know.

Thanks in advance. I'll post in another thread my story, if any one cares....

valzap38631.8329166667I understand why you feel upset about this. The doctor sounds like a total jerk. On the other hand, Strattera is a perfectly appropriate treatment for ADHD -- that's what it's for, so even if the doc didn't believe you, he wasn't off-base in what he prescribed. A lot of people have to try a number of drugs before finding one that will work -- but who knows, maybe you'll hit the jackpot the first time. So before looking elsewhere, since you have the prescription, why not give it a try? Even if he's not actively monitoring you, you will be able to tell subjectively whether it's helpful or not (after a few weeks -- it does take a while to kick in).
Wordwoman38631.8668634259

Wow,, that's really harsh what you have gone through.

I can tell you what I did, maybe its worth a try? First off I called my insurance company and asked about Psycologists or Psychiatrists that specialized in Testing adults. I was given a list of 3 -4. I called each one and got a feel for the office staff anyway ( probably not the best way to go... but I really went with who could give me the soonest appointment!! LOL)

Insurance covered the appt. and subsequent testing. I got a 6 -7 page report about all the tests were given, their interpretations, and finally, suggested treatment.

I then took this to my medical Dr. who prescribed one of the medications that the Psychologist recommended.

I am thinking that if your Dr. was too condescending, I would choose another Dr.

you can ask the office straight up if the Physician is willing to treat ADHD. I was told when i called that he did, but would not diagnose the disorder... I rather like the idea that my Dr. would not treat unless I got a diagnosis from a mental health professional... I know that way that he is taking me seriously and also the Disorder. Hope that makes sense. Good luck to you!! And I hope you are able to get the help you need by a more caring professional.

Sherry

Came back to add a thought

Even if you have appropriate medication, it can be somewhat freeing to have that "official diagnosis" Especially when faced with condesending Doctors.