Sorry if this is the wrong place, I just really need to vent somewhere.

I had a followup today to discuss the next steps since neither guanfacine nor atomoxetine worked out. I’ve been waiting for this because I know stimulants are the first line treatment and I’ve had nothing but awful experiences with the other meds. He had me take a drug test ahead of time - to make sure I wasn’t already taking stimulants, he said. I’ve been open about everything I’m on and he said it would be fine. That was a lie.

I tested positive for a bit of weed, which I told him about. It’s legal in my state. Despite saying it was fine before (I asked, specifically), now he changed his tune and said he’s going to keep testing me and if I test positive three times he won’t prescribe me any stimulants.

The kicker? I even have a prescription for it, because I worry about exactly things like this. It’s for chronic pain, but tbh helps my depression and anxiety too. I don’t even use much - about $150 in edibles over the last year. But if I spent that much on alcohol every weekend, that would be no barrier to getting a prescription.

I went in for help and was nothing but honest, and I left feeling attacked over prescription medicine that’s been helping me. What the fuck. I’m so frustrated and angry I just want to cry. Why is it so hard to get help?

  • TheBluePillock@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    If you are also in the US, I suspect the reason why is the looming threat from the DEA. Even if you are not a telemedicine patient, if your doctor’s office offers it as an option then they’re probably applying a blanket policy to everybody regardless. I hope they don’t treat you as badly as they did me. Depending on the doctor, they could still elect to allow your marijuana use. It just means if they get audited, they have to justify why they’re prescribing stimulants to a marijuana user. There is no reason not to and you have a long history of benefitting from the medication, so it should be clear cut. But the doctor may still decide it’s not worth the hassle or risk, like mine did.

    Had I known ahead of time it might be a problem, I would have abstained as long as possible before the test (preferably over two weeks) and looked into detox drinks and other fast detox tricks. Worst that happens is I fail anyway and wind up right where I am now: needing to find a new doctor. But it could have saved me the trouble of needing to switch so soon. Maybe it can buy you some time.