How do I deal with this?

[Michelle]

Here's a puzzle.  One of my most most thrilling flights involved some night flying at about 100ft below sea level and being treated to two full moons. Where was I?

The other was flying over Texas, also at night, and witnessing a line of thunderheads with lightning flashing so often the skyline was nearly continously illuminated. I'll never forget it.

-Marty

I'm not sure.  I have some guesses but I'm not confident they are correct.  I want to do a little research first.  Don't tell me yet, I want to see if I can figure it out.

[George W. Maschke]

For the record, Michelle has e-mailed to me a scanned image of her prescription for Dexedrine, which is consistent with that which she stated in her post dated 19 February 2003 at 3:49 A.M.:

Just recently I started going to a different doc and she does the same thing.  Not with 3 rx's but two.  My appt was 12/11 and she wrote two rx's both dated 12/11.

In my case I just don't take that many.  I don't usually need that many.  Matter of fact right now I have a bottle of 180 sitting in my bathroom cupboard, I have about 100 sitting next to me, and I have another rx I have yet to get filled, dated 12/11. (That's how I knew the date.)

[Michelle]

For the record, Michelle has e-mailed to me a scanned image of her prescription for Dexedrine, which is consistent with that which she stated in her post dated 19 February 2003 at 3:49 A.M.:

Thanks, George.  I realize it is not proof positive of anything but at least hopefully I have demonstrated that at least I do have a legal Rx for this drug.

This does show me yet again something I knew.  There is a reason I did not want to tell a potential employer about Dex and that is because of the very attitude on this board.  If I take a Class II amphetamine then I must surely be abusing it and addicted to it.

I actually understand this attitude.  I have to admit thinking the same thing before I was diagnosed.  Before I took Dex for the first time I questioned if an adult could really have AD/HD.  Now I know they can.  But people will probably always have the attitude that if most cop a high from this drug then all must cop the same high.  That could not be farther from the truth.

Some of us really do respond differently to this drug.  Some of us slow down and think and focus, we don't get high from this drug.  It's high time people know that.

Thank you for allowing me to send you the scanned Rx and thanks for posting what you have.

I do hope this will give polygraphers out there reading this a clear message that just because we feel insecure about people knowing we take this drug, that does not mean we are guilty of abusing the drug.  We really can't abuse it, not unless thinking like YOU is abuse of a drug.

**edit to add:  If anyone wants an explanation of WHY AD/HD people respond differently to this drug, I will be happy to explain.  It simply has to do with dopamine in the brain.  

[Seeker]

Michelle:
My son currently takes Concerta.  He was placed on Dex last year, and he was one of those who reacted to the drug in a most negative way.  Instead of him bouncing off into a thousand different directions, or merely slowing down to be able to control his focus, he ended up running in so many different directions that he never got even the usual things half-way done to perfection.  He was staying awake for days on end, and his sleep was limited to about 6 hours every 48 hours.  Needless to say, the medication was changed.
I would like to point out that when my son went to join a teen group at school that was sponsored by the USMC, he was initially told that he would be rejected because of his ADHD and medication usage.  Funny, my son is a honor student, highly active in sports, and considered by his peers, teachers, and coaches to be an incredibly talented and accomplished young man.  It wasn't until his pediatrician wrote a letter to the organization that his application was once again looked at.
There exists a horible stigma associated with ADHD, and a lot of folks fail to realize that those with ADHD most often are of very high IQ, and their "over activity" comes from their utter boredom.
I am glad you didn't allow some of those less educated who have posted in here sway you or pressure you into backing down.  I applaud you!!
Regards,
Seeker

[Michelle]

There exists a horible stigma associated with ADHD, and a lot of folks fail to realize that those with ADHD most often are of very high IQ, and their "over activity" comes from their utter boredom.
I am glad you didn't allow some of those less educated who have posted in here sway you or pressure you into backing down.  I applaud you!!
Regards,
Seeker

You confirm what has been said here by several of us and that is that when it comes to a polygraph due to the social stigma this creates a problem.  Makes me wonder how many people have a choice, either reveal very personal information that is absolutely not the business of an employer or polygrapher or react to a question about illegal drugs.  That social stigma *does* affect us and it *does* cause an emotional reaction.  In my case I have several choices.  Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test, spill my guts and reveal information that by law I don't have to reveal and shouldn't have to for ethical reasons, or use CMs and keep my personal life personal.

Not a tough one for me.  

Odd how the polygraphers here don't get it.  Instead of educating themselves about this disorder and trying to accept the fact that not every little thing is their business they prefer to think we are all drug abusers and worthy of flunking a test.  We cannot possibly be honest, moral, decent people if we treat a disorder they don't care to understand.

Then we have those here that feel anyone who doesn't believe in *their* god cannot possibly be a decent person.  This just tells me that there are far too many christians out there that talk the talk but they cannot begin to walk the walk.  I just hope that those with such creepy, judgmental, and inappropriate attitudes are not polygraphers themselves.  I don't think their god would be at all pleased with their behaviors and their method of representing their religion.  (ahem, Confused)

Much as I hate to say it, my suggestion for your son would be to NEVER tell people about his AD/HD.  It can only harm him and until people decide to quit judging based on inaccurate information if he tells people it will only come back to bite him in the butt.  He's already gotten a taste of it.  It only gets worse with age.

Of course not telling people is the magic cure.  People don't judge that which they don't know.  Nobody will *ever* know he has AD/HD as long as he treats it and keeps his mouth shut.

Hey, have you heard about the new non-amphetamine drug just released to the market 1/1/03?  I don't recall the name but it's brand new.  It is supposed to be really great for those of us that would prefer not to take amphetamines.  Personally I am not going to take it and I would suggest your son not take it right away either.  Some of these new drugs cause serious problems.  This one concerns me because of its method of action.  It deals with Dopamine in a completely different way than amphetamines and I question if it can cause problems later in life.  Instead of redirecting the Dopamine it slows down production instead.  I just see potential for issues down the road with that.

I want to see if it stays on the market for a few years and if it does -- and more human trials turn out good then I would love nothing more than to dump the dex and try something non-amphetamine.

[Torpedo]

Michelle, if you would please excuse me and advise me that the following quote from your most recent post was a little slip......

"Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test..."

You have "confused"   me

[Marty]

Michelle, if you would please excuse me and advise me that the following quote from your most recent post was a little slip......

"Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test..."

You have "confused"   me

Greenlantern, I can't see what you are confused about. This is entirely consistent with Michelle's other posts. Denying illegal drug use is being honest. Were she to deny legal drug use that would be dishonest.  Her concern is failing the test even while being honest.

-Marty

[Michelle]

Michelle, if you would please excuse me and advise me that the following quote from your most recent post was a little slip......

"Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test..."

You have "confused"   me

Are you expecting me to deny "legal" drug use?  Why?  I *do* deny illegal drug use.  That is because I don't use illegal drugs.  What is difficult about this?

If you will read my very first post of this thread you will see that my concern *was*(vs. is) flunking a polygraph because I do have an emotional reaction to *any* questions about drugs due to legal amphetamine use.  Thus, before coming here and learning about polygraphers (and polygraphs) my concern was indeed flunking a test for being honest by denying illegal drug use.

Damn, how many times do I have to repeat the same issues to the same people?  Seriously, is this how you treat people you are testing?  Or just those you don't like and have perhaps decided they will be dishonest before administering the test?

[Michelle]

Michelle, if you would please excuse me and advise me that the following quote from your most recent post was a little slip......

"Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test..."

You have "confused"   me

If it wasn't such an insult to pigs I would tell you that you are a pig.  I just went back to reread the entire post I wrote where you copied one sentence within a paragraph.  There is more you failed to post.  This is what I wrote:

>>That social stigma *does* affect us and it *does* cause an emotional reaction.  In my case I have several choices.  Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test, spill my guts and reveal information that by law I don't have to reveal and shouldn't have to for ethical reasons, or use CMs and keep my personal life personal<< (Emphasis new)

And this is what you quoted:

>>"Be honest and deny illegal drug use and probably flunk the test..."<<

How can a person test others for honesty when he is incapable of honesty himself?  When you decline to post the full quote it tends to put a minor twist on the intent of the paragraph.  But then I'll bet you know that. (wink wink nudge nudge)

[Michelle]

Question for polygraphers, specifically Torpedo, Confused (whoever that is) and Batman.

If I were to administer a polygraph test to you people, would you pass?

[triple x]

Michelle,

Now you know that Batman, Torpedo and Confused would all pass a polygraph exam if administered by one within their own profession.

Imagine for a second, Batman being administered a "stim-test" by Torpedo...

I would bet Batman couldn't even keep a straight face. Not to mention, Torpedo would probably have an equally hard time having to administer a "stim-test" to Batman.

You know they would all pass...  Ha!



Triple x

[Michelle]

Michelle,

Now you know that Batman, Torpedo and Confused would all pass a polygraph exam if administered by one within their own profession.

Imagine for a second, Batman being administered a "stim-test" by Torpedo...

I would bet Batman couldn't even keep a straight face. Not to mention, Torpedo would probably have an equally hard time having to administer a "stim-test" to Batman.

You know they would all pass...  Ha!

Oh, that is a given.  I want to know if they would pass if *I* administer the test.  I wouldn't even bother with stim questions or the other assorted bs.  Just ask them questions, would they prove to be honest or dishonest.

Funny how quiet they can get... kinda like Batman.  He went from being pretty mouthy and abusive and now he just ... well, ran away.  And here, I am offering to feed the trolls and yet -- nothing.  

[Guest]

Michelle......I am BEGGING you......PLEASE STOP.

STOP the incessant whining over the same points
STOP reminding us how strong minded you are
STOP beating a dead horse (pun intended - see #1)
STOP correcting every post that comes to you in retort
STOP carrying on about items unrelated to board (i.e. flying)
JUST STOP PLEASE

PLEASE

I have never witnessed someone who carries on and on and on laboring over the same damn point again and again and again nearly as much as you. I'm only bothering to mention this b/c it does affect me - I have to wade through all of your posts to get to any promising, relevant, and original information. "Yes", I know...you wouldn't carry on if your so-called antagonists (BatMan, Torpedo, etc...) didn't continue spewing their ignorance (or I waould assume you would suggest something alomg these lines), but for God's sake!!!! Let's keep the conversations:
1) Relevant
2) To a minimum - sometimes just agree to disagree, and
3) Informational

You are the annoying PSAs on PBS, the commercials in my Monday night football game, the QVC attempting to convince me to "buy".

Did you not have any siblings to pick on when you were a child? All of this pent up frustration now coming out in bickering little school girl quarrels on a public board?

I'm proud that as a woman you can so defiantly exhibit your ability to (intelligently) defend yourself and your opinions, but please give us a break. Unfortunately, I agree with much of your sentiment, I just don't need to beat ANYONE about the head with it. And, knowing this is a public domain with freedom of speech, I could just leave if I don't like it, but then I would be doing myself an injustice by prohibiting any further learning from all of the other relevant and informational posts that do occur here.

Please, just let somebody else have a chance would ya?

<No response is necessary - but expected>

[Guest]

Do you see how well BeechTree, Skeptic, and most particularly George just let matters drop when they reralize a moot point or that they have sufficiently beat the proverbial horse??!!

I can see you respect their opinions, so give them the most sincere form of flattery and follow their lead.

[Michelle]

Guest....

Heh... my question still stands.  If you don't like it perhaps you can stop visiting this folder.  Now really, that isn't so difficult, is it?