For Women with ADHD ADD Who Want to Connect
My Treatment Has Stalled--So Annoyed
Before my Dr would prescribe me Ritalin or Adderall, she needed blood work. My thyroid came back as slightly overactive. She told me she wouldn't even SEE me again until I saw an endocrinologist.
I went to my first endo appointment on Thursday. The doctor looked at my blood results, looked at me like I was crazy, and said point blank: "I'm very unimpressed by these, why are you even here?"
I told him I was referred to him, that I can't begin ADD treatment until it's looked at. He then began questioning me about if I *really* have ADD and he doesn't approve of amphetamines and the whole nine yards, all while saying "I don't think you have a thyroid problem" even though thyroid problems can result in ADD, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and all the symptoms I do have.
So now I have tons of blood work, scans, and a thyroid ultrasound to look forward to, ordered by a doctor who doesn't think I need it because my psychiatrist won't see me. Right now my anxiety is through the roof and I'm having panic attacks every day at my job, and I've been left to fend for myself.
I'm so frustrated by the medical establishment right now and their condescending nature. I'm just over it.
I went to my first endo appointment on Thursday. The doctor looked at my blood results, looked at me like I was crazy, and said point blank: "I'm very unimpressed by these, why are you even here?"
I told him I was referred to him, that I can't begin ADD treatment until it's looked at. He then began questioning me about if I *really* have ADD and he doesn't approve of amphetamines and the whole nine yards, all while saying "I don't think you have a thyroid problem" even though thyroid problems can result in ADD, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and all the symptoms I do have.
So now I have tons of blood work, scans, and a thyroid ultrasound to look forward to, ordered by a doctor who doesn't think I need it because my psychiatrist won't see me. Right now my anxiety is through the roof and I'm having panic attacks every day at my job, and I've been left to fend for myself.
I'm so frustrated by the medical establishment right now and their condescending nature. I'm just over it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by jen on -
Sorry you are having to deal with this, but we live in a CYA society now. They have to worry about people suing them if they don't check on every tiny detail. It doesn't make sense to me though for the other doctor to order those tests if he thinks nothing is wrong. Could you possibly get a second opinion from another one? Of course, that might just delay things even longer. It may just be best to get it all over with. Could the psychiatrist at least give you something for the anxiety while you are waiting?
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Permalink Reply by Cristina on -
I have 10 mg of diazepam (generic valium) that calms me and focuses me but leaves me exhausted by 5 pm on a work day. Other than that, my other option is to go back on an anti-depressant and stop feeling things again. Lost.
jen said:Sorry you are having to deal with this, but we live in a CYA society now. They have to worry about people suing them if they don't check on every tiny detail. It doesn't make sense to me though for the other doctor to order those tests if he thinks nothing is wrong. Could you possibly get a second opinion from another one? Of course, that might just delay things even longer. It may just be best to get it all over with. Could the psychiatrist at least give you something for the anxiety while you are waiting?
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Permalink Reply by Cristina on
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Tests were ordered because my psychiatrist won't see me again until it is proven there is no problem. But if my thyroid is naturally fast, I worry because maybe I won't be prescribed anything regardless (an overactive thyroid and an amphetamine are supposedly a bad combination).
So ADHD treatment may be out of reach for me.
Has anybody else experienced this? I ask because supposedly ADD and an overactive thyroid share the same symptoms.
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Permalink Reply by HopeDiesHard on -
Cristina, so sorry to hear what's going on with the endo, the psych and you caught in the middle. All we want are answers and direction, not reprimands and delays... Thank you for mentioning the thyroid connection. I'm still learning, just realized for certain (tho' as yet undiagnosed, must get that happening) that I have ADD. Have you checked WebMD.com for more info, re ADD and thyroid connection? There might be something there. Maybe the adrenal glands too? Sorry not much help... Hope you get answers soonest.
Cristina said:Tests were ordered because my psychiatrist won't see me again until it is proven there is no problem. But if my thyroid is naturally fast, I worry because maybe I won't be prescribed anything regardless (an overactive thyroid and an amphetamine are supposedly a bad combination).
So ADHD treatment may be out of reach for me.
Has anybody else experienced this? I ask because supposedly ADD and an overactive thyroid share the same symptoms.
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