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Re: Started Vyvanse today/FB » stargazer2

Posted by hrguru on May 8, 2010, at 3:40:19

In reply to Re: Started Vyvanse today/FB, posted by stargazer2 on May 7, 2010, at 23:19:11

Hi Stargazer!

How long are you on Adderall now and was that the first stim they tried? When I took Adderall, it was a capsule and was the brand version and I remember it was very smooth too, nice to not have a drugged feeling.

---- I've been on it for about a year and a half, and Adderall was the first one I tried, so I kinda lucked out. The only reason I tried to switch over to Vyvanse was because I have a tough time remembering to take pills every 6 hours (imagine that!)
>
> Thanks for encourgaement, nice to know you have gotten alot of relief. Did your doc figure out you may have ADD or yourself?

---- I think I've probably always known, but I wouldn't admit it for a long time. I didn't really have behavioral problems growing up, and my grades weren't that bad until I got to college. They were so bad I almost got kicked out of school. When I started grad school I finally gave in and went to the doctor. My parents were in denial as well, but my friends knew, everyone else knew. I went to the doctor for an eval. and since I was a recovering drug addict (as much as it makes me still cringe to even type that), I had to take 2 written standardized ADHD tests and some other test that would show whether or not I was likely to abuse stimulants (or something to that effect). I felt kind of like I was on trial, but at least I know it's a proper diagnosis!

> Makes me wonder why no one approaches this disease with logic, like an assessment for ADD, Bipolar, anxiety with the depression eval.

----- Yeah, it makes me wonder too! Well, when I did my outpatient treatment, they always did weekly depression and anxiety evals. But ADHD/ADD was a one-time thing for the sake of diagnostic purposes. This is stupid. Why wouldn't a doctor want to regulate these symptoms to see how the medication is helping to alleviate them? There are Bipolar evaluations as well. However, sometimes patients tend to downplay their symptoms, maybe because it's overwhelming to think "I might have bipolar disorder." I've been there. It's a surreal experience to sit there in an office and answer the doc's questions (face to face), and I found myself downplaying my own symptoms and being in denial of my disorder.
>
> Docs should be able to figure the symptoms of ADD out, especially after someone changes their jobs every year or two...or when they say they can't concentrate or read books, etc. Seems so obvious to me (now) and my inability to communicate this to him and say what I think is really happening. Not that I saw the forest through the trees.
>

----- They should, but they don't always tell you their motives when diagnosing for this disorder, and here's why I think this is the case. ADHD/ADD is a strange disorder. They have wonderful meds to treat it. But, there's that one big caveat with psychostimulants- they only provide a "calming" effect if you truly have ADHD/ADD. Since, the disorder is diagnosed based on subjective information from the patient, doctors have to make sure they diagnose it properly, and medicate accordingly. Also, as we know, the symptoms of ADHD can mimic other disorders. Especially bipolar disorder. It can be very difficult to distinguish one from the other. Some people with bipolar disorder cannot take psychostimulants (as it makes them manic), so some docs like to spend time with these patients to properly diagnose. But I think a very skilled doctor can tell the subtle differences, based on symptoms, history, and behavior.

> I've been directing my care for the last few years as his approach seemed very circuitous. I told him I had no more time to waste to figure this out. Now I know we have to take control of things sooner rather than later...I just was too depressed to do much but agree and be miserable...

---- I am glad you told your doctor what was weighing on your mind. He needs to know if you aren't seeing results from his methods. Your health and well-being is what's most important :)

> It just makes me angry that the so-called experts, are not experts...just random pill dispensors. Sad...

---- I know :( You can thank drug reps for that. When I see them come into my Pdoc's office, I want to ask them how they sleep at night.
>
> BTW: Vyvanse was $155 for 30 days.

---- Ugh! When I took it, there was a number you could call and do a survey, and they would send out a coupon you could use toward the next month's script. Do they still do that? Might help at least a little.

 

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