no meds over the summer

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

I would let the doctor know that do to poor impulse control you feel it is better that he continue the medication over the summer to prevent injurys. I had to do this with my now 10 yr old several years ago and now our doctor asks me since I know my child better than he does. Every once in a while(every 6 month) we do go through a "chemical holiday" and stop meds for a week but when we do it I make sure I have nothing to do but focus on him and watch him like a hawk as who knows what he might do during this week.

Sharee - posted on 08/10/2009

i took my son off concerta fot the summer he wanted to be off it so bad . i spoke to the doctor he said irt was fine its hard on us but it made him happy he said mom school is starting so he knows for school he needs it. it has worked goog for us.

Alexis - posted on 07/31/2009

I was put in the same situation last year. We were on the medical card and the doctors office we HAD to go to had some of the worst doctors. She told me to take him off the medicine during the summer. I asked if this was normal and she said they promoted it. Soon after that I changed doctors and he was amazed that she told us to take him off the meds during the summer. It makes absolutely no sense to take them off during the summer. This is not just about school and teachers... this is about the child and making them feel good enough to concentrate and have a normal everyday life and it also helps the parents... Those are words from my doctor. It's harder on the body to take them off and then put them back on. I highly recommend a second opinion and keeping the meds going.

Beth - posted on 07/11/2009

Your gut is right...if you feel the meds are working why would you take that away. That is what he needs to feel good in his own skin then whystop that. My son and I decided to try it ourselves without meds (temporarily) this summer because he is older and wnats to bulk up for football. We have both said this has been the hardest summer and he is ready to get back on them- so I am I. As a mom of a kid who is older and can sit and talk about how it makes him feel and how it makes his life different- I could not see why a Dr. would ever recommend taking them off, even if it is temporary, if they need it and it is working for them. Even my son said that's crazy he needs to feel good about who he is :) Good luck!!

Natalie - posted on 06/08/2009

2 years ago with my middle son he was 6 then he had no meds 4 the hole summer. There gran had them 4 a week, she came bk & said they were very hard work. the yr after he continue to have his meds through the summer & they all had a great time

omg we had so meny probs when he went bk on them, not being hungry, not sleeping, tired all the time etc (we had these when he 1st start the meds) it took a month 2 get him bk in 2 his rountie. so now my middle son has his med all the time apart from wkends. eldist son has just started tablets & i will ask there gran to continue giving his tables from mon 2 fri for both boys while there away with her

Sara - posted on 05/29/2009

Thank you both, it really helps to know that I am not the only one who thinks this is crazy and it is nice to have people to talk with that are going through the same thing as I am.

Rabecca - posted on 05/29/2009

I would not be able to handle my son I know with out hte meds we tried a fe wweekend in a row and it took most of the week to get him back to being stable again every mon and tuesafter we sent him bach to school he would get into trouble or just slimply have a break down so we figure hwy keep him on this off on off cycle he cant not get ahold of himself and he feels like he is letting us down even if we tell him its okay we are just seeing how things are going so we stopped the off for weekend stuff it just was not worth it to us maybe when he gets older he will be able to have more control that would be great but for now there just noway

Nikki - posted on 05/29/2009

Sara~ My 6 yr old son is the same way.. he is on split meds, half a dose of Concerta, half a dose of Straterra. while it's a real low dose.. he Takes them EVERY day. His Ped said it's not good to start and stop meds like that, and if anything they should be weened off of them. When we changed him to a split dose, we weened him off the higher dose of Concerta in stages, at the same time stepped him up onto the Straterra in stages as well..it helped so much... it also helped with just having a set routine for him. Wakes up at a certain time, eats at a certain time, bath and bed. He doesn't take to changes well..oh and his Phys, and Ped have us give him 3 mg of melatonin every night, that helps him sleep.. some tell you to give them benadryl, which can interact with the ADHD meds and make it worse.. ugh like they need that right? Hope this helps in some way.. Good Luck!