Posted by jealibeanz on April 16, 2007, at 6:01:30
In reply to Re: I'm torn. » jealibeanz, posted by KayeBaby on April 15, 2007, at 22:25:02
Kaye-
I can relate sooo much to what you just wrote.
I'm completely certain that my doctor, god love him, has untreated ADHD. The reason why I say this is because I shadowed him for several days during high school. The following year he switched practices, I switched practices, and we ended up together.
He was very relaxed, well spoken, organized, and thorough when I shadowed him. When I first saw him as a patient, I immediately thought that he has ADHD, and is not taking his meds! He's allll over the place now and is rather forgetful and frazzled. He's been this way for the past five years, although, he's working in a much more hectic and overscheduled environment, which doesn't help.
This is the first doctor to really care about me and bother to treat me, despite failures, and be persistent. All others have blown me off. I left him a year ago because I was mildly uncomfortable because I'd just completely a college internship there. (He had no idea. I had no records transferred and I did this in a matter of weeks in between appointments with him and his PA... They never missed me) I'd gone to 3 others, then came back to him.
I know it would be foolish to try for another doctor, although I know he is not brilliant. I give off this aura of happiness and success, which throws people off, no matter what words are coming out of my mouth. At least this one treats me. The others have kicked me out the door, saying I'm perfect (but apparently likes making appts. for factitious conditions?!)
Yeah, I understand what you mean about not wanting to admit to depression because that could lead to an "undiagnosis" of your ADHD. My PA told me a year ago that he didn't think my ADHD was causing concentration problems, it was anxiety. I argued enough and told him that I thought not being able to concentrate and complete all my work at a normal pace causes a lottt of anxiety, so I needed to treat the ADHD. He gave in and prescribed Straterra.
I knew he was right, but I also knew I was too. Adult ADHD is really hard to diagnose confidently. They'd rather blame it on depression or anxiety, which is a valid conclusion, but they need to be able to consider all three... very difficult, I'm sure.
I definitely hesistate pushing my doctor too far with my own opinions and requests. It might cause him to pull back a little and change our relationship. I think this already has happened with my recent events. He's never been so firm. (I question whether or not I'm acting like a spoiled child right now in reaction to his decision. I've always gotten what I've asked for. Now I'm not. It's not that I care about getting my way, I just want to feel better!)
This bothers me. I don't need to be best friends with my doctor... and we're not. He could be my father. But I do appreciate the relationship we have, as odd as it might appear to anyone who'd sit in on all of our interactions. Most doctors want to keep more of a professional distance. Mine doesn't with me. He's pretty casual with most people. It's his style. You can tell he went in to the business because he's a people person, not because he wanted the prestigue or money.
He's respectful and doesn't talk down to me in any way (A good choice, because that would piss me off to no end and I'd never be back. I'm intelligent and want to be treated as a competent person).
He treats me like his daughter, his student, his apprentice, his (much younger and future) peer, and his patient all at the same time.
Haha.. a bit weird... but last time I went in there I was walking to one end of the hall with a nurse. He was at the other end with some colleagues. I saw him, but he didn't see me until I had my back turned and was quite far away. I heard him say my name. He wasn't talking about me or actually talking to the others, who don't know me from beans. It was like his reflexive reaction. It was such a strange tone though... like he had seen his long lost friend (not really... just little patient/child), and was happy and excited to see me, but sad. I think the sad part is because he knows I'm going through a rough time. Yeah, pointless story, and I got all of that from someone just saying my name.
He's more concerned with my life and family than he is my health... which is a good thing, because I'd rather have that than some amazing pharmacologist who treats me like a scientific experiment. It just adds to our relationship when he asks about how my siblings are, and really wants to know.
mmm... family practice... I want it! :)
He's like your doctor. It's so exciting and gratifying for him to even begin a treatment plan with a patient. If it helps, he loves it. But he gets a wiiiide variety in family practice.
What is a schedule III stimulant? Provigil? I probably should know because I taken it and other controls... but so many that I can't keep it straight. Plus, the numbering seems backward to me.
BTW, this is a famous medical quote, which I highly believe in:
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
-Voltaire
poster:jealibeanz
thread:744157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070413/msgs/750204.html