Well, I got a surprize for today! A change in appointment with my phych.! For TODAY! Not at all prepared for this. It has been since 12/1 that I last visited him.

Normally he is the one to offer a dose increase with my Adderall. Today is different. I know I need an increase, but with him, if your not careful, he will completly change meds on you. Do I have the right to refuse a med change? The Adderall has changed my life-well it and the anti-depressant he gives me. The two work well with me. Its just, well I'm sure some of you can relate-you can tell when the adderall isn't working as well as it should? Right?

I guess my nervousness comes from the fact that a lot of people fake symptoms to get the Adderall. I guess I'm afraid if I ask for a raise it will make him think I'm only in this for the meds? I'm confused! Anyone else scared of talking with their pych. about med. increases? Or is this just my insecurities creeping up on me today?

You don't say your dose, and also, your other meds (& their dose).


Emma

You definately have a right to refuse a med change. Just like you have the right to not take meds at all. However just because you refuse to change doesn't mean your doctor will up the dose of your current med.

A lot depends on what dose you are on and how frequently you've needed to up your dose in the past. For instance if you have a pattern of the med working great for a month or two and then you need an increase switching meds makes sense. If you need to adjust the dose every couple of months your going get to a point where the medictaion doesn't help at all so if you only get benefits for a short period of time it's in your best interest to find something that will be able to help you better.

Of course you could just be nervous about asking for an increase. Especially if this is the first time you've had to bring up the topic. You mentioned your doctor normally mentions the increase so maybe that is where your concern comes from. Usually you don't need to demand an increase from a doctor. They'll ask how things are going and you tell them honestly what troubles you've been having. A lot of times you won't even have to mention an increase since describing the return of your ADHD symptoms is enough for the doctor to realise the med is no longer helping.

Another option is to raise the dose of your anti-depressant since some anti-depressants (not sure which one you take) amplify the effect of stimulents.

The last option I can think of is to take a break (med vacation) from Adderall for awhile. If it has taken you awhile to build up a tolerance and the doctor doesn't want to up the dose taking a break could "break" the tolerance so when you start taking it again it will work like it did before the tolerance was built up.

Your fears aren't unfounded. I was on Ritalin LA in the past, and there was plenty of room to raise the dosage, but when I mentioned to my pdoc that it wasn't working as well anymore, he just switched meds altogether. He does that with a lot of meds, and not just the stimulants. Instead of raising a dosage, he just switches you. It's frustrating, really.

But like was said above, you didn't mention your dosage and all that other important information, so it's hard to get a view of your situation.

Anyway, by your post, it sounded like you pdoc appt was today? If so, how did it go?

I guess I was just scared to bring the subject up. I have had trouble speaking up for myself in the past. Everything went well. He always asks on a percentage basis (80%, 90%, 100%) how I think the meds are working and how I'm feeling. I brought that up first, rather than letting him. He said not to worry, we would increase my dose. He said there is plenty of room to play with adult doses, and he made his recomendations for the next few months. He is normally not so easy to talk to, but this time he was very open and attentive , so we were able to cover a lot of ground.

That was 2 days ago, I feel so much better on the new dose.

That's great to hear.

You said he's normally not that easy to talk to, maybe he sensed you we're nervous so adjusted his manner to seem more open. Or maybe you were just more open and confident this session. Either way it's a double victory you had a great session and got the med increase you needed. Congrats

I love happy stories :D

Thanks everyone for being so supportive on this matter! You guys are the only ones I can openly talk to about adhd, noboy understands what we all go through!