Simon Baron-Cohen can stuff right off

[Sky]

I've got my six week review next month but I've spent most of the day buzzing off my tits and I was so productive that it really showed up how rubbish I've actually been. I think I'm starting to crash now but it'll be interesting to see how the weekend pans out when I've no solid plans apart from DIY and gin.

[olive]

Are you planning to take it on weekends, Sky? I’d be lying if I said trying T’s medication hadn’t crossed my mind.

[mojojojo]

We’ve finally got M a diagnosis and prescription for Concerta. She’ll be taking it alongside the Fluoxetine she’s already on, so we’ll have to see how that goes.

She’s been 7 weeks without any sort of drink or drugs but is still really struggling. She’s 18 tomorrow which is when she’ll start her meds (as we couldn’t get them until today).

She’s pinning so much on the drugs; I really hope that she’s not going to be disappointed.

I wanted to thank Bats for starting this thread and everyone that’s contributed to it. I’ve been able to share some stuff over the last year or so that has helped M to realise that there’s a reason that she feels the way she does, and that it might be treatable (to an extent).

We’ve got a long way to go but I’m hopeful we’re on a better path now.

[Loralei]

I'm really pleased to hear things are looking up a bit, and a huge well done to M for her resolve; 7 weeks is excellent. I hope she (and you) enjoys her birthday.

[Smunder Woman]

That's really good to hear. I hope it helps her, and 7 weeks is quite an achievement :))

If she's open to FB groups for women with ADHD/autism, I can send you links to a few. Also names of the nutso ones :lol:

[sally maclennane]

That's great news, Mojo, I'm glad you both feel more positive, and she is very lucky to have such a great mum in her corner.

[Bat Macdui]

7 weeks is amazing. She must be a very determined young woman. Best of luck to her, I really hope that having the answers helps. And I am evangelical about medication. Genuinely, it has really, properly changed my life for the better. I really hope it works for M.

[indigo]

Can you get the medication without a clinical diagnosis?

[mojojojo]

Can you get the medication without a clinical diagnosis?

I’m not sure, digs. We had it from a consultant psychiatrist who we were very lucky to be able to access via insurance. I’m not sure what other routes there are but I’m sure someone on this thread will know.

[mojojojo]

If she's open to FB groups for women with ADHD/autism, I can send you links to a few. Also names of the nutso ones :lol:

She doesn’t have FB* but I’d defo be interested to tell her about them, thanks Smun.

*Which seems so bizarre to me that I always forget about it!

[mojojojo]

Thank you everyone

[Bat Macdui]

Can you get the medication without a clinical diagnosis?

No, because mostly if you are prescribed medication to manage ADHD traits they prescribe a stimulant which falls under 'controlled substances' legislation. They also need to run health checks around blood pressure/heart because it's a stimulant. There is a route in England for adults where you can bypass the NHS waiting time and get the local CCG to fund a private assessment in weeks, which I've got a link to info about somewhere if anyone wants.

[olive]

My experience of ADHD meds is limited to a small boy but the difference to him on meds vs off is eye opening. It’s not a silver bullet by any means but I honestly look back and wonder how we/ he managed before meds.

I was very resistant to medication but I think it’s the best thing we’ve done for T. It wasn’t an overnight fix as getting the dosage right, dealing with the initial come down and a few mild side effects took a bit of time but it’s been worth it.

I feel a bit of a gut punch when I think of him going into his teens and trying to navigate life independently without meds and with all the additional noise in his head all the time.

I hope it helps M too and she has a great birthday.

Can you get the medication without a clinical diagnosis?

Apparently we’d have to jump some serious hoops to get T’s meds back in the UK despite his diagnosis and prescription here. Even here where they hand out meds like sweets I can’t get more than a 30 day supply at a time and he has to be regularly assessed for him as it’s so controlled.

[Sky]

Can you get the medication without a clinical diagnosis?

Apparently we’d have to jump some serious hoops to get T’s meds back in the UK despite his diagnosis and prescription here. Even here where they hand out meds like sweets I can’t get more than a 30 day supply at a time and he has to be regularly assessed for him as it’s so controlled.

It's the same here and the reason why I have to remember and get my script every month instead of getting a few months at a time which is no mean feat when you've no short term memory :)) I've titrated up to the top dose of 70mg and wondering whether it's stopped working but it was such a ballache to get it in the first place that I'll just need to stick it out.

[indigo]

Bats, does our mutual friend have that info? It's not something I've discussed with her but I did wonder whether the private assessment wouldn't be enough to get medication if she decided to go down that route?

[Teasel]

I need to go back and have another read of links etc on here but I've arranged a private assessment for N and the first session is on Monday. It's a functional rather than diagnostic assessment but he will give his opinion.

From my research I think she has elements of demand avoidance and sensory processing. The main problem is challenging behavior (which has really been ongoing since she was 2).

Im not entirely sure what to expect but am hoping for help to manage the angry outbursts and meltdowns.

[Little My]

Err, I'm not sure why I have failed to ever see this thread before! I plan to have a proper scan of it later.

Over the past year we have been having a wild ride with R's ADHD medication and upsetting side effects. Now Mr LM is hoping for an ADHD diagnosis.

Teasel, R used to have incredible meltdowns when she was younger, so you have my sympathy. It's a lot of frustration and upset on both sides. I hope you get some answers that will help her.

[Dutchie]

Wow, this thread is a few years old but I've only just discovered it and spent the last couple of hours reading it. Bat, I've been thinking back to time spent with you in Manchester, London and especially Berlin and I've had quite a few "aha!" moments. I'm so pleased for you that you have an explanation for all the things that have baffled you or made you struggle during your life (I know your diagnosis isn't new to you any more but it is to me!) Sometimes (often?) a label can be so good to have.

The area of the Netherlands that I live in has the highest concentration of autistic people (lots of high tech here) with rates of autism 4 times as high as the rest of the country. Having always worked in the high tech industry, I've had a LOT of autistic colleagues and still do. Once I discovered what autism was and researched it, I started understanding my colleagues and certain friends so much better. What I find most fascinating is that they're all so different (and none of them are like Rainman). Working in high tech means that all my autistic colleagues are also very intelligent, some ridiculously so. All in all, an interesting bunch of people to work with! I know one colleague absolutely loves being in lockdown - he's shite with eye contact, small talk, noise in the office - so having all his contacts online with his camera permanently switched off or tilted up to his ceiling is heaven on earth.

Anyway, thanks for being so open and sharing your story Bat.

[Smunder Woman]

Right, so I'm not sure this goes on this thread, but anyway.

In general, I am happy to know that I am neurodivergent and finding out has been the best thing I've ever done. BUT, knowing I have ADHD is sucking all the fun out of my quirks. If someone says I'm funny, I think, no, I just said something daft because I have ADHD. When I think about having a relationship in the future, I think that I'm too tall, I'm fat, I'm not particularly attractive and I have fucking ADHD. I don't want to tell stories anymore because I feel like that's imposing my ADHD impulsivity or whatever onto other people. I mean, I know this is all bollocks and I'm fairly certain it will pass, but honestly, it was quite good being able to just enjoy my personality without using it as something else to beat myself up for :))

[Ruby]

Hang on a minute. Some of my best friends have ADHD. :)) It's an actual positive. And I speak as someone who read the first few pages of that book about it that Bats recommended and then got distracted, so I'm in the questionable category for sure. Who wants a lot of short, thin, neurotypical mentally-healthy people as friends anyway?