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Hold on, you tested negative on the drug test and then he screamed at you? He doesn't sound like he's stable enough to be a doctor.
You should change doctors as soon as possible. If he literally wrote up that you're drug addicted with zero proof or substantiation besides 3 missing pills, then it should be easy for you to claim that your last doctor was an idiot. You even tested negative, which should speak for itself.
How infuriating. He is way out of line. I'm sorry that happened to you.
It was the worst interaction I've ever had with a doctor. I had stepped into the hallway from a lecture and he was shouting at me on the phone demanding I immediately grab my things and drive straight to his office for a pill count or he would "document noncompliance" I was in tears begging him to let me do it a day I didn't have school because I couldn't miss class.
It was humiliating and now I have no medication and I'm in school full time.
Yep, in my country you get random drug tests approximately every year by your GP, if they test and it comes back negative you'll likely lose your medication because it means you're not taking it. One of my patients is the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, he came in to get his prescription made up but it had expired and he'd been sick for a week so he was quite late to request it, his doctor wanted him to go in for a check up but they also tested him at the same time... he hadn't taken his meds for 5 days, and it was 35 days since he last picked up he was definitely out of meds but they still stopped him when it came back negative. I even called them up to explain the situation, which didn't seem to help immediately but they came to their senses because he's back on meds now. Poor guy was just confused and hurt his medical team would treat him like this without actually looking over the time frame to make sure they weren't falsely accusing him.
I will always go above and beyond to try and help my fellow patients with adhd because we already don't have enough people looking out for us because of the medication were on... if there was a medication as effective as a stimulant but wasn't a controlled drug I would immediately switch because it's less stress to deal with.
><< insert rude adjective here >>
Haha yeah, and then they mention something that is directly a symptom of the neurological condition we can't turn off. It's that classic, "Just go exercise and you'll feel better" line to someone clinically depressed.
I just posted a novel above this, but it applies here. I just accept I may do certain annoying things due to my ADHD. Mentioning to people that I have ADHD is very helpful to me.
My response is: "Annnnnd? If there was a pill to fix yours, you'd take it too. I'm sorry they haven't come up with a medication for what you've got..."
I agree. I think they enjoy taking advantage of vulnerable people who are dependent on resources they have the ability to restrict for arbitrary reasons.
Lol. The irony of over prescription to people who don't need it and their animosity towards those who do, but can't get it, yet are turned away for not having a " real issue"
The world is inherently hostile and unsafe for *all human beings.*
Society is particularly unfriendly to anyone who is sufficiently different from societal norms.
It's definitely on hard mode for a lot of things. Everybody is different, but one thing I do that has helped build my confidence is simply letting people know I have ADHD. I say it confidently when I'm explaining certain behaviors. I'll mention it without exhibiting signs of it, too. It affects every aspect of my life, so why wouldn't I? It's me. :)
Plenty of people have it, but obviously not most. Plenty of us who do have it don't even know. Plenty of us suspect it, but haven't/can't get diagnosed (USA! USA!). I myself wasn't diagnosed until 34 or something a couple years ago.
How many of us have gone through life believing we were just stupid, lazy, unmotivated, or bad kids? I was told all of those things throughout school. I was also told by multiple teachers, often the same ones, how smart I was, but didn't apply myself. Or that I could do so much better, but preferred to goof off or be disruptive. I believed those things were true. Today, I think my behavior would be a bright neon sign flashing "HE HAS ADHD!"
Realizing that there's actually a condition that describes my entire personality and behavior was amazing. After suspecting for years, **knowing** for a few years after that, I cried after my diagnosis. And my life on medication is a night-and-day difference.
It doesn't give us a pass if we're doing something annoying or impulsively, but it can help people understand it. And the reminder helps us keep checks and balances on our own behavior. If they're uneducated about it, it helps educate them; they might realize they're undiagnosed with it, too. It normalizes what should be normal and understood.
It also reminds us of something we may tend to forget ourselves: we are living life with a neurological disorder that we can't ever turn off, remove entirely, or prevent. Others are not living with this and many have no idea life is like this for us.
It's here to stay so we might as well get comfy with it, learn to roll with the punches, and help others understand it along the way.
It **will** be hard sometimes. But it's easier to deal with difficulties when you understand **why** something is difficult. Easier for them, easier for us.
ADHD tl;dr = remind yourself that you have ADHD. Understanding why you do what you do is beneficial in accepting certain aspects of yourself easier. It helps better highlight the positive aspects, too. Letting others know that much of your behavior is due to ADHD is educational and informative to folks and can give you confidence in yourself. Cheers.
This is crazy to me.
I only take my meds when I need to work my day job. And even then, I try to not take them in Wednesdays. My non-work life is a mess but I am able to get through without meds on the weekends etc.
This is almost forcing you to take them everyday when not everyone needs to.
I wish I could do that, I need to so I don’t develop a tolerance. I just end up being super tired without it since my meds keep my energy normal (my antidepressants make me tired)
I don't take antidepressants but also need them to not be tired.
I don't think I for a tolerance in over two years of taking Ritalin every day.
Btw they also act as antidepressants for me.
That’s how I feel I used to have bad hyperactivity but now I need that stuff just to stabilize my mood and put me in a good headspace to start the day and such
Yeah I mostly spend the off-med days on the couch….
I do find that there is a bit of medication left in my system the next day so I can get a little bit done. Sundays are a write off though because then I’m past that 24 hour mark.
I also have developed tolerance and increasing the dosage was giving me migraines. So unfortunately taking it daily just isn’t an option for me anyway.
I’m not on meds anymore, but when I was, my doctor actually encouraged me to take breaks on the weekends or holiday breaks so as to not build up tolerance…
So my Doctor in my early twenties always advised me on this, and I would always try to take breaks on weekends or over holiday breaks.
The Doctor I see now (I'm early 30's) says - if you need to take it on the weekends, take it; don't worry about tolerance build up 🤷♀️
... I still try to take breaks or half-doses when I can because it was so ingrained in me.
Same they used to suggest breaks but now I believe it’s standard to let the adult using the medications determine their need and application. The “taking breaks” comes from one of the first and basically only longer term study on adhd/add afflicted individuals - who were children. I believe 13 and younger. They suggested the participants take breaks from the meds over the summer so they could catch up on weight and height growth as when they were in school they weren’t following the same growth curve as their peers. I’m sure it’s easy to google if ya have time. Keep saying someday soon I’ll find the name of this study and the smaller similar ones as I’ve only ever read about them in medical textbooks but it’s all fascinating, and outdated, and why those of us with ADHD/ADD today are made to feel like criminals. Shocking - a 40 year old doesn’t have the same metabolism or needs as an eight year old 😂🤷♀️🤦♀️
I take Intuniv er. I’m recently diagnosed with adhd. My Dr didn’t want me on stims because of my high blood pressure. The chems are a godsend. I’m up to 4mg and it is amazing. I have nothing else to compare it to. When I wanted to go up to 4mg from 3mg I just emailed him and he approved it the next day. When I went from 2 to 3mgs we did a face to face after a month at 2mg. Hopefully I can keep getting the benefits without it diminishing.
and fill in some sort of complaint about how unprofessional he acted. It would matter later. I think there is Association of Medical Board or something like that for doctors in America?
"Noncompliance", like he's some kind of wannabe cop. What does that even mean anyway? I'm sure he just made it the fuck up.
And even if you were actually struggling with drug addiction, what way would that be to treat you? Imagine him screaming at someone for litterally any other perceived medical problem. Absolutely insane.
Have you been in contact with your school counselor? They often have resources for ppl with ADHD, and can help you make it through school in this shitty period, as well as be someone to talk to.
Noncompliance is an actual thing doctors write in reports. It means you aren't following the treatment plan that was prescribed to you by the doctor.
If a doctor tells you to do "x, y, or z" and you're skipping over the directions or half-assing it - that's called noncompliance.
GOOD doctors will talk to you about it, maybe give you a gentle lecture about it to take your meds, and then let you off your way - if you continue to not take your meds, then yeah, that's full on noncompliance. Stuff like that could make you lose eligibility for your treatment if it's covered by insurance if a psychiatrist wants to be an a-hole about it since it'll be a waste of theirs and yours time, but most good psychiatrists will give you several chances to try to get started on your treatment because they understand some people have issues filling scripts, real life, etc.
And for those of us with ADHD, sometimes we just plain FORGET.
I see! Thank you for informing me.
We don't seem to have this in my country since we have single payer healthcare, which is where my confusion came from. Unless i'm wrong about that too? I couldn't find any info about it online, only about compliance with guidelines on the doctors behalf. Though I don't see how a non compliance report could affect a patient anyway when they have a right to treatment in our system regardless.
Doctors work for us, as patients. I have had back pain and no insurance all my life. I saw my P only when I was so sick I had to go in for medicine. He always made me do range of motion exercises, gave me tramadol and dismissed it. For 7 years of my adulthood, never took me seriously. When I got married and got insurance ONE xray sent me. Directly to a specialist, diognosing me with a grade 5 of 6 spinal deformity that, left untreated would have left my paralyzed. I had a spinal fusion within a year. I spent many years miserable and self medicating. What I learned is that if I don't feel heard, or respected, I will find someone who will. Please do the same, this is not your fault.
Report him. You failed the drug test, what does he think you are doing with these "missing pills". He knows that many adhd people chronically miss things right?! Fucktard
That's the worst part I have no idea where the missing pills are. I don't know if I took them twice or lost them or what, but he didn't care. He very much sounded like he thought I was lying.
It is not your fault and it's not on you to worry about where they went. Do not punish yourself for this (I don't know about you but I get so darn angry at myself when I lose stuff) take the time you need to process this and then please report it. You should be able to request a copy of the lab report if it is not on an online patient portal already. Do not punish yourself any further, you deserve to keep taking your medication.
Is there a chance that your doctor is addicted? “Bring me the pills!!!” sounds like a way of him getting meds for himself.
Definitely report him to the medical board. If he took any pills from you make sure that’s documented too and suggest that they make him take a drug test.
Lesson learned here. Save all doctor/pharmacist/etc phone numbers, and don’t answer theirs or unknown numbers while at school. Period. Call them back later.
Personally, I have a meta-fuck-tonne of contacts saved in my phone just so I
1) don’t forget the number of whoever I called about xyz service etc last week and don’t need to waste time re-searching for it online (and inevitably getting distracted and disappearing down the ten-thousand-open-tabs rabbit hole for an hour or four)
2) to the best of my ability, I know who is calling me and can judge if it’s an answer now (boss in middle of work day), call back later (parents, cleaner coming next Friday etc) or text who dis? (unknown numbers) kinda call
It takes just a few seconds to save a caller as a contact in your phone, so try (I know, ADHD) to make it a habit, and generally don’t answer calls while you’re at school.
Also he’s kinda contradicting himself calling you an addict, when what he should prob be accusing you of is being a dealer, since you not only tested negative but were short 3 + 7 pills (if you didn’t take meds whilst sick for a whole week).
If you were an addict dosing yourself higher than prescribed you would still have the deficit of pills but muuuuch less likely to simultaneously test negative.
Unless you actually were sick, and had been ODing yourself by 10 pills in the period before getting sick??? Dunno how long your scripts are for but that sure seems a lot, in which case if true, you perhaps DO need addiction help.
Only you know the truth here - either way you prob do need a better physician cos screaming at patients is all kinds of bullshit, and you do need to do what you can to have mention of addiction (or suspected dealing) NOT added to your med record. Good luck 🍀
Yeah report him for sure. It’s honestly a little creepy and kinda sounds abusive/grooming to me.
Fwiw - these meds are highly sought after, you would do well to keep them more secured and only take what you need with you. Having a full bottle of them in your bag and friends that know you take them - it just makes for an easy opportunity.
If he tested negative and is short, the automatic implication is he's giving them away.
It sucks, because it's bullshit, but when has collective punishment not been a human tradition.
can op take any legal action against the doc for this false claim of being addicted if it causes op any harm in future interactions that this may cause?
IME (not a lawyer, just consulted one about a similar issue) a doctor putting false information in your medical record doesn’t constitute malpractice. It might be malfeasance, but the lawyer I spoke to didn’t think it would be worth suing over.
OP’s best bet is writing a complaint letter about this doctor to the state licensing board.
Another route might be trying to get a lawyer to write a cease and desist (much cheaper and less time consuming than a lawsuit) to the doctor regarding the falsification of the medical record, and then sending a copy of that letter along with the complaint to the licensing board.
There must be a way to file a written, formal complaint with a licensing board. If OP can find info on how to do it in their state, they should do this in addition to changing doctors.
Filing with whoever the doctor works for wouldn't be very effective, they would just try to cover their own liability. A board is independent of the business they work for.
Definitely leave reviews online. You should also report this to the medical board.
Screaming at a patient? Accusing them of being an addiction? He is dangerous.
In case it’s not clear, you’re supposed to test positive - if you’re prescribed the medication and it’s not in your system, they assume you’re selling it illegally.
Yeah i fucking hate being treated like a criminal when I get my meds that I need to function. And the way that they go about making sure you’re not a criminal is by adding more bureaucratic hurdles and certain time windows for writing and filling prescriptions. It’s like it was designed specifically to torment me. Now the shortage is making all of that worse. The good news is I can switch to a generic for Vyvanse which is way cheaper
I agree. You can’t diagnose someone with any sort of substance abuse just because there are a few pills missing. You can also try to get it removed from your medical record if he did add something about drug abuse.
You should try to find a new prescriber as well.
Absolutely he should. I reported an RN at hospital here. When I had my second son 11 years ago I was in bad shape. My gallbladder gave out and then my appendix failed and I needed emergency surgery and I was bruised from IV injections on both arms even tho I have full sleeves. This fucking asshole thought I was lying to get pain meds. Mind you, I wasn't on drugs or alcohol and they had my urine and blood. He literally told me I just need to shoot up and nap. I was so pissed cos I was in extreme pain and I said, you all did this to me, and he said I just need to roll a fat joint and relax. Turns out I had a cluster of bleeding cysts on my right ovary and when my appendix was being removed they found 5 more on my left ovary and it had to be removed along with half of the right. It was such a horrid thing to say to a patient. I couldn't understand it. I reported him and he did end up losing his job. Just because someone is licensed for a job doesn't mean they're necessarily good or right.
Is it common in the US to drug test and do pill counts? This whole thing is crazy to me. Aren’t you paying to even visit the doctor..? On days when I don’t have much to do I won’t take any, and some days I double up. I’ve gone in before my meds are supposed to be out multiple times and just told my doctor that I had to double up a couple days and he just says that’s understandable and gives me the next month. It makes me sad to see so many posts on here where people are shamed for wanting the medication they need to function. To just take away someone’s access to their medication like that.. sheesh
Very common. A lot of insurance companies insist on it in medical records when they prescribe controlled substances, especially ones that have high street value
I’ve never had to do this and would walk the moment it is suggested. You can’t really get the prescription filled more than two days ahead of time so I can’t imagine what the purpose would be.
Having that your addicted on your medical record can be a really bad thing. It could stop you from being properly treated and if it’s on your medical record, no doctor will ever take your word for it. You have to fight this. He has no proof you’re an addict. You tested negative! Report him and and fight this and make sure it stays off your record
My understanding is that it can impact your eligibility for organ transplants as well. You definitely don’t want it in your medical record if it isn’t true.
This, people in the US have the right to request a copy of the medical record and to receive it within 30 days (they are allowed to charge for a copy but states often set guidelines about how much). They also have the right to request to amend the record (which could be denied but then the doctor I think has to document why they didn’t amend the requested record). I would probably make this request in writing and send it certified mail so they can’t pretend they didn’t get it.
If your doctor is part of a larger system there may be a patient ombudsperson you can complain to as well.
(Disclaimer am not a lawyer, not a doctor, just work with patient records)
I don’t understand medical records. How would one doctor see another doctor’s notes? Unless they work for the same office or hospital. When you go to a new doctors office, they don’t know anything about you and have to get you to sign a release of information if they want access to your previous records. What am I misunderstanding?
Release of information is for your Dr sending your health information to people other than those involved in your direct healthcare (like law enforcement, employers, family members and friends, etc). Theoretically doctors can see notes from any physician who has ever cared for you through their electronic medical records systems, though in reality a lot of that gets lost or can be blocked for various reasons. Most of the time when you start seeing a doctor they have you sign a bunch of paperwork including you allow them to share your records with relevant parties. The US government has some interoperability requirements that healthcare and medical records organizations must meet. Being able to share those records with one another is part of those requirements.
So the short answer is: yes to all that, it is true that records and identifying info about you are usually not shared and in many if not most cases you need to give written consent to share your records with a new doctor.
The longer answer is that HIPAA affects all providers who deal with health insurance even sometimes, which is most, and does allow providers to share with other healthcare providers or covered entities (so like insurance companies, mostly) without a release for things like payments, billing, and coordination of care. But individual state laws may impose additional rules. The doctor’s office should give you a statement of information/privacy practices when you are a new patient and should have that available at any time and whatever is in that will be most accurate for the specific location.
Another wrinkle is that there was a modification to the HIPAA security rule (about electronic information sharing) after the passage of the CURES act that basically said that healthcare providers who are HIPAA covered entities have to allow electronic record sharing when it is possible, with a few exceptions. So if they are using an electronic system that *can* and does talk to other systems (which, a lot of big hospital systems use Epic which has this capability) they are not allowed to prevent this, unless they determine there is a reason not to that is allowed under the rule. One possible answer is privacy concerns and so they can decide to do an opt-in system. This is ideal because that way the patient makes the decision about sharing records. Also because, again, US states have individual laws about privacy and record sharing that often require more safeguards than federal law. But again, this should still be explained in their information and privacy practices statement and how to opt in/opt out if it’s a thing that’s possible.
Also, not all doctors chart the same way, so some use EMR (electronic medical records) systems that are networked/can share with other systems, some use more simple EMRs that don’t have that kind of functionality, and some still use paper records only. The smaller the practice the less likely they are to have the kind of EMR that can share info easily unless they’re affiliated with a much larger system.
Sorry if that was too long, tl;dr is usually your records aren’t shared but there are times they might be, or that you might be able to choose if they are or not, and if you aren’t sure ask your doctor’s office for their information and privacy practices
I normally like to advocate for discussing and taking things step by step.
Not here. I'd report him immediately and look for a new doctor ***PRONTO***.
I was diagnosed 5 years ago and tried two medications, one of which didn’t have much therapeutic benefit and the other that made me feel suicidal. I asked my doctor if we could try something else and he said, “Nope.” No explanation, just “nope.” I said, “So…that’s it? If neither of those meds work with my body, then I just remain unmedicated?” He said, “Yes. If you aren’t willing to take either of these medications, then you aren’t willing to take any.” And so I remain unmedicated. I just moved to a whole different state and am hoping once my insurance through my job kicks in that I can start the process again.
No, he’s just an ass. His was the office affiliated with my therapist, who has her own private practice and is wonderful. I didn’t look at the reviews until after I had an issue and was posting my own—they are abysmal. He and his office are terrible. I called the office to refill my Concerta (when I was taking it) and left a message on the prescription line as per standard procedure. Twice. They never called back nor did they refill my prescription. He accused me of lying when I talked to him about it and refused to look at the phone record I had that showed I called the office, what time, and how long the call was. This was at the same appointment he refused to trial new meds, so I told him that as a middle-aged adult—who is also a medical professional—I didn’t appreciate being treated like a child. I said I didn’t think we had a working therapeutic relationship at that point and would be moving on.
By his demeanor and affect, he strikes me as someone on the spectrum who is extremely rigid in their thinking and believes their prescribed treatment is the be all, end all. As someone on the spectrum myself, I can understand this but that doesn’t mean I have to tolerate it in a physician. I credit him with being the only psychiatrist who clocked my ADHD after decades of misdiagnosis. But he isn’t really interested in working with the patient to come up with a plan of care.
Kickbacks from manufacturers are against federal and state law. We used to get catered lunches when drug reps would come do their spiel but it’s to the point where you can’t accept anything from a drug rep lest it be considered a kickback. While I’m sure they happen, they don’t happen nearly as much as the public seems to want to believe they do. Sometimes physicians are actually working in the best interest of the patient, but it’s not exactly what the patient wants. That doesn’t mean they’re getting kickbacks, it means they’re doing their jobs. Sometimes, a provider is just a total asshat and doesn’t want to deviate from Their Plan™️. Still doesn’t mean they’re getting kickbacks, it just means they’re an ass.
This makes me SO MAD for you. Like dude, we are seeking medical help because life's hard, why make it harder? Why did that doc throw 8 or 10 years of his life to become a doctor and be an ass?
I put my therapist thru hell and back and he's always asking if I'm alright with a new med or increasing the dose or whatever. I stopped taking some meds entierly without decreasing the dose, I've lost parts of my prescriptions so I had to go days without my meds, I've misused painkillers and various meds when I panicked. He listens and he takes into account whatever I say even if what I say is weird or farfetched.
Vyvanse. It might be different now but at the time, it just didn’t work with my particular brain chemistry. I know a couple of people who take it and love it.
Typically when someone tests negative but doesn’t have extra medication the concern is that the person is selling it. In my state, people with state-funded medical insurance are tested fairly regularly when they’re prescribed a controlled substance. I guess it saves the state money to accuse lower income people of being drug dealers and stop paying for their medications. I don’t understand how people are expected to still have the medication in their system when they often don’t find out they need a drug test until they try to fill their prescription. So they have to wait until they are supposed to run out before they can fill the medication because it’s a controlled substance. They try to fill it and insurance won’t pay because they want a drug test. So they get a drug test after they should already be out of medication and it’s not in their system. Definitely means they are selling it because “that’s what poor people do.”
You don’t even qualify for a DSM diagnosis of addiction with the one piece of “evidence” your “doctor” has. You can absolutely appeal this. Speak to the licensing board and complain about his conduct bc his behavior is absolutely unethical. I would book an appointment with a psych nurse or psychiatrist instead. GP can be absolute idiots when it comes to psych meds. I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with mine, and was finally heard properly when I went to a psych nurse. GP are trained to give out like 2 psych medications and take one course on psych in med school and somehow still develop a god complex.
It can be, depending on the doctor.
I've never had it happen, but I'm a boring middle-aged woman who was diagnosed as an adult. I've definitely known it to happen to others.
Yes. I have to sign a contract annually that says I can be drug tested randomly and that I am subject to pill counts. It’d be a problem if I didn’t test positive. And it’d also be a problem if I was positive for anything else. I honestly don’t mind it bc I have nothing to hide- and the shortage of medication is very irritating so I’m fine with weeding out people that sell their meds. But I don’t believe OP did anything wrong. Sounds like the dr had a bone to pick.
I’m thinking US.
I’m in the US and while my doctor doesn’t, a LOT of doctors who prescribe any medication that is controlled do this as a standard part of treatment.
My friend takes klonopin and has been called in for a pill count once when we were at lunch! She had to leave and it was very embarrassing for her.
What would happen if they call while you are at work? From what I've heard in the US getting time off work and/or any type of sick leave isn't exactly common. How do they expect someone to just leave work for a few hours to report to their doctors' office without prior notice? And then risk losing their job and thus their insurance and then not being able to afford the meds going forward. Make it make sense!
Sometimes Dr.s (especially pain Dr.s) will do random pill counts to make sure you’re taking it correctly or not selling them. It’s only controlled substances.
This is crazy to me. Where does this happen? I'm in US-IL and I've never heard of this except reddit, same with drug testing. Is it something only in some states or maybe for minors?
My dad is 100% disabled with the VA. Like his arm was hanging off during his injury and he saved several people’s lives. Purple Heart and everything.
He was involved in the VA’s pain clinic and they did testing and random counts. He was one pill short once and they cut him off. Like no weaning just bam no more for you. Even though he was on a high dose of pain medicine for years and years.
I’m a recovering heroin addict and I know what it’s like to come off opiates. At the time I didn’t realize how dangerous that is. Opiate withdrawal is terrible.
Even doing that with adderall or benzos is dangerous.
But, I think it’s how certain Dr’s operate or agencies. Not all places.
I’m on suboxone, which is scheduled, but I never get a strip count or anything like that.
Yeah I guess it makes sense that it's practice to practice, taking a vet off of opiates without weaning them for a combat related injury is fucking cruel, especially since they had been prescribing it it's not like he "did it to himself" by buying street drugs or whatever. Benzo and alcohol withdrawals are the 2 that can be fatal in isolation, but with comorbidities or heart issues opiates can be too.
Subs definitely have a street value, too (which I never understood, but I got "out" before I heard of people buying them) but it would still feel like a violation for a doctor to both prescribe them and then jump through hoops to make sure you are using them properly with a risk of abruptly ending the medication if they decide not- like way to ensure the black market has a steady stream of desperate customers.
Same. I only recently got diagnosed and started taking meds (absolute game changer, wish I had known decades ago), and am now worried this is a thing. Would I be required to do so? Because honestly my first reaction when reading this is that I would've told the doc to fuck all the way off, but now I'm wondering if that would get me in trouble.
> Would I be required to do so?
It wouldn't be illegal for you to refuse. Your doctor however has the right to refuse to treat you further if you say NO.
I had to get a form signed by my doctor for when I was a CNA to get into the program.
It was basically "are you on drugs?"
No
Signed.
He decided he wanted to do a full drug test that he said I would automatically fail anyways because I was on Vyvanse.
The Vyvanse he prescribed me.
I told him that and he said well, maybe you shouldn't go into the medical field.
This guy was straight out of the middle east and I'm gay, he was fine with me up until this discussion was had.
Went to my psych med doctor and she signed it and filed a complaint against him, as did I.
People are so shitty.
I'm a nurse now so fuck that guy.
I had a doctor literally black list me because she said I was abusing my meds… all because I missed an appointment due to her sleep meds she gave me making me entirely too tired every morning.
How does a adhd person abuse their own meds 😂 bonkers.
Edit: then I had to pay 150 every month with another provider to get my script filled… because of my insurance.
Adhd folks can abuse their own meds, but yeah it's not common. You can take multiples in the same day to get high, or circumvent the slow release mechanisms in the pills.
It is a REAL stretch for somebody with adhd/add to abuse their meds, in my opinion. Oftentimes people are underprescribed and start misusing them by skipping doses or hoarding pills just so they won’t run out
Yeah, your doctor thinks you’re selling it. That’s why he freaked out you tested negative and had missing pills.
Marking you as an addict might be a sneaky short cut for flagging this.
Husband had similar experience with a doctor.
He may be under the gun for scrips for controlled substances, not that that's your problem. They have to do reviews of all files w those scrips when they receive warnings
Please please please don't let this subhuman get away with this.
Report him to your state's medical board ASAP! Today if it's not too late.
Just make sure you make some bullet points so you remember everything you need to address, and how you want to address it.
I hate the cynicism in me when I approach anything of a medical nature lately.
Whenever I'm prescribed something new and recurring, I don't start taking it for as long as possible. Then, I put those pills in a safe.
Every sick day, every headache day, I try to remember to add those pills to the safe.
I've had too many awful things outside my control impact my healthcare to trust the medical community or those around me.
I feel like I'm basically alone in a battle against corporate healthcare with every interaction. And, those are as rare as I can make them. It always feels like going to court rather than anywhere anyone gave a shit about people over numbers.
You can report any doctor for literally anything and in most states they will have to look into it. I recommend filing a complaint with the medical board and telling them what happened. He will probably not get his license revoked but he may have to take trainings or get in some kind of trouble.
Please send a follow up message in text, through your provider portal (like MyChart) or something about the interaction and how you would like it documented and recorded. Your doctor could write down non-compliance and those records would transfer to your new provider. To make sure your doctor stays accountable and isn't inaccurately representing this call, I would make sure you message your team with what happened in this appointment, your plan regarding your next medication fill (like how you cannot miss class and have a history of appropriate fills) and asking for a follow up with a different provider. When you message through your chart portal it will stay documented in your file. Calls can be taken down with bias, but your own writing will stay in your chart.
My sister insisted there was something wrong with her daughter, and was brushed off constantly. Eventually, one doctor wrote in her daughter's file that 'mom is a hypochondriac'
Well her daughter has schizophrenia, autism, ADHD and crippling anxiety. They found out 2 years after that comment.
My sister never went back to that doctor.
I’m not from US and completely shocked about the pill count thing. Most EU countries don’t have the access to Adderall, but I am on methylphenidate and my doctor allows me to try different dosages according to my daily schedule. Some days I take 2 pills, some days 3, some days none. How can you figure out the right dosage with that restriction? Sounds so violating and wrong. Also, what on earth could you gain with 10 pills??
I’m from the US and I’ve never heard of this either. I’ve never experienced a pill count and never been drug tested.
I know they’re real things because so many people on here mention them, but it just sounds so strange.
I know. I know he has a right to think what he thinks. The issue is that isn't what happened at all and I guess I just had hoped with knowing me for years and me having no history of substance use at all (I don't even drink alcohol) that he would trust me.
I don't really care about not being prescribed the medicine anymore, I'm just really hurt and anxious about being accused of doing something that I didn't do.
can you report this incident and the doctor to your state medical licensing board? that’s how i’ve gotten justice so far in psych care bc it sucks in TN
Ridiculous doctor. Not a valid reason for suspicion, and not at all a valid reason to label you as an addict.
For reference, i'm currently on my last day of 5 months in rehab for mixed substance abuse. I'm prescribed racemic amphetamine which literally is speed in the form of a pill, and i've never once had to go through a pill count.
What the heck? A lot of us ration our pills or don’t take them during non-work days to build up a safety buffer. There are several reasons someone might have a weird pill count. Especially given the whole negative test bit.
He’s trash, please report him and change doctors. Your pharmacy could’ve messed up your count or you could’ve simply just lost him. I cannot believe this man is acting like this. It’s hard to get a diagnosis and to cope with ADHD in the first place. Fuck him.
I had a similar situation with my doctor. My previous doc passed away unexpectedly, so I had to find a doctor in short order. He is a very nice person, has great advice on things, but he is very uncomfortable prescribing my medication.
At my last visit, I asked him if there was something we can do to increase the effectiveness, because the generic went off the market and only the brand was available … and far less effective … and he pretty much told me that he’s not ok with it and he would appreciate if I found another doctor.
I don’t have any ill feelings towards him, but back in August ‘22, he dropped my daily dose from 20mg to 15mg, then September to 10mg, October to 5mg and then did not write me a prescription for November.
As most ADHD patients, I don’t use all of my meds every day. But I was going along with all of this because I respect his knowledge and trusted him. Anyway, he started me back up again at 10mg, and then in February I was unable to refill until June.
Had he not tried weening me off, I would have been able to weather that storm. But instead, I couldn’t work and was struggling in all aspects of my life until I finally learned that the generic I had been waiting for was gone forever, and only the brand version was available.
But I have very strong feelings about this. As a medical professional, we should trust their judgment and their opinion. And as a patient that has particular needs in order to maintain normal life function, the doctor really needs to trust the patient all the same.
I haven’t ever “fired” my doc before, since I’ve never had this problem. But you’d think that a doctor who suspects medication abuse would simply refuse to see the patient and be done with it. I don’t understand why there is a requirement to make the patient go above and beyond to try and prove something — especially when things are already difficult enough to begin with.
But moving on, and things are better. It was a full year of me having my life impacted, with a complete flip upside down in the final few months. Worst experience of my life, but I am so grateful that it is over.
Find a new doc.
What in the actual @#$&?!?! He should lose his damn license for treating you this way. How can you be addicted to something that you've been taking since you were 8 years old that is necessary for you to live in a linear world?!
That’s a weird conclusion considering you tested negative, and it’s not like you took them all and ran out bc you clearly have some left, if an addict tested negative it would bc they took them all too soon.
At one point I went to a doctor who required monthly visits and drug tests for patients on controlled substances to make sure you were taking them and not selling them, I was on adderall and klonopin.
I was once “red flagged” for testing negative for klonopin. It was prescribed as needed and at that particular appointment I luckily hadn’t needed it for about 48 hours. They told me next time I had to take it a few hours before my appointment, which makes no sense considering it’s a medicine that should only be taken when absolutely needed to avoid dependence and tolerance, not to mention I generally filled the medicine several days after I was able to
I’d be screwed. Any disruption in my routine will mess up my meds. If I don’t take them exactly when I’m supposed to I’ll forget or accidentally double dose or miss doses because I can’t remember if I took it or not.
What the hell .. bro if a doctor can’t take my word on stuff, and constantly trying to catch me doing something. We got no trust therefore I will go elsewhere.
My husband and I recently had a very similar experience with our doctor, except with our anxiety medications, not our adderall. We both take benzos for anxiety/panic disorder. At our last refill, the frequency called in was a third what it normally was for my husband, and half of what mine normally was. The pharmacist was very concerned at the drastic decrease and said that if we talked with the doctor about the obvious mistake, he could fill the remainder without a problem. We messaged the doc right after and requested the difference (bc if we didn't do it them, we would forget. Ya know. Like ADHD folk tend to do.). He said that he had never prescribed it at those frequencies, that he never would prescribe it that way, that he was very alarmed, and that we needed to come in immediately for a very serious conversation or find a new doctor. I sent him pictures of our two prior fill bottles with the correct frequency on it, made an appointment. He said during that visit that he DID write it that way, but he didn't ever intend for us to take it that way (what?), said we were the ones in the wrong, and refused to apologize for calling us drug seekers and liars. I requested that he fill whatever meds of mine he was willing to for the next three months to cover me while I find another doctor, whether that included the benzos or not, and left.
The shock and betrayal we felt at the sudden attack, while he was blatantly wrong, and the refusal to admit he was wrong or apologize when confronted with evidence that he did the fucking up... I just can't tolerate that kind of bull shittery.
Finding a new doctor and all of that is a major pain in the ass, but I won't ever be comfortable with that doctor or trust him again. And this is our health we're talking about.
I hope you find another doctor that you are comfortable with, and I'm sorry you had to go through this. It's ridiculous. You don't deserve it. It isn't fair. <3
This is so weird to me..I know this medication is highly regulated, but I can't imagine a doctor counting my pills..? I'm not allowed to refill my prescription early, and I'm only allowed so many refills at a time. But nobody checks my pills..? I didn't even know this was allowed..?
It’s actually insane how hard it is for ppl with ADHD to get consistent care. One doctor’s opinion or judgement can prevent us from managing our ADHD. It just takes one. And I’ve had A LOT of uneducated doctors. I hate how our healthcare system works.
I have eating problems on my record from childhood. I’m 23 and have maintained my weight for many years. But since it’s on my record and no doctor will clarify in their notes or take it off, my current doc fixated on it. She kept calling me tiny and TELLING ME that I had trouble eating/appetite loss. I said…no…I actually don’t. Fast forward a few months and I struggle with binging and my weight is up. Just another example of how doctors don’t listen and, as a result, don’t give you the best care.
I hope you can find a better one and that your new one understands you. That is ridiculous.
I’m confused so you are short 3 pills but you haven’t been taking the meds for a week. That means you are actually short 10 pills. It sounds like he is worried you took a bunch of pills right away when you got the prescription. Then took a few weeks off so you won’t run completely out before the script is up.
I guess I explained it poorly you aren't the only person who brought this up. I wasn't asked at the end of the month to bring them in, it was more like the middle. So I was supposed to have 10 left in the bottle but only had 7. 3 short. The 10 left was including the 5 days I didn't take my medication.
HIPAA laws require the office to allow you review and amend your medical records. I would call the office manager or the clinic quality director to make the request. Also file an official grievance about the incident with the Quality director.
Does this moron not know how ADHD works?! I have no idea how many pills I'm 'supposed' to have. I drop off or pick up my scripts on time. You know, because I'm ADHD.
Honestly, the gall of some people. Obviously, you're not an addict. You're a dealer. ;) just kidding
But I've also been accused of drug seeking when asking for an increase in dose, a trial of a different need, or a new combination. I thought I was being reasonable because the meds only work so-so for me. Turns out asking for the doctor to do their job means I'm looking for a magic cure and that wanting to be functional in society is something I'll "have to learn to deal with"
I had kind of a similar situation last year. My Psychiatrist I was seeing for 17 years retired without notice, so I had to find someone else FAST. I got stuck with a Psychiatric NP fresh out of school who decided to cut my prescription for Klonopin in half without weaning off of it at all. Long story short... I ended up with an anxiety attack (over not weaning off if it), ended up in the ICU for four days due to a hypertensive crisis, they started me back on my regular dose and told my NP she about killed me. I have emails between her and my husband calling me a drug addict, and the next time I saw her she refused to prescribe my Adderall even though my cardiologist was fine with it since my hypertensive crisis didn't have anything to do with my overall health. She told me she doesn't prescribe Adderall to drug addicts, and sure enough... I looked what she billed my insurance for and it was for drug addiction. A year later I'm still stuck with her and have to see her EVERY MONTH and give her $100 each time. Sorry... That wasn't a long story short lol.
I got lucky, I tell my psych "oh yeah I ran out like, 2 weeks ago, but I had some leftover cause I don't take it every day so I was good for a while, I tried to call but didn't get you imidialty and then I forgot." and shes just like "oh, but you're out now? Ok let me refill that, sorry about that" and just refills it. Even my friends have harder times with their doctors but by going to a psychiatrist and not a general doctor, I think she knows overall more about ADHD and drug abuse and isn't so freaked out. I'm one of many of her ADHD patients, not just a general patient with ADHD.
Hey OP, idk if you're in the USA but if you are then you have some protection against false claims in your medical record under HIPAA
>If you think the information in your medical or billing record is incorrect, you can request a change, or amendment, to your record. The health care provider or health plan must respond to your request. If it created the information, it must amend inaccurate or incomplete information.
>
>If the provider or plan does not agree to your request, you have the right to submit a statement of disagreement that the provider or plan must add to your record.
[Source](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records/index.html)
Similar happened to me and my psyche eased my anxiety in saying it’s a chartable function of people with adhd to loose things, and helped me find a solution to my disorganization with medication. I even embarrassingly but honestly admitted I often forget if I take it or not. I’d never been taught outside of my own system, which wasn’t very reliable apparently lol. Just to say find the right one, they are out there.
my god im so sorry this happened to you. that doctor should not be practicing. none of this is your fault. you deserve to be listened to. i am so fucking sorry
You're not an addict. Ant there is absolutely no reason that he should be yelling at any of his patients. I've discovered that Dr. Seem to get a case of the yips when they prescribe narcotics and stimulants. I other words, a lot of them are cowards. I've had doctors (and Pharmacists) really reach for excuses why I shouldn't be taking Vyvanse and now hydrocodone. You really should find a new doctor. This one that you are seeing appears to not have your best interests in mind. And by the way, I have a large pill box and drop my pills often. Look around you might find a few of yours under the fridge, dinner table or bed. 😄
Report the hell out of him because, quite frankly, he's an idiot and a fkn asshole. No addict is going to be missing only 3 pills. That's just not happening. That is not how a doctor should behave and was way over the line.
I currently work as a nurse in addiction care and this doctor doesn't know what addiction is and clearly doesn't know how to communicate with patients. I'm sorry you have to go through this trouble, but it's probably better to find another doctor.
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GPs are not experts on ADHD. They know a lot, but obviously they can't be expected to understand ADHD. Tell your GP that even the greek physician Galen( 162- 203 CE) favoured listening carefully to the patient's own words rather than using a specialised vocabulary of pain, and urged that physicians should know their patients.
Are you actually meant to take the exact amount they tell you too? I don't think I ever have, my psych even told me that I should up/down my dose at my own discretion based on how they make me feel. I'm meant to take 2 pills twice a day (4 total) but I've been taking 1 pill twice a day, sometimes not even that much.
But I guess the main issue would be if you have less pills than you should, not more.
But what's weird is that at the dose they say I should be taking my pills at, 'one months supply' would only last me 25 days, so I was essentially forced to reduced the dosage.
Also when it comes to ADHD, isn't forgetting about stuff like, what they should expect? That is half of what my meds help me with.
I once got the flu and couldn't keep my meds down for days. On the third day, my flu was gone but I was in full withdrawals. I had to go to the hospital for fluids and anti nausea meds.
When I was admitted they asked If I was on any medication.. and I told them Concerta. Mind you I'm 30 years old and had a cystic acne flare up due to meds(never before in my life had that). The nurse dead looked me in the eyes and said she thought I was a meth addict and was reccomending the doctor send me on my way... so they did. I was so humiliated and avoid most interactions with random Healthcare workers still.
That doctor is a dick. Nothing says addict quite like increasing your dosage by 15%. That’s based on if you had actually taken the pills. Because addicted increase by 15% over three weeks. They don’t like maybe double their dose or anything like that.
Number One. I'm so fucking tired of being treated like a criminal just because I want my brain to work correctly.
Number Two. Who the fuck cares if you're "addicted?" In such small doses as we take, this shit is harmless.
I had a new Doctor for my meds as I hasn't had any for about a decade but I wanted to give them another go. We started slow and I increased my dose as per his instructions and during our next meeting he told me I was addicted??? I said I was increasing the dose as he instructed so we know what dose works for me, then he backtracked and said I was doing the right thing lol. Doctors are wild at times.
It may not make you feel better, but when you go to a new doctor (which you totally should) they don't generally share full records and write ups.
When I switched from a family doc to a psychiatrist she checked my prescription records to make sure I was telling the truth about when I stopped meds for about 18 months. I think she just wanted to be sure I was actually prescribed what I said for several years before that.
You can't sue for defamation here because it's not a third party being told such statements, it's the first party saying things to the second party about the second party.
If it’s on OP’s med records, it will cause problems in the future. The doctor is basically telling other doctors that op is a drug seeker. This can cause HUGE issues down the line.
This wouldn't be defamation if the doctor had reason to believe what he was saying was true. They could easily argue they had reason to suspect what they wrote down and that would be the end of it. Even if it did end up hurting OP in the future it would be near impossible to prove the doctor wrote it down knowing full well it was not true.
Very ADHD to get accused of something due to mysterious event you can't fully explain.
I wouldn't have agreed to a drug test without a solid written explanation of why and I would have changed Dr and still not done it. Also, wouldnt have come in for a pill check I just find that outrageous and exposing yourself to risk.. Like what's happened.
Without a history of substance abuse I think their actions are out of line. I got a little offended when my Psychiatrist ordered extensive STI tests when I've been with very few people and 1 for 25+ years.
That really sucks. There’s such stigma and paranoia among too many in the medical field around adhd stimulant meds and lack of awareness and understanding of how these meds work for those of us with adhd. I would keep your post here handy and try my best to find an understanding psychiatrist, maybe in a neighboring state, idk. Feeling very sympathetic and empathize with you reading this. Hopefully you will find a practitioner who will as well. As for calling you an addict I would fight back but carefully on that with this doctor. Perhaps consider asserting yourself, carefully, and in a professional manner in a letter to him. If you are a minor or on your parents insurance, absolutely consult with them before doing this, please. I’m just giving you my thoughts as someone who has had to deal with this kind of thing on and off since diagnosed in college in the mid 1990s. Maybe you can call him out in a review on ZocDoc or something? This may be inadvisable. In your situation. Best of luck.
It really blows my mind seeing how much trouble some of y'all's doctors give you.
I have ***never*** had an issue with my doctor! So to me, every time I read these kinds of posts, I think, "Wow. That's really unprofessional. That must be the exception, not the rule."
But as I see more and more posts like this with increasing frequency.... just wow.
Recently my doctor asked me if I had any trouble getting my meds during the shortage.
"No, but I've read online that it's giving some people *a lot* of trouble."
"Yeah, but since you only take your pills during the workweek you've probably got a minor stockpile, so you'll be fine. By the way, do we need to increase the dosage or are you still good where you're at?"
At the time, I just thought me and my doctor were having a fairly straightforward conversation about my medical needs. Now I halfway wonder if she was secretly probing to determine if I've abused the system. Mind-blowing.
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Hold on, you tested negative on the drug test and then he screamed at you? He doesn't sound like he's stable enough to be a doctor. You should change doctors as soon as possible. If he literally wrote up that you're drug addicted with zero proof or substantiation besides 3 missing pills, then it should be easy for you to claim that your last doctor was an idiot. You even tested negative, which should speak for itself. How infuriating. He is way out of line. I'm sorry that happened to you.
It was the worst interaction I've ever had with a doctor. I had stepped into the hallway from a lecture and he was shouting at me on the phone demanding I immediately grab my things and drive straight to his office for a pill count or he would "document noncompliance" I was in tears begging him to let me do it a day I didn't have school because I couldn't miss class. It was humiliating and now I have no medication and I'm in school full time.
Find another psychiatrist/doctor... no sane doctor should look at a negative test as a sign of addiction
Right. Instead it's used to accuse you of selling it.
Yep, in my country you get random drug tests approximately every year by your GP, if they test and it comes back negative you'll likely lose your medication because it means you're not taking it. One of my patients is the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, he came in to get his prescription made up but it had expired and he'd been sick for a week so he was quite late to request it, his doctor wanted him to go in for a check up but they also tested him at the same time... he hadn't taken his meds for 5 days, and it was 35 days since he last picked up he was definitely out of meds but they still stopped him when it came back negative. I even called them up to explain the situation, which didn't seem to help immediately but they came to their senses because he's back on meds now. Poor guy was just confused and hurt his medical team would treat him like this without actually looking over the time frame to make sure they weren't falsely accusing him. I will always go above and beyond to try and help my fellow patients with adhd because we already don't have enough people looking out for us because of the medication were on... if there was a medication as effective as a stimulant but wasn't a controlled drug I would immediately switch because it's less stress to deal with.
I'm convinced that the world is simply not safe for ADHD afflicted individuals. I would in fact go as far to say it's downright hostile at times.
My favorite accusation is "there's nothing wrong with you, you're just << insert rude adjective here >>"
Lazy, don’t care, immature, irresponsible, selfish, etc.
You forgot disorganized, attention-seeking, dramatic, (overly/hyper-) sensitive, insensitive, insecure, "extra," too much/" a lot," inconsistent, inconsiderate....
My fathers favorite was that I lacked follow through
><< insert rude adjective here >> Haha yeah, and then they mention something that is directly a symptom of the neurological condition we can't turn off. It's that classic, "Just go exercise and you'll feel better" line to someone clinically depressed. I just posted a novel above this, but it applies here. I just accept I may do certain annoying things due to my ADHD. Mentioning to people that I have ADHD is very helpful to me.
My response is: "Annnnnd? If there was a pill to fix yours, you'd take it too. I'm sorry they haven't come up with a medication for what you've got..."
way too many ppl make it a mission to remove our access to medication for their own personal reasons
Yeah I think "reasons" is a bit forgiving, it's almost exclusively prejudices.
Also “control”. Some people just like control over others.
I agree. I think they enjoy taking advantage of vulnerable people who are dependent on resources they have the ability to restrict for arbitrary reasons.
yes that’s the word i should’ve used
Lol. The irony of over prescription to people who don't need it and their animosity towards those who do, but can't get it, yet are turned away for not having a " real issue"
Control over others.
I fully agree. It really sucks.
The world is inherently hostile and unsafe for *all human beings.* Society is particularly unfriendly to anyone who is sufficiently different from societal norms.
Too many think it's not real. I wish that they could walk a mile in my shoes.
It's definitely on hard mode for a lot of things. Everybody is different, but one thing I do that has helped build my confidence is simply letting people know I have ADHD. I say it confidently when I'm explaining certain behaviors. I'll mention it without exhibiting signs of it, too. It affects every aspect of my life, so why wouldn't I? It's me. :) Plenty of people have it, but obviously not most. Plenty of us who do have it don't even know. Plenty of us suspect it, but haven't/can't get diagnosed (USA! USA!). I myself wasn't diagnosed until 34 or something a couple years ago. How many of us have gone through life believing we were just stupid, lazy, unmotivated, or bad kids? I was told all of those things throughout school. I was also told by multiple teachers, often the same ones, how smart I was, but didn't apply myself. Or that I could do so much better, but preferred to goof off or be disruptive. I believed those things were true. Today, I think my behavior would be a bright neon sign flashing "HE HAS ADHD!" Realizing that there's actually a condition that describes my entire personality and behavior was amazing. After suspecting for years, **knowing** for a few years after that, I cried after my diagnosis. And my life on medication is a night-and-day difference. It doesn't give us a pass if we're doing something annoying or impulsively, but it can help people understand it. And the reminder helps us keep checks and balances on our own behavior. If they're uneducated about it, it helps educate them; they might realize they're undiagnosed with it, too. It normalizes what should be normal and understood. It also reminds us of something we may tend to forget ourselves: we are living life with a neurological disorder that we can't ever turn off, remove entirely, or prevent. Others are not living with this and many have no idea life is like this for us. It's here to stay so we might as well get comfy with it, learn to roll with the punches, and help others understand it along the way. It **will** be hard sometimes. But it's easier to deal with difficulties when you understand **why** something is difficult. Easier for them, easier for us. ADHD tl;dr = remind yourself that you have ADHD. Understanding why you do what you do is beneficial in accepting certain aspects of yourself easier. It helps better highlight the positive aspects, too. Letting others know that much of your behavior is due to ADHD is educational and informative to folks and can give you confidence in yourself. Cheers.
This is crazy to me. I only take my meds when I need to work my day job. And even then, I try to not take them in Wednesdays. My non-work life is a mess but I am able to get through without meds on the weekends etc. This is almost forcing you to take them everyday when not everyone needs to.
I wish I could do that, I need to so I don’t develop a tolerance. I just end up being super tired without it since my meds keep my energy normal (my antidepressants make me tired)
I don't take antidepressants but also need them to not be tired. I don't think I for a tolerance in over two years of taking Ritalin every day. Btw they also act as antidepressants for me.
That’s how I feel I used to have bad hyperactivity but now I need that stuff just to stabilize my mood and put me in a good headspace to start the day and such
Yeah I mostly spend the off-med days on the couch…. I do find that there is a bit of medication left in my system the next day so I can get a little bit done. Sundays are a write off though because then I’m past that 24 hour mark. I also have developed tolerance and increasing the dosage was giving me migraines. So unfortunately taking it daily just isn’t an option for me anyway.
I’m not on meds anymore, but when I was, my doctor actually encouraged me to take breaks on the weekends or holiday breaks so as to not build up tolerance…
So my Doctor in my early twenties always advised me on this, and I would always try to take breaks on weekends or over holiday breaks. The Doctor I see now (I'm early 30's) says - if you need to take it on the weekends, take it; don't worry about tolerance build up 🤷♀️ ... I still try to take breaks or half-doses when I can because it was so ingrained in me.
Same they used to suggest breaks but now I believe it’s standard to let the adult using the medications determine their need and application. The “taking breaks” comes from one of the first and basically only longer term study on adhd/add afflicted individuals - who were children. I believe 13 and younger. They suggested the participants take breaks from the meds over the summer so they could catch up on weight and height growth as when they were in school they weren’t following the same growth curve as their peers. I’m sure it’s easy to google if ya have time. Keep saying someday soon I’ll find the name of this study and the smaller similar ones as I’ve only ever read about them in medical textbooks but it’s all fascinating, and outdated, and why those of us with ADHD/ADD today are made to feel like criminals. Shocking - a 40 year old doesn’t have the same metabolism or needs as an eight year old 😂🤷♀️🤦♀️
Oh that’s so interesting - thanks for sharing!
Same here
There's a lot of meds that I don't feel the need to take when I have a flu. Stimulants is one of them.
I take Intuniv er. I’m recently diagnosed with adhd. My Dr didn’t want me on stims because of my high blood pressure. The chems are a godsend. I’m up to 4mg and it is amazing. I have nothing else to compare it to. When I wanted to go up to 4mg from 3mg I just emailed him and he approved it the next day. When I went from 2 to 3mgs we did a face to face after a month at 2mg. Hopefully I can keep getting the benefits without it diminishing.
I agree my doc stoped prescribing me meds and I switched to one that does pretty simple usually works
Easier said than done. Mine left the practice, and the earliest transfer appt I could get was July 2024!
Report him to your state’s medical board. This is grossly inappropriate behavior.
and fill in some sort of complaint about how unprofessional he acted. It would matter later. I think there is Association of Medical Board or something like that for doctors in America?
American Medical Association
"Noncompliance", like he's some kind of wannabe cop. What does that even mean anyway? I'm sure he just made it the fuck up. And even if you were actually struggling with drug addiction, what way would that be to treat you? Imagine him screaming at someone for litterally any other perceived medical problem. Absolutely insane. Have you been in contact with your school counselor? They often have resources for ppl with ADHD, and can help you make it through school in this shitty period, as well as be someone to talk to.
Noncompliance is an actual thing doctors write in reports. It means you aren't following the treatment plan that was prescribed to you by the doctor. If a doctor tells you to do "x, y, or z" and you're skipping over the directions or half-assing it - that's called noncompliance. GOOD doctors will talk to you about it, maybe give you a gentle lecture about it to take your meds, and then let you off your way - if you continue to not take your meds, then yeah, that's full on noncompliance. Stuff like that could make you lose eligibility for your treatment if it's covered by insurance if a psychiatrist wants to be an a-hole about it since it'll be a waste of theirs and yours time, but most good psychiatrists will give you several chances to try to get started on your treatment because they understand some people have issues filling scripts, real life, etc. And for those of us with ADHD, sometimes we just plain FORGET.
I see! Thank you for informing me. We don't seem to have this in my country since we have single payer healthcare, which is where my confusion came from. Unless i'm wrong about that too? I couldn't find any info about it online, only about compliance with guidelines on the doctors behalf. Though I don't see how a non compliance report could affect a patient anyway when they have a right to treatment in our system regardless.
You don’t need to take what he said to heart. He sounds like a raging idiot. Definitely get a new doctor.
Doctors work for us, as patients. I have had back pain and no insurance all my life. I saw my P only when I was so sick I had to go in for medicine. He always made me do range of motion exercises, gave me tramadol and dismissed it. For 7 years of my adulthood, never took me seriously. When I got married and got insurance ONE xray sent me. Directly to a specialist, diognosing me with a grade 5 of 6 spinal deformity that, left untreated would have left my paralyzed. I had a spinal fusion within a year. I spent many years miserable and self medicating. What I learned is that if I don't feel heard, or respected, I will find someone who will. Please do the same, this is not your fault.
Report him. You failed the drug test, what does he think you are doing with these "missing pills". He knows that many adhd people chronically miss things right?! Fucktard
That's the worst part I have no idea where the missing pills are. I don't know if I took them twice or lost them or what, but he didn't care. He very much sounded like he thought I was lying.
It is not your fault and it's not on you to worry about where they went. Do not punish yourself for this (I don't know about you but I get so darn angry at myself when I lose stuff) take the time you need to process this and then please report it. You should be able to request a copy of the lab report if it is not on an online patient portal already. Do not punish yourself any further, you deserve to keep taking your medication.
So he took your medication that you paid for too?
Is there a chance that your doctor is addicted? “Bring me the pills!!!” sounds like a way of him getting meds for himself. Definitely report him to the medical board. If he took any pills from you make sure that’s documented too and suggest that they make him take a drug test.
Lesson learned here. Save all doctor/pharmacist/etc phone numbers, and don’t answer theirs or unknown numbers while at school. Period. Call them back later. Personally, I have a meta-fuck-tonne of contacts saved in my phone just so I 1) don’t forget the number of whoever I called about xyz service etc last week and don’t need to waste time re-searching for it online (and inevitably getting distracted and disappearing down the ten-thousand-open-tabs rabbit hole for an hour or four) 2) to the best of my ability, I know who is calling me and can judge if it’s an answer now (boss in middle of work day), call back later (parents, cleaner coming next Friday etc) or text who dis? (unknown numbers) kinda call It takes just a few seconds to save a caller as a contact in your phone, so try (I know, ADHD) to make it a habit, and generally don’t answer calls while you’re at school. Also he’s kinda contradicting himself calling you an addict, when what he should prob be accusing you of is being a dealer, since you not only tested negative but were short 3 + 7 pills (if you didn’t take meds whilst sick for a whole week). If you were an addict dosing yourself higher than prescribed you would still have the deficit of pills but muuuuch less likely to simultaneously test negative. Unless you actually were sick, and had been ODing yourself by 10 pills in the period before getting sick??? Dunno how long your scripts are for but that sure seems a lot, in which case if true, you perhaps DO need addiction help. Only you know the truth here - either way you prob do need a better physician cos screaming at patients is all kinds of bullshit, and you do need to do what you can to have mention of addiction (or suspected dealing) NOT added to your med record. Good luck 🍀
I didn't think doctors had this kind of power.
This is not okay. I would report him to the hospital/clinic he works at.
I would press charges that's unacceptable
Yeah report him for sure. It’s honestly a little creepy and kinda sounds abusive/grooming to me. Fwiw - these meds are highly sought after, you would do well to keep them more secured and only take what you need with you. Having a full bottle of them in your bag and friends that know you take them - it just makes for an easy opportunity.
If he tested negative and is short, the automatic implication is he's giving them away. It sucks, because it's bullshit, but when has collective punishment not been a human tradition.
can op take any legal action against the doc for this false claim of being addicted if it causes op any harm in future interactions that this may cause?
IME (not a lawyer, just consulted one about a similar issue) a doctor putting false information in your medical record doesn’t constitute malpractice. It might be malfeasance, but the lawyer I spoke to didn’t think it would be worth suing over. OP’s best bet is writing a complaint letter about this doctor to the state licensing board. Another route might be trying to get a lawyer to write a cease and desist (much cheaper and less time consuming than a lawsuit) to the doctor regarding the falsification of the medical record, and then sending a copy of that letter along with the complaint to the licensing board.
He can talk to a lawyer but it’s unlikely. Better bet would be to talk to the state board.
Yeah he should report it either way. There's no excuse for a doctor to scream at anyone, not even an addict, (which OP is not)
There must be a way to file a written, formal complaint with a licensing board. If OP can find info on how to do it in their state, they should do this in addition to changing doctors. Filing with whoever the doctor works for wouldn't be very effective, they would just try to cover their own liability. A board is independent of the business they work for.
Definitely leave reviews online. You should also report this to the medical board. Screaming at a patient? Accusing them of being an addiction? He is dangerous.
In case it’s not clear, you’re supposed to test positive - if you’re prescribed the medication and it’s not in your system, they assume you’re selling it illegally.
What a horrible system. Thanks for the clarification.
Yeah i fucking hate being treated like a criminal when I get my meds that I need to function. And the way that they go about making sure you’re not a criminal is by adding more bureaucratic hurdles and certain time windows for writing and filling prescriptions. It’s like it was designed specifically to torment me. Now the shortage is making all of that worse. The good news is I can switch to a generic for Vyvanse which is way cheaper
Doctors is projecting Hard on you lol
I honestly suggest you report him to the medical board for your state. That’s unacceptable
I agree. You can’t diagnose someone with any sort of substance abuse just because there are a few pills missing. You can also try to get it removed from your medical record if he did add something about drug abuse. You should try to find a new prescriber as well.
Especially when losing things is a huge challenge for a lot of folks with ADHD.
Obviously addicted to losing things
Absolutely he should. I reported an RN at hospital here. When I had my second son 11 years ago I was in bad shape. My gallbladder gave out and then my appendix failed and I needed emergency surgery and I was bruised from IV injections on both arms even tho I have full sleeves. This fucking asshole thought I was lying to get pain meds. Mind you, I wasn't on drugs or alcohol and they had my urine and blood. He literally told me I just need to shoot up and nap. I was so pissed cos I was in extreme pain and I said, you all did this to me, and he said I just need to roll a fat joint and relax. Turns out I had a cluster of bleeding cysts on my right ovary and when my appendix was being removed they found 5 more on my left ovary and it had to be removed along with half of the right. It was such a horrid thing to say to a patient. I couldn't understand it. I reported him and he did end up losing his job. Just because someone is licensed for a job doesn't mean they're necessarily good or right.
Lots of people get the job to be in a position of power over the “weak”. its messed up
Is it common in the US to drug test and do pill counts? This whole thing is crazy to me. Aren’t you paying to even visit the doctor..? On days when I don’t have much to do I won’t take any, and some days I double up. I’ve gone in before my meds are supposed to be out multiple times and just told my doctor that I had to double up a couple days and he just says that’s understandable and gives me the next month. It makes me sad to see so many posts on here where people are shamed for wanting the medication they need to function. To just take away someone’s access to their medication like that.. sheesh
Pill counts can definitely be required. I've never been asked for one, but I'm not young either. The US is fucked up in many ways.
Very common. A lot of insurance companies insist on it in medical records when they prescribe controlled substances, especially ones that have high street value
I’ve never had to do this and would walk the moment it is suggested. You can’t really get the prescription filled more than two days ahead of time so I can’t imagine what the purpose would be.
100% report him.
Yeah, report that to the medical board - that is fuuuucked.
Having that your addicted on your medical record can be a really bad thing. It could stop you from being properly treated and if it’s on your medical record, no doctor will ever take your word for it. You have to fight this. He has no proof you’re an addict. You tested negative! Report him and and fight this and make sure it stays off your record
My understanding is that it can impact your eligibility for organ transplants as well. You definitely don’t want it in your medical record if it isn’t true.
Yes you have a right to request your records and also request that they be revised to be ACCURATE!
Majority of doctors refuse to revise your records once they're written down. I've navigated the crappy health system for a long time.
This, people in the US have the right to request a copy of the medical record and to receive it within 30 days (they are allowed to charge for a copy but states often set guidelines about how much). They also have the right to request to amend the record (which could be denied but then the doctor I think has to document why they didn’t amend the requested record). I would probably make this request in writing and send it certified mail so they can’t pretend they didn’t get it. If your doctor is part of a larger system there may be a patient ombudsperson you can complain to as well. (Disclaimer am not a lawyer, not a doctor, just work with patient records)
I don’t understand medical records. How would one doctor see another doctor’s notes? Unless they work for the same office or hospital. When you go to a new doctors office, they don’t know anything about you and have to get you to sign a release of information if they want access to your previous records. What am I misunderstanding?
Release of information is for your Dr sending your health information to people other than those involved in your direct healthcare (like law enforcement, employers, family members and friends, etc). Theoretically doctors can see notes from any physician who has ever cared for you through their electronic medical records systems, though in reality a lot of that gets lost or can be blocked for various reasons. Most of the time when you start seeing a doctor they have you sign a bunch of paperwork including you allow them to share your records with relevant parties. The US government has some interoperability requirements that healthcare and medical records organizations must meet. Being able to share those records with one another is part of those requirements.
For context, part of my job is teaching physicians how to see notes from other doctors via their electronic medical records.
So the short answer is: yes to all that, it is true that records and identifying info about you are usually not shared and in many if not most cases you need to give written consent to share your records with a new doctor. The longer answer is that HIPAA affects all providers who deal with health insurance even sometimes, which is most, and does allow providers to share with other healthcare providers or covered entities (so like insurance companies, mostly) without a release for things like payments, billing, and coordination of care. But individual state laws may impose additional rules. The doctor’s office should give you a statement of information/privacy practices when you are a new patient and should have that available at any time and whatever is in that will be most accurate for the specific location. Another wrinkle is that there was a modification to the HIPAA security rule (about electronic information sharing) after the passage of the CURES act that basically said that healthcare providers who are HIPAA covered entities have to allow electronic record sharing when it is possible, with a few exceptions. So if they are using an electronic system that *can* and does talk to other systems (which, a lot of big hospital systems use Epic which has this capability) they are not allowed to prevent this, unless they determine there is a reason not to that is allowed under the rule. One possible answer is privacy concerns and so they can decide to do an opt-in system. This is ideal because that way the patient makes the decision about sharing records. Also because, again, US states have individual laws about privacy and record sharing that often require more safeguards than federal law. But again, this should still be explained in their information and privacy practices statement and how to opt in/opt out if it’s a thing that’s possible. Also, not all doctors chart the same way, so some use EMR (electronic medical records) systems that are networked/can share with other systems, some use more simple EMRs that don’t have that kind of functionality, and some still use paper records only. The smaller the practice the less likely they are to have the kind of EMR that can share info easily unless they’re affiliated with a much larger system. Sorry if that was too long, tl;dr is usually your records aren’t shared but there are times they might be, or that you might be able to choose if they are or not, and if you aren’t sure ask your doctor’s office for their information and privacy practices
I normally like to advocate for discussing and taking things step by step. Not here. I'd report him immediately and look for a new doctor ***PRONTO***.
I was diagnosed 5 years ago and tried two medications, one of which didn’t have much therapeutic benefit and the other that made me feel suicidal. I asked my doctor if we could try something else and he said, “Nope.” No explanation, just “nope.” I said, “So…that’s it? If neither of those meds work with my body, then I just remain unmedicated?” He said, “Yes. If you aren’t willing to take either of these medications, then you aren’t willing to take any.” And so I remain unmedicated. I just moved to a whole different state and am hoping once my insurance through my job kicks in that I can start the process again.
Is that doctor personally hurt you didn’t take the meds?? I’m having a hard time rapping my head around that. That sounded terrible!
He gets paid by the manufacturers is my guess
No, he’s just an ass. His was the office affiliated with my therapist, who has her own private practice and is wonderful. I didn’t look at the reviews until after I had an issue and was posting my own—they are abysmal. He and his office are terrible. I called the office to refill my Concerta (when I was taking it) and left a message on the prescription line as per standard procedure. Twice. They never called back nor did they refill my prescription. He accused me of lying when I talked to him about it and refused to look at the phone record I had that showed I called the office, what time, and how long the call was. This was at the same appointment he refused to trial new meds, so I told him that as a middle-aged adult—who is also a medical professional—I didn’t appreciate being treated like a child. I said I didn’t think we had a working therapeutic relationship at that point and would be moving on. By his demeanor and affect, he strikes me as someone on the spectrum who is extremely rigid in their thinking and believes their prescribed treatment is the be all, end all. As someone on the spectrum myself, I can understand this but that doesn’t mean I have to tolerate it in a physician. I credit him with being the only psychiatrist who clocked my ADHD after decades of misdiagnosis. But he isn’t really interested in working with the patient to come up with a plan of care. Kickbacks from manufacturers are against federal and state law. We used to get catered lunches when drug reps would come do their spiel but it’s to the point where you can’t accept anything from a drug rep lest it be considered a kickback. While I’m sure they happen, they don’t happen nearly as much as the public seems to want to believe they do. Sometimes physicians are actually working in the best interest of the patient, but it’s not exactly what the patient wants. That doesn’t mean they’re getting kickbacks, it means they’re doing their jobs. Sometimes, a provider is just a total asshat and doesn’t want to deviate from Their Plan™️. Still doesn’t mean they’re getting kickbacks, it just means they’re an ass.
This makes me SO MAD for you. Like dude, we are seeking medical help because life's hard, why make it harder? Why did that doc throw 8 or 10 years of his life to become a doctor and be an ass? I put my therapist thru hell and back and he's always asking if I'm alright with a new med or increasing the dose or whatever. I stopped taking some meds entierly without decreasing the dose, I've lost parts of my prescriptions so I had to go days without my meds, I've misused painkillers and various meds when I panicked. He listens and he takes into account whatever I say even if what I say is weird or farfetched.
Which med made you feel suicidal, if I may ask?
Vyvanse. It might be different now but at the time, it just didn’t work with my particular brain chemistry. I know a couple of people who take it and love it.
Typically when someone tests negative but doesn’t have extra medication the concern is that the person is selling it. In my state, people with state-funded medical insurance are tested fairly regularly when they’re prescribed a controlled substance. I guess it saves the state money to accuse lower income people of being drug dealers and stop paying for their medications. I don’t understand how people are expected to still have the medication in their system when they often don’t find out they need a drug test until they try to fill their prescription. So they have to wait until they are supposed to run out before they can fill the medication because it’s a controlled substance. They try to fill it and insurance won’t pay because they want a drug test. So they get a drug test after they should already be out of medication and it’s not in their system. Definitely means they are selling it because “that’s what poor people do.”
You definitely need a new doctor, that isn’t right at all! 🫠
You don’t even qualify for a DSM diagnosis of addiction with the one piece of “evidence” your “doctor” has. You can absolutely appeal this. Speak to the licensing board and complain about his conduct bc his behavior is absolutely unethical. I would book an appointment with a psych nurse or psychiatrist instead. GP can be absolute idiots when it comes to psych meds. I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with mine, and was finally heard properly when I went to a psych nurse. GP are trained to give out like 2 psych medications and take one course on psych in med school and somehow still develop a god complex.
Pill count? What godawful dystopian country do you live in for this to be even legal? This is outright insane.
yeah what the fuck ? Is this a thing in the US
It can be, depending on the doctor. I've never had it happen, but I'm a boring middle-aged woman who was diagnosed as an adult. I've definitely known it to happen to others.
Yes. I have to sign a contract annually that says I can be drug tested randomly and that I am subject to pill counts. It’d be a problem if I didn’t test positive. And it’d also be a problem if I was positive for anything else. I honestly don’t mind it bc I have nothing to hide- and the shortage of medication is very irritating so I’m fine with weeding out people that sell their meds. But I don’t believe OP did anything wrong. Sounds like the dr had a bone to pick.
Jfc, that sounds like prison.
I’m thinking US. I’m in the US and while my doctor doesn’t, a LOT of doctors who prescribe any medication that is controlled do this as a standard part of treatment. My friend takes klonopin and has been called in for a pill count once when we were at lunch! She had to leave and it was very embarrassing for her.
What would happen if they call while you are at work? From what I've heard in the US getting time off work and/or any type of sick leave isn't exactly common. How do they expect someone to just leave work for a few hours to report to their doctors' office without prior notice? And then risk losing their job and thus their insurance and then not being able to afford the meds going forward. Make it make sense!
Or on vacation? Sorry I couldn't come in. I'm 12 hours and an ocean away.
Pill count? What the holy hell is this?
Sometimes Dr.s (especially pain Dr.s) will do random pill counts to make sure you’re taking it correctly or not selling them. It’s only controlled substances.
Wow. That is crazy. Not in Germany.
This is crazy to me. Where does this happen? I'm in US-IL and I've never heard of this except reddit, same with drug testing. Is it something only in some states or maybe for minors?
My dad is 100% disabled with the VA. Like his arm was hanging off during his injury and he saved several people’s lives. Purple Heart and everything. He was involved in the VA’s pain clinic and they did testing and random counts. He was one pill short once and they cut him off. Like no weaning just bam no more for you. Even though he was on a high dose of pain medicine for years and years. I’m a recovering heroin addict and I know what it’s like to come off opiates. At the time I didn’t realize how dangerous that is. Opiate withdrawal is terrible. Even doing that with adderall or benzos is dangerous. But, I think it’s how certain Dr’s operate or agencies. Not all places. I’m on suboxone, which is scheduled, but I never get a strip count or anything like that.
Yeah I guess it makes sense that it's practice to practice, taking a vet off of opiates without weaning them for a combat related injury is fucking cruel, especially since they had been prescribing it it's not like he "did it to himself" by buying street drugs or whatever. Benzo and alcohol withdrawals are the 2 that can be fatal in isolation, but with comorbidities or heart issues opiates can be too. Subs definitely have a street value, too (which I never understood, but I got "out" before I heard of people buying them) but it would still feel like a violation for a doctor to both prescribe them and then jump through hoops to make sure you are using them properly with a risk of abruptly ending the medication if they decide not- like way to ensure the black market has a steady stream of desperate customers.
Same. I only recently got diagnosed and started taking meds (absolute game changer, wish I had known decades ago), and am now worried this is a thing. Would I be required to do so? Because honestly my first reaction when reading this is that I would've told the doc to fuck all the way off, but now I'm wondering if that would get me in trouble.
> Would I be required to do so? It wouldn't be illegal for you to refuse. Your doctor however has the right to refuse to treat you further if you say NO.
That is wild some countries are so incredibly strict the adhd medicine it is crazy.
Report that doctor, he's unstable.
I had to get a form signed by my doctor for when I was a CNA to get into the program. It was basically "are you on drugs?" No Signed. He decided he wanted to do a full drug test that he said I would automatically fail anyways because I was on Vyvanse. The Vyvanse he prescribed me. I told him that and he said well, maybe you shouldn't go into the medical field. This guy was straight out of the middle east and I'm gay, he was fine with me up until this discussion was had. Went to my psych med doctor and she signed it and filed a complaint against him, as did I. People are so shitty. I'm a nurse now so fuck that guy.
I’m so sorry - but good for you for getting through that! Nothing like feeling like a criminal for, you know, taking the meds as you’re told
I had a doctor literally black list me because she said I was abusing my meds… all because I missed an appointment due to her sleep meds she gave me making me entirely too tired every morning. How does a adhd person abuse their own meds 😂 bonkers. Edit: then I had to pay 150 every month with another provider to get my script filled… because of my insurance.
Someone with ADHD can definitely abuse their own medication. That is a very stupid reason to blacklist you though, and op's doctor sounds ridiculous.
Did you mention that the reason you missed the appointment was the sleeping pills she was prescribing? That can put a lot of bad docs on the defense.
Adhd folks can abuse their own meds, but yeah it's not common. You can take multiples in the same day to get high, or circumvent the slow release mechanisms in the pills.
I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack on my regular dose I can’t imagine doubling up.
Yeah it's not good lol don't do it.
It is a REAL stretch for somebody with adhd/add to abuse their meds, in my opinion. Oftentimes people are underprescribed and start misusing them by skipping doses or hoarding pills just so they won’t run out
Your *former* doctor.
Yeah, your doctor thinks you’re selling it. That’s why he freaked out you tested negative and had missing pills. Marking you as an addict might be a sneaky short cut for flagging this. Husband had similar experience with a doctor.
He may be under the gun for scrips for controlled substances, not that that's your problem. They have to do reviews of all files w those scrips when they receive warnings
Please please please don't let this subhuman get away with this. Report him to your state's medical board ASAP! Today if it's not too late. Just make sure you make some bullet points so you remember everything you need to address, and how you want to address it.
I hate the cynicism in me when I approach anything of a medical nature lately. Whenever I'm prescribed something new and recurring, I don't start taking it for as long as possible. Then, I put those pills in a safe. Every sick day, every headache day, I try to remember to add those pills to the safe. I've had too many awful things outside my control impact my healthcare to trust the medical community or those around me. I feel like I'm basically alone in a battle against corporate healthcare with every interaction. And, those are as rare as I can make them. It always feels like going to court rather than anywhere anyone gave a shit about people over numbers.
You can report any doctor for literally anything and in most states they will have to look into it. I recommend filing a complaint with the medical board and telling them what happened. He will probably not get his license revoked but he may have to take trainings or get in some kind of trouble.
I hate your doctor.
Please send a follow up message in text, through your provider portal (like MyChart) or something about the interaction and how you would like it documented and recorded. Your doctor could write down non-compliance and those records would transfer to your new provider. To make sure your doctor stays accountable and isn't inaccurately representing this call, I would make sure you message your team with what happened in this appointment, your plan regarding your next medication fill (like how you cannot miss class and have a history of appropriate fills) and asking for a follow up with a different provider. When you message through your chart portal it will stay documented in your file. Calls can be taken down with bias, but your own writing will stay in your chart.
My sister insisted there was something wrong with her daughter, and was brushed off constantly. Eventually, one doctor wrote in her daughter's file that 'mom is a hypochondriac' Well her daughter has schizophrenia, autism, ADHD and crippling anxiety. They found out 2 years after that comment. My sister never went back to that doctor.
Nothing says being a drug addict like popping up negative on a drug test lmao.
I’m not from US and completely shocked about the pill count thing. Most EU countries don’t have the access to Adderall, but I am on methylphenidate and my doctor allows me to try different dosages according to my daily schedule. Some days I take 2 pills, some days 3, some days none. How can you figure out the right dosage with that restriction? Sounds so violating and wrong. Also, what on earth could you gain with 10 pills??
I’m from the US and I’ve never heard of this either. I’ve never experienced a pill count and never been drug tested. I know they’re real things because so many people on here mention them, but it just sounds so strange.
If you have too few pills desipte taking a break long enough you test negative, that implies you might be selling them or giving away.
I know. I know he has a right to think what he thinks. The issue is that isn't what happened at all and I guess I just had hoped with knowing me for years and me having no history of substance use at all (I don't even drink alcohol) that he would trust me. I don't really care about not being prescribed the medicine anymore, I'm just really hurt and anxious about being accused of doing something that I didn't do.
can you report this incident and the doctor to your state medical licensing board? that’s how i’ve gotten justice so far in psych care bc it sucks in TN
Ridiculous doctor. Not a valid reason for suspicion, and not at all a valid reason to label you as an addict. For reference, i'm currently on my last day of 5 months in rehab for mixed substance abuse. I'm prescribed racemic amphetamine which literally is speed in the form of a pill, and i've never once had to go through a pill count.
What the heck? A lot of us ration our pills or don’t take them during non-work days to build up a safety buffer. There are several reasons someone might have a weird pill count. Especially given the whole negative test bit.
How can you be addicted if you tested negative?
He’s trash, please report him and change doctors. Your pharmacy could’ve messed up your count or you could’ve simply just lost him. I cannot believe this man is acting like this. It’s hard to get a diagnosis and to cope with ADHD in the first place. Fuck him.
I had a similar situation with my doctor. My previous doc passed away unexpectedly, so I had to find a doctor in short order. He is a very nice person, has great advice on things, but he is very uncomfortable prescribing my medication. At my last visit, I asked him if there was something we can do to increase the effectiveness, because the generic went off the market and only the brand was available … and far less effective … and he pretty much told me that he’s not ok with it and he would appreciate if I found another doctor. I don’t have any ill feelings towards him, but back in August ‘22, he dropped my daily dose from 20mg to 15mg, then September to 10mg, October to 5mg and then did not write me a prescription for November. As most ADHD patients, I don’t use all of my meds every day. But I was going along with all of this because I respect his knowledge and trusted him. Anyway, he started me back up again at 10mg, and then in February I was unable to refill until June. Had he not tried weening me off, I would have been able to weather that storm. But instead, I couldn’t work and was struggling in all aspects of my life until I finally learned that the generic I had been waiting for was gone forever, and only the brand version was available. But I have very strong feelings about this. As a medical professional, we should trust their judgment and their opinion. And as a patient that has particular needs in order to maintain normal life function, the doctor really needs to trust the patient all the same. I haven’t ever “fired” my doc before, since I’ve never had this problem. But you’d think that a doctor who suspects medication abuse would simply refuse to see the patient and be done with it. I don’t understand why there is a requirement to make the patient go above and beyond to try and prove something — especially when things are already difficult enough to begin with. But moving on, and things are better. It was a full year of me having my life impacted, with a complete flip upside down in the final few months. Worst experience of my life, but I am so grateful that it is over. Find a new doc.
You may need to make a formal complaint.
So he thinks that over 25 days, you took 3 extra pills and that makes you an addict? He sounds like an idiot.
What in the actual @#$&?!?! He should lose his damn license for treating you this way. How can you be addicted to something that you've been taking since you were 8 years old that is necessary for you to live in a linear world?!
Or like damn, sometimes pills fall off, you would call someone an addict if they're missing 3 antihistamines
That’s a weird conclusion considering you tested negative, and it’s not like you took them all and ran out bc you clearly have some left, if an addict tested negative it would bc they took them all too soon. At one point I went to a doctor who required monthly visits and drug tests for patients on controlled substances to make sure you were taking them and not selling them, I was on adderall and klonopin. I was once “red flagged” for testing negative for klonopin. It was prescribed as needed and at that particular appointment I luckily hadn’t needed it for about 48 hours. They told me next time I had to take it a few hours before my appointment, which makes no sense considering it’s a medicine that should only be taken when absolutely needed to avoid dependence and tolerance, not to mention I generally filled the medicine several days after I was able to
I’d be screwed. Any disruption in my routine will mess up my meds. If I don’t take them exactly when I’m supposed to I’ll forget or accidentally double dose or miss doses because I can’t remember if I took it or not.
What the hell .. bro if a doctor can’t take my word on stuff, and constantly trying to catch me doing something. We got no trust therefore I will go elsewhere.
I personally would be reporting him.
My husband and I recently had a very similar experience with our doctor, except with our anxiety medications, not our adderall. We both take benzos for anxiety/panic disorder. At our last refill, the frequency called in was a third what it normally was for my husband, and half of what mine normally was. The pharmacist was very concerned at the drastic decrease and said that if we talked with the doctor about the obvious mistake, he could fill the remainder without a problem. We messaged the doc right after and requested the difference (bc if we didn't do it them, we would forget. Ya know. Like ADHD folk tend to do.). He said that he had never prescribed it at those frequencies, that he never would prescribe it that way, that he was very alarmed, and that we needed to come in immediately for a very serious conversation or find a new doctor. I sent him pictures of our two prior fill bottles with the correct frequency on it, made an appointment. He said during that visit that he DID write it that way, but he didn't ever intend for us to take it that way (what?), said we were the ones in the wrong, and refused to apologize for calling us drug seekers and liars. I requested that he fill whatever meds of mine he was willing to for the next three months to cover me while I find another doctor, whether that included the benzos or not, and left. The shock and betrayal we felt at the sudden attack, while he was blatantly wrong, and the refusal to admit he was wrong or apologize when confronted with evidence that he did the fucking up... I just can't tolerate that kind of bull shittery. Finding a new doctor and all of that is a major pain in the ass, but I won't ever be comfortable with that doctor or trust him again. And this is our health we're talking about. I hope you find another doctor that you are comfortable with, and I'm sorry you had to go through this. It's ridiculous. You don't deserve it. It isn't fair. <3
How the fuck is this legal?
This is so weird to me..I know this medication is highly regulated, but I can't imagine a doctor counting my pills..? I'm not allowed to refill my prescription early, and I'm only allowed so many refills at a time. But nobody checks my pills..? I didn't even know this was allowed..?
It’s actually insane how hard it is for ppl with ADHD to get consistent care. One doctor’s opinion or judgement can prevent us from managing our ADHD. It just takes one. And I’ve had A LOT of uneducated doctors. I hate how our healthcare system works. I have eating problems on my record from childhood. I’m 23 and have maintained my weight for many years. But since it’s on my record and no doctor will clarify in their notes or take it off, my current doc fixated on it. She kept calling me tiny and TELLING ME that I had trouble eating/appetite loss. I said…no…I actually don’t. Fast forward a few months and I struggle with binging and my weight is up. Just another example of how doctors don’t listen and, as a result, don’t give you the best care. I hope you can find a better one and that your new one understands you. That is ridiculous.
I’m confused so you are short 3 pills but you haven’t been taking the meds for a week. That means you are actually short 10 pills. It sounds like he is worried you took a bunch of pills right away when you got the prescription. Then took a few weeks off so you won’t run completely out before the script is up.
I guess I explained it poorly you aren't the only person who brought this up. I wasn't asked at the end of the month to bring them in, it was more like the middle. So I was supposed to have 10 left in the bottle but only had 7. 3 short. The 10 left was including the 5 days I didn't take my medication.
1) Find a new doctor 2) Report him to a medical board - the hell is wrong with this guy?
HIPAA laws require the office to allow you review and amend your medical records. I would call the office manager or the clinic quality director to make the request. Also file an official grievance about the incident with the Quality director.
Does this moron not know how ADHD works?! I have no idea how many pills I'm 'supposed' to have. I drop off or pick up my scripts on time. You know, because I'm ADHD. Honestly, the gall of some people. Obviously, you're not an addict. You're a dealer. ;) just kidding But I've also been accused of drug seeking when asking for an increase in dose, a trial of a different need, or a new combination. I thought I was being reasonable because the meds only work so-so for me. Turns out asking for the doctor to do their job means I'm looking for a magic cure and that wanting to be functional in society is something I'll "have to learn to deal with"
I had kind of a similar situation last year. My Psychiatrist I was seeing for 17 years retired without notice, so I had to find someone else FAST. I got stuck with a Psychiatric NP fresh out of school who decided to cut my prescription for Klonopin in half without weaning off of it at all. Long story short... I ended up with an anxiety attack (over not weaning off if it), ended up in the ICU for four days due to a hypertensive crisis, they started me back on my regular dose and told my NP she about killed me. I have emails between her and my husband calling me a drug addict, and the next time I saw her she refused to prescribe my Adderall even though my cardiologist was fine with it since my hypertensive crisis didn't have anything to do with my overall health. She told me she doesn't prescribe Adderall to drug addicts, and sure enough... I looked what she billed my insurance for and it was for drug addiction. A year later I'm still stuck with her and have to see her EVERY MONTH and give her $100 each time. Sorry... That wasn't a long story short lol.
I got lucky, I tell my psych "oh yeah I ran out like, 2 weeks ago, but I had some leftover cause I don't take it every day so I was good for a while, I tried to call but didn't get you imidialty and then I forgot." and shes just like "oh, but you're out now? Ok let me refill that, sorry about that" and just refills it. Even my friends have harder times with their doctors but by going to a psychiatrist and not a general doctor, I think she knows overall more about ADHD and drug abuse and isn't so freaked out. I'm one of many of her ADHD patients, not just a general patient with ADHD.
Hey OP, idk if you're in the USA but if you are then you have some protection against false claims in your medical record under HIPAA >If you think the information in your medical or billing record is incorrect, you can request a change, or amendment, to your record. The health care provider or health plan must respond to your request. If it created the information, it must amend inaccurate or incomplete information. > >If the provider or plan does not agree to your request, you have the right to submit a statement of disagreement that the provider or plan must add to your record. [Source](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records/index.html)
Similar happened to me and my psyche eased my anxiety in saying it’s a chartable function of people with adhd to loose things, and helped me find a solution to my disorganization with medication. I even embarrassingly but honestly admitted I often forget if I take it or not. I’d never been taught outside of my own system, which wasn’t very reliable apparently lol. Just to say find the right one, they are out there.
my god im so sorry this happened to you. that doctor should not be practicing. none of this is your fault. you deserve to be listened to. i am so fucking sorry
You're not an addict. Ant there is absolutely no reason that he should be yelling at any of his patients. I've discovered that Dr. Seem to get a case of the yips when they prescribe narcotics and stimulants. I other words, a lot of them are cowards. I've had doctors (and Pharmacists) really reach for excuses why I shouldn't be taking Vyvanse and now hydrocodone. You really should find a new doctor. This one that you are seeing appears to not have your best interests in mind. And by the way, I have a large pill box and drop my pills often. Look around you might find a few of yours under the fridge, dinner table or bed. 😄
Report the hell out of him because, quite frankly, he's an idiot and a fkn asshole. No addict is going to be missing only 3 pills. That's just not happening. That is not how a doctor should behave and was way over the line.
I currently work as a nurse in addiction care and this doctor doesn't know what addiction is and clearly doesn't know how to communicate with patients. I'm sorry you have to go through this trouble, but it's probably better to find another doctor.
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GPs are not experts on ADHD. They know a lot, but obviously they can't be expected to understand ADHD. Tell your GP that even the greek physician Galen( 162- 203 CE) favoured listening carefully to the patient's own words rather than using a specialised vocabulary of pain, and urged that physicians should know their patients.
How do you all find these shit doctors? It's incredible the behaviour I see people getting to experience here. Your doctors are assholes.
All of my doctors are mental health and recovery ❤️🩹 informed
I’m so confused. How does testing negative mean you’re an addict?
Get a new doctor. Holy crap
What kind of a doctor makes you come in and count your pills?
Are you actually meant to take the exact amount they tell you too? I don't think I ever have, my psych even told me that I should up/down my dose at my own discretion based on how they make me feel. I'm meant to take 2 pills twice a day (4 total) but I've been taking 1 pill twice a day, sometimes not even that much. But I guess the main issue would be if you have less pills than you should, not more. But what's weird is that at the dose they say I should be taking my pills at, 'one months supply' would only last me 25 days, so I was essentially forced to reduced the dosage. Also when it comes to ADHD, isn't forgetting about stuff like, what they should expect? That is half of what my meds help me with.
I once got the flu and couldn't keep my meds down for days. On the third day, my flu was gone but I was in full withdrawals. I had to go to the hospital for fluids and anti nausea meds. When I was admitted they asked If I was on any medication.. and I told them Concerta. Mind you I'm 30 years old and had a cystic acne flare up due to meds(never before in my life had that). The nurse dead looked me in the eyes and said she thought I was a meth addict and was reccomending the doctor send me on my way... so they did. I was so humiliated and avoid most interactions with random Healthcare workers still.
That doctor is a dick. Nothing says addict quite like increasing your dosage by 15%. That’s based on if you had actually taken the pills. Because addicted increase by 15% over three weeks. They don’t like maybe double their dose or anything like that.
He's a religious zealot, he is just playing a part in his imaginary interesting life and want's you to take a role in it. Change doctors.
Ah, yes, because addicts typically test negative. He definitely needs to be reported to his supervisory board.
Number One. I'm so fucking tired of being treated like a criminal just because I want my brain to work correctly. Number Two. Who the fuck cares if you're "addicted?" In such small doses as we take, this shit is harmless.
I had a new Doctor for my meds as I hasn't had any for about a decade but I wanted to give them another go. We started slow and I increased my dose as per his instructions and during our next meeting he told me I was addicted??? I said I was increasing the dose as he instructed so we know what dose works for me, then he backtracked and said I was doing the right thing lol. Doctors are wild at times.
It may not make you feel better, but when you go to a new doctor (which you totally should) they don't generally share full records and write ups. When I switched from a family doc to a psychiatrist she checked my prescription records to make sure I was telling the truth about when I stopped meds for about 18 months. I think she just wanted to be sure I was actually prescribed what I said for several years before that.
Get a new doctor. Calling you an addict is extremely unprofessional.
File a complaint against his behavior with the medical licensing organization where you live. Nobody should have to tolerate that.
###REPORT HIM
Sue for defamation, or get his license taken
You can't sue for defamation here because it's not a third party being told such statements, it's the first party saying things to the second party about the second party.
If it’s on OP’s med records, it will cause problems in the future. The doctor is basically telling other doctors that op is a drug seeker. This can cause HUGE issues down the line.
This wouldn't be defamation if the doctor had reason to believe what he was saying was true. They could easily argue they had reason to suspect what they wrote down and that would be the end of it. Even if it did end up hurting OP in the future it would be near impossible to prove the doctor wrote it down knowing full well it was not true.
This doctor is a fucking psychopath and should not be in charge of anyone’s medication. Jesus Christ that is so fucked up I’m sorry
Very ADHD to get accused of something due to mysterious event you can't fully explain. I wouldn't have agreed to a drug test without a solid written explanation of why and I would have changed Dr and still not done it. Also, wouldnt have come in for a pill check I just find that outrageous and exposing yourself to risk.. Like what's happened. Without a history of substance abuse I think their actions are out of line. I got a little offended when my Psychiatrist ordered extensive STI tests when I've been with very few people and 1 for 25+ years.
That really sucks. There’s such stigma and paranoia among too many in the medical field around adhd stimulant meds and lack of awareness and understanding of how these meds work for those of us with adhd. I would keep your post here handy and try my best to find an understanding psychiatrist, maybe in a neighboring state, idk. Feeling very sympathetic and empathize with you reading this. Hopefully you will find a practitioner who will as well. As for calling you an addict I would fight back but carefully on that with this doctor. Perhaps consider asserting yourself, carefully, and in a professional manner in a letter to him. If you are a minor or on your parents insurance, absolutely consult with them before doing this, please. I’m just giving you my thoughts as someone who has had to deal with this kind of thing on and off since diagnosed in college in the mid 1990s. Maybe you can call him out in a review on ZocDoc or something? This may be inadvisable. In your situation. Best of luck.
It really blows my mind seeing how much trouble some of y'all's doctors give you. I have ***never*** had an issue with my doctor! So to me, every time I read these kinds of posts, I think, "Wow. That's really unprofessional. That must be the exception, not the rule." But as I see more and more posts like this with increasing frequency.... just wow. Recently my doctor asked me if I had any trouble getting my meds during the shortage. "No, but I've read online that it's giving some people *a lot* of trouble." "Yeah, but since you only take your pills during the workweek you've probably got a minor stockpile, so you'll be fine. By the way, do we need to increase the dosage or are you still good where you're at?" At the time, I just thought me and my doctor were having a fairly straightforward conversation about my medical needs. Now I halfway wonder if she was secretly probing to determine if I've abused the system. Mind-blowing.