I'm going to make this a very brief history so this don't turn into a essay. 8 months diagnosed with adhd. I was treated with Strattera for about 6 month before it start to not work for me, which is causing big problems at work.



I went to a psychiatrist that didn't work out( see thread http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24183&page=1&pp=15)
I have an appointment with another psychiatrist in about 2 ½ months.
My psychologist thinks that a trial of rydlin or adderall should be tried.
My current family doctor won't prescribe anything more other than Strattera for adults.

I know another doctor that will prescribe me a low dosage of adderall. It's all legal and “above the board” documented. I am only interested in opinions I not using this as a scientific study!


To go to this other doctor to get adderall am I:




Insane and asking for trouble
Acting more desperate than I actually am
Might be a good Idea
It should work out for 2 ½ months ok
Definetley give it a try it's your job we are talking about

Can't tell you what to do, but 2 1/2 months is a LONG time to wait for treatment! The doc who's willing to prescribe a controlled substance to you for this period of time is taking the risk, so he/she must feel at least somewhat confident that it's the right thing to do, unless your relationship with this doc is not a professional one.....

Just my opinion.

No the relationship is a professional one, the catch is he is more willing than other doctors but if it bites me in the butt I can't complain. I know very well that adderall has as many bad things about it as it does good things. I have been warned!!
If the psychiatrist disagrees with the diagnosis then there will be problems coming off of the drug. I don't want to proceed long term without a psychiatrist being directly involved. But not being able to sit still and do my work is also not fun.
The way I see things:
Psychologist: Give me tools to adjust my behavior, vent, and give advise.
Family Doctor: Make sure I don't physically hurt myself.
Psychiatrist: Make sure I don't screw up my brain.

I know it might not be healthy but I see the psychiatrist as a great big prescription pad, my psychologist is giving me all the non-drug related treatment I feel that I need.

Yes, No, Maybe?

"If you have ADD, how you decide to treat it should be your choice not something that is dictated by others."

This is my mission statement now.

I'm in a similar position as you. I've had addiction/overdose problems in the past and I have also just come off a trial with Strattera. Strattera helped my ADD but produced some awful physical side effects. Now that I tasted success with my ADD I have no time for anyone who is ignorant about alternative medications.

If your diagnosis was depression, do you think anyone would want you to wait two months to get a second opinion?

If it was me I'd try it now. The worst case is it doesn't help but even then you are still one step ahead when you see the Psych in 2 1/2 months. And if it does work even better.

I have desided that I will try adderall. The last two days I have been working on a presentation a home and it is all I can do to sit still and pay attention for 5 minutes at a time.

I just hope I don't regret this later but I know what doing nothing will accomplish.
Thanks everyone.

Spoody,

I wouls have made the same decision. You are actually saving the psychiatrist (and yourself) time. When you see her, you will have more info - your response to stimulants. She might just help you adjust the dosage or switch stimulants.

Good luck!

If your diagnosis was depression, do you think anyone would want you to wait two months to get a second opinion?
VERY WELL SAID!

I have heard SO many stories of people being made to wait as if ADD is somehow less of a crisis than other illnesses.

It may very well be less time-sensitive for many people, for those of us who cannot avoid ADD-impaired tasks, it's certainly an emergency.

If I had been made to wait for treatment the way some here have, I would have ended up dropping out of my PhD program, wasting 2 and half years of my life (and my DH & kids' lives).

Good luck with your trial. I have a feeling you'll be glad you did it.....