Hello everybody. I've been referred to a psychologist for evaluation, but I haven't heard back from their office yet.

Meanwhile, I've been doing a lot of research on AD(H)D as I've mentioned elsewhere. One of the things I've given a lot of thought to is which medication I think would come closest to what I need. I am hoping you experienced people can fill me in on factors that I might not have considered, or on misconceptions I might have.

The drugs seemed to be divided into stimulants and antidepressants. I'm very reluctant to use the antidepressants for several reasons -- the long lead up time, the possibility of weight gain in some of them (this is something that would probably be harmful to my health, since I am fairly pudgy now). Probably what bothers me the most is the idea of not being able to "steer".

The stimulants appeal to me far more. I feel safe in using them because I have no history or tendency toward drug abuse whether legal or not. I've never smoked, I'm a social drinker only, and the medications (codeine cough syrup for instance) in my medicine cabinet sit there forgotten for months at a time.

On top of that, I like the idea of the short acting stimulants, four hours or so in the descriptions I have read. I can get a lot of work done in four hours, and being able to power down after a session of work sounds like an advantage to me.

Can you experienced people comment on my initial thoughts about medication?

Ducky

This is something you need to talk to your doctor about. Because everyone experiences different things on different meds. I personally have been on both. Untill you have tryed a medication you will not know if it will even work for you as everyones body chemistry is different.

What the info sources say won't really be an issue... what is an issue is how you respond to each medication and to the dosage prescribed to you. It is a process and one that might not work right away. Also, even after you've found one that works life changes might make you look to something else that is more appropriate for you at that point. The most important thing your can do is be honest with your doctor and yourself about a medication's effectiveness and note anything you do and don't like about your body's response to the meds. If you take the time to note those things it makes it a clearer and more efficient and effective discussion with your doctor.
Good Luck,
LT

I'm sure you may blow away your pysician with your knowledge of anything they may suggest, good going on doing your research ahead of time! Knowldege is power! You said it was a psychologist, right? They don't prescribe or even recommend meds. I suggest you ask for a referral to a psychiatrist, who can take your full evaluation and health history, etc, into account, and come up with the best meds to start with. Be open to any suggestions, as not all individuals have the side effects, and if one does not suit you, there are definitely other options, and they usually sway a particular way (antidepressants versus stimulants) for some very good considerable reasons.

Best of luck with everything!

they usually sway a particular way (antidepressants versus stimulants) for some very good considerable reasons:eek: Ack! She beat me to it! Frazz....are you after my postcount? :D

All kidding aside, this is an excellent point and a good one to keep in mind. When you do see a psychiatrist, you may find the he/she prefers to adhere to a particular medications "routine" and will proceed with it regardless of good research and info provided by the patient. Some docs may actually resent being presented with a predeterimined choice they had no part in making. (This type will typically say something like "How about you let me be the doctor?") :rolleyes:

Docs are people and as such, they vary widely in how they approach prescribing medications of many types. Some docs are quite vehemently anti-stimulant and will always RX the non-stimulant options first. Others may always start with stimulants, and still others will make decisions according to what they believe will best "fit" the patient.

I have seen many doctors, and possibly way too many doctors in my time. I would personally get a "feel" for the doc before proceeding to lay out my reasoning. My current doc and I work together in deciding what meds to use and its a great thing.

So you may get lucky and the doc will ask YOU about what you think is right! :D Hard to tell ahead of time.

Thank you all for your contributions. As I understand it, I need a diagnosis from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist in order to begin treatment, but with that diagnosis I can return to my GP for ongoing medication. I could be wrong though, and I should be getting a call from my GP this afternoon in which I hope to find out.

However, I don't know how I'm going to manage to afford a "free market" diagnosis, (approximately $1500, of which Blue Cross would pay $350) and if the prescriptions have to always come from a psychiatrist, or have to be confirmed by a psychiatrist on an ongoing basis, God knows how I'm going to afford that.

As for doing the upfront research, that's been a habit of mine for years. It helps me understand what the doctor tells me, and dramatically cut the amount of time I spend in appointments. Plus the fact that it's a habit means that I have many years of other research which casts a light on whatever I'm researching at the moment.

In any event, I'll keep you posted.

Ducky

Generally, your Doctor will choose for you.


Most docs don't just had out amphetamines.

They seem to want to try Effexor, Wellbutrin or Ritalin first.

I see you are in Manitoba. My $1200 Testing was paid for by the Province via my school's disability office.

Post-secondary students are prioritized that way.

OHIP (medicare) doesn't cover Testing in Ontario.

Take a part time college course and have your provincial student aid program's disability funding pay for it?

The Testing Report generally needs to be sent to any MD who is going to Rx you meds == esp. controlled ones.

Testing is important for other reasons, too.

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re: short acting drugs

When meds wear off, some people fall asleep.

(e.g. rebound)

This can be very disrupting to one's day to have to go to bed (or sleep) in the middle of the day.