After finding this wonderful group and reading lots about ADHD, I think I should contact someone to talk with and perhaps get meds to help me. I have a friend who is has his Doctorate in Psychology, but hasn't kept up on what he needs for his license here in FL since he suddenly went blind. He suggested I see someone since after working together for a year 6 hrs a week he is convinced I have ADHD. I would not feel comfortable in his working with me on my problem since I know he'd want to be paid and I can't do that. I need someone in network.
I also was diagnosed at my first cardiologist visit with a leaky heart valve which the cardiologist thinks is minor and probably will have to just be watched (I'm almost 74). So I would need to talk with him about the possbile effects of any ADHD meds.
Since I don't drive due to my fear of getting in an accident I cannot get to regular psychiatrist visits so I'm thinking of doing Telehealth. Would like some input from people who have tried this. Ideally I'd have someone in my area who I could do Telehealth with and visit them occasionally when my husband can drive me there. I'm looking into this, but from what I can see without further investigation, there is no psychiatrists in my local area who does this. I am contacting my insurance company today for help with this.
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After the public health emergency due to covid ends. If you want a Schedule II stimulant like Adderall, Dextroamphetamine, Ritalin. You will have to see a doctor face to face. Your cardiologist will probably advise against stimulants due to your age and heart condition. If it he does not. It will more than likely be difficult to impossible to find a doctor willing to prescribe stimulants due to you age and heart. You will need to be officially diagnosed. There is no guarantee a doctor you see face to face will accept the diagnosis of another doctor. Especially if it is Telemed. Be sure and check your Medicare Drug Plan Part D to be sure they cover a medication before you get it prescribed.
Thanks for your input. I agree that the cardiologist will think it's bad to put me on ADHD drugs and I agree. So at my age I'm wondering if Telehealth would help me since I cannot get to a local psychiatrist.
Telemed could be of help. Telemed can be like seeing a doctor or therapist is real life. It can take a while to find one that is the right fit. I am not sure which Telemed services Telemed will pay for when the public health emergency ends. When it ends, you should be able to go to the link below and find out which Telemed services and where they are covered. Before the public health emergency, Telemed was mainly for those in rural areas.
Have you looked into public transportation in your area ? If you have trouble getting around, look for Paratransit in your area. Some have reduced prices for seniors. In my area, city transportation, including Paratransit is free for several years. This is due to money my city received due to the pandemic . Good Luck Sweetie
I have been diagnosed for almost 2 years now and have yet to see my psychiatrist face to face. They started telehealth during the pandemic and have continued to this day - so it's entirely possible for you to find someone who can help you like this!
Since the start of the pandemic I've seen my psychiatric nurse practitioner strictly through either video or more recently, on the phone.
She has reopened her in-person office, but I see no need to go in. She and I really get along and she can read my moods just on the phone as well as she could in person.
So bottom line: my sense is that the majority of therapy and psychiatry these days is done video video or phone.
And I recommend you NOT look on websites for whether this option is allowed. Lots of providers don't frequently update their sites, and once you explain your situation, even someone who doesn't regularly do telehealth may indeed do that for you.
Before Covid, I had major surgery, and my therapist at the time (we met weekly) simply moved our work to a video app for health providers. My therapist, not much of a tech guy, was shocked at how "normal" our sessions were via video.
Telahealth is a god option > i see my Therapist every other week that way. But you will have to be physically present at least one time to complete all the testing . It took them three hours to do my interview and testing and then come up with a diagnosis. I was 54 when I was diagnosed and now I am 77 . I was on Stimulant medications but due to a Cardiac rhythm abnormality my Cardiologist says NO NO to stimulant medications and I do not find the non stimulants help me at all. then there is WELLBUTRIN . it is a medication for Depression and an off label use for ADHD . I loved that medication and will not affect your cardiovascular system - but unfortunately for me I developed an allergy for this medication
In any case please make an appointment with Neuropsychologist ( these are the best folks to go the diagnosis and testing and take a good history) Then if you are officially diagnosed with ADHD you will have to see either in person or via zoom a Psychiatrist to get medications and then a Therapist ( these days Psychiatrist do not do therapy they only do mediation management )
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