Do NOT try to coerce me!

[Misanthropical]

Last month, I took my oldest son in for his yearly check up and for a check up on his ADHD and his Asperger. The doctor we saw is not our usual doctor that was our doctor for two years, because he moved away. This was the first and only time this doctor ever laid eyes on my son.

Anyway, the doctor says my son's medications are "toxic" in her words and she wants him to see a Psychiatrist. I told her I would think about it and left, since my son was freaking out thinking I was giving him something toxic.

Thanks a whole hell of a lot doctor. :mad: It's not like I researched his medications before he ever started taking them or anything.

I call yesterday to get one of his medications filled, since it has to be written out and can not, by law, be called in.

The receptionist tells me they won't fill the whole prescription until I take my son to THEIR Psychiatrist. They will only fill it for a week, so I better hurry and make that appt. I was beyond mad!

My oldest son is very well behaved and is on the honor roll, so why in the world would I take him to Psychiatrist? Just because some doctor who just got her MD has a bug up her behind and likes to scare children by repeatedly saying their medication is "toxic"?

If his medication was so toxic, it would be all over the news, since millions of people take it.

They don't care what will happen if my son were to suddenly to stop taking his medication. If I don't want him to go through horrible things that would result from that I better be a good little robot and do as I'm told.

We are looking for a new doctor, since this is the last straw! After my usual doctor left things went downhill fast. We have been double billed, billed for things our insurance covers, insulted, and the last straw being that I better do as I'm told or my son will suffer.

[Ryu]

wow i feel for you/him
i wonder why the doctor acted like that, if they had never dealt with those conditions before or were genuinely trying to be confrontational or what, its a shame that people arent always able to get the help they need due to doctors like that
i dont know what my mom would have done if a doctor had done something like that but i imagine itd be similar
good luck finding a new doctor

[friendofjimmyk]

Wow, that really sucks - of course, they want you to see THEIR Psychiatrist. How freakin' convenient.

[TNT]

This was the first and only time this doctor ever laid eyes on my son.


I think that's exactly her point... she's seen your son exactly once, the son has conditions that are outside of her expertise, and she's not firmly convinced the drugs she's being asked to prescribe are the best thing. Hence, she's not going to write the prescription, but instead recommends seeing a specialist in the field.

I have a lot of respect for that. I really do. I wish more general practitioners felt that way.

I don't share her view of meds being "toxic," but there are certain things I think should only be prescribed by a good psychiatrist (emphasis on the word "good," of course).

[Misanthropical]

TNT, yes, she has only seen him once, but he has been seen in the practice for almost 3 years now. None of the other doctors in the practice had a problem with his medications.

I'm going to call on Monday and talk to the head of the practice, this time I'm going to make sure she calls me back.

[Rapscallion]

I don't share her view of meds being "toxic,"

Alcohol is officially classified as a toxin, as is caffeine. Both have deleterious effects on your system at the molecular level.

Rapscallion

[Misanthropical]

Rapscallion, it was not fun trying to calm my son down and tell him that his medication wasn't going to kill him. She scared the hell out of him, by repeatedly saying his medication was toxic.

Caffeine has the opposite effect on someone with ADHD than it does on someone who doesn't have ADHD. It actually calms someone with ADHD down, instead of winding them up.

[thegiraffe]

Caffeine has the opposite effect on someone with ADHD than it does on someone who doesn't have ADHD. It actually calms someone with ADHD down, instead of winding them up.

That's not exactly true all the time Mis. My brother and I are both ADHD (I'm more "d", he's more "h" - if that makes sense), and caffeine makes us both essentially stuck to the ceiling. My "h" has lessened some, but I'm still a good deal "d". (For y'all who aren't familiar with it, the "d" means attention-deficit, while the "h" means hyperactivity. There are different specific types of ADHD, but the psychiatric/psychological community hasn't agreed on a name for the subtypes yet, so I figure this is the easiest way to describe it).

Being a psychology major, I have access to the DSM-IV-TR, and know how to read it. I still fit all the major classifications at 21, as does my brother. I also got a checkup from a psychiatrist about a year ago, and she said that I do, indeed, fit the characteristics (all but the reckless behavior).

Anyhow....there are vigilantes in the psychiatric community (or was this chick a physician? it wasn't clear) who believe that drug therapy is "toxic" and should not be used. However, research shows that generally, the best method is to use medication initially to get them to a point where you can work with them in behavioral therapy, then tweak the therapy and meds to make it most beneficial for the child. I haven't been medicated since I was 14 (because I DON'T like ritalin or what it does to me - I was 5'2" and 80 lbs when I was 10, and that was eating constantly). I also had tremors and such after being on it for 7 years.

Good luck, Mis. I've done a LOT of research on ADHD (not so much aspergers, but I'm quite familiar with it, obviously). Let me know if you have any questions :)

[Misanthropical]

thegiraffe, caffeine does calm my son down, which is why I would let him have a soda before school. His ADHD is the only one I have dealt with, so I'm not familiar with the other types.

The doctor my son saw is a physician, the ink isn't even dry on her MD yet. She was good when she was just a DO, but after she got her MD, her level of care has gone downhill.

I refuse to ever have my son on Ritalin, since I never heard anything good about it and I wasn't happy with the results of my research on it. He has never been on it.

[thegiraffe]

What medication is he taking (if it's ok to ask)? There are many drugs that have the same main ingredient as ritalin (methlyphinidate, or a derivative of that), but it's not noted a lot of times.

I've heard great things about strattera, but I didn't want to take it because I don't need medication on a daily basis, only rarely (which is why I'm under a psychatrist's blessing to self-medicate). The thing about strattera is that it doesn't have the ups and downs of ritalin and other stiumulants.

And yes, find another doctor. This chick seems too....in your face to be working with children. You're doing the right thing. I know it's hard, but children with ADHD tend to be absolutely brilliant, you just have to let him be brilliant in his own way.

[Misanthropical]

He takes Concerta along with two other medications that have worked wonderfully for him.

[Crazyredhead]

There are many drugs that have the same main ingredient as ritalin (methlyphinidate, or a derivative of that), but it's not noted a lot of times.

I understand what your saying Mis. My son also has ADHD with an impulse disorder. He takes methlyphinidate. I found out that it is just another name for Ritalin. The doc gave it to him to calm him down. He nearly failed 3rd, but when he started taking the meds he is now almost on the honor roll, I'm so proud!!! He couldn't sit down for any length of time and concentrate on what was being said. His poor teacher was almost ready to pull out her hair, she actually hugged me (hard) when I brought his meds in for the first time. She even took to the halls to tell all of his other teachers, who also thanked me profusely. He was a handful. He also had been to the principle a few times.

He was in trouble with the law and vandalized a house and nearly burned another down, along with 3 other boys. He was in court, but the charges were dropped, he was found not competant to stand trial. He had just turned 8 yrs old at the time. He was very lucky. So I don't know what I would do if he was taken off of his meds. He wouldn't get away with it again, if he did something similar.

My son would have freaked out if his doctor told him that, along with me. I'm pretty medically savvy, so I pretty well grasp what doctors tell me, but this would have just blown my mind.

All my kids have had the same pediatrician for either most, if not all, of there lives, and to get a new doctor would have been rough.

[Ryu]

I've been on ritalin as a kid, stratterra and adderal
Ritalin gave me tremors or something, one of the other two didnt work cause i have high blood pressure, the other was alright but it really didnt help me, i couldnt focus any better then before
But it could easily be just me
Its funny, sometimes i can use caffeine to stay awake but most of the time it has no effect on me, it might have a slight calming but very litte
i can fall asleep if i try right after drinking a lot of caffeine

[thegiraffe]

He takes Concerta along with two other medications that have worked wonderfully for him.

Concerta is Methylphinidate, Mis. The reason it's "different" than ritaln is because it's extended-release, but it still has the main component.

If it works for him though, fantastic :D. Done right, those meds are lifesavers.

Here's (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-19857-CONCERTA.aspx?drugid=19857&drugname=CONCERTA) a link with information about it

[Rapscallion]

Rapscallion, it was not fun trying to calm my son down and tell him that his medication wasn't going to kill him. She scared the hell out of him, by repeatedly saying his medication was toxic.


Hmm? Sorry - I was more pointing out that toxins can include some very common and relatively harmless chemicals.

Rapscallion

[Misanthropical]

thegiraffe, you can see the warning about not to stop taking it suddenly, which I was threatened with if I didn't do what they wanted.

Silly Rapscallion, I wasn't getting on you. I was just pointing out how my son reacted to what she said. :p

[thegiraffe]

right - it would be best to wean him off if he's been taking it consecutively, because the chemicals in the brain need a chance to take over their job again. But it doesn't sound like you have any intention of taking him off, so don't worry about that.

This lady sounds like a lady on a powertrip. Find another doc - she needs to get a life.

[Rapscallion]

Silly Rapscallion, I wasn't getting on you.

Story of my life...

Rapscallion, ducking

[TNT]

Anyhow....there are vigilantes in the psychiatric community (or was this chick a physician? it wasn't clear) who believe that drug therapy is "toxic" and should not be used. However, research shows that generally, the best method is to use medication initially to get them to a point where you can work with them in behavioral therapy, then tweak the therapy and meds to make it most beneficial for the child.

It's not always a yes / no debate on the drug therapy issue -- even the pro-med group argues within itself about all the subtleties involved. My psychiatrist and I both liked discussing the topic, and we spent a lot of hours on it.

I also like the medication --> therapy idea... I was quite fortunate to have a psychiatrist who was able to do both -- and also able to convince the insurance company to pay for it.

The issues are monumentally complex -- which is why I like general practitioners who defer to specialists when it comes to the treatment of any psychiatric disorder. (That said, the odds of finding a good psychiatrist aren't great. I've met some pretty good ones, but I've met many more I wouldn't let near my cat.)

[Der Cute]

Can I put my 2 monetary units in?

I'm a person w/ a couple of mental/neuro issues.

I take Primidone (a heavy barbituate) 2x a day to control my seizures. If I dont take the meds, I have seziures, and the consequences of those can really screw up my life.

Along w/ that , I take an anti depressant, due to being constantly low level depressed.

Here is where I can understand Ms New Doc.

To treat depression, you can A) just give drugs B) just do psych therapy C) combine the two

I think what NoobDoc is saying is that meds can really hurt young people, possibly in the dosage he's getting. And that psy therapy may actually help him, and even get him off the drugs in the long run.

But you, Mis, you and your son, are the ones to decide. Quality of life is the big question to you two. Take a pill, settle down, work with the world? (add side effects) OR Go to psych, work on behavior, settle down, work with the world (add time to this one)...

Really, I'm opined to choose the combo therapy, because I know it did a damn good job on me. I'm sure theres more 'issues' to deal with w/ a psych but right now the money isnt here. I also recently moved, and I think w/ the increased sunlight I may be able to change my dosage.

But, Mis, go in and ask the Head Dr. to look over Jr's chart and get a 2nd opinion. Ask him (under the table) if NoobDoc is an advocate for just psych therapy?

Oh, by the way. When I was munchkin into teen years...we had to readjust my ep meds almost yearly. I had blood tests done just about monthly. Due to growing, changing, and hormones, body mass...all that...keep an eye on his dosage .

Good luck, and I'm glad he's doing well in life.

Cutenoob

[Dog Welder]

Wellbutrin works for me. (ask for it by name *ting*) it dosen't help with the weirdness, but it does calm me down. Much better then anything else Dr. Quack thought i should be on.
I quit Ritalin cold turkey, and even as much hell as THAT was, it was still better then being on the damn drug.


aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's my 2 cents. can you make change?


Dog Welder

[Misanthropical]

First, my son does not take anti-depressants. He has never been depressed. He is a very happy person with great self esteem.

He gets blood tests done every year to make sure his medications aren't too high and a risk to his health.

We went through a lot of medications before we found the right ones to help him. He has been on his current ones for 3 years now and they work wonderfully for him.

The only side effect we saw was in the beginning, my son was always clearing his throat, but that finally went away after a month.

He saw a Psychiatrist in the beginning, but after we found the right medications for him, the Psychiatrist told us he no longer needed to see our son. My husband and I had no problem with that since we both thought the Psychiatrist was a very strange man.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

what would scare me about this situation is the fact that you have to use a psychiatrist of her choosing, not one of yours. Basically making sure you do not get an unbiased second opinion.

Run, don't walk, to another doctor. While sending your boy to a specialist is commendable, forcing you to use one of her choosing and taking away your right to choose is deplorable and suspicious.

[Misanthropical]

The Medical Director of the practice we go to just emailed me and apologized for the inexcusable and inappropriate behavior of the doctor.

My son's prescriptions will be filled without any further problems. The director will be talking to the doctor about her behavior and will be calling me tomorrow. :)

[Cia]

Good for you Mis! That Doc should be slapped upside the head for scaring your son. She's lucky you didn't have your trusty flamethrower with you at that time.

[Der Cute]

Mis, the example about anti depressants is to show you that there are usually 3 treatments for these kind of illnesses.

I'm glad you guys have found a med that works and stays working!

I've currently been on my ep meds for about 10 years or so. If / when I CAN afford it, I'm going to see if I can switch or decrease dosage......

Aint fun deciding between driving or not driving.

Cutenoob

[Misanthropical]

Thanks Cutenoob, I could not figure out why people kept bringing up anti-depressants.

He is too young to be on them anyway, since most of them have the side effect of bringing on suicidal thoughts in teens, that is something I will pass on.

[thegiraffe]

Thanks Cutenoob, I could not figure out why people kept bringing up anti-depressants.

Antidepressants DO work for some people, but not for everyone with ADHD. It all depends on what part of the brain is affected. They're not entirely sure HOW ADHD drugswork, they just know that they do. What drug works is all on an individual basis. They were bringing up the antidepressants because they are an option for some people, though they don't like putting children on them for the reasons you stated (and more) - unless it shows to be absolutely necessary. It doesn't seem to be for your son though.

Like everyone else has said - find a good psychiatrist of YOUR choosing if you're questioning your son's meds/treatment. Nothing wrong with a 2nd opinion when it comes to stuff like this :)

[MystyGlyttyr]

I'm not sure why people keep mentioning stuff about how bad drugs and what all could be or what they could do or what therapy could do or whatnot...I thought the entire point was that the doctor is a pushy jerkwad. :confused:

*wanders back to corner, plays with matches*