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Post by Alfsdad on Jun 17, 2019 10:08:57 GMT
Hi All.
I have recently decided that I want to complete a university course, but knowing what I'm like for not retaining any information and getting bored really easily I decided to look into why I feel like that. That's when I came across ADD in adults, I always thought it was just kids.., and looking into it more it explains so much! Ever since I can remember I have been a day dreamer, never got anywhere at school, forever coming up with ideas but getting bored before I follow it through. The most frustrating thing is the constant 'brain fog'. Watching peoples lips move, but still not being able to register what they are saying as I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow, oh, I wonder what's for dinner tonight? I've always been described as "intelligent, but just can't be bothered".
The most interesting thing I have read is the other conditions that are common in people with ADD. I suffer from anxiety and 'winter' depression, although that seems to last longer and longer every year. One of the side affects of this, is my reluctance to see doctors. I find the thought of sitting in front of someone face to face to discuss me makes me feel physically sick. Then looking at the process and the fact that you have to speak to various people over what appears to be a long process, well to be honest I'd rather just live with it.
Does anyone have any recommendations for private diagnosis? I don't have a lot of money, but I'd like to finally get some answers.
Many thanks in advance, Sam.
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Post by Alfsdad on Jun 17, 2019 10:10:44 GMT
I can't see any text in my OP, so here is the post again..
Hi All.
I have recently decided that I want to complete a university course, but knowing what I'm like for not retaining any information and getting bored really easily I decided to look into why I feel like that. That's when I came across ADD in adults, I always thought it was just kids.., and looking into it more it explains so much! Ever since I can remember I have been a day dreamer, never got anywhere at school, forever coming up with ideas but getting bored before I follow it through. The most frustrating thing is the constant 'brain fog'. Watching peoples lips move, but still not being able to register what they are saying as I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow, oh, I wonder what's for dinner tonight? I've always been described as "intelligent, but just can't be bothered".
The most interesting thing I have read is the other conditions that are common in people with ADD. I suffer from anxiety and 'winter' depression, although that seems to last longer and longer every year. One of the side affects of this, is my reluctance to see doctors. I find the thought of sitting in front of someone face to face to discuss me makes me feel physically sick. Then looking at the process and the fact that you have to speak to various people over what appears to be a long process, well to be honest I'd rather just live with it.
Does anyone have any recommendations for private diagnosis? I don't have a lot of money, but I'd like to finally get some answers.
Many thanks in advance, Sam.
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Post by jp on Jun 30, 2019 21:54:16 GMT
Just to say that I went private.
Only spoke to the one psychiatrist. It took a couple of hours, which flew by. Just loads of questions, most just needing a yes/ no with a brief example. One question was “Do you sometimes talk too much?” My answer started “Well, it depends what you mean by ‘too much’...”. I saw him ticking the box before I’d got any further 😏
Often he looked to my partner (who went with me) and ticked the box if she sighed or groaned or whatever!
I think he’d diagnosed me within minutes. The rest was just a... box ticking exercise :-p
It wasn’t cheap once I’d been a few times to get the meds titrated etc plus travel. But I couldn’t face the NHS route so it was well worth it.
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Post by swagnusswagnusson on Jul 3, 2019 10:02:15 GMT
iM FAIRLY CERTAIN ,SPECIALY AFTER THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT TEAM AGREED WITH ME, AND WITH MY GP, THAT I HAVE ADHD. i HAVE BEEN REFERRED AND 12-18 MONTH WAIT.
sory fot the caps it was accidental im not really a shouty person'
How easy is it to get a shared care agreement once you've titrated and found the right med at the right dose?
I found my healthcare trust has listed methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamineand atomoxetine on their referral formulary, for ADHD... dexamfetamine for narcolepsy, and 'REFRACTORY' ADHD. Ive never heard of that.
So I presume the local healthcare trust can agree to prescribe these once the diagnosis and titration has been done privately.
Is it decided at healthcare trust level, or is it down to individual GPs, or is it down to pharmacists. Specially somewhere like this, I'm right in the heart of Banjo country, south dartmoor, my GPs are great, but the local pharmacist is dyslexic and reads every prescription as leeches, camphor, or cod liver oil. Not sure if she's be willing to stock dexedrine in her secure hayloft
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Post by swagnusswagnusson on Jul 3, 2019 12:43:55 GMT
Just spoke to my GP while the nurse was digging out some stitches I should have got removed over 10 days ago but didnt and so they were embnedded under loads of fresh scar tissue, doctor came in and i asked him for some valium while I'm waiting for the mirtazipine..
I asked him about shared care and he said just get a private consultation with one of the ADHD diagnosing clinical psychiatrists, he said after the initialm consultation they'll then leapfrog you into one of their NHS clinics, and you dont have a problem witrh shared care or even have to pay any private prescriptions..He just rolled his eyes about the shared care thing and saifd they do it but its a hassle and getting hold of an NHS clinical psychiatrist, booking in with them and pasying private for initial appointment, is cheap, voids and queries about diagnostic criteria, and poses none of the dilemmas some GPs worry about with taking over shared care prescribiung.
Im pretty sure thats what he said.
EDIT>>>>it sounds too simple but it also sounds sort of feasible that it might work
EDIT2>>>>and it seems a bit shit to be able to do that, I like the NHS and in principle am against private healthcare and private education. Its never been a dilemma for me as ive never had the choice. But not sure Id be comfortable doing it that way, if i even understand what i was toldi might have got it wrong
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2019 13:49:49 GMT
I went private I can assure you that it's worth it. I was assed on NHS but they then put me on a waiting list for meds and support (fucking dangerous if you ask me) I'm still on the list. Don't think my doc will have a problem prescribing the meds, paying about 60quid for a months supply.if they don't I'll just go private lucky I can cover the cost I may need to give up funding my local pub but it's what I need to do get get better
I'm just lacking support I can't keep driving 2 hours for a chat. I'm currently outside a place that has a support group on at 6 (got times wrong again) I could go home but if I do I won't come back.
I didn't agree with private medical stuff but the NHS is in dire need of fuck knows what and the mental health teams here have been even worse for years at one point there was a 12 year wait for adults with ADHD. That's Lowestoft and Norwich aera.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jul 3, 2019 15:12:44 GMT
Just spoke to my GP while the nurse was digging out some stitches I should have got removed over 10 days ago but didnt and so they were embnedded under loads of fresh scar tissue, doctor came in and i asked him for some valium while I'm waiting for the mirtazipine.. I asked him about shared care and he said just get a private consultation with one of the ADHD diagnosing clinical psychiatrists, he said after the initialm consultation they'll then leapfrog you into one of their NHS clinics, and you dont have a problem witrh shared care or even have to pay any private prescriptions..He just rolled his eyes about the shared care thing and saifd they do it but its a hassle and getting hold of an NHS clinical psychiatrist, booking in with them and pasying private for initial appointment, is cheap, voids and queries about diagnostic criteria, and poses none of the dilemmas some GPs worry about with taking over shared care prescribiung. Im pretty sure thats what he said. EDIT>>>>it sounds too simple but it also sounds sort of feasible that it might work EDIT2>>>>and it seems a bit shit to be able to do that, I like the NHS and in principle am against private healthcare and private education. Its never been a dilemma for me as ive never had the choice. But not sure Id be comfortable doing it that way, if i even understand what i was toldi might have got it wrong Shared Care is a prescribing agreement between a GP and a consultant (NHS or private).
It is up to the GP to agree to it or not and it's usual, even in the NHS for GPs and consultants to have shared care agreements
once you have been stabilised on medication, so you only have to see the consultant for meds reviews.
Even if you have an assessment privately with a psychiatrist who works in local NHS ADHD services (I believe there is a clinic in Exeter)
all they can do is add you to the clinic's waiting list - I've never heard of anyone seamlessly transferring from private to NHS
without joining the list, although it might be shorter if you already have a diagnosis.
It is not unknown for GPs to agree to shared care during titration, but usually they won't take over prescribing until stabilised on meds.
Private prescriptions can be very expensive and you may need to try more than one type until you find one which suits you.
Most local pharmacies will have to order ADHD meds in, NHS or private prescription, unless they have someone else with a regular prescription.
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Post by swagnusswagnusson on Jul 3, 2019 15:41:08 GMT
lol @jessop i was just telling someone it would be god to find a support group of ADHD folk, but couldnt imagine how the hell they would organise a time and place and even then wondered how many of them would get their shit together to make it there on time if at all. However well intentioned they all were. The NHS assessed and diagnosed you? And then you went onto a list for prescription of meds and other support? Thats shite. Why the delay, I'd have thought once a diagnosis was made they would start with methylphenidate and then try titrating it to the right level, if that failed maybe lisdexamphetamine and so on. Yeah thanks for your answer too vagueandrandom, thats the way most people here seem to do it and the way i was talking about when i mentioned it to the GP..it wasnt my GP, but another one from the practise. He reminds me a bit of that well meaning vet from League of Gentlemen, so i dont take appointments with him. He did say they are happy to take over prescribing once correct meds have ben identified thenn titratedby And yes thats the place Ive been referred to, i was told 12-18 months waiting list. Devon Adult Autism and ADHD Service. Theyre supposed to be very good. So, and sorry for repeating myself, if i wanted tro beat the 12-18 month list, I'd arrange for a consultation and diagnosis with a private consultant psychiatrist, who would prescribe meds to find one effective to me and titrate the dose to the correct level, and at that point the local GP would be able to take over prescribing, and then it wouuld be NHS prescriptions? But until that point its all going to be privately funded. initial consultation, maybe more than one, and then private prescription fees and (i presume brief) consultaions fees throughout titration. Thanks both and good luck with
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jul 3, 2019 15:59:26 GMT
So, and sorry for repeating myself, if i wanted tro beat the 12-18 month list, I'd arrange for a consultation and diagnosis with a private consultant psychiatrist, who would prescribe meds to find one effective to me and titrate the dose to the correct level, and at that point the local GP would be able to take over prescribing, and then it wouuld be NHS prescriptions? But until that point its all going to be privately funded. initial consultation, maybe more than one, and then private prescription fees and (i presume brief) consultaions fees throughout titration. Yes, that's about it
I have never been one for support groups until I went to my first ADHD one
Then I started one myself! . . . and, yes, I have to send out endless reminders and be there on time when most people rock up
at least half an hour late. . . but it's fine because we all know what it's like and we can drop the mask and be ourselves.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2019 16:21:51 GMT
The NHS assessed and diagnosed you? And then you went onto a list for prescription of meds and other support? Thats shite. Why the delay, I'd have thought once a diagnosis was made they would start with medication.
They are using nurses to do the assessing but they do not have enough proscribers. It's shit
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Post by swagnusswagnusson on Jul 3, 2019 16:41:50 GMT
ahhhhhh thats where I am, yeah I'm not classing myself as ADHD yet, even though i can see that I am, and the senior psychiatric nurse too. They're not allowed to formally diagnose, they can only refer you on to a clinical psychiatrist who specialises in the diagnosis. But I dont imagine there are many people who they refer on to the clinical psychiatrist for diagnosis who dont get that diagnosis. Which is why i think now I'm also at that point it wouldn't be a gamble shelling out, or gettting my elderly parents to shell out for, a private psychiatrist. Althought theyve studiously ignored a couple of massive hints Ive put in messages today. My dad, is just grumbling about me getting 'free drugs' , and my mum just keeps bangin on about what good parents they were NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TELL HER ITS NOT BEHAVIOURAL AND ITS NO INDICATIOON ON PARENTING..... aND TELLING ME THEY JUST WISH THERE'S SOMETHING THEY COULD DO shit sorry about the caps again Thanks vagueandrandom I'm only about 25 miles from exeter but last bus is about 6pm and , like i said having to rely on public transport here is pretty much a disability. Im hoping to move to Newton Abbot, cos thats inside the catchment area for my son's secondary school. Would prefer Exeter but not gonna piss him about with schools.,
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