[Beyond77]

I'm currently using Fish Oil to treat my Adult ADD(not sure what kind I have--I am good with work-related things and tasks, but have a very hard time fitting in with others due to my spazziness and tendency to worry and be annoying). I have had serious challenges with other treatments before--Dr's won't now prescribe me ANY ADD meds despite the fact I have no history of drug abuse, bad reactions to some of the stimulant meds I took in the past, insurance problems, not-so-helpful T's,etc.

I had heard that the Fish Oil would be a good tool to calm my mind down to a "normal" level and help me feel better all around...and since it's so good for your body anyway, I thought why not?

I've been taking 1000 MG a day for a while and can tell a bit of a difference in my mood, but my mind still feels like it's driven by a motor. No worse, but really no better. Should I up my dosage? What dosage is the "reccommended" one to treat ADD?

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by Beyond77

I'm currently using Fish Oil to treat my Adult ADD(not sure what kind I have--I am good with work-related things and tasks, but have a very hard time fitting in with others due to my spazziness and tendency to worry and be annoying). I have had serious challenges with other treatments before--Dr's won't now prescribe me ANY ADD meds despite the fact I have no history of drug abuse, bad reactions to some of the stimulant meds I took in the past, insurance problems, not-so-helpful T's,etc.

I had heard that the Fish Oil would be a good tool to calm my mind down to a "normal" level and help me feel better all around...and since it's so good for your body anyway, I thought why not?

I've been taking 1000 MG a day for a while and can tell a bit of a difference in my mood, but my mind still feels like it's driven by a motor. No worse, but really no better. Should I up my dosage? What dosage is the "reccommended" one to treat ADD?

There isn't any FDA approved treatment for ADHD with fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids), but I have read anecdotal evidence that it shows some promise. I wouldn't take any more than the bottle recommends though.

I REALLY think you should see another therapist who has experience and is skilled in treating adults with ADHD, then have them assess you, and send the report to a general practitioner who will prescribe you meds. I also think therapy to deal with your ADHD issues. If you can't take stimulants there is always STRATTERA too.

Why won't the doctors prescribe stimulants (SPECIFICALLY)? Do you have Bipolar Disorder or some other disorder where stimulants are contra-indicated? I would refuse to see any doctor who wouldn't work with me properly.

Good luck.

[Beyond77]

Originally Posted by Simcha

There isn't any FDA approved treatment for ADHD with fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids), but I have read anecdotal evidence that it shows some promise. I wouldn't take any more than the bottle recommends though.

I REALLY think you should see another therapist who has experience and is skilled in treating adults with ADHD, then have them assess you, and send the report to a general practitioner who will prescribe you meds. I also think therapy to deal with your ADHD issues. If you can't take stimulants there is always STRATTERA too.

Why won't the doctors prescribe stimulants (SPECIFICALLY)? Do you have Bipolar Disorder or some other disorder where stimulants are contra-indicated? I would refuse to see any doctor who wouldn't work with me properly.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply. To say that my experience has been frustrating is an understatement!!!

The Dr. won't prescribe stimulants to adults, PERIOD. It's a policy in their office, apparently--although I don't personally have any history of drug abuse, the area I live in has a high amount of people hooked on meth/cocaine/pain pills, and they're very gun-shy about prescribing any stimulant medication to any adult. They'll prescribe them to kids with ADD, though Right now it's going to be very difficult to switch Dr's due to my insurance, too, so I'm definitely looking out for alternative treatments to get some relief. I did take Ritalin and Dexadrine (sp) back when I was a teenager and lived in another area, but they didn't make a dent on my symptoms at all.

I've never been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, although I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression before. I've taken a whole host of anti-depressants (about 10 of them) to try to treat that, but I seem to have bad reactions to them as well--rashes, sometimes becoming even more depressed, etc. I've even been put on Benzos like Klonopin, etc., and they didn't slow me down at all!!! It's like my body is completely resistant, one way or another, to any drug that works on the brain/nervous system, and no one seems to know why. Really surprised no one has mentioned Strattera, though. I've heard of it, but it's not been prescribed to me.

I'd like to try another therapist/pdoc, --I've went to several and either they were very bad fits or "gave up" on me. (ironically, I've even had one that WAS ADD trained who actually rolled their eyes at me during a session.) I'm trying to get a referral to someone else through my insurance company, but that's proving to be a very, very slow process. There are rumors that a CHADD chapter may be opening up here soon, so maybe I can get some info there.

Sorry to go on a rant here...I guess that I'm just terribly frustrated and looking for options!!

[Cthomas]

I have been taking fish oil too. I take 3000 mgs a day and it does seem to help. Its not 100 percent but I do notice a difference.

Hope this helps!

Colleen

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by Beyond77

Thanks for your reply. To say that my experience has been frustrating is an understatement!!!

The Dr. won't prescribe stimulants to adults, PERIOD. It's a policy in their office, apparently--although I don't personally have any history of drug abuse, the area I live in has a high amount of people hooked on meth/cocaine/pain pills, and they're very gun-shy about prescribing any stimulant medication to any adult. They'll prescribe them to kids with ADD, though Right now it's going to be very difficult to switch Dr's due to my insurance, too, so I'm definitely looking out for alternative treatments to get some relief. I did take Ritalin and Dexadrine (sp) back when I was a teenager and lived in another area, but they didn't make a dent on my symptoms at all.

I've never been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, although I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression before. I've taken a whole host of anti-depressants (about 10 of them) to try to treat that, but I seem to have bad reactions to them as well--rashes, sometimes becoming even more depressed, etc. I've even been put on Benzos like Klonopin, etc., and they didn't slow me down at all!!! It's like my body is completely resistant, one way or another, to any drug that works on the brain/nervous system, and no one seems to know why. Really surprised no one has mentioned Strattera, though. I've heard of it, but it's not been prescribed to me.

I'd like to try another therapist/pdoc, --I've went to several and either they were very bad fits or "gave up" on me. (ironically, I've even had one that WAS ADD trained who actually rolled their eyes at me during a session.) I'm trying to get a referral to someone else through my insurance company, but that's proving to be a very, very slow process. There are rumors that a CHADD chapter may be opening up here soon, so maybe I can get some info there.

Sorry to go on a rant here...I guess that I'm just terribly frustrated and looking for options!!

Typical frustration, so don't feel alone. We all have to do our part though in taking charge of our own healthcare. We no longer live in an age where doctors are the sole proprieters of knowledge of human health/healthcare. A white coat means nothing. The title MD means nothing... it is all in their committment to knowledge and professionalism. Your doctor is not professional by categorically refusing to prescripe stimulants. That right there shows you number 1--how much he really doesn't know about ADHD, and 2--that he is unprofessional.

You need to drive to somewhere else to seek proper treatment if your insurance doesn't cover someone in your area.

I say this time and again, and I think I might get a sticky on the topic, but the best thing to do is to see a THERAPIST who is a CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, not a PDOC. Pdocs are almost always woefully undertrained in ADHD (ADD and ADHD are the same thing, the clinical term is ADHD), especially in adults. If the psychologist determines you have ADHD, then you MIGHT want to do a clinical trial of a stimulant. He can refer you to a MD or Pdoc or Nurse Practitioner to prescribe the meds for a trial to see how it goes. You can also do THERAPY with the Therapist (a "T" aka "Psychologist"). Pdocs are useless for talk therapy 3/4 of the time.

I don't know what you mean by "was ADD trained"---there is no specific ADHD training certification. A Pdoc goes to 4 years medical school, where they learn basic stuff in anatomy, physiology, biology, medications as they apply to patient care etc., of which the last two years are spent doing some rotations in the hospital following around residents. Residents are doctors who are not yet board certified and cannot practice medicine on their own. Like other specialties, psychiatry is 3 to 4 years of ON THE JOB TRAINING in a loosley supervised environment.

To cut my rant short---psychiatrists are typically not trained as well as psychologists are in psychology. They are trained in medication dispensation and might have a module in their residency program that claims to teach them "therapy", but it's not the type of intense 6 years of training in talk-therapy (psychotherapy) and psychology that psychologists have.

FYI--two states (maybe three now) have prescription privleges for psychologists. You might want to look on the American Psychological Association website and see if your state is one of them.
Research all you can about ADHD, it's treatment modalities, and coping mechanisms. Don't let the naysayers like your unprofessional doctor fool you.

Here's something for you (and nothing against college degrees as I'm a college student): A college degree doesn't make you professional or intelligent. It means you can pass tests, and if you are a good student, you can become proficient in your degree field. This is true for medical and law school too.

Medical school and residency ARE NOT GRADED. Even the C students can pass. Doctors are not gods, and they do not hold the keys to the kingdom. Only active participation in your healthcare will help.
Good luck!

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by Simcha

Typical frustration, so don't feel alone. We all have to do our part though in taking charge of our own healthcare. We no longer live in an age where doctors are the sole proprieters of knowledge of human health/healthcare. A white coat means nothing. The title MD means nothing... it is all in their committment to knowledge and professionalism. Your doctor is not professional by categorically refusing to prescripe stimulants. That right there shows you number 1--how much he really doesn't know about ADHD, and 2--that he is unprofessional.

You need to drive to somewhere else to seek proper treatment if your insurance doesn't cover someone in your area.

I say this time and again, and I think I might get a sticky on the topic, but the best thing to do is to see a THERAPIST who is a CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, not a PDOC. Pdocs are almost always woefully undertrained in ADHD (ADD and ADHD are the same thing, the clinical term is ADHD), especially in adults. If the psychologist determines you have ADHD, then you MIGHT want to do a clinical trial of a stimulant. He can refer you to a MD or Pdoc or Nurse Practitioner to prescribe the meds for a trial to see how it goes. You can also do THERAPY with the Therapist (a "T" aka "Psychologist"). Pdocs are useless for talk therapy 3/4 of the time.

I don't know what you mean by "was ADD trained"---there is no specific ADHD training certification. A Pdoc goes to 4 years medical school, where they learn basic stuff in anatomy, physiology, biology, medications as they apply to patient care etc., of which the last two years are spent doing some rotations in the hospital following around residents. Residents are doctors who are not yet board certified and cannot practice medicine on their own. Like other specialties, psychiatry is 3 to 4 years of ON THE JOB TRAINING in a loosley supervised environment.

To cut my rant short---psychiatrists are typically not trained as well as psychologists are in psychology. They are trained in medication dispensation and might have a module in their residency program that claims to teach them "therapy", but it's not the type of intense 6 years of training in talk-therapy (psychotherapy) and psychology that psychologists have.

FYI--two states (maybe three now) have prescription privleges for psychologists. You might want to look on the American Psychological Association website and see if your state is one of them.
Research all you can about ADHD, it's treatment modalities, and coping mechanisms. Don't let the naysayers like your unprofessional doctor fool you.

Here's something for you (and nothing against college degrees as I'm a college student): A college degree doesn't make you professional or intelligent. It means you can pass tests, and if you are a good student, you can become proficient in your degree field. This is true for medical and law school too.

Medical school and residency ARE NOT GRADED. Even the C students can pass. Doctors are not gods, and they do not hold the keys to the kingdom. Only active participation in your healthcare will help.
Good luck!

I don't like CHADD other than their informational resources online. I think groups are useless too, but these are just my opinions.