ADHD Medications and the Doctor's Who Prescribe Them

VWFringe

Naruto Fan
I finally got seen by a doctor who can prescribe ADHD medications, and they said they cannot prescibe them if I am using marijuana at all.

Now, I understand the main reason is because they say the amount of stimulant needed would be possilbly high enough to cause heart palpitations, but I also believe that if it were another prescription medication they would not simply say, "sorry, we can't treat you," and would instead just work to increase the medication slowly and with all eyes wide open.

To say, "if you have ADHD, we will not treat you unless you are willing to give up the medications which work for you because they have not been peer-reviewed," seems criminal or at least without compassion.

I asked my doctor if they understood why I believe our standard of care is somewhat compromised by this, and she said if I wasn't comfortable with what she was saying she could transfer me to another doctor, but that they would probably also see it the same way.

Stupid pill pushers, I don't know why I had the idea that I could have an intelligent conversation about my rewards system or exercises to increase working memory, or CCBT for organizational and impulse control, they only push pills, like an slightly advanced plumber who's asked what parts will make a drain pipe, but no real knowledge of the system it fits into. MaYBE I could also say they have a lot of conditions they have to deal with, but when someone says they've been doing what they're doing for over ten years and has no concept of what new directions are being taken, then I see it as institutionalized discrimination, as if it merits no further investigation. This doctor's visit really laid bare the stupidity, the arrogance, the willingness to throw people under the bus for ideological differences, to save money off-of other people's pain.

Fuck them. I'm pissed. Had to buy fake pee to pass into the halls of medicine. Bastards. And with the promise by my doc of random drug tests. What am I, a little kid?
 
VWFringe,

Vicki

Herbal Alchemist
This is exactly why I do not tell my doctor I use cannabis. Despite the fact that I really like her a lot.
 
Vicki,

JDSupreme

Head of Pot
VWFringe said:
Stupid pill pushers, I don't know why I had the idea that I could have an intelligent conversation about my rewards system or exercises to increase working memory, or CCBT for organizational and impulse control, they only push pills, like an slightly advanced plumber who's asked what parts will make a drain pipe, but no real knowledge of the system it fits into.

+1

Unless its absolutely necessary, I keep my weed habit to myself. Although yesterday I got a few looks at walmart for being a younger guy buying potting soil in November :p
 
JDSupreme,

VWFringe

Naruto Fan
Another doctor had told me to "manage my data", not disclose my pot use, but the drug test made me ask.

And, I was lured into talking about previous drug use because I thought it would help make the case for ADHD, and a willingness to manage my problems, but I could tell it had the opposite effect, just as the doctor who advised me to manage my data had predicted.

Wish I could take back most of what I said, knowing it's just evidence in my permanent medical record now, to be used not to help me, but to use against me when the time is right. fuck.

I should have better compartmentalized this stuff before I walked in..."I need help with focus and concentration." and nothing else. Would've been much quicker and less confrontational.

I just have so many questions, but someone trying to make money off of me isn't the best place to ask those questions, I guess, even though we're told to trust the medical profession. damn.
 
VWFringe,

Vicki

Herbal Alchemist
Doctors, even good ones, are trained to believe cannabis is bad, so it is hard to change their minds. I have complete trust in my doctor. I hate that I have to keep my usage from her. I have always found things to be a lot easier by not disclosing that I use cannabis, though. It is sad.
 
Vicki,

VWFringe

Naruto Fan
Today, my first dose 5mg adderall time release...

wow...
* speedy at first, but was able to sublimate those effects after a while
* reading boring stuff became much easier within 45 minutes!
* started getting stuff done, and wasn't so annoyed when extra steps had to be added
* being vaped did not seem an impediment to getting stuff done
...and i always thought i didn't get stuff done because i got stoned (even though it was the same when i didn't)

It felt like I was accessing my rewards system much easier, and for longer periods, which naturally lead me to feeling more grounded and connected , which modified my behavior, and my experience of what was going on, people seemed to respond more to me also and I felt more in tune with them, which was a little jarring at times and lead to a couple of short headaches...haven't had headaches in a long time, but I haven't used my emotions much in a walking around state either.

* switched to sativas a week before, didn't get any more done, but will stay with them for a while.
 
VWFringe,
G

Guest

Guest
I'm prescribed adderal and I take it often when I smoke. I really don't think that combining the two is that bad for you, and to me, the benefits outweigh the consequences a ton. The adderal really helps me not be as lazy when I'm stoned.
 
Guest,

Tills

Vapor Enthusiast
You guys need to find better doctors. My last conversation with my doc included the strains he smoked while he was in Cali last month. :lol:

BTW I am on a shit ton of ADD/ADHD medicine (not for adhd, but for a completely different disorder I have) and I smoke multiple times a day. When I am coming down off of the stimulants the pot helps to ease the side effects of those stimulants.
 
Tills,

Nosferatu

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't take that shit unless you have a very serious known chemical imbalance or problem. If your symptoms are poor concentration and motivation, why on earth would you think you need a pill to fix that?
 
Nosferatu,

MikeHunt

Member
ADHD medication is too close to methamphetamine for me. If you haven't seen people up for days straight without sleeping, talking gibberish, and sprinting towards nowhere at 10x the speed of light... you haven't had enough exposure to people taking such medications. Surely, there are those who use these types of drugs as prescribed by their physician, but, playing around with such chemicals is playing with fire if you ask me. Taking Ritalin/Methylphenidate (..notice the "meth") is no better than ingesting any other stimulant.

Good luck with that crackhead shit.
 
MikeHunt,

vorrange

Vapor.wise
@MikeHunt, i think you misread the OP and following answers as well. No one here is playing around with chemicals, neither wants to.

I have no idea if by saying "ADHD medication is too close to methamphetamine for me.", you talk from a patient perspective who took ADHD medication or you just read something online and think you understand what ADHD is. And this is valid for many other disorders that when severe enough require medication with tremendous side effects.

But for some people, after weighing all the pros and cons, it is still more positive to take medication so they can have a normal life.

I recently found out i have inattentive ADHD and although finding out does not cure me, it is like a click being made and realizing that THERE IS A REASON for why i was so inproductive in times where i absolutely had to be productive. And you have no idea how frustrating this can be.

It is not about the doctor, or about the meds, it is about people having normal, happy and fulfilling lifes.

No matter what you seen, heard or read, you don't know something until you have been through it,

So stop with the crackhead shit, it shows ignorance and arrogance.
 
vorrange,
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Seek

Apprentice Daydreamer
Methylphenidate (..notice the "meth")

The meth just means it's methylated, it does have no link to it being stimulant. Methamphetamine is nicknamed meth just because of name. It's stimulant because its an amphetamine, not meth-something.
 
Seek,
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HuskerMath

Member
Thought I'd chime in with the opinion of a stoner doctor (a friend of mine).

"There is no research to show that marijuana mixed with any ADHD/ADD medication will cause adverse effects; worst case scenario, it ruins your high. However, you should always tell your doctor if you are using ANY drugs. Certain medications (specifically depressants) could cause heart issues if you smoke/vape within a few hours of taking the dosage. In rare cases, you could die, but it is much more common to simply have drastically reduced heart rate and breathing. This alone is troublesome and can cause long-term damage over the course of several months.

I'm not sure what doctor told you that they 'won't' prescribe certain medications if you currently use marijuana, but perhaps you should look for a new one. Unless they come right out and say 'This could kill you if you smoke' when talking about a medication, there really is no reason for it. In my practice, when dealing with stronger medications, I do, in fact, ask for a drug screening from the patient. I only do this when I know that mixing illicit drugs with the medication I'm recommending could kill them, but otherwise, I simply don't care. Note that, to my knowledge, there is no independent research to support this, but is generally accepted among physicians. Depressant + Stronger Depressant = Bad.

Remember, we are here to help you, not make your life difficult. Rules at times may seem unfair, but it is always for your own good (at least with good doctors). In short, tell your doctor about any and all drugs (illicit or otherwise) you are currently taking, it could very well save your life.

As a short disclaimer, any advise given is purely general, and should not be taken without consulting your doctor. You need to speak to your doctor to get specifics for a case-by-case basis."
 
HuskerMath,
I seriously urge you to find a new doctor. I recently had this discusion with my GP and I was honestly pretty scared to talk about it due to a bad experience with another doctor that drug tested me. He came out and said it was fine if I smoked weed, just no coke or meth. When he said that I knew I had a doctor for life (or as long as I live in the town he's practicing in). Now he didn't say I should be using mj, but he didn't discourage. Albiet I'm not adhd and my meds are for other reasons.
 
SpaceKracker,
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darkrom

Great Scott!
If you have any questions about stimulant AD(H)D medications please feel free to email me at any time. I have used them for many years. My ultimate conclusion was that they did more harm to me personally than benefit, but I believe when used properly (not daily) they can be a useful tool. They do NOT make a good daily drug IMO. Yes you feel "right" on them as though you finally figured out what was missing, but EVERYONE feels this way. It is part of the stimulant high. That's EXACTLY what taking stims is, a high, but that does not mean it is recreational and not medical or anything. I don't like the idea of people taking them daily, and I think they are quite over prescribed, but they have their place in life if you use it properly.

I'd say long term daily use has caused direct issues in my life that I am still dealing with years after discontinuing use. Now I'll get a 1 month script and it'll last me a year or longer. I use it when concentration is vital and never ever ever build a tolerance. I don't even enjoy using them without a benzo to negate some of the side effects anymore. How I used to enjoy them recreationally and medically I will never understand.
 
darkrom,
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sublimationpurist

formerly stephenking
People are actually debating ADHD medications similarity to methamphetamine? Adderal is d-amphetamine, and until recently they used to prescribe straight methamphetamine, that's right, to kids. And people who were prescribed it STILL get it!
Methamphetamine is FDA approved for the treatment of ADHD and exogenous obesity. It is dispensed in the USA under the trademark name Desoxyn
Look guys, the FDA says it's safe, that means it's ok. I would totally give my kids this if they had ADHD. Nobody had ADHD when I was growing up, but the doctor says its not because kids are now exposed to hundreds of chemicals everyday and everything they eat has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it, it's a lack of methamphetamine of course!

Now, I'm not saying I have proof that ADHD is caused by all the toxic things kids eat now, and I realize drugs do help people sometimes, but I certainly disagree that one out of every 3 kids needs to be taking Big Pharma's meth.
 
sublimationpurist,
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Frederick McGuire

Aggressively Loungey
No, sorry, I just thought it sounded like pretty strong sarcasm from stephenking, then realized you may have been joking, so I figured 1 of our sarcasm detectors was broken :lol:
No-Harm, No-Foul
:peace:
 
Frederick McGuire,
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