Is it really medication my only/best treatment?

[Anonymous]

I have been recently diagnosed ADHD, at 26. I was the one looking forward to the diagnosis thinking that if I could have accomplish what I had so far without knowing, imagine the possibilities…!!! i understood there were options for me -no all of them in the form of a pill-, but now I’m not so sure. A psychiatrist who specializes in adult ADHD (rare in my city) told me that he thought that not only did I have ADHD but -according to my syntoms and family history:

1. On a first treatable level, most likely I had an eating disorder that would eventually generate health issues, hence I should seriously consider having a gastric bypass (my dad is diabetic and has blood pressure issues and he had the bypass done 5 years ago at 55 and it ruined his life… he waited too long and now he suffers on a daily basis)

2. On a second treatable level (treatable means pills… i asked) most likely I have some sort of bipolar deviation of hypermania (Im always on the go with really little sleep, and in my immediate family history, my sister suffers from “classic” -to the untrained eye- bipolar disorder)

3, On a final level of treatment, yes. I have ADHD.

4. Oh and yes, now that ADHD has been proven to be genetic, it seems BOTH my parents have ADHD…. shut, I dont want to be the one to tell them to be honest.

Having said this, I have 2 concerns, I’ve seen first hand the effects of bipolar medicine and gastric bypass in both my sister and my dad… at the beginning, my sister was completely OUT of it, and even now, my dad excuses himself from the table to go to the bathroom to throw up,,,, is all that normal? is all that what I need to make me better? should I surrender and try?

Please help

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[Anonymous]

Hi TotallyADDiva

Wow. That’s a lot for the psychiatrist to expect you to deal with all at once.

1. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and may have some experience with eating disorders. However, it might be advisable to get a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in bariatrics. He or she would probably be able to give you a broader spectrum of options. I hope that there’s somebody in that field available where you are.

2. and 3. Could it be possible that in your case the ADHD is to some degree a consequence of the hypermania. Maybe a long term lack of proper restorative sleep (even if you don’t feel that you need it), is affecting your ability to focus and concentrate? Or even your appetite or the way you metabolize food? It might be worth researching this and exploring it further with the psychiatrist. Be sure he knows about your sister’s reaction to her medication.

If the patient doesn’t modify his eating patterns after having gastric bypass, then yes, there can be consequences like vomiting. I wouldn’t consider ongoing vomiting “normal” though. Whether your father’s vomiting is the result of this or something else is something he should be discussing with his doctor.

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[Anonymous]

“Skunk” (a very brave member name, I might add), you’re logic and recommendations are impeccable. When something is very complex, you need to see a specialist and within the specialty there are people who sub-specialize. Your local College for Physicians may give you some information but really, you have to network and find out who does what.

Incidently, the actual term for excessive energy and euphoria is HYPOmania. I don’t know who makes up the terminology because HYPERmania seems more sensible.

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[Anonymous]

Thank you Dr J.

HYPOmania actually does make sense. Hypo, the prefix, would connote something low or below normal – e.g. hypoglycemia, hypothyroid etc. So (hypo) mania would be (less than) mania – but more than normal. Because we’re used to referring to people as hyperactive, or just generally “hyper”, hypermania looked right.

The much maligned and misunderstood skunk is actually a beneficial creature. Peaceable and solitary by nature but not unfriendly – in fact quite playful at times. She avoid confrontations whenever possible, but if necessary, can and will stand her ground, give fair warning, then raise an unholy stink.

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[Anonymous]

Pepe la Peu comes to mind as well. What’s not to love!

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[Anonymous]

Thank you very much… I just noticed you replied to this thread :”’) really outstanding. I’m more at ease with the news, and I’m still adjusting to the process of working with my Doctor. I’ve talked to my dad and my sister and I’ve gathered some family history as well… I’m afraid I’m feeling hopeful that the “worst” part might be over now that I’ve found help (I didn’t even knew I needed it 3 months ago). It could only get better…. I hope.

PS: sorry for the mis-translation from doctor to patient to english that’s what I could remember!

I’m still having issues sleeping… I should be renaming myself to “Sleepless in Santiago” because is ooonly after that is under control that I can even begin to treat (or not) the potential ADDiva in me. I’m not that brave to use your nickname “skunk”

Thanks again for your recommendations to the both of you…!

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[Anonymous]

By the way Dr. Lance Levy in toronto is an expert in ADHD and Bariatric Surgery and eating disorders. If anyone knows other specialists who do this in other states and provinces, let’s get a list going. This is a common problem

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