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How 2 find good Pdoc 4 non-ADHDer w/ ADD symptoms

Posted by trialerror on August 31, 2002, at 3:36:53

Hi Folks!

I'm new here but have been reading through the archives quite a bit - and also trying to find a Pdoc who can help me out.

One thing (among many) that I've noticed in reading the archives is the "rite of passage" that so many go through to become a certified, DIAGNOSED ADHDer, and thereby more readily eligible for Schedule II medication.

My problem (among many) is that in NO way did I suffer ADH-Disorder as a kid - although I've had debilitating "look alike" symptoms of ADD (inattentive & higly distractable) since late adolescence. So under a "strict" diagnosis of ADHD, I don't seem to meet the "guidelines" - i.e., onset (even if undiagnosed at the time) during childhood by no later than age 7 or 8.

I'm aware there are physicians out there who may have a less strict definition of the ADHD disorder.

But I think it's probably fair to say that my ADD symptoms may actually, instead, be related to depression, anxiety and social phobia I've also suffered from since late adolescence.

Here's the ISSUE:

I recently discovered the almost miraculous (for me, anyways) anxiety reducing powers of fluoxetin (40 mg/day), which my GP has prescribed for me. At the same time, this has done virtually nothing for my ADD "look alike" distractability symptoms. AND I can't seem to find any Pdoc who is even willing to discuss "augmenting" my medications to include a stimulant (dopamine enhancer) that might help in this regard.

What's particularly troubling is that as soon as the words Ritalin or Dexedrine pass through my lips, I see a tremor of fear, discomfort or "professional distancing" briefly flicker in the face of the Pdoc I'm talking with. (Believe me, I would really rather play coy and not have to utter those taboo words, but at some point if the Pdoc doesn't bring it up, I must.)

In the article "Making the Three Tenors Sing," Dr. Alan Salerian makes a pretty good case for augmenting SSRI's with P-stims in cases of anxiety and depression where ADHD is not diagnosed.

See:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A25065-2000Jun20¬Found=true

Quite a few contributors to this forum have also attested to their personal experiences confirming the benefits of a combined serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine enhancing "cocktail."

BOTTOM LINE -- I really really wish I could get a "silver star" from a Pdoc, a certified diagnosis of DSM-IV ADH Disorder. At the same time, it really goes against the grain and my (albeit limited) self-respect and sense of integrity to have to force fit the "facts" of my life into a dubious case that meets the ill-defined specs of this DSM-IV disorder, so as to make the PDoc him/herself feel relaxed and at ease in presribing "dangerous" Schedule II medication.

Does this make sense?

Can anyone relate?

It can't be true, can it, that one must go & somehow pass the test for DSM-IV designation, and then have the ADHD dx badge proudly affixed to one's lapel in order to get medication for attention deficit "symptoms" that may be little or no different from "inattention" symptoms experienced by certified sufferers of this "disorder"?

In other words, how on earth do I go about finding a PDoc, like Alan Salerian, who is not utterly paranoid about prescribing Schedule II p-stims for "mere" anxiety/depression accompanied by high-level, long term distractability?

Maybe I should give Dr. Salerian a call for a reference in SoCal?

Or maybe I should be mentally preparing myself for a monthly dash down to a pharmacy in TJ?

Any insights, comments, criticisms &/or perspectives would be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thanks!

-trial&error


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poster:trialerror thread:118329
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020829/msgs/118329.html