@@ ADHD Med shortage - NYTimes article

[sillygoosegirl]

We were told late last year we couldn't have our child evaluated for dyslexia unless we tried ADHD medication first. It's hard to see this and not have the knee jerk reaction that no wonder there is a shortage when they are basically trying to force families who really don't want them to give these medications to their kids. We gave up on a dyslexia diagnosis at that point (as homeschoolers we don't really need it yet--I've now read all the books on dyslexia and feel confident at this point an actual diagnosis wouldn't help anyway), but gosh, it's perhaps even more appalling to realize that if we had accepted the prescription we could still be waiting on an evaluation we couldn't get without ADHD medication because we were still waiting on ADHD medication or unable to get it reliably.

Specific diagnoses aside, it makes me so mad that insurance is allowed to just not pay for alternative medications when the formulary/generic med is unavailable. I've been dealing with this on and off with a different medication I'm on, and with the CPAP shortage. I bet if insurance was required to pay for alternates during a shortage, they'd find a way to make sure there were fewer shortages. (I realize that alternatives don't always work the same and aren't always a great solution for that reason, but they still should be covered if the covered drugs aren't available!)

[JayTea]

The issue is that the FDA has made manufacturers slow down their output because the number of prescriptions issued over the last several years has skyrocketed due to Drs prescribing ADHD meds through telehealth and the FDA has decided that by lowering the supply they can curb the amount of prescriptions. Drug companies are fighting this, but everyone is all "bad big Pharma". I work in the industry and we are trying everything we can to ramp up production.

Sure, don't punish the doctors for abusing their telehealth resources, punish the patients by issuing mandates to curb the production.

It's not a supply chain problem, per se - they have the supplies, they are just under a mandate to curb production.

[seeyalater52]

Aug 17, 2023 10:07:54 GMT -5 JayTea said:

The issue is that the FDA has made manufacturers slow down their output because the number of prescriptions issued over the last several years has skyrocketed due to Drs prescribing ADHD meds through telehealth and the FDA has decided that by lowering the supply they can curb the amount of prescriptions. Drug companies are fighting this, but everyone is all "bad big Pharma". I work in the industry and we are trying everything we can to ramp up production.

Sure, don't punish the doctors for abusing their telehealth resources, punish the patients by issuing mandates to curb the production.

It's not a supply chain problem, per se - they have the supplies, they are just under a mandate to curb production.

I don’t disagree with most of what you've said here but I also want to push back on the idea that the irresponsible party here is doctors “abusing” telehealth services. Diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and frankly mental health conditions writ large are an absolute mess. While it doesn’t completely explain the uptick in diagnoses, access to some types of health care improved dramatically during the pandemic for a variety of reasons, including greater access to telehealth and increased maintenance of health coverage due to pandemic policies. There does not seem to be any evidence that doctors have abused telehealth or that the increase in ADHD diagnosis and prescription of meds is illegitimate, and the fact that the numbers have increased should not be assumed to be because of that. The FDA has majorly overstepped here and it’s definitely causing a lot of problems that exacerbate existing supply chain problems and really, broader damage to our health system infrastructure due to the covid pandemic. A lot of things are a mess for a whole web of complicated reasons and the narrative around over prescription and “bad pharma” (which I agree is not a universal truth) is just making it worse for everyone involved, but especially patients.

Frankly as an AFAB adult who was diagnosed with ADHD very recently (through a combo of telehealth and in person appointments, including lengthy, multi-part psychological testing) a lot of this dialogue is just exhausting. I haven’t even been able to find a prescriber who will treat me for ADHD (including my existing psychiatrist) because of the skepticism and I have a more robust form of documentation than most. Also as illustrated it may not be possible to get a prescription filled but I cant move forward at all which I think is in part due to the stigma around the increase in adults, and adult women in particular with inattentive type symptoms, are treated like we are fakers who are med seeking.

[wildrice]

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

[lilac05]

Aug 17, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

I think this is a really good point. I have a million thoughts on ADHD and whether it’s environmental or chemical and how our culture of do more, be more, have more is significantly impacting the number of people diagnosed with “ADHD” (a title that I absolutely hate, FWIW). We could talk forever about that…but it’s really not important here.

I’d also love to learn more about how they determine what’s a “controlled substance” and what isn’t.

[karinothing]

Aug 17, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

I have a friend with an Adderall addiction. It isn't good. She has an rx takea all the pills within the first couple days and then attemps to get them from other sources the rest of the time. Her life has basically fallen apart since she started on them. Overdoses on amphetamines aren't as news making as fentanyl but they absolutely do happen and are serious. So I don't think it is something that we should be dismissive of.

Anyway, not saying that the FDA shouldn't help increase production but it's not a harm free medication.. and I say this as someone whose kids takes stimulants ever single day (and whose life has been dramatically changed for the better).

[lilac05]

karinothing, thanks for sharing that. I wasn’t really aware that this was a thing. I’ll look more into it.

[scm1011]

Aug 17, 2023 11:11:52 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Aug 17, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

I have a friend with an Adderall addiction. It isn't good. She has an rx takea all the pills within the first couple days and then attemps to get them from other sources the rest of the time. Her life has basically fallen apart since she started on them. Overdoses on amphetamines aren't as news making as fentanyl but they absolutely do happen and are serious. So I don't think it is something that we should be dismissive of.

Anyway, not saying that the FDA shouldn't help increase production but it's not a harm free medication.. and I say this as someone whose kids takes stimulants ever single day (and whose life has been dramatically changed for the better).

I have a friend who clearly abuses their RX as well. Will stay up for days partying by taking Adderall and then crash and stay in bed for days. Its...not great.

[wanderingback]

Aug 17, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

Yes absolutely, stimulants can absolutely be detrimental to one’s health if not taken properly and yes people can become addicted and it negatively affects their lives.
People can argue about why this is happening and prescribing practices but let’s not pretend that stimulants can’t/don’t have adverse health effects and that people can’t/don’t get addicted.

[wanderingback]

Aug 17, 2023 11:11:15 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Aug 17, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My H and I have been talking about this in the last few months - who cares if they are overprescribed? We are not hearing about ADHD medication and overdoses the way we are with opioids. Sure, people should technically never be on medicines that they don't need - but are people destroying their lives or the lives of others by taking these medications when maybe they'd be ok without them? Are lots of people taking them just to get high and having negative outcomes from that? I haven't actually researched this so maybe there is compelling data on it - but it seems to me like the problem of people not having what they NEED is worse than the problem of some people getting something they don't need. I guess that's the American way (hello, every welfare discussion ever) but it's stupid. People shouldn't have to suffer from a shortage because someone over at the FDA thinks taking a stimulant when you don't need one is morally wrong.

I think this is a really good point. I have a million thoughts on ADHD and whether it’s environmental or chemical and how our culture of do more, be more, have more is significantly impacting the number of people diagnosed with “ADHD” (a title that I absolutely hate, FWIW). We could talk forever about that…but it’s really not important here.

I’d also love to learn more about how they determine what’s a “controlled substance” and what isn’t.

Stimulants absolutely are abused and have detrimental health effects.

Here’s info about the Controlled Substances Act
www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa#:~:text=The%20Controlled%20Substances%20Act%20(CSA,and%20safety%20or%20dependence%20liability.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 17, 2023 10:32:14 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Aug 17, 2023 10:07:54 GMT -5 JayTea said:

The issue is that the FDA has made manufacturers slow down their output because the number of prescriptions issued over the last several years has skyrocketed due to Drs prescribing ADHD meds through telehealth and the FDA has decided that by lowering the supply they can curb the amount of prescriptions. Drug companies are fighting this, but everyone is all "bad big Pharma". I work in the industry and we are trying everything we can to ramp up production.

Sure, don't punish the doctors for abusing their telehealth resources, punish the patients by issuing mandates to curb the production.

It's not a supply chain problem, per se - they have the supplies, they are just under a mandate to curb production.

I don’t disagree with most of what you've said here but I also want to push back on the idea that the irresponsible party here is doctors “abusing” telehealth services. Diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and frankly mental health conditions writ large are an absolute mess. While it doesn’t completely explain the uptick in diagnoses, access to some types of health care improved dramatically during the pandemic for a variety of reasons, including greater access to telehealth and increased maintenance of health coverage due to pandemic policies. There does not seem to be any evidence that doctors have abused telehealth or that the increase in ADHD diagnosis and prescription of meds is illegitimate, and the fact that the numbers have increased should not be assumed to be because of that. The FDA has majorly overstepped here and it’s definitely causing a lot of problems that exacerbate existing supply chain problems and really, broader damage to our health system infrastructure due to the covid pandemic. A lot of things are a mess for a whole web of complicated reasons and the narrative around over prescription and “bad pharma” (which I agree is not a universal truth) is just making it worse for everyone involved, but especially patients.

Frankly as an AFAB adult who was diagnosed with ADHD very recently (through a combo of telehealth and in person appointments, including lengthy, multi-part psychological testing) a lot of this dialogue is just exhausting. I haven’t even been able to find a prescriber who will treat me for ADHD (including my existing psychiatrist) because of the skepticism and I have a more robust form of documentation than most. Also as illustrated it may not be possible to get a prescription filled but I cant move forward at all which I think is in part due to the stigma around the increase in adults, and adult women in particular with inattentive type symptoms, are treated like we are fakers who are med seeking.

And quite frankly, are often treated like shit by pharmacies when actually filling meds, month after month.

[bookqueen15]

Considering that we have been trying to get a diagnosis for my DD for over two years now, I just don't understand how so many are getting diagnosed via telehealth? We are finally very close to a diagnosis now but it is frustrating to hear about the medication shortages. This has been such a long process for us.

[wanderingback]

Aug 17, 2023 12:27:02 GMT -5 bookqueen15 said:

Considering that we have been trying to get a diagnosis for my DD for over two years now, I just don't understand how so many are getting diagnosed via telehealth? We are finally very close to a diagnosis now but it is frustrating to hear about the medication shortages. This has been such a long process for us.

I assume your daughter is under 18?
From what I’ve seen, the telehealth companies that have popped over the past few years, typically only treat adults. So definitely still a challenge for mental health treatment for kids and teens. Plus a lot of the telehealth companies don’t take insurance.

[karinothing]

Aug 17, 2023 12:27:02 GMT -5 bookqueen15 said:

Considering that we have been trying to get a diagnosis for my DD for over two years now, I just don't understand how so many are getting diagnosed via telehealth? We are finally very close to a diagnosis now but it is frustrating to hear about the medication shortages. This has been such a long process for us.

I think it is not kids getting diagnosed via telehealth. I think it is okay to recognize that there may be some over prescribing in adults and also acknowledge that telehealth has been amazing for folks. I mentioned on ML before my main concern is folks getting diagnosed quickly and missing other diagnoses that can mimic adhd (depression or anxiety).

I am sorry you are struggling with getting a diagnosis.

[redheadbaker]

Aug 16, 2023 21:52:07 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

What am I finding particularly frustrating with the shortage is that the pharmacies in my area won’t tell you if they have the medication in stock bc it’s a controlled substance. And you can’t transfer the prescription once it’s sent to a pharmacy - even one in the same chain. So my doctor sends the Rx over to the CVS I usually use. They don’t have it which I don’t get notified of

This exact situation nearly brought me to tears every. single. month. with DS' meds. 

[Deleted]

Aug 17, 2023 10:32:14 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Aug 17, 2023 10:07:54 GMT -5 JayTea said:

The issue is that the FDA has made manufacturers slow down their output because the number of prescriptions issued over the last several years has skyrocketed due to Drs prescribing ADHD meds through telehealth and the FDA has decided that by lowering the supply they can curb the amount of prescriptions. Drug companies are fighting this, but everyone is all "bad big Pharma". I work in the industry and we are trying everything we can to ramp up production.

Sure, don't punish the doctors for abusing their telehealth resources, punish the patients by issuing mandates to curb the production.

It's not a supply chain problem, per se - they have the supplies, they are just under a mandate to curb production.

I don’t disagree with most of what you've said here but I also want to push back on the idea that the irresponsible party here is doctors “abusing” telehealth services. Diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and frankly mental health conditions writ large are an absolute mess. While it doesn’t completely explain the uptick in diagnoses, access to some types of health care improved dramatically during the pandemic for a variety of reasons, including greater access to telehealth and increased maintenance of health coverage due to pandemic policies. There does not seem to be any evidence that doctors have abused telehealth or that the increase in ADHD diagnosis and prescription of meds is illegitimate, and the fact that the numbers have increased should not be assumed to be because of that. The FDA has majorly overstepped here and it’s definitely causing a lot of problems that exacerbate existing supply chain problems and really, broader damage to our health system infrastructure due to the covid pandemic. A lot of things are a mess for a whole web of complicated reasons and the narrative around over prescription and “bad pharma” (which I agree is not a universal truth) is just making it worse for everyone involved, but especially patients.

Frankly as an AFAB adult who was diagnosed with ADHD very recently (through a combo of telehealth and in person appointments, including lengthy, multi-part psychological testing) a lot of this dialogue is just exhausting. I haven’t even been able to find a prescriber who will treat me for ADHD (including my existing psychiatrist) because of the skepticism and I have a more robust form of documentation than most. Also as illustrated it may not be possible to get a prescription filled but I cant move forward at all which I think is in part due to the stigma around the increase in adults, and adult women in particular with inattentive type symptoms, are treated like we are fakers who are med seeking.

You may have already tried this — but I found counseling to be SUPER helpful for managing my inattentive ADHD symptoms, getting my executive functioning on track, and improving my energy level/mood/general grumpiness at the end of the day. I’ve been able to put off needing medication (which I’m very thankful for right now). It might not be sufficient for everyone, but if you haven’t tried it yet, it could be worth a shot.

[seeyalater52]

Aug 17, 2023 13:30:53 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Aug 17, 2023 10:32:14 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

I don’t disagree with most of what you've said here but I also want to push back on the idea that the irresponsible party here is doctors “abusing” telehealth services. Diagnosis and treatment for ADHD and frankly mental health conditions writ large are an absolute mess. While it doesn’t completely explain the uptick in diagnoses, access to some types of health care improved dramatically during the pandemic for a variety of reasons, including greater access to telehealth and increased maintenance of health coverage due to pandemic policies. There does not seem to be any evidence that doctors have abused telehealth or that the increase in ADHD diagnosis and prescription of meds is illegitimate, and the fact that the numbers have increased should not be assumed to be because of that. The FDA has majorly overstepped here and it’s definitely causing a lot of problems that exacerbate existing supply chain problems and really, broader damage to our health system infrastructure due to the covid pandemic. A lot of things are a mess for a whole web of complicated reasons and the narrative around over prescription and “bad pharma” (which I agree is not a universal truth) is just making it worse for everyone involved, but especially patients.

Frankly as an AFAB adult who was diagnosed with ADHD very recently (through a combo of telehealth and in person appointments, including lengthy, multi-part psychological testing) a lot of this dialogue is just exhausting. I haven’t even been able to find a prescriber who will treat me for ADHD (including my existing psychiatrist) because of the skepticism and I have a more robust form of documentation than most. Also as illustrated it may not be possible to get a prescription filled but I cant move forward at all which I think is in part due to the stigma around the increase in adults, and adult women in particular with inattentive type symptoms, are treated like we are fakers who are med seeking.

You may have already tried this — but I found counseling to be SUPER helpful for managing my inattentive ADHD symptoms, getting my executive functioning on track, and improving my energy level/mood/general grumpiness at the end of the day. I’ve been able to put off needing medication (which I’m very thankful for right now). It might not be sufficient for everyone, but if you haven’t tried it yet, it could be worth a shot.

I appreciate the suggestion! I’m in counseling, although I may need to find an executive functioning coach of some kind because ADHD and my other mental health issues are all exacerbated by trauma in my past so it’s difficult to focus on ADHD specifically in that context because there are so many pressing things I need support with.

Right now I am mostly trying to stem the bleeding but once I’m more stable I’m hopeful I’ll be able to use non-med strategies effectively.

[karinothing]

Aug 17, 2023 12:48:13 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Aug 16, 2023 21:52:07 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

What am I finding particularly frustrating with the shortage is that the pharmacies in my area won’t tell you if they have the medication in stock bc it’s a controlled substance. And you can’t transfer the prescription once it’s sent to a pharmacy - even one in the same chain. So my doctor sends the Rx over to the CVS I usually use. They don’t have it which I don’t get notified of

This exact situation nearly brought me to tears every. single. month. with DS' meds. 

Really? I had zero issue calling pharmacies to ask if they have meds in stock. Maybe this is a state law issue?

I do hate they don't notify you if the med isn't in stock they just wait forever. I started calling 24 hours later if I don't hear from them

[roni]

I have struggled with getting my son his medicine as well. My son's provider gave the tip that having his medications filled at a pharmacy that sees an older patient profile is helpful and (fingers crossed) this has worked for us!

[spindle92]

Aug 17, 2023 12:44:11 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Aug 17, 2023 12:27:02 GMT -5 bookqueen15 said:

Considering that we have been trying to get a diagnosis for my DD for over two years now, I just don't understand how so many are getting diagnosed via telehealth? We are finally very close to a diagnosis now but it is frustrating to hear about the medication shortages. This has been such a long process for us.

I think it is not kids getting diagnosed via telehealth. I think it is okay to recognize that there may be some over prescribing in adults and also acknowledge that telehealth has been amazing for folks. I mentioned on ML before my main concern is folks getting diagnosed quickly and missing other diagnoses that can mimic adhd (depression or anxiety).

I am sorry you are struggling with getting a diagnosis.

100% agree.
This is my beef with social media and adult influencers.  (I mentioned a former poster over on ML as my example).   Kids are not the problem.  Its social media glorifying or making it cool for adults to say "I have ADHD" and then finding these drs who will prescribe these meds to them without a formal diagnosis.

I'm sorry but a quick 10 question survey is not a proper diagnosis. 

Its also insulting to all the people who are jumping thru hoop after hoop trying to get a proper diagnosis and when they finally do, they cannot get the medication they need.


  

[bookqueen15]

Aug 17, 2023 12:42:27 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Aug 17, 2023 12:27:02 GMT -5 bookqueen15 said:

Considering that we have been trying to get a diagnosis for my DD for over two years now, I just don't understand how so many are getting diagnosed via telehealth? We are finally very close to a diagnosis now but it is frustrating to hear about the medication shortages. This has been such a long process for us.

I assume your daughter is under 18?
From what I’ve seen, the telehealth companies that have popped over the past few years, typically only treat adults. So definitely still a challenge for mental health treatment for kids and teens. Plus a lot of the telehealth companies don’t take insurance.

Yes, she's 9. I understand that it's not children being diagnosed via telehealth doctors but it's frustrating to hear that adults are being diagnosed so much quicker and now medications are not available, to both adults and children. Part of our long process was because we needed to go through our health insurance as paying out of pocket wasn't feasible for us. After such a long journey that really started more like 4 years ago when some of her behavioral issues first started, it's discouraging to realize that even once we finally get a diagnosis the medication she needs may not be available. I have already been struggling to find her a therapist. Mental health treatment for kids and teens is definitely challenging! 

[ESF]

Aug 17, 2023 14:06:00 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Aug 17, 2023 12:48:13 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

This exact situation nearly brought me to tears every. single. month. with DS' meds. 

Really? I had zero issue calling pharmacies to ask if they have meds in stock. Maybe this is a state law issue?

I do hate they don't notify you if the med isn't in stock they just wait forever. I started calling 24 hours later if I don't hear from them

In some cases, it may be a state law issue. In other cases, it's a corporate policy or insurance issue - perhaps fear that people with addiction issues are scoping them out for a robbery.

CVS is the worst. The CVS in my neighborhood wouldn't even tell me over the phone if they had filled my prescription, and would make me come in to tell me they don't have it yet.  I hate them.

Walgreens wouldn't tell me if they had it in stock before I had my dr call it in. They would once they had my rx though.

Giant will tell me over the phone if they have it in stock before my dr calls it in. So that's what I use exclusively now.

These places are all basically within a mile of each other. It's so irritating. 

[lilac05]

Aug 17, 2023 11:58:57 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Aug 17, 2023 11:11:15 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I think this is a really good point. I have a million thoughts on ADHD and whether it’s environmental or chemical and how our culture of do more, be more, have more is significantly impacting the number of people diagnosed with “ADHD” (a title that I absolutely hate, FWIW). We could talk forever about that…but it’s really not important here.

I’d also love to learn more about how they determine what’s a “controlled substance” and what isn’t.

Stimulants absolutely are abused and have detrimental health effects.

Here’s info about the Controlled Substances Act
www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa#:~:text=The%20Controlled%20Substances%20Act%20(CSA,and%20safety%20or%20dependence%20liability.

Thanks for that info.

In my quick response, I failed to consider what stimulants do to people who don’t need them & why they’d be enticing. Stimulants have the feeling of slowing me down, and there is definitely no “high” for me. I am definitely more productive, but because I have more focus, not more energy.

[lilac05]

Aug 17, 2023 16:10:46 GMT -5 ESF said:

Aug 17, 2023 14:06:00 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Really? I had zero issue calling pharmacies to ask if they have meds in stock. Maybe this is a state law issue?

I do hate they don't notify you if the med isn't in stock they just wait forever. I started calling 24 hours later if I don't hear from them

In some cases, it may be a state law issue. In other cases, it's a corporate policy or insurance issue - perhaps fear that people with addiction issues are scoping them out for a robbery.

CVS is the worst. The CVS in my neighborhood wouldn't even tell me over the phone if they had filled my prescription, and would make me come in to tell me they don't have it yet.  I hate them.

Walgreens wouldn't tell me if they had it in stock before I had my dr call it in. They would once they had my rx though.

Giant will tell me over the phone if they have it in stock before my dr calls it in. So that's what I use exclusively now.

These places are all basically within a mile of each other. It's so irritating. 

This must be state-wide. We have to use CVS for our Rx coverage. When they were out, they told me that they could let me know which places had it in stock so I could call the doctor and ask for the Rx to be sent there.. I chose to just wait until it was in stock, and he said I could check the app or call to see if it was ready yet.

It’s all just so frustrating.

[ESF]

First, as a reminder, stimulant medication is not just used for ADHD. There are tons of other uses for it. For example, Adderal is approved to treat narcolopsy. Vyvanse is approved for binge eating disorder. Others treat depression. There are lots of legit off label uses, like treating brain fog for people with MS.  This shortage is effecting tons and tons of people.  

As for the spike in ADHD diagnoses, yes, there's been one. 

This is pretty easy to explain.

Plenty of people with ADHD could function just fine 10 years ago without medication, but look around at what has changed in our world.

Pre-smart phones, it was a hell of a lot easier to live with undiagnosed or unmedicated ADHD.

But today, I don't know a person alive (ADHD or not) who isn't just completely burnt out from dealing with the explosion of apps, notifications, subscriptions, junk email, spam, telemarketers, unauthorized fees, social media platforms, instant messaging through 900 different channels, credit report monitoring, password updates, password hacks,  etc etc etc. 

And everything is just more annoying. Cars have computer screens that have to be fidgeted with, you can't just turn a TV on to watch anymore, grocery stores make you check out your own groceries.... 

Nobody can function as well today as they could years ago.

So it shouldn't be any surprise that people whose brains have lower levels of dopamine and thus, can't regulate inputs and outputs efficiently are not able to function nearly as well as they could when they lived in a world that didn't require as much dopamine, because the world didn't require them to process so many inputs and outputs all day long.  

Of course, the social media that is ruining our brains is also partly responsible for people with ADHD beign able to figure out that they have ADHD and actually advocate for themselves, so a small plus, and another reason why diagnoses have increased.

[suburbanzookeeper]

Aug 17, 2023 12:48:13 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Aug 16, 2023 21:52:07 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

What am I finding particularly frustrating with the shortage is that the pharmacies in my area won’t tell you if they have the medication in stock bc it’s a controlled substance. And you can’t transfer the prescription once it’s sent to a pharmacy - even one in the same chain. So my doctor sends the Rx over to the CVS I usually use. They don’t have it which I don’t get notified of

This exact situation nearly brought me to tears every. single. month. with DS' meds. 

Us too. I feel like I'm losing my mind every month when I try to fill - we literally were rationing meds over the summer because we couldn't consistently fill and were forced down from 90 days to 30 days. And, the cherry on top, because we went more than 60 days between fills due to supply issues, Kaiser made us have another phone appointment to verify he was still on the meds and made me acknowledge how hard it could be on him if he's not regularly on his medication... NO SHIT. There's only two pharmacies in our local network that are open beyond 9-5 M-F that we can even try to fill on nights/weekends but we've they're 30+ minutes away and we've gone out there several times only to find out the computer was wrong or they didn't have his dosage. DS is dyslexic with ADHD. 

I was DX'd shortly after my son was at the recommendation of his specialist and haven't been put on meds. At this point I don't see the point of even fighting for it if I can't get his filled.

[Poppy]

IDK, I have FEELINGS about this because I did seek help with suspected ADHD. My primary referred me to a psych who did not take insurance and billed by the hour. We only met virtually (by my request, due to COVID and convenience), and she did more of a short screening than a big hours long assessment. And when she prescribed, she prescribed large doses and large quantities, because prescribing for a controlled substance has so much overhead for the Dr so it saved us both time. I kinda wonder if this would be considered a pill mill situation? I had to wait a few months for the first simulant script because she wanted to address my anxiety first. Neither Adderall or Ritalin seemed to help me and so I still have rather large quantities of both which makes me feel guilty during this shortage.

IDK, I am disappointed it didn't help. I ended up quitting my job a year ago - partly due to the stress of failing constantly at executive functioning. The ADHD screening was a hail Mary before I quit. I still don't know whether I actually have ADHD and I feel like I could use support, but I also feel like an imposter when I talk about it with people. Ugh. It just sucks all around.

[karinothing]

Aug 17, 2023 19:58:13 GMT -5 Poppy said:

IDK, I have FEELINGS about this because I did seek help with suspected ADHD. My primary referred me to a psych who did not take insurance and billed by the hour. We only met virtually (by my request, due to COVID and convenience), and she did more of a short screening than a big hours long assessment. And when she prescribed, she prescribed large doses and large quantities, because prescribing for a controlled substance has so much overhead for the Dr so it saved us both time. I kinda wonder if this would be considered a pill mill situation? I had to wait a few months for the first simulant script because she wanted to address my anxiety first. Neither Adderall or Ritalin seemed to help me and so I still have rather large quantities of both which makes me feel guilty during this shortage.

IDK, I am disappointed it didn't help. I ended up quitting my job a year ago - partly due to the stress of failing constantly at executive functioning. The ADHD screening was a hail Mary before I quit. I still don't know whether I actually have ADHD and I feel like I could use support, but I also feel like an imposter when I talk about it with people. Ugh. It just sucks all around.

I am sorry this was your experience. It might be beneficial talking with another doctor. Or you can look into an executive functioning coach. I think the thing with ADHD meds is they don't give you skills you didn't have before but they can give you a way to learn skills that you didn't have before.

I am surprised she gave you large doses and large quantities initially. Granted mine is for my kid but we only got very low doses and 2 week supplies at first. It was all very limited.

[lilac05]

Poppy, there’s nothing to feel guilty about. You are not part of the problem here. (The physician might be another conversation…but that’s completely separate from you.)

It’s possible to have executive function disorders without ADHD, which is what you could be experiencing. Anxiety and depression also significantly impact executive functioning. Don’t give up on finding support. You deserve it! I agree that an executive functioning coach might be a good option, if you can afford it. ADHD Coaches are a dime a dozen (and quality and cost varies significantly), but that might be another option. They don’t take insurance (to my knowledge) and you don’t need any proof of a diagnosis to ge their support. Even an online support group might be helpful, and there are some really helpful apps, depending on what your biggest challenges are.

[Poppy]

Aug 17, 2023 20:55:39 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I am surprised she gave you large doses and large quantities initially. Granted mine is for my kid but we only got very low doses and 2 week supplies at first. It was all very limited.

Yeah, I mean it did make me go "huh". To be fair, she told me to start low and I was quartering pills on her recommendation. She was asking for me to monitor my BP and send her updates, and then met me (virtually) weekly to check in.

But if I had been seeking meds inappropriately, it seems like not the right approach. Again since she billed hourly (including for time spent on paperwork for prescribing) it does kind of make sense that it's easier to get a larger amount and then cut pills to start at a lower dose unless a larger dose is needed... In contrast, with the anxiety meds she prescribed we started with smaller doses and did new scripts for increases.

I don't know what to think. Mostly I feel really sad that it didn't help me, with a side of guilt about taking up limited resources.

I asked about counseling and she recommended a few ADHD coaches to look into. I did research those but it felt like I had already come up with lots of tricks to mask my struggles, which was most of the stuff they were advising on. I have become a power user of reminders, lists, clock tricks for maintaining time awareness, etc. Years ago I deleted all my social media, viciously culled my apps, notifications, and email inbox. But bottom line is that nothing has helped me to manage my focus and complete important but uninteresting tasks. Between the anxiety meds and quitting my job I am much less stressed, but it still affects my marriage and personal relationships and holds me back from my personal goals. It's extremely frustrating.
(Sorry to derail the thread)