Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 20:41:13 GMT
Firstly Hi my name is Craig, I am new to the site and this is my first post.
Today I was finally diagnosed with Adult ADHD after a lifetime of madness and knowing something was not right. I suffer from PTSD, Depression and anxiety and never had a family that actually paid enough attention to me to see the ADHD, less of all that as I know most people on here will know what its like to deal with it.
I need advise on where to go from here, my appointment today run over the allocated time provided and the end was more rushed than a panic attack. His approached was
"Yes after looking at all the evidence it is clear you have ADHD, what I will do is see you back here in 6 weeks and I am going to put you on Concetta XL 18mg daily for 1 week and then 36mg daily after that".
He pretty much put his foot on my back and pushed me out the door, I am totally confused as to what goes on now?, do I just take tablets for the rest of my life? Whats the meeting for in 6 weeks? What is Concetta XL? Do I book an appointment with my doctor?.
I have so many questions and so little answers, I know I am the same person as this morning nothing has changed but I want to try control some of the bad bits about ADHD but this doctor just never had the time. I am not in anyway annoyed with the doctor as I got referred only 3 weeks ago and got put on the cancellation list and I was advised it could take easily over 6 months but I will get seen so I know I am lucky.
So for any grammar problem as my minds racing pretty fast writing this out.
Many thanks, if anyone has any questions ask away.
Regards
Craig
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bobjones
Member posts quite a bit
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Post by bobjones on Aug 8, 2012 12:46:16 GMT
I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago.
Family, ditto! Appointment, ditto!
The 6 week appointment is probably to review dosage and how you're coping in general.
I'd read/watch as much as you can. There are a few good youtube videos in the forums video section. If you can, discuss it with someone who knows you well and get them to look at the videos too.
The hardest bit is the 'what if's'. What could have been if I was diagnosed 20 years ago? Why did nobody spot the obvious signs ?? Where would I be now ?? Pretty pointless worrying about but I can't stop it.
My next appointment is in 2 week's and I'm going to go in with a huge list of questions!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 13:46:58 GMT
Thanks for replying Bob, just feel like a been given meds and a smile with no explaining what happens next. I have only told my partner nobody else at the moment as feel they canthen label me.
I think. Mite write some questions out myself and nick your idea on that one, when you was told did you get no real information also?
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bobjones
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Post by bobjones on Aug 10, 2012 10:34:22 GMT
After the diagnosis he outlined the choice of meds, 4 hour or 8 hour. He did suggest that I wait until my exams were over but I decided to go with concerta straight away. Looks like it makes little difference to my productivity. Then he gave me two websites to google, a suggestion to look at he NICE documentation and an appointment for a months time. That's about it.
He did ask if I had any questions but I was still trying to come ot terms with the diagnosis, my brain was elsewhere
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 19:17:30 GMT
BobJones said: After the diagnosis he outlined the choice of meds, 4 hour or 8 hour. He did suggest that I wait until my exams were over but I decided to go with concerta straight away. Looks like it makes little difference to my productivity Your initial dosage might well not. They start low and work their way up. Be sure to describe at your next appointment how/why you think it isn't making a difference. Keeping a daily journal can be quite helpful for this or to see that it is making a difference. Also ask people who work/live with you if they notice any changes in the symptom list you went to the doctor with in the first place that resulted in a diagnosis. If you don't have such a list, then making one with examples will help you and your doctor more clearly ascertain if progress is being made. Good luck and keep us informed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 22:37:39 GMT
I am just glad I am not alone in this as I have so many questions, I know I have always been different but will I always have to take medication? Will I always have ADHD? Reading on the internet gets me down as there is so many idiots that don't understand what we have to deal with.
I have just finished my second day on concerta and the first day I was very sleepy and spaced out and today I was a little better but felt a little bit different as I could watch the tv for a longer time than normal and my brain felt a lot slower and not racing 100s of miles an hour which is a bit strange as its different from normal. I have been reading on here a lot and learning dome tips and tricks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 10:01:35 GMT
Firstly Hi my name is Craig, I am new to the site and this is my first post. <snip> "Yes after looking at all the evidence it is clear you have ADHD, what I will do is see you back here in 6 weeks and I am going to put you on Concetta XL 18mg daily for 1 week and then 36mg daily after that". He pretty much put his foot on my back and pushed me out the door, I am totally confused as to what goes on now?, do I just take tablets for the rest of my life? Whats the meeting for in 6 weeks? What is Concetta XL? Do I book an appointment with my doctor? Hi Craig. Welcome to the forums. Sorry for not saying "hi" yesterday but replying to Bobjones. I got ... distracted. :-D Did the specialist give you a prescription right there and then? If so. He probably wants you to spend a week taking 18 mg of Concerta and then increase to 36 mg until he sees you again in 6 weeks to review. Likely, he'll get you stabilised on the right dose and then share care with your GP where your GP will monitor you every 3 months and subscribe for you but under the advice and direction of the specialist. Some GPs have issues with that. You might find it useful to schedule an appointment with your GP now to discuss ADHD and prescribing, especially if s/he didn't refer you. Then if there's an issue about sharing care, you know about it up front and can work with the specialist to overcome it. Between now and your next meeting, you need to take a crash course in ADHD. Some books you might find helpful are: - Edward Hallowell's Delivered from Distraction -- he's a well-known ADHD expert and has ADHD himself.
- Russell Barkley and Christine Menton's Taking Charge of Adult ADHD. -- active adult ADHD researcher.
If you are taking medication, my advice to BobJones applies to you too: try to keep a daily journal. What should you track? If possible: - What time you took the dose and what strength.
- What time did you notice it taking effect? How could you tell?
- What time did you notice it not working anymore? How could you tell?
- What did you do today? Was it easier than previously? Did it take less time? We're you able to retain foxussed attention once you'd started?
Note I said "if possible". Journalling requires discipline--not always our strongest suit. It also requires reflection and observation--also often not one of our strengths. Do your best. Enlist people who work with you or live with you to help in the observation phases across different aspects of your life--they might be more attentive and objective than you can be. One more thing: you could try calling and asking for an earlier follow-up appointment to discuss things if you're feeling confused. Specialists have schedules to keep and s/he might not have had time to explain or answer questions then but could in another appointment. Best wishes as you start your journey, Craig.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2012 10:12:13 GMT
Hi Craigy, Thank you for putting this post up. I have put posts up myself, but when I have done that I have put them down on here as I feel stressed and its all getting on top of me.
Like you I was diagnosed very recently. Like you I have so many questions. I have told a couple of people, but that does not satisfy my need for questions to be answered. The funny thing is at times I dont even know what questions I have.
Thank you to everyone that has responded as it helps everyone.
The main thing is we are not alone and every one that responds to these posts either has adhd/add or is very knowledgeable to help those when no one else can.
Craigy, let us know how you get on as the learning has only just started
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Post by dizzydee on Aug 27, 2012 20:21:36 GMT
hello craigy, sorry i have no advise for you, but maybe you can help me, i am on the waiting list and was wondering how you get on the cancellation list??
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