jamesjay
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Post by jamesjay on Aug 30, 2017 13:52:16 GMT
Guys, just a comment on how efficient and supportive NHS Tayside have been. It has taken me 2 weeks from attending my GP to request a referral, to actually getting an appointment and a positive diagnosis. I'm from England but settled in Dundee. I had a lot of initial reluctance about being taken seriously and also about seeing a general psychiatrist, however I was given the diagnosis and offered medication on the day after a 90 minute consultation. I cannot recommend the services of NHS Tayside highly enough and an example of where our health service is outstanding.
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jomck71
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Post by jomck71 on Sept 1, 2017 14:06:12 GMT
Jamesjay, wow, that is an incredibly quick service...amazing! Good for you for pursuing a diagnosis. Did you decide to trial medication, and if so, what were you prescrbed?
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jamesjay
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Post by jamesjay on Sept 1, 2017 17:07:41 GMT
Jamesjay, wow, that is an incredibly quick service...amazing! Good for you for pursuing a diagnosis. Did you decide to trial medication, and if so, what were you prescrbed? Jomck I was offered atomoxetine. I've been debating medication for many years, I've known for a long time I had ADHD, I even self medicated with modafinil for a while. However I didn't expect to feel as reluctant as I do about taking it. If I do take it I can't return to the military, which is one big deal but I feel like my life is a huge struggle even for things like tidying my house or saving money. I feel like if I take the mediation it may put me on an even footing to achieve something and become successful. I've read a lot of clinical trials and I'm considering asking the psych to alter the prescription to methylphenidate if I do decide to take it. I've been given two months to think about it.
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jomck71
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Post by jomck71 on Sept 2, 2017 21:34:06 GMT
Jamesjay, Thanks for responding. Sorry for asking, if the answer is obvious, but why would taking Atomoxetine prevent you from returning to the military? I don't have ADHD but my 16 year old son does, and I am just wondering. He was prescribed Methylphenidate initially (Concerta XL) and titrated up to 54mg, but, unfortunately, he saw no improvements at all in his symptoms, but it did cause him really low mood (he is predominantly inattentive sub type). He has now started on lisdexamphetamine (Elvanse) and is up to 50mg a day, with very limited improvement. Trialling meds is a long, drawn out process, if they don't work initially and the problem is that everyone is different, and reacts differently. My son has had very minor side effects with both types of medication, which have subsided as time went on. If you are struggling to have a good quality of life I would say that you have very little to lose, and everything to gain. If it doesn't work or agree with you, move on until you find something that suits. I wish you luck on your journey, whichever direction you choose to go in xx
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jamesjay
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Post by jamesjay on Sept 3, 2017 14:28:42 GMT
Jomck, to apply or reapply in my case to the military an applicant diagnosed as ADHD must be free of medication for a minimum of 3 years. It's part of the entry criteria. Basically the military is so structured that I had a good standard of living without medication whilst I was serving in terms my routine, diet, focus etc.
I'm sorry to hear about your son, he'll be at an age where he'll start planning a career soon hopefully the medication will help stabilise his symptoms and fully apply himself with little hinderance as possible, that's what I wanted to get out of taking them. The long course of adjusting to different medications and doses must be a very volatile period, again if I go down that road I'm probably looking at a long time to find out what works for me.
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jomck71
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Post by jomck71 on Sept 6, 2017 16:59:20 GMT
Jamesjay, 3 years is a hell of a long time! Maybe a change in career is just what you need. I hope that whatever path you choose to travel down works out really well. You are just at the very beginning of an interesting journey. Hopefully, my son will find medication which improves his symptoms significantly enough to enable him to live a positive and fulfilling life but if he doesn't we can just support and guide him the best that we can. He is hoping to apply for university for next year as he did really well in his highers, despite everything. So proud of him. Anyway, please post and let me know what you choose, and how it is all going for you. Good luck and take care 👍👍👍
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shincup
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Post by shincup on Apr 8, 2018 21:32:16 GMT
jamesjay I'm going to my referral appointment in Dundee next week, hopefully I have as good an experience as you did! Did you go to the Edward Street office?
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jamesjay
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Post by jamesjay on Apr 8, 2018 21:32:52 GMT
jamesjay I'm going to my referral appointment in Dundee next week, hopefully I have as good an experience as you did! Did you go to the Edward Street office? No it was somewhere near The Kingsway if I recall
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shincup
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Post by shincup on Apr 10, 2018 16:07:06 GMT
Ah ok. Did they have a Qb test? Sorry for all the questions!
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clouseau
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Post by clouseau on Apr 20, 2018 23:03:09 GMT
That's great news. I have an appointment with a general psychiatrist on Tuesday from NHS Lanarkshire following a referral from GP, so here's hoping that they're being given a centralised path to follow now. Their mental health website is a bit disheartening though as the ADHD part was last updated in 2007 (!) and only mentions adults as a bit of an afterthought.
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