ADD and Pdoc not listening...

I put this in Health Support as well, not sure which this goes in, so I'll post here too:

I'm not sure if this goes in this forum, but I'll try it here.

Every since I was a small kid, I've had concentration (major) problems, disorientation, and confusion when it comes to 'book smarts'. I was always slower than the other kids because I couldn't think straight and would forget what I read two pages earlier and would have to go back and read again to answer questions. I'm still this way.

I've taken many self quizes on ADD and every one of them have shown it's highly likely I have ADD. I've talked to my psychologist about this. She says it's just my bi-polar. Well if it's just my bi-polar, then why is none of my medications working to help that area of it? She has put me on Provigil for energy and to decrease my meth cravings, and for some reason I have seen a very small change in my confusion, but that's about it. Why won't she treat me for ADD when I know that's what I have? Knowing how my concentration level is and how easily confused I get, I feel very stupid all the time. If it were just my bi-polar, the meds I'm on would help that area too! What do I do? I'm sick and tired of being this way.

Stacey, I'm curious if maybe it has something to do with most meds for ADD being stimulants. With your meth addiction, maybe it would be a bad idea to try ADD meds, although Strattera is a non-stimulant, non-controlled ADD med.

I would ask if she would put you on a trial of it to see if it helps.

(darn typos)

I thought about that too. My dad is on Strattera so I knew a little about the medication and I've asked her about that instead of medications like Adderall. She simply said, "We're not treating something you don't have. You are bi-polar." URG!

Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but Ryan has both and he's being treated for both. Your T is just being.........close minded maybe.

On of my kid's teachers always said to start their day off with caffeine and a candy bar if they couldn't be on medication. He actually went to an ADD seminar and that's a tip they gave them. Not exactly the most health conscious thing, though, is it?

Nah, I'm still trying to lose weight, which isn't working well, by the way. lol I love my pdoc, she's really great about most things, but I fear I may have to change docs if she continues denying me the help I need for this.

Oh Bama,
This is identical with what I'm going through, it is very frustrating. My pdoc won't even give me Provigil, damn!
I knew I always had ADD, wasn't ADHD but ADD, even got DXed as "mild" along with my "mild" Bipolar-II, but still not getting treated for it, and that is my main enemy. . . ADD.
The personal experiment that proved this is, about 5yrs ago I went to a bogus diet center that dispensed phenterimine, during that time I went to college, got honor's list twice, had all A's + B's and C in pre-calc. Where as far as grammar and high school I nearly passed, never could focus almost as if a foreign language was being spoken and written before my eyes. Back in the early 60's we just were scolded and told "pay attention"!! So many changes today.
After a family crisis (of many) I melted down, and make a long story short, got DXed for the above mentioned.
Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where I need more attention given, his excuse is that he fears I can have a manic episode, never did that even warranted the defination, just aminly depressed, and I still feel it is due to being medicated for one part of my disorders and not being treated for the one that has more control over me and making life frustrating. Concentration is zero, almost feel my entire ability for focus, etc. is gone
I wish I had an answer but I saw this and it sounds just like what I am dealing with.
Pdoc says maybe in Aug. he'll let me try stratera but if it is a smiliar compound as wellbutrin, it won't work, I had that years ago. See, straterra (sp?) is non stimulant, duh, that is what my brain needs
I wish we could get pdocs to give us a chance before saying no, sometimes. He still is a good pdoc, I just get frustrated.

DE


((((((((((((((( Bama ))))))))))))))))

((((((((((((((((darkeyes)))))))))))))))))

I feel your pain and frustration. It's sad our own pdocs, who are there to help us with our needs to keep us from going off the deep end, refuse to help us FULLY.

A few months ago, my step sis started taking Adderall and me being as frustrated as I was about my ADD, I took one to see how it affected me and if it worked how it should, I was going to tell my pdoc. I know I shouldn't have taken my sisters medication, but I was at the end of my ropes with all this BS. I took the Adderall, and within 30 minutes things were already becoming more clear for me. I was able to read half a book that night and not have to go back and read over what I had already went by to remember. I told my pdoc this and she just shrugged it off and said I shouldn't have done that. pffft! Where's the help in that, ya know?

I know what you mean, but we sometimes get so frustrated and end up trying to see things, to prove what our minds/bodys are telling us.
I too did that, my one brother has ADD, he gave me Ritalin to try, and the same thing, I had almost instant positive results, the whole day I was focused and accomplished things, this is so frustrating I know
Well, we can keep in contact, you and I can exchange notes of where we get with our pdocs, I go in August, he claimed when I last saw him he'll think about trying Straterra, but I don't even think for me, that is the answer, I don't know but he mentioned that or wellbutrin, if it is similar to wellbutrin, I do not want it, I had that stuff, never did anything for me, just made me tired.
Sooooooooooo, I shall see, otherwise I amseriously going to look for a pdoc that has a specilaty of working with ADD.
Okay, there's my vent, ha!ha!
Take csre now,
DE

(((((((((((( Bama ))))))))))))
DE

I don't blame you one bit... Going to a doctor who specializes in ADD is your best bet. I truely hope it all works out for you. ((((dark)))) Keep your head up and keep your hope... It'll work out.

Bipolar disorder can usually be safely treated along with ADHD. Wellbutrin and Strattera have lower rates of success treating ADHD (about 50-60%) compared to stimulants (90%). In my opinion, bipolar disorder and ADHD are often confused with each other. ADHD folks frequently have racing thoughts, hyperactivity, difficulty sleeping, etc that can be mislabeled Bipolar. Since I specialize in adult ADHD I see misdiagnoses all the time like this.

Now, the problem, it is hard to find one that states their specialty. The internet info. gets confusing or locations are not where I live if they do show up.
Anyone have a good source to find pdocs that's specialty is ADD/ADHD or just ADD? If so PM me or post here, it may help others too.
T_MD,
Do you have any sites to recommend that will help find a pdoc that specializes in ADD, in the NJ/ eastern PA area.
Thanks in advance.
Also T_MD,
What is the milder of stimulants for ADD that is not risky for someone with mild bipolar (BP-II) cause my pdoc is conservative due to feeling it can trigger mania.
I do not think Straterra is for me, especially if it has any resemblance to Wellbutrin, that never helped me in the past. I guess I need to shop around for a less uptight pdoc, open to try things before saying "no", I mean, I keep my appts. he will be able to tell if I am having an undesirable outcome.
Even my GP is stingy about increasing my thyroid med. though I told her "within normal range" doesn't cut it, I've read that too, when she gave it to me my bodily functions improved as well as weakening my depression.


I never had mania, if throwing a ceramic tissue box cover at a shower stall door after finding out a spouse was unfaithful, is condsidered manic, then that is ridiculous.
That was the only thing that may be considered, I guess.
Still don't think that warrants being labeled BP, do you?
Again thanks,
DE

My mania consist of racing thoughts and cleaning excessively, mostly. It happens about twice a month, sometimes a little more. I've been up'd to 500mg of Seroquel and I still have trouble falling asleep. My racing thoughts are with me 24/7 though, but get worse during mania. I know I have ADD or ADHD, just a matter of finding someone who will treat me for it since my pdoc refuses to.