Posted by TheOutsider on October 3, 2004, at 17:02:43
Apologies for any problems with spelling and punctuation, I am dyslexic (is that how its spelt?!)
My dear fellow babblers
I have not been posting much lately as I have been working full time. Some of you might remember me. I hope I have helped a few people, I’ve defiantly been helped by people on this sight, Cybercafe and King Vultan spring to mind!I’m really sorry about the length of this post, and also if I sound angry or bitter I’m really just letting of some steam.
I will be very grateful for anyone who takes the time and trouble to read it!I am twenty three years old and live in Cambridge in the UK; this is relevant because UK doctors tend to be much more conservative than US docs. There is also ‘free’ health care provided by the NHS, although one can go privately.
I have experienced problems with social anxiety, depression and possibly ADD since I was a child. I think that most of my depression/disympthia are the result of my ADD and SA.
I don’t think that most UK Pdocs take social anxiety or ADHD very seriously.To cut a long story short I have self medicated with GHB to keep my social anxiety under control for the last few years. The reason I resorted to this is because its so hard to get decent treatment in the UK. I have now run out of GHB and can't find it for sale anywere.
Last December I saw a really nice Pdoc privately who diagnosed me with ADD inattentive subtype, and prescribed Dexedrine. Unfortunately he was forced to retire, just two months after I saw him.
Last February I was assed by an NHS Pdoc named Dr Heimas who told me that stimulants were “addictive and neurotoxic” and that I probably didn’t have ADHD because I could read novels.
As you’ve probably guessed I don’t get on particularly well with Dr Heimas, but I’ve had to keep seeing him because I can’t afford to go privately, and I’m not insured.
To be fair to him he did refer me to an NHS Doctor with an interest in ADHD. This doctor said that I probably did have ADD inattentive type, and that I should be prescribed Ritalin if I did need to concentrate. Unfortunately he just referred me back to Dr Heimas, and Dr Heimas won’t prescribe stimulants....you can see were this is going…….Since February I have had two more appointment with Dr Heimas. This summer he prescribed clomipramine for my depression and social anxiety, I’ve titrated up to 150mgs of clomipramine.
Clomipramine has helped my depression but not my ADD or my social anxiety.
Last Friday I had another appointment with Dr Heimas, he put me on a waiting list for cognitive behaiveral therapy, I have to wait for a year (!)
I told him that clomipramine was helping my depression but that it is doing nothing for my SA or my ADD, he responded by telling me that I must remain on the clomipramine for another few months before changing to a different med.I really don’t know what to do in another few months I’ll go crazy! I can’t socialise or make any friends at work because of my SA, I'm also losing contact with my old friends:(
I don’t really know what to do, I think I will have to see a private doctor in London, but its such a gamble.
Any one who has any advice or comments I’d love to hear from you
Take care every one
Tom
Here is a list of the different meds and drugs I have tried and their affects on me.Citalopram: Some what helpful for depression, did not help with ADD or Social anxiety
Amisulpride: No positive or negative affects
Fluoxetine generic: Had no positive effects, caused fatigue
Selegiline: Some what helpful for ADD
Moclobemide: No positive or negative affects
Diazepam: Good for anxiety but did not help with social anxiety, made me feel foggy headed and a bit depressed.
GHB: Very helpful for social anxiety, short duration of action
Alcohol: Good for anxiety and social anxiety but makes me depressed, also I don’t want to become an alcoholic.
Remeron: Very sedating at any dose, good for sleep and anxiety, no effect on social anxiety.
Adrafinil: The best drug for me, when it worked! Helpful for ADD, anxiety and depression, helped some what with social anxiety, caused severe insomnia.
Dexedrine: Calming in low doses, good for ADD, some what helpful with social anxiety, causes insomnia if taken to late in the day. At high doses makes anxiety worse. All but impossible to get prescribed in the UK.
Clomipramine: Helpful for depression and anxiety, maybe slightly helpful for social anxiety. Bad side effects, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction e.c.t.
poster:TheOutsider
thread:398600
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041002/msgs/398600.html