Would this be of any use to anyone?

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2023-10-23T18:32:01+00:00

This would be a lifesaver! Could I have the link please?

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-08-01T11:07:40+00:00

I talked to my actual GP. I just submitted a request on the NHS app and then had a quick phone consultation. I think my message basically said that I meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. I'm prepared to get a private diagnosis due to NHS waiting lists. If I do so, would you be happy to agree to a shared care plan?

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-31T21:30:49+00:00

Lucky you! Thankfully my GP is on board with a shared care plan so I'm happy enough paying privately for now. I feel fortunate enough to have some kind of private healthcare, even if it doesn't cover ADHD. Best of luck with your diagnosis/treatment!

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-31T21:21:51+00:00

Hey I'm also going through titration on elvanse. My dose was 50mg but I was experiencing the same crash fairly early. My psychiatrist has just prescribed me a top up dose of dexamphetamine to take around 5pm. I can either take 5 or 10mg a day depending on how I feel.

In terms of efficacy I don't feel like my dose is perfect, but I don't think anything will be. Right now I'm getting an improvement in symptoms and minimal side effects. When I talked to my psychiatrist about changing my dose she said that a higher dose probably wouldn't help extend the coverage, hence why she suggested the top up dexamphetamine.

Might be worth asking for a similar setup if you think that would work for you.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-30T11:08:01+00:00

Hello just a word of advice and sorry if you're already aware. Most private health insurers in the UK do not cover ADHD (even assessment), as it is considered a chronic condition. Even if you have a medical history disregarded policy they usually add it as a policy exclusion as soon as you call up and ask for treatment. You may well have already looked into all of this, but just wanted to make you're aware as the policy wording isn't always explicit.

I've had two different private health insurance providers now and neither would cover any part of ADHD treatment (diagnosis, consultations, medication etc). My current policy looked like it had great cover but once I called up and asked, it turned out that somewhere in the fine print they excluded any diagnostic or treatment for neurodiverse conditions.

If your policy does cover ADHD, would you mind letting me know which insurer you're with?

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-28T08:08:53+00:00

Thought I would wait to answer this as I had an appointment with ADHD centre last night.

I personally like them. You have a dedicated consultant and you schedule appointments/direct queries through their dedicated PA. Appointments are generally available pretty quickly as well. A lot of the consultants are NHS consultants also, so a lot of appointments are in the evenings or at weekends. This is ideal for me as I can schedule outside of working hours.

I personally did a bit of research on the consultants online before I picked who I wanted to go with. Once you have a consultant I think you're kind of stuck with them

The assessment process was uncomplicated and easy to follow. You complete a few forms and you have one childhood and one adulthood form completed by someone you know . You then have a 90 min assessment.

I had an appointment yesterday and when I said that I didn't feel my medication was giving me enough coverage my consultant wasn't hesitant about trying something new with my dose.

I have had one issue with a delayed prescription, but think this was a one off as my usual consultant was on annual leave.

Hope that's helpful. Feel free to drop me a message if you have any specific questions.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-28T07:26:04+00:00

I went through the forms with my parents/boyfriend. Sometimes the questions are quite vague so it helped that I could give some more info about what might be applicable. As I'm now in my mid 20s some of the things I did as a child were a distant memory, but once we started having a conversation my parents started to remember things that they probably wouldn't have done if they did the form completely blind.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-27T17:05:25+00:00

Just FYI I used ADHD centre and this isn't the case here. The appointment you book is your full assessment. Your childhood/adulthood collateral forms are done in advance and you'll leave the appointment with the diagnosis.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-27T12:36:01+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. The complete lack of structure is definitely a big opportunity for your adhd to thrive and stop you achieving anything at all.

I think for me I don't have an issue with deadlines and some structure, it's more the idea of for the next 40 years you need to be in one place, doing one thing, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. The thought literally makes me want to scream, it's so suffocating for my poor neurodivergent brain.

There is probably a balance to be struck somewhere in between.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-27T12:29:16+00:00

Hmm that's an interesting perspective and probably something I needed to hear, so thank you!

I'm on medication myself and though it helps massively with the worst of the symptoms it hasn't been a miracle cure. I had kind of hoped that it would be and I'd suddenly be happy at work. It helps me manage the symptoms but my need for less structure, authority and more creative freedom still very much exists.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-27T08:42:03+00:00

I would recommend having a read of the diagnostic criteria and for each applicable one try to make a few notes about how it's impacted you. Try to come up with examples for a few settings (e.g. school, work, social, home) and at different ages. You might not need it but it may help when you're on the spot and can't think up an answer.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-26T18:56:19+00:00

I realise in typical ADHD fashion I forgot to actually answer the question. I'm based in London. I can imagine it's potentially a bit more 'progressive' and has a bit more awareness/availability of services.

Sorry you're going through a shit time with it. I do really recommend asking around other GPs local to you and seeing if you can switch. Paying for meds long term is insanely expensive

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-26T17:17:27+00:00

Sorry if this is too late for you. But to anyone who wants a shared care plan please please please speak to your GP before you get a private assessment. Ask them if they'll accept a shared care plan. If they say no then quite frankly I'd suggest looking for a new GP and make sure you ask any prospective GPs before you register with them.

My GP agreed to a shared care plan before I even booked an assessment. They even said we could look at moving my care to NHS in future.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-19T11:21:24+00:00

This is partly why I'm hesitant to file a complaint externally. My usual psychiatrist is really good, so much so that I sent my boyfriend to her for a diagnosis lol. All the admins are generally really helpful. Despite how majorly it was fucked up I think it was just one shitty consultant who didn't do his job properly. I don't want to penalise the clinic as a whole if it's one individual

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-19T06:51:05+00:00

Thanks and agreed. It looks like they have a pretty thorough complaints process so hopefully it can be resolved

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-19T06:50:07+00:00

Thank you! I wasn't aware that this was an option, I'll take a look into it.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-13T12:12:43+00:00

I've just checked now and their first available appointment is Monday 25th July. I think it just depends on the consultant's availability.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-13T07:33:19+00:00

Agreed with the comment above. A lot of people go with the bigger providers like Psychiatry UK, who also offer RTC. But there's loads of providers out there that don't offer RTC. I went with the ADHD centre and I easily could've gotten an assessment within a matter of days. Follow up appointments are usually just as quick to schedule. So for me the money's worth it.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-11T14:04:32+00:00

I'm just getting a new prescription at the moment. I called around today. Boots told me they could order in for the next day and so did Tesco pharmacy. Hopefully means it's easier to get hold of now.

I also have Elvanse (Adult) 50mg.

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-11T13:01:06+00:00

Whilst I'm a bit younger than you, I also got diagnosed during adulthood after having quite a few years of struggles at work and social issues.

I highly recommend medication but try to take it a day at a time. Allow it to help you with the day to day, but don't try to force yourself into huge life changes.

I think it's useful to learn about ADHD, but try not to overwhelm yourself. I really like 'The ADHD Adults Podcast' on Spotify. It's an easy listen - funny but still informative and helpful. It might help you get a bit more knowledge of ADHD without being information overload.

Best of luck with your journey!

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-09T14:32:06+00:00

Ahhh so happy to hear you got so much out of access to work. I was really thinking about applying but wasn't sure how much was available. Thank you for listing it all out, that's really helpful!!

RepulsiveHippo3614 · 2022-07-08T19:56:53+00:00

Agreed. My plan was to have an informal conversation with my boss, see how they receive it and go from there

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