roger
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Post by roger on Mar 17, 2017 6:29:41 GMT
what should be expected at the meeting with the specialist ?
What tests would the specialist preform and what questions would they ask ?
when it comes to medication would you ask for the strongest stuff ?
What medication available is the best for focus?
Is there a difference between motivation and focus? which medicines help which?
Thanks for your help
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Post by vagueandrandom on Mar 17, 2017 10:25:31 GMT
Hi roger ADHD assessment varies, although they'll all ask a lot of questions about your history, and it's useful to have school reports and any medical records, particularly if you've had mental health issues in the past. They often ask you to fill in a self-report questionnaire and ask for another to be filled in by someone who knew you well as a child (usually parent) or someone else who knows you well. They're specialists. . I think they can usually tell, just by the way you are. .you have to be totally honest, even if there's things that you don't even like to admit to yourself. . . Regarding medication . .there is no 'strongest' . .any medication will always be started at a very low dose to see how you tolerate it, and gradually increased (titrated) until you find a dose that is most beneficial for you. It's all trial and error. .everyone reacts differently and you may may need to try something different if the first isn't beneficial, or gives unpleasant side-effects. Stimulants are usually offered first as they start working straight away and don't stay in your system long. Motivation is wanting to do something (and actually doing it instead of procrastinating) Focus is the ability to concentrate on one thing for a period of time. All ADHD medication is designed to help both, but we're all individuals and respond differently. I hope this is helpful.
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roger
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Post by roger on Mar 17, 2017 19:24:32 GMT
Thanks for the reply.
When the specialist says that you should be on medication will it be up to your GP to prescribe you medication?
Would you have to keep going back to the specialist to get the dose bumped up ?
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Post by vagueandrandom on Mar 18, 2017 2:04:04 GMT
It depends on the specialist and GP and whether the specialist is private or NHS.
Even in NHS it depends on how things are done in your area.
For the GP to prescribe meds they will need to agree to shared care . .prescribing
under instruction of the specialist. This is an 'agreement' and they don't have to agree. .
Some GPs won't prescribe meds for a private specialist and private prescriptions can
be really expensive.
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roger
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Post by roger on Mar 19, 2017 2:32:03 GMT
thanks again for your time.
The specialist is part of the NHS. So does that mean that after diagnosing me with ADD he will leave the matter to my GP when it comes to prescribing new medication?.
Does the GP have the authority to prescribe ADD medication if the specialist says that i have ADD?
Oh and how long does it take for you to be able to focus? how long does it take for the medication to work? I have heard anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 weeks .
How has the medication helped you personally to focus? and for how long?
Sorry to bother you with all these questions but i have failed to find the answers on other sites.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Mar 19, 2017 11:45:43 GMT
The specialist will write the initial prescription.
Some specialists insist that they prescribe and monitor medication until a therapeutic
dose has been found before arranging for your GP to prescribe under a shared care agreement. .
Sometimes they will prescribe via the GP with instruction for titration,
BUT . .the specialist must monitor you for your reaction to medication and dose,
so you'll have to continue to see them until they decide that you're on the right med/dose.
GPs are only allowed to prescribe under instruction from the specialist, they can't change doses,
or types of medication.
Stimulant medication (methylphenidate and dexamphetamine) both long and short-acting
should get into your system within an hour and can last between 4 and 12 hours.
Non-stimulant medication (atomoxotine) has to build up, like an antidepressant and can
take weeks to find out the type of effects it has.
Personally, I've tried long and short acting methylphenidate and lisdexamphetamine and
didn't get any improvement in focus and only limited benefits in other areas (less anxiety
and more stable mood) so stopped taking them. There are plenty of people on here who
have found focus almost immediately on these meds and they're worth trying.
I'd like to try atomoxotine, but I'm without a specialist after moving house.
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