Health tests and Meds ?s | ADHD Information

Hi,

I think it's not always the parent's selling the drugs but rather the kids themselves (older of course), older siblings selling the drugs or just falling into the wrong hands.

Also, regarding the vitamin D deficiency my friends daughter who was alarmingly low lives in southern California. Go figure, if you can be vitamin D deficient there it can happen anywhere, especially in the winter.

You're right, Haus, I didn't even think of siblings, but certainly that's another reason the doctor is being cautious.

Dee
For all the hype--ADHD meds are simply not popular on the street.

Adderal and plain ritalin are sometimes popular with college students for exams. Alertec and anti-narcolepsy drugs are even more popular and their non-addictive properties are appreciated.

The only ADHD drug that is worth selling is dexedrine--even then it's hardly big $$$ since black beauties, christmas trees and truckdrivers can be manufactured by the hundreds in a basement for cheaper than the cost of a script.

Oxycontin, morphine and percodan are much more saleable because they can be cooked for injection.

In years and years of working with active drug users, they rarely cared about mild stimulants. Too much hassle for too little buzz.

Ritalin SR, Adderal XR, Concerta and any other long-acting medication are patently useless in street value. They can't be snorted, injected or smoked because the chemical that causes them to last longer destroys the properties for injection and there's too little "high" from swallowing for the risk of obtaining them. All you'd get from snorting is a nosebleed and a headache. They aren't smokable in any form.

It's more likely that a college/high school aged kid would hook meds because it's "cool" or because "everyone is doing it" [some of the parents will have morphine derivatives to trade or to take to the party] or for some other bizarre teenaged reason like believing they can drink more alcohol without passing out [not true].

Money normally, wouldn't be the primary motivation.

With ADHD'ers I'd be more inclined to believe they lose medication, forget to pick up the script, throw it out because we hate it an our parents want us to take it--and generally screw it up in our happy ADHD way
So if the ADHD drugs are not worth much on the street, I wonder why the doctors are so protective of them. By any chance are they used in making meth? I ask because there is also a major restriction on Sudafed here in GA (that's the brand name--it's a nasal decongestant), which is used in making meth. You can only buy 10 tablets per week for an individual, you have to have your driver's license recorded, and you have to sign a register everytime you make a purchase. This is not a prescription drug, btw, but something you can get over the counter. It's nuts. And it's really a pain if you have a bad head cold and take 3 tablets a day and have to suffer the waiting if your nose isn't clear in 3 days...

Do you think the docs fear people will lose their meds if they get more than a month filled, and that's why they are so restrictive? I'll be honest--having to hang on to the extra script for a month is a pain--I've nearly washed them in the laundry more than once, lol.

Dee
[QUOTE=graiae66]So if the ADHD drugs are not worth much on the street, I wonder why the doctors are so protective of them.

It goes back to the old diet pill days when dexedrine came in larger quantity pills that could be used for getting high if "bennies" weren't obtainable. Bennies themselves are not popular anymore and are harder to obtain because the profit margin is much lower than crack, meth, cocaine or heroin. That's why I don't see people using stimulants to get high, I expect--not enough buzz means not enough profit.

By any chance are they used in making meth?

No.

I ask because there is also a major restriction on Sudafed here in GA (that's the brand name--it's a nasal decongestant), which is used in making meth. You can only buy 10 tablets per week for an individual, you have to have your driver's license recorded, and you have to sign a register everytime you make a purchase.

That's due to crystal meth, yes.

This is not a prescription drug, btw, but something you can get over the counter. It's nuts. And it's really a pain if you have a bad head cold and take 3 tablets a day and have to suffer the waiting if your nose isn't clear in 3 days...

Honestly it's better to use saline nasal spray. Try it And it doesn't dry out the tissues, either. I was suprised at the effectiveness. A bit more sniffling though.

Do you think the docs fear people will lose their meds if they get more than a month filled, and that's why they are so restrictive?

All schedule 2-3 drugs are recorded [don't know what they call them in the USA?] and docs are afraid of being charged as pill pushers if they give you extra.

Frankly, it's overkill--considering that I can walk 1/2 block from here and purchase REAL stoner-style drugs easier than I can pick up my meds.

People have "gotten high" since the dawn of humankind. Even cats like catnip and dogs like marijuana. I had a dog I had to chase out of any white wine she could slurp before being apprehended.

I'll be honest--having to hang on to the extra script for a month is a pain--I've nearly washed them in the laundry more than once, lol.

That's why I think ADHD'ers keep doing strange things with their meds. Can't tell you how many ritalin SR are rolling around under the computer at this point. My doc is smart enough to realize this so I usually have some leftovers for errant moments...

Dee
[/QUOTE]I too wish I could just get the script called in to my pharmacy. It can be such a painn to have to stop by the doc's office just for the piece of paper. I need to see if I can get my dd's doc to give me a 3 month supply so that I can send it off to the insurance pharmacy and get it cheaper (1 month=, 3 months=5, I think). Your doc should be able to do three month's worth. I don't know about your state or the USA but I do know my doc gave me 3 months and I just pick up monthly. [QUOTE=leokat]I too wish I could just get the script called in to my pharmacy. It can be such a painn to have to stop by the doc's office just for the piece of paper. I need to see if I can get my dd's doc to give me a 3 month supply so that I can send it off to the insurance pharmacy and get it cheaper (1 month=, 3 months=5, I think). [/QUOTE]

Definitely worth asking about--that is significant savings! We are lucky that our copay is at the present time.

Dee
Wow, we're kind of the exact opposite (and sometimes, it really is a pain)--we have to go in every 2 months for a checkup (weight, BP, height), a brief meeting with the doctor, and then we get 2 months worth of RX. Once per year, there is a more in depth screening--bloodwork included.

Only one friend has her son on medication (ADHD--inattentive), and she got several months worth of RX and only checks in if there is a problem.

Don't get me wrong--I think the testing is good--but I wish it were more like every 4 months because it is time consuming.

Our small town has sometimes been called the "drug abuse capital of Georgia." I wonder if perhaps that is why they are so carefully controlling the RX. Even when we get 2 months worth of prescriptions, 1 cannot be filled until 30 days have passed. I heard some parents talking at the doctor's office in the lobby, and they said the restrictions are to prevent sale of the Metadate on the street. SIGH. That's pretty terrible that parents would take their kids meds and sell them, but yes, I can see how that would happen.

dee
My 8 year old daughter has been on ADHD meds (methylin, straterra, focalin and now vyvanse) for over 2 years now.  In that two years, she has never had blood work or any other test done to see how the meds are effecting her body.  Is that something I should be concerned about?  If so, what tests should be done?

Also,  she is currently taking Vyvanse 40mg.  The doctor decreased it from 50 mg. and added Risperdal.  She has been very defiant and just doesn't care if she is rewarded for good behavior or have consequences for bad behavior.  She has really struggled this year with her school work.  Could this defiant behavior be a side effect of the vyvanse?  The Vyvanse seemed to work like a charm at first.  We didn't have to give her meds in the afternoon to help her get through her extra-curricular activities.  Over a few weeks, it seemed to stop working altogether and she had other issues besides focusing, impulsivity and hyperactivity.  What are your thoughts because I am at a lost to what I should do.  I feel like we are running out of options.

Thanks,
I wish I could help you with this one. My daughter has been on meds since age 5, and she's now almost 10. We've never had any kind of bloodwork done. The only thing the dr has done is check blood pressure, height, and weight. This is a question I have asked and been dismisssed about. I am now looking for a new dr for her b/c the last time I asked the dr about bloodwork, he looked at me like I had lost my mind and said if they did bloodwork on all their patients they'd be backed up for weeks.

Hi,

My children have both been on meds and neither one has had blood tests. It bothers me. My friend's daughter is seeing a doc regarding depression and such (not adhd) and the doc did blood work. Her daughter is severly deficient in Vitamin D. The daughter is lactose intolerant. I did some research on Vitamin D and really everyone should look into suppliments for their child.Of course, with a docs approval. I am going to ask for blood work for both.

 

 

 

I am glad I am not the only one frustrated about this but sad at the same time that our children's health is not being taken seriously.  My friend has a son who is ADHD and he gets blood work every 6 months.  She said the adhd meds can cause liver problems in a select few.  It had me concerned so I asked the doctor and he said no there is no need.  I may insist next time.  Let me know how your request turns out!!

DS has been on meds since just shyof 7. He is now 11 1/2 and has had NO blood work, no blood pressure tests- except one. He only gets weighed.

Our prescribing doc is a psychopharm, not the pediatrician. The ped. checked his blood pressure when I needed him to write a prescription. The other doctor just weighs him.

Should I worry????

We will ask the psychopharm at next appointment - please guys keep me in the loop on this one!!

Thank you!!

My son sounds the same way. The Vyvanse lasted a bood year with us then totally flipped out, being totally defiant and rude, and poor impulse control. We also saw some aggresivness. It was not my kid. He is off the vyvanse just 1 week and behaviors are getting better. Now we try concerta.