Posted by Peter on November 24, 2001, at 2:20:49
In reply to Re: adderall update neuropsychological tests, posted by manowar on November 23, 2001, at 23:06:03
> Hi manowar,
Thanks alot for your info and comfort. As you probably guessed in my long thread, I've just gotten to a point of trying so many meds that the very act of trying a new one is anxiety-provoking for me. As a result, I tend to obsess over the medication, the credibility of my pdoc and my diagnosis, etc..I can really get myself pretty crazy. But thanks for everything-I'm more calm about taking the Adderall and I'm looking forward to starting on the Adderall XR, since I too felt like an addict popping pills throughout the day. Unfortunately, since the XR is so new, I've had a great deal of trouble getting my prescription filled. I finally found this one pharmacy that can order it for me and hopefully get it to me by the end of next week. I wanted to ask you, though, if the XR really works over a full 12 hour span like its producers claim . The reason I ask is because all the info I read on normal Adderall claimed that it lasts for 8 or more hours but, like you, I found that each dose lasted only 3 or 4 hours, and I was thus having to take it 3 times a day to cover a full 12 hours. From your experience, does a single dose of XR really cover that long a period? The other question I had for you pertains to the SPECT scan. Wow! I had heard of this, but I was unaware that you could actually SEE the physical manifestations of psychological disorders. If I could take that scan, it would save me a great deal of further distress about the accuracy of my diagnosis, which my pdoc has designated as bipolar/ADD/SP. Of course it's a little late for me to take the complete neuropsychological exam, since I've already been on adderall for almost a month and my doc said it's unecessary- he still claims his assessment of my diagnosis is accurate, but I think a burden would really be lifted from my mind if I could find out something more convincing and concrete than his word. So I'd like to take some sort of testing; the problem with the neuro test is that I'd have to taper off the adderall in order to take the test and then start from scratch. But the SPECT scan sounds like a great solution. Is it a commonly available procedure?
> By the way, did your doctor put your brother on a psychostimulant, and if so, how's he doing?
My brother goes to a different doctor than I do. he sees a psychiatrist while I see a psychopharmocologist. His doctor placed him on Concerta, but, as far as I know, my brother was having undesirable side-effects (sweating, raciness, etc.) - and he was taking the lowest possible dose (18mg). So, his doc decided that normal ritalin is best for him for now. It seems like my doc is much more on the 'cutting edge' of psychopharm. (makes sense, since it's his specialty), but sometimes he prescribes drugs to me for unconventional reasons. I mean, as he put it, even if I don't have ADD (though he THINKS I do), the stimulant could help in combination with the depakote and klonopin to further stabilize my mood and help my concentration/motivation. I just sometimes feel uncomfortable taking meds other than for the reasons for which they're intended. But I guess I should trust him - he's the expert, not me.
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:84890
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85029.html