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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2004 >> Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
        
(Message started by: Cerberus on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 5:03pm)

Title: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Cerberus on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 5:03pm

Ok....just got back from the neuro's office to get my sleep test results... Ya ready, cause this is gonna be a good one! :D

Ability to sleep randomly: 92% :o
Avg. amount of time to fall asleep randomly: 5 min. :o :o
R.E.M. stage attained during nap testing (4, 20min. naps 2 hours apart): positive :o :o :o

DIAGNOSIS?: HYPERsomnia...WTF?? [smiley=huh.gif]
not totally dissimilar (according to Neuro) to, but not the same as narcolepsy?? WTF X2??????

Basically folks my brain wants to sleep all of the time, and as a result.......my body rejects this idea and causes a degree of pain and discomfort. It explains why I cant stay awake while reading and why I get "road hypnosis" real bad when I drive long distances.
It also may/may not affect the severity and number of attacks I have while in cycle.

Bottom line?.........MORE FREAKIN PILLS! and on top of that I hafta go to the shrink tomorrow and tell her that I am getting a pill that is designed to keep me awake during the day, and see if it is going to cause problems with my anti-depressant which is designed to help me sleep!

Are you confused yet? I sure the fuck am. >:( Monkeys get angry when they are confused. >:(

a confused and pissed off hairless ape,
Ramon

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Tiannia on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 5:23pm

I'm sorry hun. I think I am all Fubared as well. I am exhausted all frigging day and and fall asleep while i am sitting at the CPU typing but at 8pm I wake the fuck up and cant sleep to save my ass. Explain that one.

I hope they figure it out for you.

/huggs Cerberus

Tiannia

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 5:55pm

One pill to wake you up and one to make you sleep?

That blows chunks Bro, I did something similar in the 80's..... ;;D

...............................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by eyes_afire on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 6:40pm

WOW Cerebus,

We have something in common.

Perhaps one day we shall compare notes?

--- Steve

BTW... what did they prescribe, Ritalin? Or the new fad, Provigil?

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 6:46pm

[[[[[ramon]]]]]

Hope it isn't adderall! That drug is nuts...

I have a sleepy brain too....when you have ADD/ADHD, the brain is constantly trying to sleep, which is why it is so hard to pay attention to things. The stimulant drugs like ritalin, concerta, adderall are all designed to wake the brain back up! The newer strattera works a little bit differently.

I took the stimulant meds along with the antidepressants. Wound up being never tired....that concerta kept me up realllly late!!

I hate the falling asleep when reading thing!!! It really makes studying kinda hard!

Anyhow...good luck!! I'm here for you!!!

Hugz, Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:03pm

No such thing as ADD/ADHD

http://www.liddyshow.us/d_ph_add.php

...............................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Cerberus on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:12pm

OH YEA!!

Just did a search for my new med (provigil- used primarily to treat narcolepsy) and guess what??

"The exact way that Provigil works is not known
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Provigil and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· infection;
· nausea, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;
· chills;
· dry mouth;
· runny nose;
· sore throat;
· nervousness;
· anxiety;
· dizziness;
· insomnia;
· depression; or
· numbness or tingling.
Provigil may be habit forming. You should discuss the abuse and dependence potential of Provigil with your doctor. Do not stop taking Provigil without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually lower the dose of the medication before stopping treatment. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome."

Woobs tells me not to read the side effects lists before I start taking a new med (to avoid psychosomatic symptoms) but, I can't help it I hafta know what I may be getting into. Gotta say the headache thing worries me more than just a little and no matter if I read em or not I SEEM to be hyper-sensitive to the effects of medications......not to mention that I REALLY DIDN'T WANT MORE PILLS! >:(

DAMMIT!!!!! >:( :-/
Ramon

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:14pm

Yea I saw that before...also someone else pointed me to a site that said ADD was actually something else.

I didn't take a questionnaire like that...and I just got diagnosed when I was 21, I think.

But there's no medical test for any psychological thing... Only the glorious DSM-IV where psychologists and psychiatrists compare what you describe and tell them to a list of symptoms.

Once I sat in a psych office here at Penn State, and the woman sat there with the DSM open to the anxiety page and was reading down a list of symptoms asking if I had them........duhhhhhhh dumb!!

Anyways...the concerta really helped me, but I've been off it since June.

Now I just walk around in lala land.. :)

Lizz

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:15pm

Ramon,

I just read your post on the med. I think Woobie is right...take it one day at a time, and try not to think about all the possible side effects. When I went to my new neuro, he asked me if the concerta made my head worse, but it didn't for me. Headache is a side effect of a TON of meds...including prilosec!!

Hang in there!!

Lizz

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:22pm

on 03/02/04 at 19:14:05, Lizzie2 wrote:

I didn't take a questionnaire like that...and I just got diagnosed when I was 21, I think.

Ok, take that quiz now, but do it like you were 10 years old.

Me, I would have had answered for me "Yes" to all the questions at that age.......Now at 41 I still would answer "Yes" on at least 50% of them.

There are no tests.....Get it?

.....................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Cerberus on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:32pm

I agree Jonny that ADD/ADHD is blanket coverage in many cases.....specially children, lets face it, teachers and parents are having a hard time dealing with "extremely active" youngsters. I would have to think however, that it would be easier to diagnose in adults. People used to call it "being bored" LOL!

Ramon

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:35pm

LMMFAO....Bus ;;D

They are doping kids up because they are fucking lazy!!

...................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:40pm

http://add.org/content/abc/myths.htm

Special attention to #4 and #10 as relates to this conversation...

Not trying to argue, but if you've ever seen my little cousin (also diagnosed ADHD) in action...you would know that something is seriously wrong with that child...He is not your normal hyperactive 10 year old.

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:48pm

Written by docs, docs that will make money on writing that.

I put my money on G Gordon Liddy that has no money to make off this but has been trying like hell to get the word out.

Did you read every question on that questionaire?

This is what they are going by....How did you do on it?

Sure, some kids are in need but they are drugging all kids that even talk back.....thats bull shit!

.......................................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by pubgirl on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:50pm

I'm with you Jonny.

New teacher (just qualified) in my son's year called in the educational psychologist to assess a little boy in the class for ADHD as he was doing many of the things on that list. I was horrified and worried as my little boy does many of them too. I really felt for his mother as she was immediately thinking she had a problem kid and that the school thought she was a bad mother (she works full-time)

Ed Psych's assessment was "he's young, he'll learn as he gets older, it's a development thing"
Both little boys are still only 4 years old and have been at fulltime school since last September when they had literally just turned 4.
They are the two youngest kids in the school.
They are both struggling with tiredness in addition to some of the behavioural stuff on that list.

I am starting to think that the continental idea of only starting kids in proper fulltime education when they are 7 and are more fully developed to cope might be a good idea. They soon catch up with the kids that started school years before in other countries.

W

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by jonny on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 7:56pm

Whatever happen to the saying "Kids will be kids"?

More money for the drug companies and the docs....thats what!!!

Kill any doc that wants to put your kid on Ritilan.

.........................................jonny

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:03pm

I really agree that ADD and ADHD are overdiagnosed, but it IS a legitimate problem for some kids and adults. I don't think pushing the diagnosis on all young boys acting out is good. I don't think I would put my kid on ritalin unless they were like my little cousin John...he can't function at all off the ritalin. He is super smart and he does really well in school, but he has so many problems with the ADHD. His mom took him off the med because he lost too much weight, and now he's back to being really loopy, out of control, and extremely over-emotional.

After I was diagnosed with ADD for one year, my psychiatrist gave me the following questionnaire:

http://www.adultadd.com/2_2_recognizing/screener.jsp

Again, I don't agree that every kid should have some kind of label, but I think kids and adults who truly need help shouldn't be denied it just because people are reacting to the overdiagnosis.

Just my .02

Lizz

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by pubgirl on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:11pm

Lizz

No offence to you intended, but I'm gobsmacked by that list.
That is a perfectly normal set of behaviours for some adults as far as I can see. Admittedly an adult who procrastinates and gets bored easily and doesn't have a tendency to complete things. These are common traits amongst certain people which psychologists have recognised for years. Truthfully I have a lot of them too, but I work to counteract them.

Are they seriously saying that these are signs of a condition which requires treatment with drugs??

The world has gone mad if they are in my view

W

Modified: Just checked the list again, and if I'm honest I mostly have ALL OF THEM!
I'm not worried though. I do not have any condition. I definitely do not need drugs.

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by BobG on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:16pm

My 2 cents worth..............
Get the kids OFF THE SUGAR. Do not use candy as a reward for being good. Or as an inducement to be quiet, or play nice, or eat all your veggies. STOP THE SUGAR. No soft drinks, cookies, candy, cake or anything with sugar. NONE!
Bet ya 10 to 1 the kid is better acting in just 4 days.

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:18pm

Nah Wendy...as I said in my post, I was given that quiz a year after I was diagnosed... My doc was interested in seeing how I would rate on it.

I was diagnosed with ADD because I was having severe memory loss due to concentration problems. I've always been a straight A student, and I was trying very hard in my classes. However, because of the severity of my concentration problems, I was failing quizzes and exams. My homework was great though, so it wasn't for a lack of trying! My piano lessons were crashing and burning because I couldn't stay focused on my piano music at all. If I heard a noise while playing, I would forget my music and have to start over.

My ability to do well in school and in piano and life were restored by taking concerta. It reallllly helped me a lot. I was able to remember things. Before that, I wouldn't even be able to have a normal conversation with someone because I couldn't concentrate on what they were saying. I would have entire conversations with people and not remember what was said. People would ask me to do things, and I would say ok...but I couldn't remember what they wanted me to do because I never paid attention.

These are a few of the problems that led my psychiatrist to diagnose ADD.

My quality of life sucked, and I was trying really really hard. Not a case of laziness or typical adult inability to concentrate some of the time...

Lizz

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by pubgirl on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:34pm

Not saying for a second that your diagnosis is wrong Lizzie, but those two checklists as a diagnostic tool appear just plain silly to me. Bet the drug companies love them.

W

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 8:37pm

Thanks Wendy...I agree about the checklists. A good psychiatrist/psychologist wouild never go by that! Mine definately did not...he gave me the questionnaire later just out of interest.. He didn't even want it back. Just kinda gave it to me for the hell of it. Anyhow...yeah..questionnaires are dumb! ;;D

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by broomhilda on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 9:05pm

Ramon, I am so sorry to hear this news, I really hope any new meds will be helpful and not a hinderance to all the challenges you've been facing!

Sending you big hugs of support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andrea :D

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by TxBasslady on Mar 2^nd, 2004, 11:15pm

Ramon........

Good luck with all that "stuff" ::)

Hope things get a bit better for you, sweetie :-*

Who loves ya, sweetie????? [smiley=huh.gif]

y ME of course !!!!! :o (and woobie-doo) ;;D

Love,

Jean

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by SommelierCH on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 5:40am

Ramon, Monkey Brother,

Are you an old fart from ’56 like me?

“One pill makes you larger…..Go ask Alice…I think she’ll know!”

Narcolepsy?? I don’t know about Illinois, but you can get into a heap of trouble in Californie for screwing around with dead people. Talk about “Monkey Love”!!

How the hell are you going to be able to tell what’s doing what to your system? Hang on tight my friend. With a little luck, you might just be able to find that elusive balance. I sure hope so.

My thoughts are with you guys,

David J. (My high school nickname was “Hype”. Beer, wine and pot seemed to have that one under control, until these new weird headaches. I’m eliminating possible triggers, so I’m down to ciggs and coffee. The manager at the restaurant asked me tonight: “How long before you can start drinking again?”)

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by helpless23 on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 6:20am

Wow. You have almost the same sleep pattern as my hubby. 28 times in an hour we stops breathing for 10 seconds and his brain never sleeps. You're lucky to even get 4 or so naps in there. He gets none.

Doc didn't put him on any meds though. First off, I wouldn't allow it. Secondly, what for?!?!?!?!

That's rediculous IMHO - but good luck with it none the less. Can't you get the sleeping machine????
And what is the purpose of the shrink? I see why you're going, but I don't understand that at all!

I hope it works out for ya!

Much Love,
Toni

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Karla on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 9:00am

I just needed to add that my two twin boys were diagnosed ADD at the age of 3 and put on medicine. Then I finally got to really thinking about things and it seemed to me that they were just normal boys a bit hyper from their environment and lacking discipline. We took them out of the public school system and put them in a private perocial school where if the child didn't behave Dad or Mom could be called to come discipline their child. I took my children off their ADD meds. I also got rid of the tv. That was the best decision I ever made. No more nija turtles, no more WWF wrestlers, etc. They have made a miraculous turn around. They are now 18 and have a very structured well discaplined life. I had a teacher try telling me a couple of years ago "oh look at him, you can tell just by looking at him that he is ADD!" That was the most ridiculous statement I ever heard. I also think the teachers diagnose ADD just to get extra money for the school system. And to get your kid put on meds is just way to easy. The teacher recomended it. I took my kids in to see a neurologist. I said the teachers think that they are ADD. The neurologist said ok and wrote out a script. No exam or tests or anything. That was my first red flag that something wasnt quite right.

Romon, I am so sorry that you are having to go through all this crap. Stay strong and know that you won't be on antidepressents for the rest of your life. You will eventually recover. It may take a couple of years but you should be able to turn around at some point and time in the future. I will be praying for you.

Title: Re: Diagnosis: Neuro....sleep test results
Post by Gena on Mar 3^rd, 2004, 9:54am

I am not one to jump in to these debates, but on this subject I have to speak out.
I have two sons ages 8 and 12.
My 8 year old is Bi-Polar/HDAD and has to be on meds, unlike what has been stated here it was very hard to get a dx from any Dr. I knew something was wrong by the time he was 4. I went to countless dr. and tried many different things, We turn our lives and the life of our older son upside down for this child. Finally after many problems later they tried medications at the age of 7.

I now have my bright bubbley boy back!

I belive that some do need help and meds, I find it very hard to believe that drugs are being pushed, after all the pushing I had to do!!!