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Post by marionk on Mar 30, 2016 15:44:39 GMT
I just phoned the specialists', to check to they'd got to the referral letter from the GP, to find that, no, they hadn't got the letter. Worse than that, Dr. Chad is retiring. Tomorrow. This is absolutely typical of my luck over the last 20 years (i.e. Since returning to this country. ) Thankfully they do have another ADHD specialist. I just need to get the surgery to fax the letter to them. So, I phoned the surgery, but they can't do that. I need to ask the secretaries at the partner surgery to do it. So now, all I have to do, is remember to phone their partner surgery tomorrow, after about 9.30. Arrgh!
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Post by marionk on Apr 1, 2016 10:17:58 GMT
Well, thanks to Habitica, I remembered to phone the surgery, and faxed the letter for me. Unfortunately, when I phoned the specialist's later, they hadn't got it. I'd given the surgery the wrong fax number and it had gone to some other department! Anyways, they found it and phoned this morning, and I now have an appointment.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Apr 1, 2016 10:24:58 GMT
I wish I could just get on the phone to people. . Well done you, even if it was in a wobbly way. . Yay!
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Post by marionk on Apr 1, 2016 11:20:09 GMT
vagueandrandomI usually go through a 'what's the worst that could happen?' in my head first, and as long as there are no potentially serious consequences (embarrassment doesn't count), I take a deep breath and concentrate on pressing the buttons, then I'm committed to it. If the consequences are potentially nasty, such as when dealing with DWP, I go to the MIND advocate. This one wasn't scary at all. They must deal with worse nutters than me on a daily basis! I did babble, I always babble. I got the appointment sorted though, so job done. More points on Habitica too!
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Post by marionk on Apr 16, 2016 6:33:59 GMT
Well, the consultant didn't actually say I have ADD
(more like, "You scored highly on the distracted questions, not so high on the hyperactive/impulsive.")
but I have a prescription for Ritalin waiting to be filled at a local pharmacy.
I just hope and pray that it works!!
I am just a tad nervous that it's not ADD, partly because I have had some diagnoses that I wasn't at all convinced about before,
but mainly because the medications I took for them, didn't help.
So I've got a kind of "If I'm wrong, then none of the meds are going to help, and if none of the meds help then I'm scr. . . *ahem* up the creek without a paddle."
Also because of previous meds not working, I am worried that they won't work because that would imply that it's not ADD, and again I will be up the creek, because I'll still be 'broken', but with no excuse/explanation.
And while that may make me sound like one of the three sillies, over the last 20 years in particular, I have found that I just don't fit into pigeon holes.
I won't be at all surprised if I don't fit this one either!
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Post by vagueandrandom on Apr 16, 2016 8:08:26 GMT
Good news marionk it is is a kind of dx. . . Of inattentive . . .and you wouldn't be prescribed Ritalin if they didn't think you had ADHD. You'll know soon enough . . once you take the meds . . Keep us updated
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Post by marionk on Apr 17, 2016 14:57:24 GMT
Well 10mg Ritalin this morning didn't have any effect beyond an ever so slight dizziness, and making me aware of my tinnitus, perhaps it increased the volume.
I took it with a glass of water then ate breakfast.
About to take another, but not going to eat until supper. If I still don't notice anything, I'll try the next one immediately after breakfast, tomorrow (obviously).
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Post by marionk on Apr 17, 2016 16:06:22 GMT
Same as this morning, except ever so slight headache, too.
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Post by marionk on Apr 18, 2016 7:33:19 GMT
No more faffing about, took two with breakfast and a glass of water. If no effect, I'll take two this afternoon, which, as I don't have lunch, will be on an empty stomach again. tbh I'm not expecting much.
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Post by marionk on Apr 18, 2016 9:45:37 GMT
Oh this is better!
For a while I thought it was still not having any effect, not even the tinnitus or dizziness, but then I got talking to mum, and thought of a few things I should really write up on here.
I have other stuff I ought to be doing, but the other day I got my lace set up by the computer, in order to distract myself into doing something more productive than stupid puzzles.
That's working, so now I have two things competing against the things I should be doing; lace and posting on here.
So, I was doing lace and thinking about what I was going to write on here (lace is not particularly taxing, thoughtwise, same with gardening, but that's another story), and then I turned to the computer to start posting.
Browser opened up displaying the puzzle that I'd started earlier, so I got distracted by it.
But then I realised, I was still thinking about what to post!!! That does NOT usually happen.
Usually that puzzle needs so much concentration that it blocks out everything else.
I sat up straight with surprise, and realised I was dizzy . . . and my tinnitus is louder.
The Ritalin must have only just started working when I came indoors and started talking to Mum.
I guess taking the tablets with breakfast slowed down the absorbtion.
I'll try posting the other stuff now.
(Heh! It's not helping me get down to doing the stuff I really ought to be doing, but then again, it's not life threatening if I don't do it today!)
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Post by marionk on Apr 18, 2016 13:24:16 GMT
Well, it's worn off now, it didn't help with distractability, but I did manage to remember what I was doing before and come back to it, without constantly repeating it to myself.
I also managed to do some tidying up without getting freaked out.
I got a couple of the posts done, but I can't remember what the others were to be about, something to do with simpler life and evolution, yeah that was one, I'm sure there was another, too, though.
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Post by marionk on Apr 18, 2016 15:59:09 GMT
I've had a nap, and got cold . . . still in bed, with two duvets (one normal one light). Air temp isn't especially cold, so it must be because I haven't eaten enough, but I had breakfast (a bowl of almondy porridge, and a whole small bar of Aldi's marzipan chocolate. I don't normally do lunch, as I won't lose weight if I do, but missing it doesn't make me cold like this unless I haven't had any breakfast either. Could it be that the increased brain function from the Ritalin has increased my calorific need?
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Post by marionk on Apr 20, 2016 8:07:32 GMT
Well, this stuff seems about as reliable as chocolate.
Took 20mg with breakfast yesterday, and with the possible effect of making me possibly slightly less stressed out in a slightly stressful situation, it had no noticeable effect.
I had planned to take 10 midday and 10 in the afternoon, to try and avoid the minor crash of the day before, so that's what I did anyway.
Still no effect except possibly heartburn, but that might have been because I had three lumps of chocolate and a glass of water with the tablet. Probably not a good combination, even without the tablet!
Possibly it was the stress that negated the boost from the 20mg though, and the 10's individually wouldn't have been noticeable anyway.
Today is not likely to have any stress, so I'll try 2x20, and just hope I don't get the slow metabolism/hypoglycemic chill again.
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Post by marionk on Apr 20, 2016 11:11:30 GMT
Today is not likely to have any stress, Famous last words. There will be no more stress free days until further notice. 'Capability for work questionnaire' I was hoping it was a few more months away still. Especially as I've only just finished a '6 month course' of job related activity for them. I notice in the disclaimer, it says 'I declare . . . that the information I have given is correct and complete' Complete?!?? wtf a) how am I or anyone else helping me supposed to know if I've remembered everything and b) when it comes to appeal, they aren't interested in anything you've already told them about, so if you have something else to tell them then clearly you didn't give them all the information and Holy crap!!! Just managed to read a bit more: *" If I give false or incomplete information, or . . . I understand that my Employment and Support Allowance may be stopped or reduced . . ." Wtf happened to "To the best of my knowledge and belief?" *(Bold is theirs, italics are mine)
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Post by vagueandrandom on Apr 20, 2016 12:06:18 GMT
Didn't see this before posting a suggestion in another thread. . I tagged you, so you should find it
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Post by marionk on Apr 20, 2016 13:37:18 GMT
Ok, managed to see an MH nurse, and get the ball rolling at the surgery (goodness knows where to) for nhs treatment. MH nurse says they can't prosecute you or anything like that, because you miss stuff out. You can't do any better than the best of your ability and they can't expect you to more than that either. The fact that they haven't actually written it in the declaration is neither here nor there. (Just shows what nasty ***'s they are is all.) Just as well I didn't wait to go up there until Monday, to see the MIND advocate, as that service has stopped! The nurse gave me a couple of phone numbers for people that are dealing with benefits applications now. I can't remember now if it was the nurse or the surgery receptionist that told me the NHS no longer have an ADHD specialist in this area (if it ever did). Actually I think they both told me. Anyways, have requested a referral to the MH team, from the GP's, no idea where it will lead.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Apr 20, 2016 15:58:43 GMT
A little progress is still progress
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Post by marionk on Apr 20, 2016 18:27:56 GMT
I have to go into town tomorrow to get the chicken food that I clean forgot today. It was on my to-do list but that went out the window, along with everything else on it when I opened that letter. Including brushing my hair. As well as forgetting I had a tatty skirt on for working in the garden, I went out with a bird's nest for hair. I did just about remember to take the Ritalin tablets though. 2 x 20mg no noticeable effect either time. Why did I post about going into town tomorrow? oh yeah, I was thinking of going in to the Jobcentre, but on second thoughts I have too much else to do and this can wait until after I get the 'questionnaire' sent off.
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ishara
Member's posted somewhat
Posts: 95
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Post by ishara on May 1, 2016 6:38:24 GMT
Hi Marian,
I know just what you mean about being afraid that the meds won't work, and that you therefore don't have ADHD and therefore are broken without a reason QED.
It is unfortunate that, from what you say, you didn't see an ADHD specialist? I did, and got the strong impression that there are a whole range of drugs – to stimulants and to non-stimulant and, from what I have read elsewhere, a whole range of other stuff . It is an obvious point, but if Ritalin doesn't work, then there is another stimulant you should try and then there are the non-stimulant class of drugs.
A general consultant psychiatrist should, I would have thought, be able to logically work through these for you – but a specialist will obviously have much greater expertise in the area. It is possible to get out of county referrals to specialists if they are not available in your area – but the NHS does not like doing this and is likely to only want to do this for diagnosis, I suspect.
If you don't get anywhere and are not happy with your treatment, remember that you can go to PALS. Even if you do not want to complain as such, they may be able to help you navigate the system to get what you need – and I would have thought that people here could help you work out the next step if necessary.
Hope this helps,
Ishara
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Post by marionk on May 3, 2016 16:12:01 GMT
I've been seeing a private ADHD specialist, as it was likely to take a very long time through the nhs, and in fact there is no longer an nhs ADHD specialist in this area. It's early days yet, but there aren't all that many genuinely different medications. Lots of them are methylphenidate, with different brands and 'release' systems. Strattera is next on the list, but then, afaict, it's the real druggy stuff after that, before you can try the few others remaining.
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Post by marionk on Jun 7, 2016 7:49:40 GMT
Well, I finally managed to phone the specialist about trying Strattera, as mph wasn't doing much, and prescription should be ready to pick up today or tomorrow. Thankfully no problem with shared care.
As I had a few days between knowing I would get it, and actually getting it, I figured it might be a good idea to stop taking the Ritalin, so that I could be sure that whatever effects I notice, will be due to the Strattera, not due to coming off Ritalin.
Just as well I did, because I actually feel/am a bit brighter/more capable today than before I started taking the mph!! Go figure!!
Every other time I've missed too many doses, I've gone back to my old morose and ditzy stressy self. (edit:I'm always ditzy, I meant to write stressy)
I had started taking ginkgo as well*, and actually the only effect I noticed was that I didn't go back to my usual self if I didn't take 40 to 60 mg a day. - 30mg and I was still ok 24 hours later.
Now it seems 0mg and I'm still fine!! (No gingko either :S )
* I was only taking 1 tablet a day, but have since found out I should have been taking 3!
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Post by contrarymary on Jun 7, 2016 9:59:35 GMT
hello marionk3 gingo or 3 mph? i'd be glad to know what you know, think, experience about ginko if you have a mo
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jun 7, 2016 10:55:12 GMT
I feel 'brighter' since coming off concerta too . .
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Post by marionk on Jun 7, 2016 17:46:40 GMT
3 gingko contrarymaryAll I got from Ritalin (not counting the buzz when increasing the dose) was a reduction of fatigue and a more relaxed attitude to mildly stressful things. (No use for improving memory, but definitely worth taking if I can't find anything better.) All the gingko did (at 1/3 of the suggested dose) was extend that effect/reduce the dosage of Ritalin needed to maintain that effect. Still pretty impressive for a herbal remedy imho. If the Strattera doesn't help, or if it doesn't help as much as I need, I will definitely try gingko again. (And try full dose too! )
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Post by marionk on Jun 7, 2016 17:51:02 GMT
I feel 'brighter' since coming off concerta too . . Did you feel it helped when you started it as well or not?
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jun 7, 2016 23:23:20 GMT
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Post by contrarymary on Jun 8, 2016 22:38:36 GMT
ooo thank you v much marionki may try ginko biloba now
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Post by marionk on Jun 9, 2016 5:48:26 GMT
Now, see, that's logical. It made you worse going on it, so now you're off it, you feel better again. Also logical was that I reverted to normal when I missed taking enough of it. I can also see that you could improve from taking something for a while, and that improvement stay with you even after you stop taking it. like a course of antibiotics for example. That wasn't happening with the Ritalin though, so it must be something to do with the gingko, but how the heck can I be even better for stopping taking something that also made me better in the first place. :S And now there's another weird thing just happened. About 4.30 this morning, after an hour of tossing and turning and completely failing to get back to sleep, I realised that I hadn't had any chocolate or almonds yesterday, so that explains my reversion to my (for several years) normal lousy sleep pattern . . . Except that after about an hour of sitting up and doing stuff, or getting up, I'm usually knackered again, but it's been over 2 hours now, and I'm still not tired. Well, just starting to get tired, and a bit of a headache. . .
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Post by marionk on Jun 18, 2016 4:17:14 GMT
Well, I've been taking Strattera for about a week now. Went back to being irritable from day one, and last few days I've been really achy, but I put it down to rushing around so much and carrying heavy stuff. It feels very like I used to get when I'd done a lot of walking or dancing, or carrying heavy stuff around, but I haven't had any problems for a long time now, years, and it used to clear pretty well with ibuprofen, and it didn't make any noticeable difference this time. Then I came across a thread on here talking about achiness, and realised that it coincides with taking the full dose of Strattera. In short, I'm not liking it, I'm every bit as bad as I was before I started Ritalin. The only reason I'm still taking it is because I've read that it takes a few weeks to take effect , and because I found an article that says it affects affects acetylcholine pathways beneficially, and is (therefore) good for memory. Article I haven't read it all by any means but ctrl+F on 'acetylcholine', 'ADHD' and 'memory' (separately) brings up interesting bits, including that it takes weeks to give significant improvement.
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Post by marionk on Jul 4, 2016 5:50:52 GMT
2 1/2 weeks at 80mg and while I'm not quite so tired or so cranky, I'm every bit as achy, sleep is almost non existant if I don't eat a lot of dark chocolate, and I can't face doing anything, even going to a dance class. I can kind of gee myself up to make a move towards doing whatever, but as soon as I get up and close to w/e I crawl away from it. I must phone today, to make an appointment to see the psych. at the end of the week. In the meantime I'm going to take mph as well as the Strattera, as I really need to get stuff done. I don't think the Strattera is doing my impulsivity any good either, but that's a long story. I'm sure there was something else, oh yeah, I don't think it's helping my memory either, I'll finish the packet, if the psych says to, as it's supposed to take a while, but even if it does work on CA, I can't be doing with this aching and inability to do anything useful. What's the point of having a decent memory if I want to stay in bed all day? I think I really need to discuss taking something stronger.
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