detroitjames
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2012
- Messages
- 1
Hey man... not sure where you're at with this.. its been a few months.
Sorry about the length, but here's what I had to do.
I was treated for depression and, through my Dr's orders, worked my way through the grab bag of available anti-depressants. After six months of trying a new pill every 4-6 weeks, and when my Dr. was ready to prescribe the next version of the same crap I told him that I quit taking all AD's cold turkey three weeks prior and haven't felt the slightest hint of a withdrawal symptom, just as I never felt the slightest effect from any of the AD's I was prescribed. I advised him that since I never felt a thing from the meds, and since when I quit taking such a high dosage so suddenly and felt no (added) ill effect due to it whatsoever, I have come to the determination that AD's ONLY work if the patients believe they work. That's why there are so many different 'brands' and formulations of the crap... so you keep taking the next one until you convince yourself that one of them is working for you.
My doctor failed miserably at defending AD's at this point. When I began discussing the fact that AD's as a whole have about a 55% effectiveness rating I asked him if it's right that prescribing medication should really be the equivalent of a coin toss.. . What I heard in my head was the Dr. saying to me.. "eh.. maybe this will do something, maybe not.. just convince yourself it's working please. That's what you're supposed to do."
After sharing my feelings, I stated that my issue continues to be the inability to complete tasks and finish projects. I don't have to worry about college $ but never finished even an associates degree despite taking years of classes.. I would have 15 songs 50% complete (I play bass) and never complete one. I stated that I cannot simply sit someplace and feel comfortable and relaxed... ever. I had been mentioning Adderall throughout the various Dr.'s appointments, but since the Dr. was aware that I had a past history of casually using drugs (casual history... never 'addicted' to any particular drug) he would always combat my recommendation by basically holding the stance that you can't develop ADHD, you have to be born with it.
Since I never really displayed extreme hyperactive moods I didn't have the history of your standard "ADHD kid" (teachers sending letters home... etc.. ) but I was also extremely active, being driven from one sport to the next.. playing outside with any number of a million kids my age in my neighborhood... always going somewhere and doing something so I feel that most of my symptoms were alleviated and hidden by so much activity so my Attention Deficit condition wasn't obvious. When childhood ends, however, and the pace slows... those symptoms can become more obvious. It was certainly at about age 18-22 when, looking back, my discomfort really began. I presented the argument that although I may not be hyperactive... to the extent I am bouncing of walls and uncontrollable without meds, I certainly have an attention deficit issue and for this reason feel I should be prescribed Adderall. It worked for me and I feel a ton better. This is actually my true story, but feel free to use it as a backup. lol.
P.S.: I am also aware that there is a pretty significant Adderall shortage (which personally I find shocking considering the ease of amphetamine production and the wide availability of base compounds) which I'm sure is held over the heads of prescribing doctors by the bureaucrats in charge in an effort to limit the number of scripts written. When I was prescribed 20mg XR, the very first time I went to get it from the pharmacy the pharmacy tech immediately had to say "Oh.. well, let me see if we have any of these in...". They did, but it was a clear sign to me that apparently there's a supply issue. That, and the fact that the Pharmaceutical industry wants you to buy their sugar pills with the fancy name and their scientific evidence-lacking exaggeratedly hopeful commercial with the whimsical animated people and side effect warnings... not the cheap effective stuff.
Sorry about the length, but here's what I had to do.
I was treated for depression and, through my Dr's orders, worked my way through the grab bag of available anti-depressants. After six months of trying a new pill every 4-6 weeks, and when my Dr. was ready to prescribe the next version of the same crap I told him that I quit taking all AD's cold turkey three weeks prior and haven't felt the slightest hint of a withdrawal symptom, just as I never felt the slightest effect from any of the AD's I was prescribed. I advised him that since I never felt a thing from the meds, and since when I quit taking such a high dosage so suddenly and felt no (added) ill effect due to it whatsoever, I have come to the determination that AD's ONLY work if the patients believe they work. That's why there are so many different 'brands' and formulations of the crap... so you keep taking the next one until you convince yourself that one of them is working for you.
My doctor failed miserably at defending AD's at this point. When I began discussing the fact that AD's as a whole have about a 55% effectiveness rating I asked him if it's right that prescribing medication should really be the equivalent of a coin toss.. . What I heard in my head was the Dr. saying to me.. "eh.. maybe this will do something, maybe not.. just convince yourself it's working please. That's what you're supposed to do."
After sharing my feelings, I stated that my issue continues to be the inability to complete tasks and finish projects. I don't have to worry about college $ but never finished even an associates degree despite taking years of classes.. I would have 15 songs 50% complete (I play bass) and never complete one. I stated that I cannot simply sit someplace and feel comfortable and relaxed... ever. I had been mentioning Adderall throughout the various Dr.'s appointments, but since the Dr. was aware that I had a past history of casually using drugs (casual history... never 'addicted' to any particular drug) he would always combat my recommendation by basically holding the stance that you can't develop ADHD, you have to be born with it.
Since I never really displayed extreme hyperactive moods I didn't have the history of your standard "ADHD kid" (teachers sending letters home... etc.. ) but I was also extremely active, being driven from one sport to the next.. playing outside with any number of a million kids my age in my neighborhood... always going somewhere and doing something so I feel that most of my symptoms were alleviated and hidden by so much activity so my Attention Deficit condition wasn't obvious. When childhood ends, however, and the pace slows... those symptoms can become more obvious. It was certainly at about age 18-22 when, looking back, my discomfort really began. I presented the argument that although I may not be hyperactive... to the extent I am bouncing of walls and uncontrollable without meds, I certainly have an attention deficit issue and for this reason feel I should be prescribed Adderall. It worked for me and I feel a ton better. This is actually my true story, but feel free to use it as a backup. lol.
P.S.: I am also aware that there is a pretty significant Adderall shortage (which personally I find shocking considering the ease of amphetamine production and the wide availability of base compounds) which I'm sure is held over the heads of prescribing doctors by the bureaucrats in charge in an effort to limit the number of scripts written. When I was prescribed 20mg XR, the very first time I went to get it from the pharmacy the pharmacy tech immediately had to say "Oh.. well, let me see if we have any of these in...". They did, but it was a clear sign to me that apparently there's a supply issue. That, and the fact that the Pharmaceutical industry wants you to buy their sugar pills with the fancy name and their scientific evidence-lacking exaggeratedly hopeful commercial with the whimsical animated people and side effect warnings... not the cheap effective stuff.
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