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| phoenix44 |
Join Date:
Fri 6th Jun 2008
Threads: 1 Posts: 0 |
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Neurotransmitter Testing?
I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD in January of 2004. Although I never displayed any signs or symptoms as a child or adolescent, I apparently do have it now. And as all the doctors (and I've seen quite a few) write on the prescription, it is severe. But since I was diagnosed with ADHD along with a major Depressive Disorder and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder following the sudden, unexpected death of my fiance, the ADHD seemed to be the least of my worries or concerns and was placed on the backburner not only by me, but by my doctors as well. It is only in the past few months that I have done more and more research that I have come to the conclusion that the ADHD may well be the most serious, if not the most prevalent of my diagnoses. I no longer take any anti-depressants since I never responded to the 20+ I was ever prescribed. I feel much better since making the decision to be weaned off the anti-depressants. My fiance died in June of 1998 and though this was the darkest, most inexplicably painful (for lack of better words, since there are none to accurately describe this) time in my life, I somehow got through it and managed to complete several semesters of college and have had at least 2 other meaningful, lasting relationships. Don't get me wrong though. Not a day goes by, that my fiance doesn't enter my thoughts or my dreams. And though I do have my days, I am still here. I should probably include in this the fact that though he died in June of 1998, I didn't seek treatment of any kind until about mid-2003. I now believe it was then that my troubles began. I was overmedicated and a zombie. I have been unable to complete college even though I have always been an exemplary student who graduated high school with top honors at the top of my large and competitive class of nearly 500 students and in only 3 years. I have every symptom of ADHD and am currently taking Adderall, 20mg, 3 times a day. I recently had to once again change doctors and since I've been doing more research on my theory that my ADHD is actually the source of my problems, brought up to my new doctor that I didn't feel that my medication was working as well as it once had. So he scheduled a test I never knew existed and I was wondering (after much rambling, I apologize) if anyone else has ever taken this test, how accurate it is, and how expensive it can be since I am a cash patient. It is urine test that measures the following neurotransmitters in the brain: epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine serotonin, PEA (pheylethylamine), histamine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), glutamate, and glutamine. Apparently, this test quantifies and allows the doctor to better treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, poor appetite control, compulsive behaviors, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, ability to focus, and sleep problems. You would wonder why this test was not given to me before messing with my mind with various drugs. Doesn't it make sense to be given at least the option for this test BEFORE any type of treatment so that the doctor knows what exactly to treat, rather than playing the guessing game? Anyway, I guess it is a moot point now. But I was hoping for any feedback anyone has on this or anything. All is much appreciated. Thanks for listening. Sorry for the lengthy rambling to get to my main point. Just one of my many out of control symptoms. |
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| Anni |
Join Date:
Thu 25th Oct 2007
Threads: 2 Posts: 179 |
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Some Info
Hi there: Welcome to the ADDitude forums and for posting your story. First, I'm so sorry for your loss and for the treatment labrynth you've had to navigate over the past 10 years. I'm not familiar with neurotrasmitter testing, per se, but ADDitude does have a really comprehensive article about SPECT and qEEG tests that sound quite similar. Check out this 'brain scan' article and see if these procedures sound similar to what your doctor has described: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/783.html Best of luck! |
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