I feel lost, like a fish flopping on shore.

[imakeyper]

Like my bio says, I was treated for depression for 25 years at least and they didn't work. I finally asked my prescriber for a medication to get me through the holidays and make me feel uplifted for a change. She prescribed Adderall and my life has never been the same. It was like I was finally alive, vibrant, boldly doing things I'd never thought to do.

I asked for testing and had to wait a couple years but finally found someone who tested for adult ADHD. Now I'm tried to find a prescriber but have run up against the problem of prescribers not believing the results of the tests. I live in a smaller city and that's been a detriment for a 70 year old diagnosed with ADHD. Just the pure fact of one medication working (Adderall) and another not working for me (anti-depressants) doesn't seem to be enough proof.

My current prescriber, who I have to leave, keeps talking about mood disorders. He wouldn't even read the whole report telling of my diagnosis from the doctor.

I need to find someone that I don't have to convince I have ADHD. It's really a sad state of affairs when prescribers think they know more than my test results.

My worst problem is depression right now. I can't tell the prescriber the extent of my problems because he keeps bringing up mood disorder medications for everything. Are you sure you don't have bipolar disorder, he wants to know. I think I would know that after all these years and no one else mentioning it.

I started taking guanfacine for mood dysregulation but I think it made me feel depressed and I have short term memory problems with it. I need medication for ADHD, depression and stress. Anyone have a good combo that works for them?

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the forum!

Even with more and more cases of older adults being diagnosed with ADHD, it seems surprising that many doctors still try to diagnose as anything but ADHD. Especially when it has been found that untreated or under treated ADHD does cause or contribute to anxiety and/or depression.

Sadly, this happens all too often. It is baffling that doctors disbelieve diagnoses made by other doctors.

Hopefully since you have to leave the one who doesn't believe your ADHD diagnosis, the next one will be open minded about it.

I'm fortunate that my three doctors since my diagnosis haven't questioned that I have ADHD.

[El-Eektrified]

Welcome, sad to hear that they don’t accept your diagnosis, I mean it’s just a description of certain behaviors - nothing more or less than bipolar or ASD or Depression. A diagnosis can change, but I don’t think they should change or keep you from medication that works for you.

My journey started with ADHD, then PTSD and the latest addition is ASD.. now I’m seeing a psychiatrist who understands comorbidities and treats my ADHD, Anxiety and sensory issues with a combination of meds.

I’m on guanfacine for the last 2 years and I know that one of the possible side-effects is depression. I took this med in combination with bupropion - which is an antidepressant used in ADHD. Unlike your experience, Guanfacine did improve my short term memory and helped me sleep…

But because of the solomnence Guanfacine causes, I am taking adderall to help me functioning during the day. You could try to explain that to your doctor? I mean, Guanfacine is also registered as an ADHD med…

Hope this helps!

[imakeyper in reply to El-Eektrified]

Thanks for affirming what I thought. I think the guanfacine is causing depression. I have other weird side effects, I think the short term memory loss is one, so I'm not surprised my side effects are not so usual. Most sites I looked at didn't mention depression or anything about memory.

I've decided to quit the guanfacine though I liked how it tamped down my quick emotions. If and when I find a good prescriber they'll be able to parse out what drugs in particular are doing in my brain and apply it to a good treatment. I have enough of a history with meds to be able to figure that out.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[El-Eektrified in reply to imakeyper]

Guanfacine was the med that helped me the most, but apparently this is more often a success in kids with ASD + ADHD. But it has lots of side-effects, sedative effects can also cause a feeling that your memory isn’t as “clear”, you can get irritable and when this occurs they advise you to quit taking Guanfacine, because this side-effect will not subside with time.

Mostly the negative effects aren’t talked about, you have to read plenty of experiences to figure those out.

Luckily we have many forms of treatment, hope you’ll find one that fits your needs!

[Aria219]

hi,

It sounds like the professionals (seems you have been diagnosed/tested by multiple) do not believe you have ADD but rather chronic depression. That being said, it seems that your first doctor prescribed a stimulant, adderall, which can def boost someone’s mood and energy if not diagnosed with ADD. Similar to nicotine, you’ll feel better but it isn’t the optimal treatment plan. Tbh, the mind is fragile and if I may recommend the absolute best treatment I’ve ever received for anxiety is ketamine. Be glad you do not have ADD, it’s debilitating. I Highly recommend visiting joyous.com. Due to this treatment, I’ve been able to reduce my ADD meds. Hope this helps 🙏🏻

[imakeyper in reply to Aria219]

Oh my I did mention this to someone along the way and I thought they were going to have a heart attack! They aren't so hip around here to that kind of "wild treatment." I'm in the Midwest and 40 minutes from the second largest city in Illinois but you wouldn't think it by the behind-the-trends thinking on psych meds.

I worked in healthcare for 25 years and I do know how powerful the drug industry is concerning patient care and what prescribers prescribe. That's in the back of mind always.

[Aria219 in reply to imakeyper]

Yeah. Seriously though, as you know, there are so many side effects to anti depressants that are so much worse. This medicine is a game changer though. I do wish you the best and my heart goes out for your serious predicament.

[Mamamichl]

I know what it feels like to have to persuade your doctor. My last one got my diagnosis and didn’t want to help me figure out my meds. I never really get the change with adhd meds yet, but only have tried one that the dose was raised. She raised it one last time and I learned it was still half what many people were taking. This was why I got a new doctor.

[imakeyper in reply to Mamamichl]

I have put in so many calls to businesses recently to find a new prescriber. No one has called back. But onward and upward. I read somewhere, I think it was attitudemag, where it takes up to 6 people before you find someone you're comfortable with. I have to march ahead!

[Mamamichl in reply to imakeyper]

Q perseverance is one tough bird for us with adhd.

[LifeAfterDiagnosis]

I can attest to Adderall being an outstanding medicine for depression. Didn't do anything for my ADHD, though, oddly enough.

[imakeyper]

My former mother-in-law who was a registered nurse once said the first indication of a person's health is their coloring in their face. It seemed so basic and simple but I find that the professionals can be very challenged by simple applications that work. I think it's ego myself.

So, like you said, this med worked, that med didn't work. It's really quite basic and why change the formula. The more serious question is why won't someone who was schooled to help people and has taken a job in that capacity not help a patient who is reporting to them what works. It's sad!

[HikingGreen]

Finding the right meds is a challenge! I'm wanting to change, yet the side effects from past experiences prevents me from trying again. There are med lists out there some are better than others. My lack of organization makes it difficult for me to find the different links I've saved over the years. Here's a med list from 2022 additudemag.com/download/ul.... I hope it helps!

[imakeyper]

I'm very happy to say I went back to the referrals my doctor gave me when she diagnosed me and persevered. It's part of my thinking dysfunction that makes me decide things quickly or come to conclusions too quickly. I just read that impulsivity can mean cognitive impulsivity which I can understand better when they put it that way.

So, I am set up to speak to a new prescriber soon and I can get away from the prescriber I have that seems quite stuck on thinking it's a mood disorder. I can be just as stubborn as the next guy but when he told me 90% of his patients start thinking his way after he suggests it to them, I was beginning to wonder if it was an ego problem on his part, the fact I wouldn't conform to his thinking.