anyone else have this problem? | ADHD Information

I have only been on Adderall for about 3 months now. My doctor didn't ask me to sign anything, but we did have a lengthy conversation about Adderall being a controlled substance. She explained the concerns that doctors have about the misuse of the medication and informed me that the government monitors the prescriptions to control potential abuse/misuse problems. My PCP was glad to handle my scripts, but she requested that I get a second opinion from a psychiatrist, since ADD was not really her field. 

With the reports of misuse and abuse of Adderall in college students recently, I think the request for a patients signature, agreeing to use the medication as intended makes perfect sense. Doctor's need to protect themselves too, so I wouldn't sweat it.

Recent News: http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/1 1/15/4379910d670c3

Dan  

I'm so frustrated!! I can't seem to have a visit with my doctor without some little thing coming up where they imply that they think I might abuse my medication!!! Yesterday when I asked to be switched to regular Adderall from the XR (not a dosage increase, just to see if that worked better b4 trying Ritalin) I was told that it might be my thyroid making the Adderall not work right and then I was given a form to sign at the end of my visit that basically said that I understood that the doctors could stop my medication if they suspected that it didn't work for me, or I built up a fast tolerance to it, or if they thought I was abusing it or selling or sharing it.  I have had to go in and deal with two of the doctors now from the Student Health Center and basically be labeled a druggie because I have a lip ring and a couple of tattoos.....I'm so sick of this crap and so sick of them being so fake about stuff - I tried to explain that I'm frustrated and I'm not finding help where I need it and that I'm getting depressed and basically I was blown off - she was up and was like "Well, let's get you an appointment for next month set up"
I just don't get why they keep suggesting that I'm misusing my meds.... It's not like I just walked in and said, "Hey, I think I'm ADD. Can I get a RX for speed so I can stay out all night and party?!" I came in with a formal (and very freakin' expensive) diagnosis from a clinical department within the university.  I'm so frustrated by my ADD that I wouldn't sell or share my meds because I NEED them and I'm not looking to stay up all night, so I only take what I'm prescribed.  I wish people werent so mean to just judge me by the way I look without even trying to get to know me or giving me a chance Life's a bit easier when you realize that people *are* that mean and judgemental, so you can plan for it in advance and work around it. If their accusations are not true then don't let it bother you at all. Just keep pounding away at them until you get the help that you need.

nope dont have that problem

i go to a private shrink doesnt accept any health plans, top dollar guy, but he listens to me gives me what i need & monitors health etc.

in my top draw is 4 months worth of concerta ( time release RIT) , because i missed his appointment one month told him i had to ration meds to last to next visit, so he wrote me a mega script,

I am even suprised im not popping them like M&Ms, but i need them to work properly so i take my 54mg a day no more,

hate to say it go to private doc, yes spending $ sucks but life impoved so much for me.

got to admit its kinda cool having a boat load of speed ,

don't know if it is any consolation, but they made me sign those same papers about not sharing meds and selling them and abusing them or whatever.

when i went in, my doctor had my husband sign a paper promising to watch me to make sure i didn't show signs of addiction and to let them know if he did notice these symptoms....

 

i thought that was standard procedure, isn't it?

thats a new one to me never came up

then again if you are going to a large place they have to answer to others, my doc does from taking out the trash to keeping me running

rayray81238672.6131481482I don't know if it's standard procedure, but it sucks! I don't have the money to go to somone in private practice so I'm stuck with these doctors.  Their accusations wouldn't bother me so much (because they are NOT true) but EVERY time I go in to discuss medication, they do or say something else to suggest they think I'm abusing or going to abuse the meds - to the point that they act like they don't want to work with me on adjusting medication.  Like I've told them it doesn't last my whole day that I need to be focused for work or school and they just tell me too bad and that I should take my meds later in the day when I need to study and sacrifice concentration at work and in class......their attitudes make it hard to keep going back - if I "keep pounding at them" they might just decide to stop treating me totally and then I'll be toally screwed.  This sucks....this ADD crap has screwed my life up. I should be out of college and making a living by now...but instead I can't even afford rent right now.    Yeah, I know I'm ranting and whining but I'm really upset! My doctor hands it out like it's candy.  He would argue with me if I tried to leave WITHOUT a prescription. HeidiMarie38672.6215856482

they are dumbies, when i told doc it didnt last whole day he cut my dose by 30%

told me to trust him and my lower dose lasted all day

Having experience with the medicine, I wonder if you're expectations are a bit too high? Some people do expect miracles, but in my experience, the benefit of the meds is very subtle. You still have to really fight yourself to stay focused.

I take the non-extended release Adderall. Not every day, maybe once a week when I have alot of stuff to do. I take 10mg in the morning and 5mg at lunch. Any more than that and the side effects are too much for me. It raises my blood pressure by alot, so I really try to get by with a minimum.

meds & behavior modification

yin & yang

A lot of MDs (especially in the US's HMOs) seem terrified of being accused of over-medicating ADHD meds.  I don't see them worrying about xanax, demerol, percoset or the other nastier meds!  It bothers me - the anti-med groups are trying to get patients if they feel a twinge to sue the HMOs and private MDs and they are terrified!

Go after the Rush Limbaughs of the world who pop hillbilly heroin - not us who seriously need daily medications!

Up here in Canada I've not experienced trouble.  Of course I'm on XRs (which are rarely abused as they are time capsules and hard to use for a junkie).  The only thing that sucks is that I must get a fresh Rx every month - but that's a small price to pay.

Hope things get better!  You'll eventually get a better job with good private insurance - then this bozo will be gone.

Im a little worried after reading your post to say the least. I have yet to see the psychiatrist but I do have a past history of substance abuse as they would call it. I called it self medicating as I didnt take it to be buzzing off my nut, I took it to get everyday jobs done. So I dont like my chances of getting the medication I believe would work for me.

Should I not tell the shrink about my history????

Hmmm.. I'm torn on that one.  Do YOU feel that you might abuse a med if given one?  If not - perhaps you'll have to decide to use "don't ask- don't tell".  If you honestly think you may - you can still get meds - just perhaps ask that you be allowed to try but get Rx for 2 weeks at a time.  At the dose you'll regulary take it's doubtful you could abuse with only 2 week dosages.  Most people who abuse the stims get a months worth and use in a day or two - get buzzed and then suffer the rest of the month.  Since most of North America is on the PharmaNet it's harder to get multiple med Rx's so a lot of docs are not as worried.  Australia I believe has a version of pharmanet in place too. 

You can get XR spansules which are very hard to abuse - if you are uncertain.

The real question is honestly - how do YOU think you will handle them?  Get a short dose if you want to find out and truly don't know for sure.

 

Thanks yet again Glen I know I wouldnt abuse any medication as I dont go beserk on any illegal stuff either.

I suppose I'll just wait until I see her and feel my way as to what she's like.

I would much rather be on something perscribed and be monitored than take street drugs just to get the same effect. Know what I mean??

Wow, I never have even heard of having to sign something or being suspected of abusing. My Doc.(Psychiatric Nurse Practioner) gives me (monthly) Adderall XR AND regular Adderall, in case I need it later in the day, which I usually do because I am a student.

Just stand your ground!