Tracking Sched II Med Prescriptions | ADHD Information
You could just be at too low of a dose of Adderall XR, or quite simply that med is not for you. There are several out there to try. As for your questions..Who manages your meds? A Psychiatrist manages mine.
How many have you tried? 2, Strattera for 12 weeks and then to Focalin XR (had to do a couple of dosage adjustments but think I'm doing ok so far
Do you use therapy along with your medication? Yes, I go to a Psychologist once a week (graduated to once a month for the summer since it's harder for me to find someone to watch my 2 girls for an hour)
I feel like I have hit a road block with my family doctor and your help would be great. I'd talk to your Dr and see about either upping the dose or trying another med. If he/she's not willing then I would seriously look for a Psychiatrist that specializes in ADHD to help you.
Good Luck and keep us updated on how you're doing.
Thanks for the replies. That really helps me have starting point. Now that I know I have ADHD - the frustation is "OK now what?"
You are exactly right ShawnB. I went to the doctor this afternoon. He suggested that I contact a psychiatrist and make an appointment. Doc said that he would feel more comfortable having him/her manage medications along with therapy. I got frsutrated when: #1 Doc/office staff did not give me a number or a name of an individual to contact. #2. Doc/staff did not offer to make the appointment for me. #3 Doc did not give me a refill of my Adderall XR at my appointment. He said that if I can' get an appt with the psychiatrist timely then he would refill then. That makes me nervous. I don't want to revert to that way things used to be before medication.
ShawnB-you said that you see a psychologist 1 x a week -for how long? What sort of things do you talk about (if i may ask) How is that appt. differ from that appt. with the psychiatrist?
What is the initial appt like with a psychiatrist? Do you spill you guts about it all? Who leads the visit? Doctor or patient/client? I am not sure what to expect. Thanks again for the encouragement. Kim
If you only took strattera for one month and had horrible side-effects, perhaps it was not properly administered. Here's a good link http://millermom.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=general&am p;am p;action=display&thread=1067310659
Well.. a Psychiatrist doesn't sit down and listen to all your life's problems and talk them over.. they're just there for medication management. Usually it's an initial 45 minute consultation to figure where to start if you're new.. or where you've left off with other Dr's and how they can help you. After that it's monthly 15 minute sessions just to get a new refill, or discuss any problems you may be having and adjust/switch meds or doses if needed. (of course the length of appointment and frequency is up to the individual Dr and Insurance coverage).A Psychologist does not prescribe medications... they're there to help you with coping skills and help with any other issues you may have. I also have BPD traits and the Psychologist helps me deal with those issues as well as ADHD coping skills. (Helping improve my procrastinating etc..) They don't always need you to come in every week.. that was just my personal case because I was quite a mess when I first started going. I've made a lot of progress and now I'm going once a month and may not have to go anymore after the summer if I don't feel I need to. I started going in Mid- February.
You don't have to spill your guts if you don't want to. I don't. I just say what I need to get off my chest that's preventing me from being productive. As far as who leads the session.. really that depends on you, and how outgoing you are. If you're not then just let them lead it and answer any questions. Since you're already diagnosed and being treated, get a copy the medical records from your current Dr and take that with you. (not the whole file, just what pertains to your ADHD).
A note to help when choosing a Dr. Look in your Insurance book for Dr's that they use in network. and look for a Psychiatrist. You can tell them from a Psychologist by this..
M.D.= They prescribe medication
Phd= They do not prescribe medication. (My Psychologist told me this)
Be prepared to wait a while to get into any Psychiatrist unless you're in a town that has a lot of them. Call around, get an appointment and I'm sure you'll be calling your Family Dr back for that refill in the meantime.
Good Luck!
Some psychiatrists only manage meds, others offer family counseling and other services as well. My kid's doc does it all (and on weekends too). Thanks for that vickie.. None of them do that where I live.. so it's nice to know that some actually do take the time to counsel.
Now.. our Pediatric Psychiatrist does actually take the time to listen to how she's doing in school, home, any concerns, offers advice and such. And she's ALWAYS on call.. if we need her, she has a live answering service to have her paged. She's great! None of the Adult Psych's in town do this though.
My ped does all of that...., she is GREAT!!!! And she has saturday hours too....
