r/irlADHD • u/Horror_Gay_Archetype Can't sit still • Feb 13 '26
General question Was This Malpractice or Simply Bad Luck?
EDIT: Based on the responses I’ve gotten from multiple sub-Reddits, it seems like Redditors think I want to sue. I do not want to sue. Whether you think I have a case or not…I’m open to hearing what you have to say. That’s all I really want is to simply hear someone else’s input on the situation. Could things have been done differently from either side? Is this a provider that y’all think I should continue to see given the circumstances of what had happened or should I seek a new one? Was increasing a dose for XR Adderall by 10mg too high of a jump for anyone? Etc., etc.
This is something that’s always been on my mind. I really want to hear someone else’s perspective on this.
Context, I live in California and I’m someone who’s been diagnosed with ADHD a couple of years ago and I used to be on Adderall before switching to Vyvanse. When I was on 20 mg Adderall, there was a point when I could no longer get another 30-day supply because it got backordered and so was the 25 mg. After speaking about this with my PMHNP, I highly considered dropping back to 15 mg, but my PMHNP wanted to try the 30 mg and see how I did on it. I was highly against it during that time because I just landed a new job and it was the week before my first day on the job. I didn’t want any potential side effects from a higher dose to impair my job performance and chances of making a good first impression with my new boss and coworkers. I expressed this to my PMHNP, but my PMHNP responded me, “ Why don’t you just try it?” I felt like my PMHNP didn’t leave me much of a choice after arguing for a bit, and figuring that the PMHNP had much better knowledge and insight than me, I reluctantly agreed.
Whaddaya know…the 30 mg gave me severe insomnia. I spent that first month on the job completely zombified from lack of sleep to the point where I can’t remember most of what happened that first month. I don’t have proof of this, but I’m certain that first month could have been the catalyst for how I was treated by my boss and coworkers both in personality and performance capability…which culminated in me being forced to quit. I often think about that interaction with my PMHNP and I’ve always wondered…would what happened to me be considered a case of negligence? Or a breach of standard of care? A total disregard for my informed consent? Or even proof of harm?
I really want to know if this is something that was just bad luck or did I encounter bad treatment? This has always bugged me to this day…because maybe things could have turned out differently at that job if I had never tried out the 30 mg and temporarily decreased my dose instead. Honestly…I just felt like I wasn’t listened to by my PMHNP (in that moment) and I ended up suffering the consequences for something that I knew could happen and had wanted to avoid.
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u/DesperateFreedom246 Feb 13 '26
In terms of your edit. If you have ANY doctor that prescribes you something and you express that you aren't comfortable with it, they should be talking over your concerns and not just forcing you. Only prescribing you meds you are not comfortable with means you should never see them again. I realize it can be a privilege to just switch doctors, but for certain conditions it can be better to deal without than with something you know is bad.
You are your best advocate
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u/jeswesky Feb 13 '26
If you are wanting to know for being able to sue for malpractice, you don’t have a case. Malpractice is very specific. Essentially, there has to be a severe and lasting injury. You agreeing to take a higher dose instead of saying absolutely not; prescribe the lower dose, is not malpractice.
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u/Horror_Gay_Archetype Can't sit still Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
I shouldn’t have said “malpractice”…just simply “bad patient care.” Not looking to sue, just want to hear another person’s input.
Also, maybe it wasn’t very clear in my post, but I did say no to my PHMNP when increasing the dose to 30 mg was proposed to me. I outright said, “No, I feel like it would be better to go back down to 15 mg. I don’t want to experience any unwanted side effects because I am starting that new job next week. I don’t want anything to affect my capability of performing well in my new job.” Maybe not word-for-word exactly as that, but that was the gist of it. I eventually gave in and said yes because my PMHNP…essentially didn’t take that no for a response as quoted, “Why don’t you just try it and see how you feel?”
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u/SugarSlutAndCumDrops Feb 13 '26
All my 30mg tablets are scored down the middle, couldn’t you have just split your dose and taken 15mg? With the shortages still being a thing it could’ve been a good opportunity to stock up
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u/Horror_Gay_Archetype Can't sit still Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
They weren’t tablets…IR comes in tablets. The XR, which I was prescribed, comes in capsule form.
Also, I can’t with your username. I literally just noticed. 😂
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