Truth

So - the 'second opinion' was today.

Nice guy, he actually didn't say anything to piss me off really, was polite, interested, and appeared impartial.

I got to use the "What makes you think I HAVEN'T got ADD?' line - ha ha ha ha!!

His answer? "I don't know"

And then finally the truth about why they are putting us (ADD patients here) through such an interrogation.

Someone somewhere has decided that Dr M - my original doctor - was prescribing "Too many stimulant medications" and it was decided that every person that came up for review this year would be harshly scrutinised.
OK - well just to start with Dr M had an advertisement in the yellow pages as 'Specialising in child/adult ADD/ADHD' so one would assume that would increase the number of appointments from ADD families, hence the increased prescription rate?

Why couldn't that other F*ckwit have explained this?
Doesn't change the fact that it is wrong, but I asked him directly if he had a problem with Dr M's diagnosis's - and he didn't tell me .

Also he mentioned about trying Strattera (non stimulant medication - got it for Possum once - $125 per script) - when I told him this he reckons it's now on the PBS? Who cares, it doesn't work for us.
So then I dropped this ~ 'To be prescribed Strattera I would have to have a diagnosis of ADD - so if that is my diagnosis why not let me stay on the medication that actually works?'
Yeah - no answer to THAT one.

I was on fire with the comebacks today.

I even asked him if he believes in adult ADHD and how many patients is he currently treating/prescribing?

Because if he doesn't then the result of my appointment was a foregone conclusion and another waste of my time.....

He answered that one with that it's all on a professional basis, and his personal beliefs don't come into it.
Sure.
It'd be like me recommending a product to someone that I know is crap/faulty/doesn't work.
No answer on how many patients though......

So anyway, no answer today he wants to go over it all and will then send a letter to my GP and the other freak that I saw last time.

I'm not holding my breath for the outcome I need.

Although he did look when I said if I don't get approval from there that I will send me to a private doctor anyway.......take that!!!

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In other news ~ I sent an email to Small Mans doctor in Melbourne (while I'm on a roll) ~ I hadn't heard from him, my GP sent a letter a month or so ago and we hadn't received a reply.

Anyway he replied first thing this morning and mentioned another option for Small Man ~ it's called an intragastric balloon.
Basically a balloon which is filled with water is put into the stomach via the mouth (so no surgery) under twilight sedation, it is in for 6 months then removed.

It is designed to make the stomach feel full.

Less invasive than a lap band, but less permanent and I'm not sure if private health will cover it (what I read was they will cover the removal, not the insertion??? Wha ??) - $6000 is a lot to pay for 6 months, whereas the lap band is fully covered and stays in as long as needed....

He wants to research it further and is getting back to me, he asked if I wanted to bring Small Man over to see him...not sure it's needed just at present...our GP is amazing and any real concerns he can deal with for now.

So lots to consider at the moment.

I feel quite exhausted after so much in my head today,

G
xxx