I need to convince my Dr. to prescribe ADHD meds.?

Question

Ok. I have talked it over with a few others, and I am convinced that I need to ask my MD about ADHD meds to make it through the tough spots in dental school. My friend, who is borderline ADHD told me she would get a script and give it to me, but I can't involve her. If they do random testing, I would like to stay IN dental school. How do I convince the MD to give me meds without laughing at me or think I am looking for them. I haven't had a prescription for anything aside from antibiotics ever... and I have only seen the MD once in about 10 years. I live in Illinois. Can I have some suggestions, not morality talks? Thanks.

It is really competitive and you have to be top notch to get spots in specialty programs.

Answer 1

First off, I'm a dental hygienist and I know how difficult MY program was, I can understand the stress you are under with your education too. But let's be realistic...you are going to be a doctor someday and you will faced with several ethical situations in the future, consider this your first one. If you are that stressed and burnt out at this point that you think you're only alternative is to use speed (that's what Ritalin is, after all) and risk an ILLEGAL act to use someone elses prescription or con a doctor into giving your meds you do not need, you need to do some serious introspection. I know you said you don't want morality answers but as a dental professional (in Illinois too as a matter of fact), I think it would be immoral of me not to address this. I'm not judging you, I understand the stress. There were plenty of times during my combined medical field degree and dental hygiene program (five years) that I didn't think I could manage one more stinkin' day. You don't need pills to get through, there are other options. Speak with a guidance counselor at your school, really honestly ask yourself why you feel you have to push yourself in this direction to get good grades, etc. If you are having problems with grades or keeping up with quotas etc, see about peer tutoring, speak with your instructors, etc. My husband is a pharmacist and we both realize that once you get so far in a program, whether it was pharmacy or dental, the instructors feel they have weeded out the folks that just weren't going to cut it and they focus on graduating the ones that made it through the test of fire. They WANT you to make it, they are there to get you through to that diploma. Get help from them.
I assure you, if you turn to a chemical crutch as this early stage of your career, you are doomed. If you have to pull an occasional "all-nighter" studying or doing a lab case, then load up on the legal "drug" of caffeine, but please, please, please don't go the Ritalin way. If they random drug test you, you're out on your butt and that's a reputation you'll never shake, you won't get into any other medical profession. Ever. And they DO do random drug testing; if you graduate, you will be entrusted with a prescription pad and you need to be of trustworthy moral character to have that privelege. I wish you well and I know if you think seriously about this, you'll see what a bad idea it is. Good luck.

Answer 2

have you done your homework on the side effects of the medication? some of them can be addicting and can make you feel like a zombie. Is this what you would like to deal with? Also ADHS meds need to be taken on a daily basis not just when you're having a rough patch. ADHD meds should only be used if you have been diagnosed with ADHD. Most doctors will not give you a prescription without a diagnosis or a previous medical history of it. Best bet is to try and focus and study a little harder. Everything in life has rough patches, getting through them will only make you stronger. good luck and do the research on the side effects of the medications.

Answer 3

No morality talks here...just a little message from one healthcare provider to another 'almost healthcare provider'. You are the reason that our office now refuses to prescribe Ritalin and the other ADD meds. We now send pts. to a psychologist for testing and a psychiatrist for treatment. And its a shame that I can't just order medications for this illness. The medications change lives if given accurately. Someday you'll have the ole' script pad....and you'll know what it feels like to be responsible for giving controlled substances. And if you can imagine what it feels like to know you've been used for drugs....well, hope you don't have to experience it...cuz you are planning to be the cause to some other unfortunate healthcare provider who believes they are helping someone with an illness...and instead they are giving drugs to 'one of our own' to get him through school. Suck it up...we all went through school and not all of us took illegally prescribed drugs to do it.

Answer 4

Tell your doctor that you can't stay focused and you can never finish anything for starting something else. Look up the symptoms for adult ADD not ADHD. Concerta is a good med. Not as many side effects as the others. Just out of curiousity, if you are in dental school, wouldn't you know to do that?

Answer 5

I am not clear on this. Most physicians over prescribe ADHD meds. If you consult with most psychiatrists they will at least give you a trial prescription to help you focus. If you just want stimulants to stay up nights studying, try coffee..

Answer 6

The medications used to treat attention deficit and hyperactvity disorders will not help you. You cannot "convince" a doctor to prescribe for you unless you've been diagnosed with one of these disorders. And you ARE looking for these meds. Don't fool yourself. I can't help you with this. I cannot condone or involve myself in this charade. I would dearly love to know what was said that convinced you that you need to do this.

Answer 7

Well come on, it's not you that Doe's diagnoses, the Doctor after testing and finding the problem would do the ordering the medication.
Leave it up to the Doctor to find a problem first.

Answer 8

Let me get this straight. You want to use drugs that you don't need to get through your schooling? I really want to tell you how pathetic that is, and how low I perceive you, but I don't have that kind of time.