Suggest Treatment For ADHD

Posted on Fri, 26 Dec 2014

Question: Are there any websites online that can help me search for online doctor consultations. I was treated for adhd for a long time with great success. Now I am between doctors and have been off of the medication I was taking. I have noticed a big difference since I have been off it. Can you please explain how and where I should look online for doctor who can help my situation. Thanks, XXXX.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you can get consultation from this website only

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The current website which you are using : "health care magic" serves the same purpose. Here there are many qualified consultants of various fields available online. Im Dr. Manisha Gopal (MD Neuropsychiatry).

You can elaborate your query if you want in the follow- up query for detailed assessment.

From what you have mentioned I can see that you have a history of ADHD & have been treated for the same by adderal successfully. However, you have been put on paxil and abilify too; the reason for the same has not been mentioned in query. These meds can be used for treating anxiety and psychotic/ aggressive symptoms.

Kindly give detail of your present symptoms and I will try to help you with suitable medicines.
All I can say is that many times ADHD symptoms persist in late adulthood also and need medicines. You may simply try adderal again or atomoxetine for the same.
However, it will be good if you give detail symptom profile. Dont worry, your condition is completely manageable.

Also give results of any blood tests/ scans if you have got them.

Wish you good health.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (46 hours later)

Hi, thank you for getting back to me. I am currently taking Paxil and ability for anxiety and depression. I have been taking these medications for a long time. I was also taking adderall for adhd. It took some trial and error before I started with the adderall. I tried Ritalin, Dexedrine, Dexedrine extended release, adderall extended release and another medication but none helped me the way adderall has. When I stopped seeing my doctor I stopped taking adderall . Since then my adhd symptoms have returned and this has effected my life a lot. Life has been very chaotic since not taking the adderall. I have become very forgetful and because of this I miss important things, family events and even scheduled appointments. I often seem to be rushing to things such as work. I am often late for work. I have difficulty seeing things through and this can be seen at work. I have difficulty completing projects. A lot of the time projects get finished passed there deadlines. Since I have stopped taking adderall I have become more of a procrastinator and push off responsibilities. At work I push off assignments. I was never like this before. I was more motivated and able to complete tasks passed there deadlines. My job involves a lot of paper work and before when taking adderall doing my work was not a problem. Since not taking the adderall I am always distracted, even zoned out at times. I have a hard time focusing on what I am doing as we'll causing less work to get done. When the work is complete people have pointed out mistakes I have made because of missing those little details. I have a lot of trouble paying attention as well to people when they are talking to me, at work this can be a problem. When I am at work I have missed directions and it can be embarrassing asking people to repeat themselves all the time. I have become much more unorganized then I was when I was taking adderall. I wish I had the motivation, descipline and balance in my life that I once had. Thank you very much for helping me.
XXXX.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you need adderall to manage concentration issues

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to HCM.

You are presently continuing with paxil and abilify and I think that is helping you somewhere with your anxiety issues and stress coping..
however, lack of adderall is bring up inability to concentrate properly and there by all problems.

It is commonly seen that in ADHD- as person grows old: there is some reduction or complete control in hyperactivity componenet but there are almost always concentration issues left. These difficulty in concentration pose problem in daily working life and may even trigger depression.
Your symptoms (like: procastination, feeling helpless , feeling low: as you are unable to compelte projects and having difficulties in managing social commitments, etc., ) are indicative of upcoming depression.

I think you also understand that you need adderall or something for managing this part of ADHD at the earliest.

You have had very good response in past with adderall - so, first option is that you may try it again (and on same dosage).
Or -- you can take atomoxetine drug.

I would prefer adderall as you have had experience and good results with it.

Not taking the medicine will only make matter worse and you will feel further demotivated.

There is a chance that either of paxil or abilify will stop if you will take adderall or atleast their dosage will reduce. This is because the anxiety and depression will subside.

It is advisable to get CBC, TSH and LFT done during treatment. If there is any deficinecy found - that should be managed.

Try to avoid tea and coffee and soft drinks-- they allake ADHD worse by altering chemicals. They also increase anxiety levels.

I hope the reply will be useful for you.

Please ask more queries if there are any doubts.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (24 hours later)

Thank you very much for the assessment. I agree that it's not as much the hyperactivity but the concentration component that is more of a problem. I also have realized that I was less prone to depression when I took adderall. In fact right now I am on 80 mg Paxil which I understand is a high dose. Maybe it would be lower if I were back on adderall. Thank you for all the helpful advice and I completely agree with your assessment. I have been looking for an online consultation where I can get a prescription for adderall. Can you please advise me on who I can go to, or where I could go online for this help. Also what is a CBC, TSH and LFT. Thank you, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
See a doctor personally; change paxil

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

The prescription of adderall should be in written format as far as I know.
However, the rules may differ with states. It is a scheduled drug and therefore simple online availability is also an issue.

You can visit your GP and can get it from him or at least he can guide you properly. I would not advice any particular site as it may just take money and you might not get the medicine. Moreover, you will need assessment in between to hike or lower the dosage for which again a doctor will be needed. So, try to get in touch with one now itself.

You will have very good response with adderall in your symptoms.

Paxil - we usually do not do beyond 50mg. You are on more than recommended dosage and still having depressive symptoms. I think you should taper and stop it and go for venelafaxine . It is a good molecule and more effective than paxil.

CBC- complete blood counts
LFT- liver function test
TFT- thyroid function test.
And also get lipid profile.

They are minimum basic tests which one should get done while on meds. Moreover, if they are disturbed then correcting them also helps in recovery.

Wish you speedy recovery.
Please feel free to ask more queries if you have.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju