We just got back from the Amen Clinic (what a wonderful place that is;) ) and finally got a diagnosis with the SPECT Imaging and thorough evaluation for our 18 year old daughter. I truly was amazed at how they utilized the clinical data as well as the images on the scan to pinpoint the problem that we have had so much trouble diagnosing. And the scan allowed a visual for our daughter to see who has for years been fighting the fact that some biological/chemical condition was going on. We had lost so many years and found that the Amen Clinic was the quickest and most accurate way of getting to the root of the problem. It certainly was worth every penny spent to finally find out the answers to our questions and concerns.

Anyway, turns out that she has ADD (the type 6 otherwise referred to as the "Ring of Fire" by Dr. Amen) as well as mood disorder NOS and they have decided to start her on an anticonvulsant (Lamictal) and, if need be, add on Daytrana once she is at a therapeutic dose of the Lamictal.

Just wondering if others have used the patch and would appreciate any information that you might send my way based upon your experience in using it.

Thanks and looking forward to any info you can send my way.

(((((HUGS))))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Hi Alwayz & Cally ~ thanks for your posts. I appreciate the prayers and have to say that the Amen Clinic was such a great move for us. Just seeing my daughters split second of relief when she looked at those scans and the doctor pointed out what was going on in her brain was astounding. It was the most headway we have ever made with her and just the fact that while we were on our way back with the starter pack of Lamictal and her taking the first dose without our prompting was enough for us to see that she wants to do everything to get better.

We went to the clinic in Virginia since it was the closest one to us. You need to plan on staying in the area for 3-5 days depending on scheduling. We were fortunate enough to get an appointment within a week. When I called they didn't seem to have openings until the end of September which would have been 6 weeks but I guess when they heard our situation and the desperateness in my voice they were able to get us in. We had to do a 24 page intake prior to getting there and then we met with a historian who over 2 hours asked us to go through our daughter's history. She then went to get her first scan which was a concentration scan. The second day she had her baseline scan. And the third day we met with the psychiatrist who reviewed the history, intake information & testing and the results of the scan. He spent about 2 hours with us going over the findings and diagnosis as well as what the best treatment would be. It basically cuts to the chase in terms of guessing which meds are going to do the thing.

Of course it is going to be difficult to measure our daughter's progress being that she is away at college but we have been checking in by phone and will schedule a visit to see how she is doing. I will keep you posted.

The Daytrana Patch will not be tried until she reaches a therapeutic dose of the Lamictal which could take up to 2-3 months. I just thought I would get as much info about it before we actually start it.

Thanks again for your kind thoughts.

((((HUGS)))) ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Thanks, Alwayz and 3kidz!!! I wouldn't think that my daughter would go through the trouble of putting lots of these patches on especially since she will have a tough enough time getting the backing off!!!;) She's not very patient to begin with!!:)

Anyway....I have heard that the patches ARE difficult to get on as far as the backing and also with them sticking as well.....seems that you have to hold it in place for a bit pressing until it finally sticks.

She isn't even starting the patches for a while since the doctor would like to see how she does on the Lamictal first and then take it from there. I will keep you posted but it may be a few months before we actually start with the patch.

Thanks for the info....I soo appreciate it.

Love ~ Goody:angel: :wave: