stopped meds , nurse freaking out, why? | ADHD Information

could be lots of different things. Maybe she is just trying to cover her butt,so when she relays your message to the doctor, she won't be responsible in any way? I don't know, did you ask her if she skipped her anxiety medication? Certainly sounds to me like a bit of overreaction.

I called my primary care Doctor the other day because of sinus headache pain. I had stopped taking my metadate CD and wanted to know how long I needed to wait before I could begin taking decongestants for my sinuses. ( I'm on spring break, so I can be as airheaded as I want , LOL)

The lady totally freaked - you mean you haven't taken your medication today?

my reply, "no, I havent - my last dose was 11:30 yesterday. Is is safe to take a decongestant today, or should I wait?"  

nurse: Why did you stop taking the metadate?

me: Because I'm sick, I want to take something for my sinuses..

nurse: does the dr. know that you stopped taking it?

me: no, that's why I'm calling -- is it safe to take the decongestant now? or do I need to wait longer?

She puts me on hold, then comes back with, "I guess its ok, because decongestants have some stimulant properites. But as soon as you feel better you need to go back on you metadate."

Why in the world was she freaking out about me not taking my ADHD med? I know there are adults and children that will skip it on weekends and holidays. so I don't know what the big deal is..

Could someone educate me?

Sherry

My son takes his meds on school days. So weekends and school holidays are med free. He takes 20mg of RitlainSR. He is going bcak to school tomorrow after 10 days off for March break. He did well.My daughters pediatrition says it is okay for med vacations only recommends starting it again 3 days before school to get into the system.  They are okay with med free weekends as well.  My daughter takes Ritalin LA 10MG.
Neurosis is a very common professional condition

Working hard in the same procedural zone day after day conditions the practitioner to concepts of repitition and consistancy so greatly that when a person such as yourself takes simple unilateral action like stopping medication that it sends the practitioner into a kind of temporal shock  ..

Just keep calm and in control you are the Captain of your own Destiny and remember that .. the practitioners are there to serve your interests , but you are the captain - you make the ultimate decisions .. i congratulate you on your direct action , it shows real spirit

For people like you who have a natutral apparent affinity to lead and make decisions  it is your natural ability , the professional practitioners may question your actions from time to time ,, take thier interest as for what it is ,, and follow your best interests and intuitions ..

Thank you for sharing .
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thought I'd update.

There were no problems for about 3 days without meds and taking the decongestants instead. But by the fourth day, I was feeling better and went back on them.. ( I made sure to not take any other cold medicine the night before also.) There was a return of a few minor side effects with the metadate but otherwise all was ok.

Maybe the nurse was concerned about side effects when the meds were reintroduced to my system, or about some kind of withdrawal effect.

 But whatever the reason, my personal experience is that 3 day vacations are no problem  THe fourth day, I started feeling slightly tired and had that familiar restless feeling that I had before being treated for ADD.  So, for me, 3 days are good, 4 might be pushing it.  At least I now know whether or not I can stop meds to treat an illness, and will be more self confident about my decision in the future.

SHerry