Are we the only family who doesn't want to medicate for adhd??

Teresa - posted on 07/14/2011

I HATE giving my son his meds so much that when he's not in school I don't. WHen he is in school I know he needs it. I sent him to school without his Vyvanse one day without telling his teacher, and that night she called me with concerns. I had told her i was concerned about the way he acted on it so the day I sent him without it, she called because she and the other teachers saw such a change. He would waller on the floor, call out in class, hum, just do anything BUT pay attention. that told me, if he needs to concentrate to learn he needs his Vyvanse. The reason I don't like it is because he becomes SO hyper-focused its scary for a 7-year-old. I want him to be my care-free, active, fun-loving boy. He is, but in school, he needs to be able to focus to learn. i noticed it helps him in his after school activities like cub scouts and danceing. His dance teacher didn't know I put him on medication and she told me one day that she thought she was really getting to him because he syarted paying attention and getting th emoves. I hated to tell her that I put him on Vyvanse and that was why he was so focused, but she understood. So i know it does him good. When he is with me on the weekends and not in school I can deal with him one one one to help him focus. A teacher DOES NOT have that leisure. She has 25 other kids to deal with too. I want him to do his best and I'm hoping that eventually he will learn to do withoout the meds. My boss has ADD and her son does too and she wholly beleives in them.

ALICIA - posted on 06/02/2011

You are not alone. My son was diagnosed with ADHD last fall, and we tried several alternatives to medicine. We're lucky that our Ped doesn't automatically jumped to meds. We changed his diet, and limiting sugar really helped with his behavior at home. Didn't really change is behavior at school. He was constantly up out of his seat and did the same things with homework and papers your son does. We eliminated a lot of the shows/movies he liked to watch. Basically anything action-y is out. We put up dark curtains so the street light wouldn't keep him awake if he wakes up during the night. We started swimming at the local indoor pool at least once a week. He plays baseball now. Ultimately we decided to put him on medicine, but he only takes it on school days. He was falling behind in reading and math, both of which he loves. He just couldn't stay focused. We've all seen a major difference in his school work, and he's not a zombie. He's on the lowest dose they make, but he's still a little boy. He still gets excited and jumps around, and runs and yells, and plays like a little boy.

The only reason we decided to go with medicine was because of his performance in school. We want him to do well, and to not fall behind. I'm not able to homeschool, because of health issues, but if that's an option for you, great. You know your son better than anyone else. Keep trying alternatives, see if you can find something that will work. Medicine isn't always the answer. But it's not always bad either.

Denise - posted on 05/22/2011

Rana, I know how frustrating it can be when everyone thinks medication is the answer. I am a Special Education Teacher and have see it over and over again. Let me say that medication can be a viable option AFTER ALL POSSIBLE MEASURES TO ADDRESS ISSUES have been exhausted. The "all other possible measures" is where we often fail our children. I,as well many others know and understand that it can be difficult for a teacher to have to focus on 1 student more than others. However, it is OUR DUTY/JOB to do whatever it takes to ensure that our children have ALL that they need to be successful. Now, please know that there are some strategies that you can try and insist that the school do as well. Regarding focusing, I have used Brain Gym (google it to find exercises) exercises with my own son to help him focus. Most activities that involve crossing the midline of your body can help get both sides of the brain working together. You also may want to try an agenda to help him keep things together for school. Color coding is always a good strategy. Ex. Reading-red, Math-blue. Classwork-yellow, homework-green. Depending on his grade level, either your son or the teacher can write his homework down in the agenda. You can also ask that the teacher furnish you will a weekly list of homework activities. If she/he has done their lesson plans, they should KNOW what they will be giving for homework. Also, you may be able to ask for a 504 plan. This is a special plan which is designed specifically for your child. Extended time for taking tests, separate setting for tests, teacher read aloud test booklets etc. Again, depending on the grade your son is in will determine some of the possible strategies. I am sure this all sounds like gibberish to a point, but Brain Gym exercises, and organizational strategies can go a long way. I hope this helps in some way.

Tanya - posted on 05/20/2011

My advice would be this... Take into consideration the age of your son, and if you think he might grow out of it. Also, I have seen children with ADHD be able to get it under control through an extra-curricular activity, such as band. You should research into the medication they want to put him on, and see how it works and why, and what it does on the cellular level. If it wasn't for Science, we wouldn't have modern medicine. I am all for natural remedies and staying away from pharmaceuticals as much as possible... but some medications really do help when someone has a chemical imbalance.

Talk to his doctor, teacher, and all the influential adults in his life. And make the best decision for him :)

Tanya - posted on 05/20/2011

My advice would be this... Take into consideration the age of your son, and if you think he might grow out of it. Also, I have seen children with ADHD be able to get it under control through an extra-curricular activity, such as band. You should research into the medication they want to put him on, and see how it works and why, and what it does on the cellular level. If it wasn't for Science, we wouldn't have modern medicine. I am all for natural remedies and staying away from pharmaceuticals as much as possible... but some medications really do help when someone has a chemical imbalance.

Talk to his doctor, teacher, and all the influential adults in his life. And make the best decision for him :)

Rana - posted on 05/20/2011

So far we haven't put him on meds much to his teachers dismay :) in the last couple of months I have been there to talk to her 3 times. this last I told her maybe she should look at retiring. We took him for intake with a new psychologist and he goes in for an assesment on 6-14. I talked to this new psychologist and we decided maybe it would be better just to start all over. As far as his diet, I do make him eat well but I don't have him on any of the diets recommended for kids with adhd. I did find another great book and according to this Dr. most kids don't need meds if it treated right. Or if they do it is VERY LOW dosage. I'm only on the 3rd chapter but seems like it is going to be very helpful. I really appreciate all the helpful advice and support. I don't know any other parents of kids with adhd and there don't even seem to be any support groups in the area. Hmmmm maybe I will have to start one when I finally get all this under control :)

Kimberly - posted on 05/19/2011

i fefuse to medicate for adhd i have friends who tell me if my kid ever had adhd and i refuse to medicate they wont be around. i flat out tell them well good bye then. my brother was on all different meds for his problem, and i know its a form of speed. it does work i dont dissagree on that, but i also know it is the most commonly used diagnoses, and alot of docters now adays do not know how to tell if its true adhd or not. if my son is to hyper take him outside and have him eat a well balanced diet and on a tight schedule, that cuts it down alot.

Karen - posted on 05/06/2011

My daughter is on Adderall, and I worried and cried about putting her on meds for about a year. The meds help her focus, and I notice that there is drastic change if she forgets her pill with her ability to focus on her school work.

She did not do well on Concerta though, lol.

I'm going to be looking into the diet option again, too.

Ivana - posted on 04/25/2011

We have put our 7 year old on Concerta late last year due to school problems. We don't give it to him at home on weekends or holidays (unless we are going out and I need him to listen to me for his own safety!).

We tried everything else first and I am now happy with the decision. That being said - he did not change, just calmed down and can do his work at school. He is happier on it because he soo wants to be able to listen to teacher and do his work but without the meds he just can't help it but bounce around.

If you don't want him on meds and he is happy then don't do it. And remember no school can say 100% your child is ADHD. Only a specialists can determine that after many tests!!!!

Luisa - posted on 03/08/2011

Rana, I was like you refused to put my son on medication, until the doctors convinced me I was doing him an injustice. Four and half years ago we put him on Ritalin, it took his personality away completely, he never smiled, laughed, talked he became an emotionless robot. Then we tried concerta and straterra. At the end of last year I decided that enough was enough and took him off all medication. We have changed his diet slightly and put him on ADD-Vance which is natural, his school work has remained pretty much the same which means the medication was not doing anything for him. I would rather have him enjoy his childhood than be a "A" student. Try the natural route first, let the medication be your very last resort.

Rana - posted on 03/02/2011

Thank you both all this information is very helpful! I have been considering trying a diet but the hubs thinks it's weird ;) and he does a a routine that we follow. I have had to stick to a routine with him from the day he was born. Anytime there is a change it really ruins his day. Not as bad as when he was small but it definitely is not great. I did just get a phone call today from a charter school here I have been trying to get him into since we decided to put him in school. The entire school is around 130 kids total and they have an opening finally. I am taking him to check it out tomorrow. I am hoping with less students and an IEP he can get more help and they might be able to give him a little more one on one. It was so much easier when we were homeschooling but he is such a social butterfly! :)

Sara - posted on 03/02/2011

My son has ADD I know that is a differance but he is no longer on his meds he needs to be reminded, learn how to keep organized but seems to be better focused off of his meds. He has home work to bring home but I feel better that he does that way he has more one on one help. The teacher put tags on the sheets she wants done colour coding can help. My son also has CAP so the school has to help out more with him at home I give him things to do but make sure he understand if he feels to over whelmed he lets me know. Have a routine for example when my son comes homehe has chores,picks out what to wear tomorow, homework then free time . Some nights he has cub,swiming or juditsu that gets to be part of his routine as well. Nights he needs lights on and some kind of white noise like a fan for instance he brings in comic books and or drawing so that keeps him busy while staying in the bedroom. See if there is a support group in your area HOPE is really popular.

Alahnna - posted on 03/01/2011

Have you tried all the different diets there are? I didn't want to medicate if at all possible either, in the end we're trying meds because my son is severe and none of the diets worked enough. I did notice a few small changes with no dyes and no preservatives. The different diets we tried are:

-No sugars

-No Dairy

-No nitrates

-No gluten

-No color/dyes

-Omega 3 oil

-I bought everything organic in case it was some kind of pesticide on the vegetables or something

-I made sure he was getting enough sleep

-checked his eyesight and hearing