![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cass on March 13, 2000, at 19:23:32
Today I filled out a long questionaire which will partly determine whether or not I have ADD. Tomorrow, I go in for TOVA testing. I don't know what it consists of, but the receptionist told me not to have any caffeine before hand. It's odd to be hoping that I have ADD, but I am hoping I do because it would explain a few things, and the fact that a simple drug could help is appealing. Also, ADD drugs supress the appetite. I wouldn't mind the extra help in shedding a few pounds. Has anyone else done TOVA testing? Any experiences with ADD drugs anyone would like to share. Thanks.
Cass
Posted by Renee N on March 13, 2000, at 22:16:22
In reply to TOVA testing, posted by Cass on March 13, 2000, at 19:23:32
Cass,
My pdoc has convinced me to take the TOVA test. He said my insurance most likely won't cover it, how 'bout yours? My main problem is spacieness(sp?)/forgetfulness. Last week I went to the periodontist's when I was supposed to be at my primary care physician's.
Another recent day I left a coffee mug in the bathroom at work(returned by a student), another student then said, "Oh, yeah, you left a pen in there,too." I also left a book that I kept carrying so I wouldn't forget it laying in the hall. etc., etc., etc...Mind you, this is all in one day, just at work.
I forgot my point now, I need to stop typing and read this all agzin. Hang on...Oh yes, just trying to show you what I'm up against.
My pdoc went along with my self-diagnosis of ADD. We tried several stimulants and then combos of stimulants and ADs. I continue to fumble through life wondering if I did in fact turn on the washing machine after loading it and putting detergent in. I finally asked my pdoc if I should just get off all the meds and learn to live with my problems. He said he is leaning that way, since the ADD meds haven't relieved my ADD like symptoms. He wants to do the TOVA to see if it is ADD causing my problems or if something else is. He said(as I have been suspecting he eventually would) that he senses some depression and anxiety from what I have told him and how I have behaved during our short med- check visits over the last year. This could be the real cause of the forgetfulness and lack of concentration and attention to detail. Or it could be even something else. He said that if the TOVA shows that I don't actually have ADD, then my insurance would be more likely to pay for psychological testing to determine the real cause of my symptoms.
When I left his office I cried. I hate to admit it, but somehow ADD seemed to be a much socially and personally acceptable reason for my problems. As much as I've educated myself, it still feels like depression and anxiety are more personal weaknesses. This diagnosis or possibility of diagnosis both frightens and embarrasses me. I also don't know how well I can really cope with just trying to live with my problems forever. They prevent me from accepting more challenging jobs and are a continuing source of frustration and embarrassment. I have such a strong fear of failure.
Well, enough rambling and feeling sorry for myself. I'm supposed to hear from the psychologist by Wednesday to set up the TOVA. Let's compare notes later! Best of luck to you. I hope the test does in fact help us both to sort things out and get the help most appropriate for our unique selves.
One last bit of rambling... I take Effexor and Adderall. I just quit Wellbutrin yesterday. I'm afraid I'll be totally a sleepwalking zombie if I end up on Effexor without any stimulants...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...Renee N
Posted by Cass on March 14, 2000, at 13:35:59
In reply to Re: TOVA testing, posted by Renee N on March 13, 2000, at 22:16:22
The test was weird. The computer screen showed a white box with a black box within it. When the black box was on the bottom, it was not the target. When it was in the top, it was the target, and I was supposed to click a button. It was 20 minutes long and got really boring. My attention did wander from time to time which led to errors. The computerized results indicated ADD. I go back later this week to do it again. This time, however, I will take and Adderall before taking the test.
Renee, thanks so much for your follow-up post. You know, I don't even know whether or not my insurance will cover the test. Oops. I hope that the Adderall does not have the same effect as drinking lots of caffeine. I've had really unpleasant experiences with that. Well, hopefully, I'll get on a good drug and live happily ever after. Lol.
Posted by peter on March 14, 2000, at 13:42:27
In reply to TOVA testing, posted by Cass on March 13, 2000, at 19:23:32
The TOVA test is nothing more or less than the worlds most inane and boring video game. Really. It makes "pong" look like an interactive mars lander simulation in full color 3-d. But that's the point -- to see how easily distracted you are in the relatively controlled environment of a calm, quiet dr.s office. No sweat, and you can't "fail" this test.
You should ask your doc about the diagnostic capability of eeg, as well. My tova tests were ambiguous, my eeg supported an add diagnosis, and my old school records and histroy confirmed the diagnosis.
Today I filled out a long questionaire which will partly determine whether or not I have ADD. Tomorrow, I go in for TOVA testing. I don't know what it consists of, but the receptionist told me not to have any caffeine before hand. It's odd to be hoping that I have ADD, but I am hoping I do because it would explain a few things, and the fact that a simple drug could help is appealing. Also, ADD drugs supress the appetite. I wouldn't mind the extra help in shedding a few pounds. Has anyone else done TOVA testing? Any experiences with ADD drugs anyone would like to share. Thanks.
> Cass
Posted by Janice on March 14, 2000, at 23:45:39
In reply to TOVA testing, posted by Cass on March 13, 2000, at 19:23:32
Hello Cass,
Once I found out about the ADHD, my entire life made sense to me.
Okay, the food part. I've had many problems with food that (for the most part) Dexedrine allows me to control. It does suppress appetite, but better than this, it helps with impulse control.
Good luck, Janice
Posted by Elena L. on March 25, 2000, at 11:51:59
In reply to Re: TOVA testing, posted by Janice on March 14, 2000, at 23:45:39
> Hello Cass,
>
> Once I found out about the ADHD, my entire life made sense to me.
>
> Okay, the food part. I've had many problems with food that (for the most part) Dexedrine allows me to control. It does suppress appetite, but better than this, it helps with impulse control.
>
> Good luck, JaniceHi,
I've been following this board for about six weeks off and on. It's got to be the most intelligent one on the net by far regarding mental health. I appreciate every bit of information I pick up here. About four or five years ago I was diagnosed with ADD by the psychiatrist who was treating me for depression. I had only heard about its existence two weeks prior to that. He gave me a questionnaire which pretty much amazed me in its specificity to many of my life experiences. I took Ritalin for a while, but found it didn't make much difference other than sending me into an incredible rage one day, so I stopped. Last June I started taking Dexedrine and my life changed. I had three glorious months of high energy, organization, motivation--the whole nine yards. November found me hospitalized with major depression once again. I've since been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder of Rapid Cycling variety. The pdoc I'm now seeing doesn't even mention my ADD. I'm taking 40mg. of Dexedrine, 60 of Celexa, 30 of Buspar and have just started Topomax as a mood Stabilizer. I am presently beginning my eighth consecutive day in remission from depression since
January. However, I am EXTREMELY CONFUSED about all these different diagnoses and would like to sort them out. I've never even heard of TOVA testing. What is it and why hasn't anyone ever mentioned it me before this? Sorry this is such a long post. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.