Free Webinar Replay: Cracking the ADHD Medication Maze: How to Get, Afford, and Refill Your Prescriptions With Minimum Hassle

9 Comments: Free Webinar Replay: Cracking the ADHD Medication Maze: How to Get, Afford, and Refill Your Prescriptions With Minimum Hassle

1. My son has tried many medications and the new Mydayis seems as though it would be great for him since Adderal worked but wore off too quickly and he crashed from it while still in school. Problem is the insurance company has declined covering it and it was appealed by myself and the Dr but still declined. Is there a trick behind getting ins. company to approve medications they wouldn’t normally cover?

2. As both an adult w ADHD and a clinical social worker in private practice who treats adults with ADHD I have a question regarding how doctors and insurance companies respond to clients who take stimulants. I had a bad cough and extremely sore throat back in January and went to a walk-in clinic where I’ve gone for more than 15 years (so they have my records). I mentioned that in the past (over 10 years ago I’d say; I’m fortunately very healthy in general) I had good luck with tylenol/codeine for cough and sore throat. I was told by the doctor that I could not get codeine cough medicine because of my monthly stimulant prescription. She said that there is too much oversight now and she couldn’t prescribe an opiate to someone already taking a controlled substance. She also stated that insurance companies would not be covering such a combination in the near future. She also mentioned that this included prescription sleeping pills such as Ambien/Zolpidem.

   I received a steroid shot to help with the sore throat and a prescription cough suppressant, which worked moderately, but my concern is for myself and other clients taking stimulants. What if we truly needed another controlled substance / an opiate for whatever reason (I’m thinking post surgery pain, being in an accident, etc.)

   I understand that there is a true danger of addiction w controlled substances, and that opiates are no longer automatically prescribed for pain, which I agree with, but what happens to the person with ADHD who finds him or herself in a situation where a controlled substance is truly medically indicated? I may be overly thinking this, as I know there is a lot of research on methods of treating pain that do not require opiates, but it still gave me pause. Do you have any insight into this? Thank you!

3. When you address finding the right provider, will you please be sure to talk about using a pediatrician familiar with ADHD meds vs. waiting several months and paying for a child psychiatrist? Is one a better long term plan? Are pediatricians generally effective as a first stop, reserving the psychiatrist for more difficult situations? Thank you!

4. Can you please answer in the talk, I can’t listen live: Six medications so far, no symptom relief. Should I keep trying? Last prescriber made no attempt to adjust dose of either Straterra (caused drowsyness, lethargy within an hour) or Vyvaance (insomnia.) I wonder if Straterra would have worked at a lower dose; I was only on it 2 or 3 days. Past experience with stimulants showed no improvement at any dose. Thanks,and welcome to my town 🙂

   1. Yesterday at my daughter’s ADHD med-check, we talked about alternatives to the current treatment plan. She brought up Straterra, but also said that she uses it as an addition to a stimulant medication, rather than as an alternative. It tends to cause drowsiness, so it’s a good bedtime med that helps with sleep and also with a more productive morning. She also said it takes 6-8 weeks to build up in your system to the point where it’s helping with anything other than sleeping.

      My sister’s doc told her that some people don’t respond to ADHD meds. That doesn’t mean they don’t have ADHD, just that the medications don’t address their particular needs. Dr. Amen has some interesting information about seven different types of ADHD and what types of medication help which types of ADHD. Use the ADDitude search for articles from him.

      You might also need to find a different doc for yourself. There are still medical professionals out there who don’t believe that ADHD is real, or that it persists into adulthood. Hopefully, you’re just dealing with someone who doesn’t have the most up to date information, rather than someone who chooses not to have any information.

5. Thank you so much for this webinar! Laurie Dupar is a great speaker, especially for those of us with short attention spans and a need for entertainment along with our information. I’ve never been disappointed in one of her talks.

   In addition to the tips for remembering to TAKE meds, please include some ideas for remembering check-in with the doc every 30 days, whether it’s a face-to-face appointment or a phone call to ask for the monthly scrip.

6. I have tried two or three meds with crippling anxiety causing me to discontinue use. What do you recommend. Cymbalta has little effect.

7. Why do you refrain from mentioning the addictive trait of stimulants? My 30 year old daughter’s life (and mine) has been ruined by her addiction to Ritalin and sleeping pills. If it’s non addictive why does the doctor refuse to prescribe her enough to get her through the day? Who takes responsibility for the addiction?

8. Can you touch on the topic of how to get the other non custodial parent to “remember” to give the medication and\or even how to get them on board with medication?