ADHD & The NHS

[adridude]

Hi,

 

At the age of 6 I was diagnosed with having ADHD (Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Dispoder) and was treated for it until I moved to the UK 3 years ago.

 

The NHS has done absolutely nothing to assist me get my medication back. Ritalin (or the actual name is Methylphenidate) is a controlled substance, and is guarded for those reasons.

 

I've spoken to doctors MANY times about my ADHD, I've been admitted to hospital Psych wards following suicide attempts and have had every other treatment other than what I need.

 

I've known for years that the offspins of untreated ADHD are lack of attention, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and in some bases suicide. Unfortunately over the last 3 years ALL of the above and more have flared up.

I've begged, I've shouted, I've demanded and even broken down in tears infront of 'specialists' and the best responses I've had so far is:

- it is IMPOSSIBLE for adults to have ADHD (which is a lie)

- Lets sort out your depression first

- Here take these (anti anxiety, sleeping tablets or anti depressants)

- ... and alot more

 

I've lost MANY jobs because of ADHD, and this has left a very dark shadow over my C.V.

 

Is there ANYTHING that I can do to complain about this and get it resolved. It appears that there are NO doctors who know about ADHD who treat adults?

 

Thanks

 

Adrian

[ecobabe]

i know this is probably an obvious question to ask but have you looked around for adhd support groups? they are usually a mine of information. secondly, this isn't meant to be patronising cos i don't know you or your circumstances. my friend had great success with managing her son's adhd by looking at his diet and cutting out various foods mainly ones with sugar and colourings, even in the short term until you hopefully get some help with your meds. good luck

[adridude]

Hi,

 

Hey no offence, I can do with ANY advice at all. I've spoken to a group called ADDIS. They deal with all ages with ADHD but they are based in London 200 miles away. They can't give me much information for my area (nottinham) but gave me a wealth of information for the London region, which literally is useless to me.

 

In regards to diets, i strictly stay away from the nono's such as chocolate, food coloring, any form of glucose or complex sugars, but it still plays havoc in my life.

 

I'm very strict with myself when it comes to controlling this, but the degree at which I have it, is somewhat advanced, so i need a little more than self control...

 

If you could advise me further, I would thoroughly appreciate it!

 

cheers

 

Adrian

[ecobabe]

hi, i know that my friends son was on a diet called the stone age diet, which was basically the kind of diet that would have been eaten then! meat, veg, fruit, only wholemeal rice, pasta and bread and not a lot of it. no pre prepared foods ie convenience foods or breakfast cereals other than things like porridge, weetabix. butter not marj, no packets or jars of sauces etc you can make your own. She also took him to an osteopath for cranial osteopathy which she thought was helpful. so did his school. he also took zinc supplements and omega oils. oh he took some martial arts type thing as well, the discipline of it was supposed to help. i'll ask what else

[colour-me-happy]

Take a look at this site, they are based in Nottingham, though it does say for parents/carers they may be able to help.

 

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Nottingham UK

 

My brother has ADHD (he is 20 now) and is unmedicated for various reasons and he cannot live a "normal" life, I really hope you get the help you need

[adridude]

holy moses! colour-me-happy, you cetainly live by your name! THANKS SOOOOO much. This is a definate Godsend. I'll be bang on that mission!

 

ecobabe: yer, I live by a strict diet. No stimulants like caffeine or renine or tanine. No sugards, loads of fruit veg and meat. I wont drink any juice other than pure fruit juice or water, I stay away from ALL E-Numbers, but diet isnt a 100% way to sort things out There are chemicals missing in my brain which Ritalin (or any other methylphenidate drug) replace.

 

what private medical do you guys recommend that I apply for? I hear that going private is the best thing since sliced bread?

[colour-me-happy]

So glad I could help

[Kirstypops]

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has a technology appraisal which states that either methylphenidate, atomoxetine or dexamphetamine should be used for ADHD and one of the decision making factors should be patient choice. I can't remember off-hand if that document covers adults as well as children and young people though.

 

There is an NHS Adult ADHD clinic run by a psychiatrist in Potters Bar (under Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust) so you can try to use that as an argument for the existence of ADHD in adults.

[adridude]

Hey,

 

Well, I wish i could have a nightmare; Thanks to sleep problems, the luxuries of dreaming or nightmaring are a luxury.

I've spoken to my GP about this on several occasions, and they don't seem to take a blind bit of notice. I've told them that I've got chronic sleep problems (i.e. I sleep max 2 or 3 hours a day), and the best they can come up with is 'eat properly'? Holy crudd, I eat very well, and live a healthy life!

I've tried the usual over the counter aids i.e. nytol, asda sleep aid and various others, and they have no affect on me.

How do I fight this? I know that Immovan (aka Zimmovan) works, and have told the doctors this, but they won't help me!

 

Also, I suffer from depression and anxiety attacks, which they also don't seem to want to treat at all (which was treated when I lived in the Netherlands)

 

I have no idea what to do, this is grossely affecting my work life and my colleagues are getting very concerned about me. Being in a senior position and suffering with the problems I have definately have a negative impact on my career.

 

I'm getting sick and tired of all of this, Im an inch away from buying my own medications over the internet and self medicating; I shouldn't have to do this?

 

Can someone tell me how to give my doctor a proverbial kick up the butt?

 

Thanks

 

Adridude

[Bookworm]

Change GP.

 

Seriously.

 

I am with a practice where it's pot luck who you get.

 

Nearly 5 yrs ago, I saw one because of my weight that kept on creeping inexorably, which in turn was making me more depressed. I knew I wasn't an overater, I knew I didn't turn to food for comfort, I did eat healthily (or so I thought, more of that later), so I knew it was something else. The GP I saw sent me away with a diet sheet for 900 calories and a flea in my ear. I got more and more depressed as a result.

 

2 months later, having read of an appetite suppressant that was available on prescription, I went back to the surgery. I saw a different GP, and I can honestly say she saved my life. She LISTENED, then she told me to try this (at the time virtually unheard of) low carbohydrate diet, and come back in 2 weeks. I never looked back.

 

This long winded post is to say that if you're not getting results and you KNOW you need help, find someone who will listen.

 

On a separate note, what is your diet like? Have you tried altering the patterns? If you want help trying to spot possible culprits, post a typical day's eating here, with the approx times. Having said that, I would have thought it quite obvious that the insomnia is linked to the anxiety and depression, and I'm sure you'll have a fair idea as to what is causing those.

[hagenuk]

Seconded, change GP and get a second opinion.

[adridude]

well because I have ADHD I have to adhere to a strict diet. No colorants, no E numbers, no processed food. So literaly itus all butcher and greengrocer for me *except* for the occasional cornetto lol). nothing I eat is manmade or manhandled in any way.

 

I live to a strict 1/3 proten, 1/3 pure vita veg/roughage and the rest carbs. I go to gym 4x a week, I walk to work and run every weekend.

 

I cant see how this would mess my life up. I live very stricly about food and intake, thats a joy of having ADHD.

 

one opf the offspins of ADHD is depression, and the other anxiety. They refuse to accept that adults can live with it?!?! Various oprganisations, until recently funded by the red cross, do support it, and this includes GP's who now have to charge silly charges for personal medical?"?"

[Bookworm]

I don't like to mention this, as they can have undesirable effects in so many, but I assume you have looked into Ritalin/Straterra? Or is that one of the things your GP won't discuss?

[adridude]

yes indeed, I'm still fighting for my ADHD. I've been on methylpheniday (ritalin and many others) all my life, until i came to the UK.

 

now i have to buy it off the internet, which i assume is illegal as methylphenidat is a controlled substance thanks to the druggees processing it!

 

not no joy there, they wont treat me here, despuite my psychs letters and that from my past! I think its because my docs were from other countries.

[JonCris]

Well even if they doubt your docs they should at the very least examine you to assess your condition.

 

They obviously aren't paying ny attention to your complaints so I suggest that you find a solicitor who practices in med neg & let him try & help you. You may even be entitled to legal aid

[PinkGlitterGirl]

A strongly worded letter to the local PCT (primary care trsut) might help. Ask the PCT for a gp who will help you. Your own gp's surgery is obliged to give you the address to the PCT to write to.

 

Good luck.

 

Pink

xxx

[RG001]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I understand what you are going through. My brother (18) has ADHD also, and it totally rules his life. He could heve written what you have written word for word. He just isn't getting any support whatsoever. When he was at school there were loads of people who could help, however, now he has left he has no one, and is probably in a worse off position because of this. (not a worse position than you, a worse position due to no support.) Unfortunately it is really difficult to get it recognised in children, let alone adults, it took my parents 3 years to get him diagnosed!!! However adults DO have it, I have read that both robbin Williams and Jim Carey have it. Just out of interest, do you have some sort of artistic tallent ie music, art etc? My brother is a very gifted musician, so is my nephew who also has ADHD (he is 8 and really struggles)

 

I hope you find some support, I know how difficult it must be for you.

 

Ruth

[adridude]

hey,

 

I've got some good news since. Here in NOttingham (or Derby even) there is a doctor called Mr. Khan. He specialises in this! There is a group called Rush, there is a website and i advise you look it up.

 

Well the reason why i dropped the help was because rush, and Dr. Khan are no longer funded by the red cross and have turned to private. Thanks to my medical (although it was never diagnosed here) its a pre-recognised problem, so I have no rights to help.

 

Speak to them! They have support groups and even Dr Khan can medicate upon diagnosis.

 

I'm trying to hunt down a support group which I can afford and even take this further.

 

My personal advice is, get him help, it will destroy his life! FROM A TO Z! I'm a good example. From IT manager back to helpdesk. IT takes control and kills you.

 

Now I'm service manager again of a new company, they know the condision and thankfully, they know it well!

 

So far, Methylphenidat (in my case ritalin 10mg) is a private perscription is illegal which I get from dodgy websites!

 

YOU DONT NEED TO GO THIS FAR.

 

Please let me know the legal route, its the bain of my life and turning me into a no one!

 

Cheers

 

A

[adridude]

oh about the talen, yes, technology. I work with computers professionally, electronics, radio technology, microtechnology, digitally synthasized music and old fashi8oned electronics (solid state).

 

Thats my knack. Aparently ADHD victims have a knack of some sort.

 

Personally, I HATE IT, I want to be normal, enjoy the normal things and just relax.

 

Also you might notice that addictions (alchohol or ANY form of buzz) might affect the person afflicted. As was my case. 3 year recovering alchoholic.

 

Watch it, it creeps up! I've caught carioyus other temptations like weed (another thing I do in small amounts) is tempting to get an ultimate high.

 

Guys, its all wrong, its a misallusion (to anyone who reads). Dont get caught up ion the net I was caught up in.

 

Seek help, its free, they are just like you! and even worse!

 

Sorry, had to ramble on, its important, i know the emptyness one feels at such a stage!

 

Cheers

 

Adridude (Adrian)

[michaelwhittle]

hi Adrian, u state that u have adhd, i , being a counsellor, have just recieved my cert(adhd).i understand were ur coming from?, also, did you know that all the presidents of USA have adhd. also robbie williams etc, u r not alone.we as a society would not have developed this far if it wasn`t for people like urself. u all have contributed wonderfully to each generation, well done adrian.ps, hope u get ur monies from the banks.....michael

[adridude]

thanks but do you know who I can go to to get my usual medication or even anotehr form of treatment which can help?

[trundlecat]

Adrian,

 

This may be no help whatsoever & you might not believe in this stuff (I'm a sceptic but there must be some truth in it) but do some research into "Indigos". You'll find lots of different kinds of help, advice & support from different sources. There's a lot of research going into natural/hollistic help at the moment as this is getting so common. I was reading up on it a couple of months ago because I know it affected me when I was young & my son is turning out to be just the same as I was.

 

TC

[adridude]

Yer, I remember an ex of mine mentioning this to me. I've looked into it and well, to be honest, its surprisingly scary!

[thetruthmistress2]

Ritalin switches on the neurotransmitters, which gets your brain firing in the right sequence , its not a cure, there are reasons these neurotransmitters are not working, and as previous posts suggest, look into Calcium, omega stay off fresh orange juice, that sends us high. There is a chap called Steven Plogg who is ADHD and has embraced his condition and like I have and use these quick thinking skills to my benefit. I am looking for his website to post for you to see another more manageable way of coping, the reason Doctors are trying not to prescribe Ritalin is because in one way they are telling parents and teenagers to not take drugs, then they are having to prescribe a cocaine based medication for others. There is lots of evidence against taking these types of drugs, even though you know you can feel normal with them, well I feel normal, up and down but have taken the nutritional way out, I have spent years wishing I was normal, when I have been all the time, it was only thoes in Authority that were telling me otherwise, to try to get me to take there medication. I am 43 with 5 children all with the Gene. I go with how my body ticks and not how I'm told it should tick. If I have to talk to myself in a shop to not forget something I will, If anyone looks at me I smile and say just reminding myself Love. Or you can always pretend to have blue tooth and pretend to talk to someone lol, My kids have nearly given me heart attacks due to thier sheer lack of personal preservation and no fear. How they have survived this far is that I have to be 20 steps ahead to make sure I can be ready to catch, pick up, run, teach to climb etc, Jeeze these kids have so much energy and so many questions, But as I have the same energy I can keep up.

[adridude]

Unfortunately, I've been living on the health route for a while (near to 3 years).

 

High fishfood and seafood diet, ZERO e-numbers, artificial sugars, colorants or any form of stimulants such as coffee's etc... I constantly am taking high Omega products such as cod liver oil, omega enriched yogherts. My fruit intake (fresh) is very high, Im at gym 3 times a week and jog daily.

 

Aside all of this, I can't keep a job down. This ONLY has happened since I moved here to the UK (3 years ago).

 

Before then, I didn't lost interest in work quickly, I could concentrate on one job at a time, rather than 20 and getting frustrated and making mistakes. My stress levels weren't as high as they are now and I certainly never used to be depressed or even think of things like suicide.

 

The only difference between life then, and life now is that I was on methylphenidat (aka ritalin, concertaXL etc...)

 

The doctors have treated me with:

 

Mood stabilisers

Anti Depressants

Anti Anxiety Tablets

Sleeping Tablets

AND EVEN LITHIUM! ROFL!

 

Anyway, they have the doctors records from the age of 5 until I was 24. i.e. my whole medical life until I moved here.

 

Not once have they taken a blind bit of notice to it. They wouldn't have perscribed me a drug which is used to protect the liver from blood poisoning if they noticed that I was allergic to it!

 

All fun and games. I might as well stay unemployed, live off of the dole and relax. It appears that's what the system wants me to do contra to my own personal feelings.