Anyone one out there have any ideas on how a doctor can tell if Ritalin is doing what it should be???
My doctor has said he thinks the "rating scales" as suggested in the DSM4 are useless. He wanted to send me to a day hospital for a week of observation on nothing at all and then on ritalin. I declare this useless as I simply won't be "myself" when placed in this enviroment.
Now I realise the simple answer would be "what I tell the doctor".... Obviously I would know if it was helping me or not. The problem is I have a history of self medicating, therefore it is considered a possibility that I may be "drug seeking" too get up to no good. So the doctor doesn't seem to know what to do... The nurse I see asked me if I had any ideas how to go about the matter. I don't really, I simply said "unfortunately the only source of reliable information is going to be me. Whilst I realise that that may be considered unreliable I don't really see any other way"
So has anyone been down this track before????? Any suggestions??
Concerta is not an option as it is not funded by govt where I live.
rangikahuta38559.1077199074I could tell that Ritalin was working for me because I became more focused than before i started medication. I completed things, which was a first for me.
I could tell it was working for me because i could focus and
I was well-behaved.
In New Zealand only certain doctors can prescibe meds for add. Whilst I find it frustrating that the doc might not trust what I say, I do sort of understand. No matter where I go they'll call my GP and she always says look out he might be drug seeking. I ended up seeing this doctor for the purpose of a methadone / diazepam detox... Then he ended up going down the add path... He's been burnt more than once in similar incidents with add so is trying to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Kinda makes my life a little hard... I think they're going to make me pick up daily if they go ahead with the ritalin, which sucks because I'm sick of walking to the pharmacy everyday. I don't think I'll stop feeling like a druggie until I'm granted a little more freedom. It's kind of degrading having to trapse to the chemist everyday no matter rain or shine. I'd just like to be given "enough rope to hang myself" so to speak... They're gonna keep drug testing me and pull the plug on treatment if they think they're just adding to my drug cocktails.[QUOTE=rangikahuta]Yeah I also know that it works for me.... But the doc considers my information to be a little unreliable...[/QUOTE]
Wow. I have to give you some advice on that one.
Friend - if your MD hasn't built enough trust in you to take your word on things like how it feels for you and your take on symptoms - I'd shop for a new one.
Remember it's a consumer thing just like your mechanic or plumber. If you told your plumber that your toilet was overflowing and he laughed and said "look - I've done this for a long time and I think your problem is your sink" - you'd think again on your choice in plumbers!
You should see noticable results from Ritalin or the others in the family fairly quick. Or, at least those around you should by now. Some mention that although they feel the same, their loved ones and employer mention significant improvement, even if they have no idea they have ADHD.
Maybe try Adderal or dexedrine? I take dexedrine spansules and have successfully taken control of my life for 8 months now. It was fast to get results and I've had few and tolerable side-effects.
Hope you take this bull by the horns and get yourself a new MD. Keep us posted! If you ever need advice just PM me and I'd be glad to chat!
Yeah I also know that it works for me.... But the doc considers my information to be a little unreliable...