ADHD meds

Shelly - posted on 06/14/2009

Laura-I've tried the herbal "calming" stuff. I watch Nanny 911. I've tried the rewards chart, watching what he eats (sugars), time outs. you name it i probably tried it. I work third shift and I'm up all day. I like to help out at my daughter's school but it is embarassing to take my son there. He's constantly into everything, talks to everyone and his little tantrums/screaming fits, doesn't understand personal space and he repeats himself constantly. I think he's a smart kid but he gets soo frustrated soo easily it's hard for him to learn and hard for me to help. All the other parents seem to have such well behaved children for the most part. My daughter isnt like that at all, she was like a perfect baby. She gets distinguished honor roll and if she was in a larger school with a principal who didnt care about her students, he principal wouldnt even know she existed. I love my son but I don't want him to have problems in school. His dad is bipolar and my little guy acts just like him even though he never sees him. I thought that environment would help overtake genetics atleast a little. He's been going to a behavior therapist since last summer and just had the appointment with a psychiatrist. He recomended concerta. I've given it to him, sometimes it seems to help a little, but a friend said it took about a month to really start working and her son was great at school but when she took him off and he started going downhill again.

Nevin - posted on 06/09/2009

Hi.My son is being diagnosed with adhd at the time being & i can see that he has most of the symptoms you all mentioned.i'm so glad to find other mums with the same situation as me, at least i know i'm not alone! i want to know from all your experience,do these medications have side effects on the long run? would they affect my son's brain development (he's 8),or cause future problems when he grows up & is off medication?do u know anyone(adult) who regrets taking medication?? I'm just very scared of sorting out his problems now ,but causing him other health problems in the future. Thhankyou.

Rabecca - posted on 06/09/2009

Do we have the same kid??

I can relate with everything you said my son did all those things plus. I think I heard momma 3000 times a day and he would just keep saying it till I looked at him plus he never picked up on social cues like "the Look" to stop or tapping on his sholder and I would be horrified by what may come out of his mouth in front of stangeras that he just had to talk to he would tell them everthing from my dating status, age and where I work in 2.5 seconds or insult them by saying things such as why is your skin falling off your face or telling a nice young women with a deep voice she sounded like a man you just never knew what he was going to say .

But the worse behavior started right after kindergarden statred he would not sit listen to his teacher and just had a hard time learning becuse of his impluivness and daydreamming . I tried everything to keep him off of the meds but things just kept getting worse for him he was labled that bad kid and other children did not want to be his friend he already had a hard time with kids, kids intimidate him no adult on earth but kids make him nervious and he would acts out in rough behavoir just becaues he would get scared .We went through therapy and whatnot before we went to the meds and let me tell you I feel awful about not doing this sooner he had a hard time just learning he is so smart most ADHD kids are at least above intelgence but because of his bad behavior around other kids in the past ,he lacks alot of self confidence he is doing great now as far as his impluses and acting out daydreamming ect.. and hes the same funny active kid but has that filter and can now do the things he learned in therapy which before meds he knew what to do but couldnt put his selfcontrol into play when he got stessed angry scared ect.. meds just give them restraint they know how to do but are unable to stop themselves .

I feel guilty really for puting my son through the time before meds because I wasnt sure. I didnt want to do anything to harm his body and we saw only minor effects from the meds and that lasted a week or two at the most the worst part was at first trying to find on that helps and what dose but once thats in place he feels so much better about how he acts and he has tested above average to gifted and he knows he can sit all day at school like the other kids in his class.

Laura - posted on 06/09/2009

I need help with the same situation. I have an apointment for my son on the 17th of June. Everyone that doesn't spend much time with him is making me feel guilty for going to meds. But his daycare teachers (he's 5 and starting kindergarten in sept) and my husband (his step dad) and his little sister (3 years old) understand. We see his tantrums (or as I call them - meltdowns that can last an hour). And his inability to play quietly and his short attention span and his VERY low frustration level. He can't keep his hands to himself - I'm suprised he has friends at all (he's also been the bully). And his total lack of needing sleep. Constant battles every night. He's just always difficult. I really can't take it anymore. I'm starting to not want to be around him. His therapist (been going about 6 months) said he needs medication.....but I don't want to put him on meds - he's a little boy still. :( What else did you try Shelly? Has anyone tried the feingold diet? I'm a a full time working mom, I don't know what I can do?! How did it go at the doctors?

Leaha - posted on 06/07/2009

OMG! My daughter has ADHD/ADD, ODD, OCD and is Bi-Polar. Having her on medication has helped TRAMENDOUSLY. We're still trying to get her meds just right but even now she is so much easier to handle, she still has her moments but, she went from failing school to straight A's. I've also noticed that having a set schedule helps for her as well, Not sure what all you do at home, but I even made her a "daily check list" it's kind of like a chore chart, but it has all of her daily tasks that she needs to do, and they are in order, so she know's what to do. For example, her is, Make your bed, use the bathroom, get dressed, brush your hair,eat breakfast, take medicine, brush teeth, put on shoes, get backpack, get lunchbox, go to school. That's just morning routine. Seems kind of silly to put some of those things on there, but it has helped her SO MUCH, and by checking it off herself, it's kind of like "possitive punishment" she thinks she's getting away with something, and/or makes her feel independent, and I don't have to constantly remind her what to do next. Just a thought. Meds aren't always that bad, I didn't want to medicate her either, but boy am I glad I did!! Meds are monitored very closely now, just watch you son while you are trying them out, it may take a couple diffrent meds to find the right one for him. The worst side effect my daughter ever had was loss of appetite, but then she would be starved after the meds wore off. Oh, my neice did go through a weird side effect on Aderal XR, she was kind of clicking her tongue and didn't know she was doing it, that was weird, but not life threatening. Good luck and God bless!

Leaha

Julianne - posted on 06/05/2009

my son is 9 and has adhd we found out in prek had a hard time in kindergarten always at the office we got him to childrens hosp and he did have adhd we put him on medate cd it help so much he is going in to the 4th gr and has been on the honor roll sence then he also was hitting his sister a lot the meds calmed him down a lot .there will be times that he will get upset but his school help out a lot check with his school .they can have him tested .to see what my help him