Doing the right thing?

@rowantree (1186)
United States
June 25, 2007 9:04pm CST
First of all, the doctor problems started a long time ago. Ok, so in October we took my daughter to the doctor and I specifically stated numerous times I wasn't looking for a diagnosis of ADHD, I was looking to discover if she had some other medical problem or if it was behavioral or whatever - I just wanted to get her the help she needed. Didn't discuss any of that, she was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type. Got a computer? Got internet? Research the ADHD drugs online, pick one & give him a call and he'll prescribe it. Ta-ta folks, have a nice day. Fast foward to May, when I finally gave in and chose Adderall. Tried it for almost a month and saw no change in daughter's behavior at all. Called doctor & left message. Doctor called back and I was in the shower. I called office and was told the doctor wasn't there. I argued with the receptionist for about 5 minutes on the phone and she held steadfast that there was no way the doctor left me a message on my voice mail. Asked her to explain the caller ID. She then transferred me to a nurse, who told me the doctor WAS in fact in and apologized for the receptionist. Would have the doctor call me. Talked to the doctor, very kind on the phone, was leaving me samples of Strattera to try and I should call him in 2 weeks. Picked up the Strattera, along with a handwritten note from the doctor. Ok. So today is the day that according to the note, I'm to call him. Well yes, especially since I'm out of Strattera starting today, right? Figured he would either phone in a script or give me more samples. I call and the receptionist tells me he's not there. I ask her what do I do, my daughter is out of meds, if he isn't going to be in until Wednesday, then my daughter won't have her meds until sometime then or Thursday. I then get a very long, very rude, lecture from the receptionist about how I should have called last week, but that's neither here nor there now, is it? she asks very snidely. I've had enough. I tell her "EXCUSE ME?" She says "I'm sorry?" me: You should be sorry! I have a handwritten note from the doctor right here that says I am to call him TODAY, not last week but TODAY. You are extremely rude! Blah blah, something like that. Anyways, she says she's sorry in a voice that is very clear that she does not mean it. Conversation ends. So how frustrating is that? The doctor isn't out of town. He's not on vacation. She could have paged him, she could have checked with another doctor there (there's 5 doctors in the practice) and had them give me another sample bottle for today. Due to another doctor's total inability to be a doctor, I had already withdrawn my son from their care and his doctor is now 1/2 hour away. He's a fantastic doctor, well educated and very well known. I've been wanting to take my daughter there but my ex has been dragging his feet. Yes I could have just taken her anyway, but my ex and I have an unusual relationship where we actually respect each other's wishes and visitation is extremely open. We live 3 blocks away from each other on the same street and get along just fine. Anyways, he agreed about taking our daughter to the other doctor. I call for an appointment and find out he's on vacation all week and won't be in until next Monday. But I can come in to pick up a ADHD checklist form that I have to fill out for him to look at before making an appointment anyway. So the entire family gets ready to trek out. I make copies of all the paperwork from the original appt in October. I pick up the form from the office, fill it out and return it with my paperwork. So now I am just waiting to hear from that doctor and it won't be until next week. The only problem is that my daughter will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks starting July 5th or 6th and will be starting summer school when she returns. I was trying to get her on medication before summer school started and I guess that just isn't going to happen. I could have called the first doctor's office back and asked to speak to a nurse. I'm not really sure I'm doing the right thing because I don't know if the Strattera was helping her or not. In some ways I thought I did see it helping and in other ways I know for a fact that it wasn't helping her at all. I don't know if this is due to her not being on the Strattera long enough or what. Now I guess it doesn't even matter, because she's off it. I'm so frustrated because it just seems like I can never get any answers or any medical person to help me with my daughter. The doctor diagnosed her quick enough but that was all. Where's the behavior modification techniques his receptionist told me he'd teach us? Where's the counseling referrals? Where's all the information on the different options available for treatment? Where's the medication information? We never got any of that. I should stop obsessing. Once she sees the new doctor, everything is going to be ok, because at least I know that that doctor knows what he's doing and is educated and up to date and will have plenty of options and advice on treatment. Right?
1 response
@femcsw2 (225)
• United States
13 Jul 07
You have made the right choice to choose a new doctor. My son was diganosed with Adhd about a year ago, it has been a long tough haul. He now takes 4 meds a day. AderralXr,Lexapro,Straterra and trazadone. I was very scared about all of the meds at first but have seen noticeable improvement with his behavior and social skills. Most times finding the right treatment is hit and miss but hang in there and if you don't like the new dr keep looking. It will definatately be worth it once the right treatment is discovered!