Post by moomoo on May 7, 2018 8:22:22 GMT
Hi,
It took me almost 4 years to get diagnosed with ADHD.
Until May 2017 I lived in London and tried to get diagnosed on several occasion but there always ran into issue:
No specialist available, doctor quit, moved my address so have to be ready - referred, had substance abuse issue so doctors refused to deal with me until I got "clean" etc etc.
The last time I actually had an assessment with my GP in Islington / Camden , he referred me to ADHD specialist who invited me to attend a meeting. Unfortunately I was made homeless and my addiction worsened so eventually I moved to Edinburgh
It took me some time to get stable, find job etc etc. I tried to get ADHD assesemt through GP but my DR was quite judgement all due to substance abuse and was not helpful.
For the last 4 years I was self medicating - there were good periods when I had stable supplies and bad period when medicine was wrong ( for example racemic amphetamine aka speed)
I tried MPH, EPH, dexamphetamine, lysdexamfetamine, modafinil and others ...
The fact that I had substance abuse issue and self medicating certainly did not help me with getting diagnosed.
So I got referred to ADHD via my Drug Services. They could see presence of amphetamine during drug tests, I explained my issue and they were a bit sceptical but I sad that I was adamant that I have ADHD and stimulants help me.
So they wrote to my GP (I changed my GP to a different one , less judgemental) and GP referred me to ADHD specialist
After about 2 months I was seen by a psychiatrist at adult mental health outpatient clinic at Leith Walk.
This was the first time in my life when psychiatrist spent 1.25 hours with me .
He was young and very understanding, he was not put off by my history of drug abuse and was helpful.
He diagnosed me with ADHD and recommend ed my GP to prescribe dexamphetamine
At first he offered ritalin slow release, but I said that dexamphetamine makes me feel less uncomfortable, makes me feel just right and normal.
I wanted lysdexamfetamine but for some reason got dexamphetamine.
I'm currently waiting to start it.
I am so happy that finally got diagnosed. I am surprised that it was fairly straightforward and I was so pleased that doctor did use my self medicating and my drug abuse history against me.
( I did not abuse ADHD medicine and I have no intention to do so)
I hope this helps some people interested in getting diagnosed in Edinburgh
It took me almost 4 years to get diagnosed with ADHD.
Until May 2017 I lived in London and tried to get diagnosed on several occasion but there always ran into issue:
No specialist available, doctor quit, moved my address so have to be ready - referred, had substance abuse issue so doctors refused to deal with me until I got "clean" etc etc.
The last time I actually had an assessment with my GP in Islington / Camden , he referred me to ADHD specialist who invited me to attend a meeting. Unfortunately I was made homeless and my addiction worsened so eventually I moved to Edinburgh
It took me some time to get stable, find job etc etc. I tried to get ADHD assesemt through GP but my DR was quite judgement all due to substance abuse and was not helpful.
For the last 4 years I was self medicating - there were good periods when I had stable supplies and bad period when medicine was wrong ( for example racemic amphetamine aka speed)
I tried MPH, EPH, dexamphetamine, lysdexamfetamine, modafinil and others ...
The fact that I had substance abuse issue and self medicating certainly did not help me with getting diagnosed.
So I got referred to ADHD via my Drug Services. They could see presence of amphetamine during drug tests, I explained my issue and they were a bit sceptical but I sad that I was adamant that I have ADHD and stimulants help me.
So they wrote to my GP (I changed my GP to a different one , less judgemental) and GP referred me to ADHD specialist
After about 2 months I was seen by a psychiatrist at adult mental health outpatient clinic at Leith Walk.
This was the first time in my life when psychiatrist spent 1.25 hours with me .
He was young and very understanding, he was not put off by my history of drug abuse and was helpful.
He diagnosed me with ADHD and recommend ed my GP to prescribe dexamphetamine
At first he offered ritalin slow release, but I said that dexamphetamine makes me feel less uncomfortable, makes me feel just right and normal.
I wanted lysdexamfetamine but for some reason got dexamphetamine.
I'm currently waiting to start it.
I am so happy that finally got diagnosed. I am surprised that it was fairly straightforward and I was so pleased that doctor did use my self medicating and my drug abuse history against me.
( I did not abuse ADHD medicine and I have no intention to do so)
I hope this helps some people interested in getting diagnosed in Edinburgh