To medicate or not to medicate? That is my question...

Lori - posted on 03/23/2009

Our son was very young when we realized he was more than just an active and mischievous little guy.  We went to a family therapist who taught us some behavioral modification techniques and that got us through until he started school.  Once he went into kindergarten we realized that he was going to have to take medication to control himself enought to comprehend the lessons being taught at school.  We had him tested when he was 4 and again at age 6.  We started medication in 1st grade.  It was truly heartbreaking.  He lost weight and didn't want to eat anything except sweets because the meds effected his tastebuds.  He had more trouble sleeping and was very emotional.  The slightest upset would lead to him balling up and crying uncontrollably.  I was devastated because the teacher was thrilled that he would stay in his seat and his academic performance was great, but I had lost my baby boy.  He was no longer funny and happy-go-lucky.  He was introverted and shy and miserable.  I had the doctor back off on the dosage and that helped him to become a bit more sociable, but the eating and sleeping were still poor.  I finally switched pediatricians and was told of a new medication, Focalin XR, which is a cleaned up version of adderall (which is what my son had been taking for a couple of years).  He's eating better and sleeping better.  I'm so thankful for our new doctor.   He's ADHD himself and has such great insight on just what my son feels and has to deal with everyday.  My recommendation for you is to start on as low a dose as possible with the cleanest  of the ADHD meds.  Get yourself and your son into some kind of counseling to help you cope with the changes and to help you learn how to handle a child with ADHD.  Pray a lot and love him unconditionally because no matter what he'll always be your baby boy.

Leslie - posted on 03/18/2009

My daughter was diagnosed before she started school. I put off giving her meds until it became a problem in school. In kindergarten she was made to sit away from other classmates because she had a hard time following directions, staying in her seat, doing school work, and constantly talking. So we have done all the meds available. It is mostly trial and error. Every single one caused my daughter to stop eating, lose weight, and not sleep. She is now on Vyvanse and We love it. She loves it cause it makes her feel calm. Her teacher thankfully understands cause she use to be a special ed teacher. She sometimes still needs to be reminded to follow directions occasionally. I am so happy that we found a good therapist and a great med.

Karen - posted on 03/18/2009

Quoting Katie:

Quoting Trisha:

Would you say that about meds if your son had diabetes? When your son is sick do you give him antibiotics. I feel meds give our children who have ADHD a chance to be a NORMAL child. My husband and I started a family at 32, we are stable, loving and very giving but one thing I could not do for my child was control his insides. I'm sorry you feel meds are a bandaid, to me meds have been a lifesaver for my son and his sanity.

I find it sad that you do not feel your son is NORMAL unless he is medicated. What defines normal, anyway? You can help him learn to control his insides and feed his brain and body. I'm not saying medication isn't an option, but it can be part of an action plan. If my son isn't normal because he has ADHD, I thank God for ADHD because he is kind, bright, loving, funny and appreciative. He comes up with ideas and thoughts that are insightful and honest because of the fact that his brain chemistry is so unique. If you perceive your child as abnormal, how do you think that makes them feel? And how do you think that translates to his teachers, peers, and outside influences.

 

Normal is the bandaid... unique is the cure.

This should be the mantra of all parents with a child who has ADHD--Normal is the bandaid...unique is the cure.  Don't every forget it and that was profound to state.  I've already shared that with my friends.

Sandee - posted on 03/18/2009

Adderall has been working for my son wonderfully for 5 years. He's not always as hungry during the day so he eats more in the evenings. He's growing very nicely. He doesn't have the moody let downs I've read about on here. It has enabled him to become an excellent middle school student who also participates in band.

Fallon - posted on 03/18/2009

Quoting Cynthia:

To medicate or not to medicate? That is my question...

My 5 year old Kindergarten son was diagnosed a few months ago with ADHD. It was almost a relief to finally get the official diagnosis. I decided that I didn't want to put him on any medication; from the research I did, many of these drugs have side effects and I didn't feel comfortable with him taking any drugs. Now that he's gone through 1/2 the year in Kindergarten and he's having serious issues with paying attention, hyperactivity, and behavior, I'm second-guessing my decision. Am I doing him an injustice by keeping him off medication? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? I am at a loss of what to do. I want medication to be a last resort.
I'd like to hear from other mothers of young kids with ADHD who medicate and those who don't. What are your experiences with using medication to help control your child's ADHD symptoms? If you don't use medication, how do you help your child cope with his/her ADHD? Thanks for all of your input.

DO IT!!! My son is on Aderall...it is the best decision I have made. My son also had issues with paying attention, impulsiveness and all that you mentioned, it was very hard for him to make friends. Like I said my son is on meds...we went through a couple before we found the right one...but we found it. Between him being on and off it...its like a black and white difference.

Fallon - posted on 03/18/2009

DO IT!!! My son is on Aderall...it is the best decision I have made. My son also had issues with paying attention, impulsiveness and all that you mentioned, it was very hard for him to make friends. Like I said my son is on meds...we went through a couple before we found the right one...but we found it. Between him being on and off it...its like a black and white difference.

Patty - posted on 03/18/2009

Myoldest son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 8.  I knew way before then that he had this but the diagnosis was a long time in coming.  My husband and I didn't want to medicate him, at first.  It took a lot of thought but we decided to go ahead with medicine.  He went on Adderall and lost weight, appetite changed, and his sleep habits were horrible.  His grades in school and his focus, hyperactivity and impulsivity were greatly improved, though.  Last year, (at age 10), our pediatrician switched him to Vyvanse.  He has since gained back some of the weight.  Sleeping improved, but the pediatrician also recommended we give him Meatonin about a half hour before bedtime.  This is an over the counter sleep aid that helps to start the sleeping process naturally.  What a difference it made.  He used to be up until midnight or later with Adderal, then maybe until 10:30 or so with Vyvanse.  With the Melatonin, he falls asleep within an half hour after he goes to bed.  So, while medicine may not seem like the ideal situation for every child, I had to wiegh the pros and cons for my own child.  I feel it was worth it for him.  His behavior had impacted his ability to make and keep friends because he acted more immature than his age group, but now he has a great group of friends, his grades are improved, and his impulsivity is better managed.  I would suggest that you consider all options for your child - don't jump into any one option too quickly, but also - don't dismiss any without considering the outcome.  You might want to consider a medicine for a trial period (long enough to ssee if there is enough of an improvement).  If the cons outweigh the pros, you can always stop the medicine.  It is not an easy decision - one that I know from experience but meds helped my child.  Every child is different and their symptoms differ too.  Unfortunately, there is not an easy cure-all for ADHD out there yet.

Barb - posted on 03/18/2009

Our daughter was diagnosed with ADHD in 1st grade. We did not want to put her on medication either. We tried the natural route first. Only to discover that it was somewhat effective at home but not helping her at school. She was getting up during class and doing jumping jacks to get rid of her energy. So after a second meeting with her teacher and the principal we decided to go talk to our doctor and see what he had to say about putting her on medication. After talking with him(who has ADHD himself and two of his kids) we decided to try her on Aderall. Were there side effects-yes! Did the pros outway the cons-yes! Her appetite was down a bit and until we figured out that we needed to make sure that she had her meds by 8a.m. or she had a problem sleeping we had a few rough nights. Overall we feel that choosing to put her on medication was the right choice and I will explain why. One week into her being on the medication she was able to complete a math sheet both sides and only had three problems wrong before the rest of her class. Prior to her being on medication she couldn't even finish one side! She was on Adderall from 1st grade to 5th grade. Overall we found this medication to be very effective for her. We changed to Vyvanse because her body outgrew that med. This medication is also very effective for her. I don't feel that either of these meds changed her personality or made her like a zombie. She is still our girl who talks alot and is very creative. We believe that without having her on medication life at our house would be very stressed! Once her meds are out of her system she is very high energy,talks nonstop,picking at her sister without being able to control herself and cannot calm herself down. Here is another side to this. In her first conference this year her meds were starting to wear off. Her teachers sat looking at her like they had never seen her before. When I explained that her medication was wearing off one of her teachers "thanked us for making sure that she had her medication every day". They all said that this was helping her to be as successful as she is because without it they didn't see how she would be able to pay attention. I believe that having our daughter on medication was the right decision. She is currently getting A's,B's and 1 C on her report card as a 6th grader. We feel that is outstanding. We had to work to get her up to speed with her reading which took a few years because she fell behind in first grade. Now the teaching staff is telling us that they would have never known that she was behind in reading because she does so well. Overall we do not regret making the decision to have our daughter on medication. This has helped her grow academically and socially. She is still very healthy and happy. Can't go wrong with that.

Tascha - posted on 03/17/2009

My oldest son is medicated for ADHD, he also has Opotional Defience Disorder. He has gone through so much testing and we had tried everything before finally putting him on Ritalin and Risperidone. He takes low doses and he goes every other month for a full check up. They have to keep and eye on their weight and blood pressure. There are a lot of side effects as well you may have to trial and error types of meds. Concerta just wasnt enough for my son, I cant remember what else he has tried now but I think we tried 5 or 6 different kinds till we tried Ritalin and things are better them before.

We had tried the naturalpathic way too, it didnt work for long. He was still raging inside, it was sad to see him so angry. But it was just that he was frustrated, and not being able to focus made it that much more frustrating for him.

But all you need to do is ask your doctor what would best suit your son, school is such a hard thing for these little guys. My son still gets singled out because he is "hyper", which isnt nice for him and it makes me sad to hear some of the things his "friends" say to him. In general I think kids just dont understand like us parent do.

Hang in there!

Ann - posted on 03/17/2009

Just like you I didn't want to put my son on medications but it was the best thing I did for my son. Before he coouldn't concentrate to do his school work and his grades were failing but for the past 4 years he has been on the honor roll and loves school again. He is on Vyvanse. I love it. With all ADHD kids they lose weight while on these meds but my son is on Periactin it helps with that. I hope this helps.

Angela - posted on 03/17/2009

Hi, my daughter was diagnosed only in grade 4, but it was also a relief. I was always an advocate to not medicate, not needed blah blah. Such a different kid on the medicine. She is able to control her actions and pay attention in class, she is old enough to see the difference in herself. She is on concerta which is the long acting med, no up and down like the ritalin where u have to remedicate every so many hours. The only side effect that i notice is the lack of appetite. Have to really encourage her to eat, but as evening approaches and the med wears off her appetite returns. I think some kids just need this medication, only u know your son but even if you try it and then decide to stop it, its worth a try. That was my philosophy and i'm glad i tried it for my daughter. It's wonderful to see her improving at school. Of course at home in the morning before the med kicks in, still rough. LOL. Good luck

Jamie - posted on 03/17/2009

When your son cant be a normal kid with out the meds then its time to start them. I only put my son on them because HE needed them not because I couldnt handle him. When the school is sending him home everyday and he has no friends then maybe you should think about it. If your second guessing giving him meds then its not time, you will know in your heart when your son needs the help. Remember it's not his fault so keep smilling.

Karen - posted on 03/16/2009

I try to explain to people when they are skeptical of the decision to medicate--you wouldn't send your kid to school without glasses on would you?    If what is getting to the brain gets fuzzed by distractions, then give the brain some "glasses" and help the child feel successful!

Sandee - posted on 03/16/2009

You will know if, and when you're ready to medicate. My son was diagnosed in 1st grade. I waited until midway through 2nd grade to medicate because nobody wants to medicate their kids. At the time I decided, I went in during "National Education Week" when parents were allowed to observe classes. I saw my sweet boy at a desk away from the other kids because he was too distractable to be near anyone. He obviously was unable to follow the science lesson because he was playing with the pencils in his desk, and at one point even went under his desk! If he was put near a trash can, he would play with the bag. He took his math cubes and made imaginary monsters with them. Brilliant, creative...that's my boy! But he was lost in school because his mind was too busy with other things. I put him on Adderallxr. He is very small to begin with so I was worried about the loss of appetite and possible stunted growth. I was assured that at most he may lose a quarter of an inch in height. He's still a horrible eater at 12. BUT, he is now an honor student in 7th grade and only needs a special plan to allot him more time for his tests. After the medicine, he sat with his peers, and was able to participate in class. He still needed help with organization and study skills through 4th-5th grade, but by 6th, he was just fine. I believe now that ADHD is a chemical imbalance and needs meds just just like a diabetic is in need of meds. For my son, it was the right choice and has given him a chance at a bright future.

Pat - posted on 03/15/2009

Hi cynthia

my son has adhd,and he has been on medication for a couple of years now,I found it has helped him a lot,but he does have his moments,I found no side affects with my son yet.hope this advice helps you good luck pat

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2009

Medicating is such a personal decision. They wanted to medicate my son at age 2 but we didn't. He just seemed so young and we were able to work with him until he was about 7. We finally put him on medication at age 8 because he was so out of control and frustrated. He was frustrated with himself and knew that things weren't right because he really couldn't control himself. It has made a huge difference to put him on medication but I won't say that he is perfect by any means. We still have a lot of issues to deal with and it can be so frustrating. Just follow your heart and see what you think would be best for him. I think we were lucky to find something that worked for our son the first time. No trial and error. Good luck.

Lyndi - posted on 03/14/2009

Quoting Mira:

We told our son from day one that the medication is there to help him focus. It will not make him focus, it is a choice he has to make. And even now, on the meds, while he is doing so much better, he has moments where he needs to be reminded to stay on task.

He too gets to run around the gym, not just before class but throughout the day. The teacher allows him to get up, move around the classroom, help out with things, run errands to the library, etc. It just wasn't enough until we got him on the meds. So, in response to Mandy's statement that children with ADHD can receive enough stimuli from the outside, I guess it depends on the child. I am glad that the search for such stimuli does not effect your child socially or acedemically the way it was our son. But do not judge a parent's decision too quickly. You may one day change your mind.

I hear exactly what you are saying... we do the same things but it just wasn't enough...  My son can now finish his homework in about 20 mins instead of 2 hours...  The medication helps him focus.  My son also has ODD.  We tried several different things before medication and we still continue with most of them.  I believe that all kids and cases of ADHD are different and we all need to do for our children what is best for them individually!!  I don't think anyone of us on this board would say what is right for anyone elses child.

Janine - posted on 03/14/2009

We are not medicating our son that has been diagnosed with ADHD. He is in the first grades. We have some good days & bad. But we have changed his diet, have him see a child therapist & try changing his routine. I recommend you read this book "parenting with ADHD, 10 lessons that medicine cannot teach" Just remember that each individual is different, what may work for others, may not work for the next person. You make your decision whats best for your child, not what the census says. Good luck!

Dana - posted on 03/14/2009

Within the last month, I shared my story about my 2 with ADHD and meds.  I now find myself needing to add an additional comment based on prior responses from other parents.

If everyone has done their research, we all know there are pros and cons to meds.  Now that both my children have had such success with the meds and are living a better quality of life, I decided it was time to take care of myself.

For years, I have been diagnosed with mild Bipolar Disease (mood swings) by my family doctor.  I recently got re-evaluated.  It was not Bipolar, it was adult ADHD.  I have since tried the Concerta, just like my children. OMG!!!!  What a positive difference.  Now, I know exactly what my children were going through and felt.  I feel like such a bad parent.  My household is so much more happier, no more yelling, no more defiance, no more frustrations, we enjoy each others company so much more.  Things get done in a timely fashion, we go out more, we do more things together.  I no longer have to worry if anyone is going to act up in public. The kids grades are exceptional, my production at work has increased and my tasks that I need to do at home are no longer put off to the last minute or not done at all.  Now, I do not know if we will stay on this medicine.  Once I have gotton my dosage to the correct level, I will be researching alternative options.  Maybe something all natural.  But at least the meds was a good place to start for my family.  The point is, now that I am in the same boat as my kids, I would like to say, it is so easy for people to judge.  If you have not been there, you will truley never know what it feels like to be ADHD.  Stay positive.

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2009

Educate yourself very well.  Don't ever just take what your doctor tells you about any medication at face value.  Most of them really don't know much about ADHD (unless they are specialists) and what they learn they often learn from the medication companies themselves.  Medication might be neccesary if your child seriously cannot cope with daily life.  Follow your heart and do what you feel that you can live with.  Eventually you will have to answer to your child about why you made the choice.  You can also change your mind along the way.  We medicated our son for almost eight years.  When he was 13 I felt that it was time for him to develop some internal control and develop self management skills.  He has been off medication for over a year.  Some times we miss it.... but I can finally see his real personality.  He is not the same on medication.  On medication, Ben loses his remarkable sense of humour and insatiable curiousity.  I wouldn't trade this now for better marks and happier teachers.

Mittie - posted on 03/14/2009

Hi All,

It is important to keep one another informed on the updated information given. My son has been diagnosed at the age of 5yrs old. We used alternative behavior modification methods and then we realized that medication was the only way to go. My son was/is academically ahead of his class even in kindergarden.



My point is that it's not the answer for all but you have to way your options and consider what is more important. To each its own; my son is still being medicated he is doing great in school and he has been medicated since the first grade. ADHD is like diabetes or hypertension are you not going to take the medication to get well. It is one in the same.



It hard for any parent to have to face putting their child on meds or not but only you will know the answer. I believe it is a case by case situation. Do not stub your child growth because of society's beliefs. Do not let that be the upbringing of your child.



To you ALL my heart and tears and prayers go out to you! Do the right thing. Protect your child one way or another!!!



Love and peace,

Mittie

Karen - posted on 03/13/2009

I have tears in my eyes because our experience was so much the same as most of these other parents.  We tried to believe that we could help our daugther cope with her ADHD and that her learning disabilities were the main issues.  Well, once those were overcome we had to face the reality.  Her father has ADHD too and they are both now on medication for it--he takes Strattera and she takes Focalin.  What no one else has said here is that it gave my daughter self-control.  I didn't realize that was what it would do.  She has what I call "brain blurts."  And she still does to some degree.  Now at age 12 she's going through all the middle school issues and is very self-contious about her blurting, but it will happen.  At least the medication helps keep it to a minimum.  And she's aware of it. 

When she was in first grade, she could barely read.  We ended up sending her to a private school for learning disabilities and ADHD where she spent two very difficult/challenging years and she came out reading three grade levels ahead of herself.  She is very, very smart but couldn't access it without the medication.  I wasn't willing to understand it until the second year she was there.  They encouraged me to try it and they definitely had the experience. 

Not all kids respond to medication.  Be aware that can happen too.  She had two school mates there who tried everything--I hated the idea of trial by fire but sometimes that is what it takes.  I don't know how those two kids are doing.  I really felt for their parents.

Good luck and I hope you have a smooth transition.

Lori - posted on 03/13/2009

It is a very personal and difficult decision. My husband and I felt differently about it. But, I felt I had tried everything under the sun and this was my last resort. I still am not sure about it, but yes, if you have high blood pressure, you need a pill. Yes, you can try exercise and diet, but in the end, you may still need a pill. I have low thyroid and if I didn't take that little pill every day, I would be a mess. Some people would think it's all in my head. Right now, our son is off the concerta, but I am anxious to see what the teachers say at conference time. He is the dreamer ADD, not hyperactive and he seems to be doing his homework much more independantly and w/o reminders. We'll see. We can only do what we as parents think is best and not judge others who may choose a different remedy....

Kelly - posted on 03/10/2009

I didnt believe in the medicine till I seen it work myself. My son went up to the last 6 weeks of 1st grade with issues all year. Me and his teacher were ready to rip our hair out, we sat and cried and didnt know what to do. We had him in the IST program (behavioral program) and his therapist sent us for an evaluation and the doctor finally diagnosed him with ADHD and placed him on Aderall XR. Time released which last 8 hours. he gets it in the AM and it should last through school and it does. My husband didnt believe in it but I was with him the most so I said I was doing it and it made a world of difference in him. I truly believe in it and he is doing super in school. All A's and listening too. When he finishes his work, his teacher has brain teasers to keep him occupied and he loves those. I can tell when it needs adjusted as it starts wearing off by the end of the school day and he starts getting back into trouble. Then we go for a med evaluation. The only side effect I see on him is it suppresses his already poor appetite so he is 9 and weighs 60 pounds. If he doesnt gain anymore weight by April, I am requesting him to be switched to a different med that will let him gain weight. He is way to skinny and tall. But that has been the only draw back. I can also tell when the meds are wore off because he is very hungry. Its a challange and I refuse to use the 10 mg adderalls at night to get through because I feel you just need to learn how to deal with the ADHD too. During school I can say he needs it but at home, I try to learn to deal with him differently. It is definitely hard and he is very stron headed.. I am guessing I see a lawyer in the future the way he is....Hope this helped.

Darlene - posted on 03/09/2009

My son has not been diagnosed yet but has been in testing for 2 years.  He is 8 and we have had behavioral problems with him since kindergarten. His symptoms are not severe enough for medication but I have thought alot about it if the time ever comes. So far his grades are not suffering as a result of his attention span but socially he is behind. He has trouble making friends and does not always act appropriatly in social situations. He gets frustrated very easily and often gets physical.  I discovered an amazing product last year called MonaVie and was initially just taking it myself. My kids had been drinking it but not consistently. Last summer I made sure that my son took it religiously morning and evening. I had a meeting mid Oct with his teacher and councellor just to touch base and see how he was doing. The first thing his teacher said was "What have you done with him, he is like a different kid" Incidentally he had the same teacher for grade 2 and 3 so she was very familiar with him. His attention span was better, he was getting along better with the other kids and was not having any problems in gym like he was the year before. He continues to do well as long as he remembers to take his juice, and we all notice when he doesn,t! He has only had to see the principle 3 times this year, I lost count how many time he saw her last year. So for now we are sticking with MonaVie, a natural juice with 19 fruits from around the world, and if the time ever comes where he is struggling then I don't have an issue giving him medication. After all if he had any other medical condition I would give him meds for that.

Sandra - posted on 03/09/2009

We struggled with that same question. However, the ADHD started affecting our daughter's grades at school and she was starting to notice herself falling behind the pack. We started her on the lowest dose possible and it made a world of difference! She is able to focus and calm herself better than ever. She is not a zombie and is still energetic, but not the pinball we were used to. She has noticed a difference and actually is happy that the medication has helped her. One way we were able to justify using the medication is recognizing that this is an actual medical problem and that if she had any other chronic medical condition (like ear infections or strep throat), we would be taking the appropriate steps to help correct that, too.

Hazel - posted on 03/09/2009

my daughter had black eyes. skinned knees and elbows, bruises all over and no friends. all this before she started kindergarden. she could not controll her impulses. if she was dared to do something she did it. it was a nightmare...i was almost afraid to send her to school for fear of what would happen to her .on the other hand i welcomed the relief of knowing she was  "safe" at school and i could have a bit of rest time away from her..by the time she got to 2nd grade she was so dissrupting the class she spent most time in the "quiet room" than in a classroom . i knew we had to do something. she was put on ritilan WOW!!! what a change.  a tiny blue pill had worked such a miracle!! she was on the lowest dose  and continued for the rest of public school to stay on the lowest possible and still work for her.she did  stay slim but so did another daughter who wasnt on meds. she had a healthy appetite  when she wasnt meddicated and the doctors were happy with her progress also. i cant tell you how much i stressed over the decision to medicate her  but im so glad i did . it made a huge difference in her abillity to enjoy life. she remembers all the hurts she had and has said on several occassions "i cant believe i accually did that"  all i can say now is that she is 18 and doing well . she has  been off ritalin for 2 years and is living on her own . she attends school regularly and i still love her . ...the choices we make for our children are some of the hardest we will ever make. whatever you chose , i wish you and your family good lives and much  joy .

Andrea - posted on 03/09/2009

For the comment above-I have had people say mean things to me too-family members included. Until you have a child with it dont judge me. It is almost impossible to control them. They have said control your kid and you need to spank him. I told them he cant help it and I am not spanking him for something he cant control. We also had a bad experience with baseball!! A bad sport for a kid with ADHD.

Rhonda - posted on 03/08/2009

You can be the only one to decide...I am a mother of 3, and my middle child was diagnosed last May...I have always known he was ADHD, at about age 2 ,was when we started helping him in daycare with being able to have a EA with him fulltime to distract if neccessary, or keep him calm during quiet times and help with transition...I am an EA in a school...I chose to medicate... like I said, I am a mom of 3,my youngest just turned 1, my husband works out of town three-quarters of the year, so I am a single parent most of the time, and I am, as mentioned, a working parent...so with these 3 factors I found that medicating was the way to go, as I cannot offer 1 on 1 at all times, or even most of the time...we started with low doses, quick release, and have settled with dexedrine SL...we have totally seen a huge change, definitely know when a doseage is missed, and are thinking of trying team sports again(we had a bad experience with some soccer parents when my son played co-ed soccer at age 3), the coach knew that I suspected ADHD, and I didn't feel it was neccessary for the parents to know that fact, as I was at all games, and disciplined when neccessary for hands on or too much aggression...apparently the parents thought I should be doing more!!  I was totally outraged that they thought I wasn't doing anything...anyway, I know better for next time...

Just remember to know all your facts, all the POSSIBLE side effects, and YOU choose to do what's best for your child...

Nicki - posted on 03/06/2009

Hi Cynthia!  I am a teacher and mother of an ADHD child.  After fighting the thought of putting my son on medication, I finally caved, and put him on CLASS 2 narcotics as recommended.  I have since found a SAFE, HEALTHY, DOCTOR APPROVED solution.  My son is now successful in school, and his self-esteem is on the rise because he isn't always in trouble.  I have been so please with the results, I have chosen to work part time for the wellness company who makes the products.  Please give me a call if you'd like more information.  712-255-0378

Cathy - posted on 03/06/2009

My 7 year old was diagnosed Sept 2008, he was in grade 2.  At first we always thought he was just overactive, but he too was falling through the cracks, very bright little boy, could not sit, and stay focus.  The very first week of grade 2 his teacher who also has a child with ADHD, started doing an assessment along with the special educational teacher.  A report was made up, took it to my dr's Tyler had every single symptom.  At first I too was very  hesitant, to try medication.  My dr is excellant we started Tyler on Concerta, lowest dose for 2 weeks, he gradually increased it 2 more times.  Within 6 weeks from the time he was diagnosed and started Concerta it was like having my son back for the first time.  It did not change his personality, he was very sweet, loving and impecable manners.  The frustration was gone, he has all his friends back, is school work is amazing, he is writing sentences you can understand and very neatly.  We work extra hard on his reading now, because he has to catch up but I tell you his teachers are all amazed on how well he is doing.  He is a very caring, helpful little boy in class, no more disruptions, he is able to sit and listen.  It makes me really sad that we didn't catch this before school ever started, but I'm glad we did before he got older...now he has a really good chance of doing really well in school.  Tyler has never had any side effects from the medication, he takes it 7 days a week  1 in the morning when he wakes up and he's great... Every 4 months his teacher does another evaluation on Tyler when he is scheduled to see the Dr, and its amazing the progress he has made we are thrilled with the progress, his self esteem is back, his friends are back he loves to participate in everything and to see that the frustration is gone is wonderful, his marks have gone from c's and d's to b's and c' and a couple of a's!  The dr has not needed to increase the dosage he has been at the same for 6 months and it works!  My son knows that his medication helps him and he's proud of it!  He even told his class about it, I've never treated it like OMG you have a disorder, He is a very smart little boy who just couldn't focus, and was getting very frustrated.  I'm extremely grateful and Tyler is a very happy little boy!  Good Luck I know every situation is different but I highly agree the benefits outweigh the risks, I thought just like you not even a year ago, I have no regrets, its the best think I could of ever done for my son.

Andrea - posted on 03/05/2009

I was the same way. I didnt want to medicate my son. He made it through Kindergarten finally. We moved on to first grade and we were having the same problems. He was always left out in recess or sitting by himself. He missed out on a lot because he couldnt sit still and concentrate. I felt so bad because his desk was away from the other kids. He also couldnt eat with the other kids. I finally just got him on medicine because he wasnt learning and was getting bad grades. He has been on it a few months now and it is just sooo much better I cant believe I didnt do it before. I thought he would be like a robot or something but he is the same kid. He still gets excited and runs and things but he can control himself. The only bad thing about it is he is a lot more sensitive. Before nothing bothered him and he didnt care. Now he gets his feelings hurt a lot more easily. I wish I would have gotten him on it sooner. He missed out on a lot just because he couldnt behave. I only get compliments on how good he is now. I knew he was a good kid - he just couldnt help it.

Eilene Marie - posted on 03/05/2009

Cythia, what a hard question. My son has ADD. He is a little older. HIs grades  plummeted, he was having a hard time with everything. We didn't know what was going on. Testing revealed ADD (now called ADHD- Inattentive subtype)

The MDs recommended changing the enviroment, which we did. We kept trying to make things easier for 3 months. Then we decided to try the medication! What a difference! Grades went back up and he was better able to cope with everything.

I think this a personal decision. Hope my experience helps.

Clara - posted on 03/05/2009

Studies have shown that homeopathy for ADHD are effective in decreasing many of the symptoms associated with ADHD. This includes hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inattentiveness.



Prescription medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are the popular choice because that is what most people hear about. These are known as stimulant drugs that change the chemical makeup of the brain so that ADHD symptoms are alleviated.



So what is different about a homeopathic remedy for ADHD?

(...it's a long article, you can read it on: http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-Thinki... )



Hope you find this useful. Clara.

Cindy - posted on 03/05/2009

You know, my son (who is now 9 years old) was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 7.  We took him to the doctor for his assessment at the urging of his teachers.  I'm so glad we did.  However, my husband and I were very leary of using meds since he was so young.  But, we did our research and decided that we would try them.  I have to say, I'm very glad we did.  We went through several types and finally found one that has worked wonders for Jakob.  His grades have greatly improved, his ability to pay attention in school and out of it is amazing, and he has become a much happier, well-rounded boy. 

I know that you will find several parents on here that have chosen to take the "non-med" route, and I applaude that, but in my case the good has greatly outweighed the bad.  Jake is currently on Adderall XR once a day and so far I have seen no side-effects that I would consider terrible.  He doesn't really eat lunch because his appetite's gone, but he does eat breakfast and dinner just fine.  He doesn't complain of headaches or of stomach problems either.  His weight gain is steady and there are no worries of growth problems either.

Melissa - posted on 03/04/2009

Hi...I have a son who was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of 4th grade.  I knew he had it since kindegarten tho...but I never took him to get diagnosed and I was told that the earliest a child could get diagnosed was at 7 years old because at 5 to 7 years old they are still growing and boys are naturally like that.  I did put him on medication once he was diagnosed because the issue of focusing was getting worse.  I wished I would've put him on it sooner because now he is in the middle school and falling behind in areas that he wouldn't be had I put him on it sooner.  It's a tough decision to make.  Hates being on it and the teachers all say that he is way too tired in class to do his work...and that is the lowest dose.  I have tried him on just about every med and the Adderall worked for him in fifht grade, but now it's too much.  Some kids will grow out of it and some do fine on the med.  I someone  who's son is in 2nd grade and he is doing really good.  You know your child best and if you are seeing that he is struggling then maybe you should give it a try.  If you don't like how he is on the medicine and you've tried different ones, then don't put him on it.  I know my son better than anyone and it took some discipline and many arguments and boy did I have my nights of crying myself to sleep or wanting to put my head through the wall...but he seems to be doing ok not on the med.  However, I had to get him a tutor b/c doing work with me isn't going to help...he needed a stranger to build up his confidence therefore improve his focus ability.  I hoped my story helped.....it is really hard to deal with a child who has ADHD or ADD...but you have to keep in mind that he won't be perfect and he may not even do good in school....but if he knows that he has you helping him and he can be open with you....everything will be fine.  I have let go of the hope that my son will be on the honor roll or even have grades better than D's and C's....I'm focused more on him doing his work and his failing test grades, I learned to let go but still let him know that it's not acceptable.  Sorry this was so long!

Angel - posted on 03/03/2009

i think deciding not to medicate when our kidlet is diagnosed is standard operating procedure for ADHD parents...

and now, for me, 12 years after he was diagnosed and after medicating properly for 6 years- i cannot justify why i took so long to do so.

the benefits far outweigh the side effects, and no child should have to go through the emotional trauma they endure at school because they're not medicated.

i know we all want to do everything we can to help our children, and if they had diabetes or depression or cancer we wouldn't hesitate to medicate them as soon as possible.

and i am speaking here as a parent who medicates her adhd son.

Justina - posted on 03/03/2009

hello cynthia,my name is justina.i always felt my daughter had adhd because she was so hyper and having trould reading at school well i just found out last week my 9yr old has a low level of adhd.I do not want to put her on meds because i seen how it works.at first the kids look really druged up.they don't run and play or even talk the same.then after a few weeks i seen that same child bounce back to himself but just a bit more calmer.so there are ups and downs to adhd meds.we felt we would work with a social worker once a week and see how that helps our daughter.she'll have one on one sessions for an hour.she can talk about anything thats bugging her or just life period friends,games,family. that type of time we think would be good for her we won't be present so she won't feel pressured to hold back feelings.if and only if meds are needed i already spoke to our doctor who assured me the dose would be low.the social worker agreed she didn't think meds was the answer.your baby is younger than mine but i feel that your NOT hurting him by finding a different way to help him.game borads and coloring books are great for the family.it will help you see him react to others in a more controlled setting because you'll be playing also.when my daughter gets hyped up i will say ok now calm down  and take a deep breath,i will look at her as she does that and say now play nice or you get a timeout.that usually works if not then i'll call her away from everyone and ask her to help me with something,because shes focused on helping me she is no longer bouncuing around and getting in trouble with her siblings.sorry this was long :) i hope it helped or put you in a new direction.if you don't mind i'll let you know how things work out for us  in a few weeks.take care and god bless 

Lanny - posted on 03/03/2009

I understand your indecision, I too resisted and I feel I did my son a diservice. I waited too long and it caused him a lot of social problems with the other children in his class. He attends a very small school (approx. 60 kids per graduating class) and so many of them wrote him off after all of the acting out behaviors that once he was medicated and could control his impulses better they really didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore. What I found in research I did was a statistice that scared me, PBS had a program on kids with brain abnormalities and for adhd they went through the process with parents with an adhd daughter. A doctor they saw laid out a statistic that untreated adhd children have a 25% chance of abusing nicotine, alcohol and other drugs, basically everything but LSD. The non adhd public has a 5% chance of this same abuse. All of the above raise the dopamine level in the frontal lobe and that is what is lacking in someone with adhd. The approach I have always taken with my son is to use the least amount of milligrams that would be affective. Once his level was established we don't medicate on weekends or summers both things advocated by a really good physician that I found. He himself had two boys with adhd so he really understood the challenges. Another thing I have done every school year until this one (Cole is now a freshman in high school) is about 2 to 3 weeks in to the school year I schedule a meeting with all of his teachers and the principal to check on his progress and to explain that Cole is ADHD and that he does require some accomodations. I did not request they tolerate bad behavior or give him a break on grading but I did request that if he told them he left his work in his locker or at home they would accomodate that as the lack of organization is part of adhd. Project deadlines and special needs for school would need to be communicated to me as the chances of him bringing handouts home were slim! This worked very well and my son is very sucessful in school. The teachers were happy to do this rather than have a formal accomodation plan in place as I could have insisted on. I wish you well and understand your hard decision. I can tell you that my son so notices the difference in school on his medication that if it somehow get's forgotten in the morning he will call me to bring it up to school so that he will be able to concentrate. The one big problem that we have with the meds is he does not eat well during the day so I always make sure he has a good breakfast and then have some healthy snacks when he gets home from school, I do not use an er (extended release) version of the aderol so that he really only gets the effects during the school day, this way he is usually ready to eat a good dinner. If he is not hungry at that time I make him a plate that I will warm for him later to make sure he gets good food in his stomache before he goes to bed. Good luck!

Rayna - posted on 03/03/2009

I have a 10 year old with ADHD. He was diagnosed when he was four. We chose not to put him on meds, then by 3rd grade it was getting bad. I took him into a Dr that instead of medicating him sent him to therapy and then sent me and my husband to therapy as well. My son was taught how to deal with his emotions and how to control his anger. He was also taught how to use different types of time management skills and how to keep himself organized. We were taught how to deal with him and what different steps and we could take to get through to him. WOW what a difference! He is now in 5th grade, is a straight A student and instead of a drug controlling his mind, he has learned to take control of his disease. I guess what scares me the most about the drugs is what do you do when they reach the age that they can choose not to take them anymore? At least with the therapy my son recieved he can control his disease instead of the disease controlling him:)

Dvorah - posted on 03/02/2009

My sons 11 and 8 are both on Focalin. Some of these drugs stay in the system and some leave the system quickly. As far as I understand Focalin is one of the drugs that stays in the system for about 5 hours at a time, so by the time I get them after school the drug has worn off. I do not medicate during the weekends unless necessary. My boys get regular physicals to check their growth. So far so good. My big guy is getting bigger (too fast for me) and my little guy is growing at a normal rate (a little short, but we aren't exactly giants).

The benefits out weigh the risks. There is a big difference in their school day with the medication. They can consentrate better and it makes their day easier.

These medications have been used for years. Quite frankly I believe that all the hoopla on all the diseases that are creeping up in our society are coming from the environment and what we've put in the environment (and foods, cleaning supplies, pollution etc...) not from ADHD drugs alone.

I'm sure that not every ADHD drug is for everyone. My son had a bad reaction to one of them. It just means that it didn't work for him. That is why you try it on the weekend at home first.

Don't worry you'll be doing your son a favor. He will have an easier time at school. He'll be able to socialize better and consentrate on school work.

Always keep an eye on his weight and growth. Have a good relationship with your doctor. Make sure the doctor has experience with these children and is familiar with the drugs.

You'll be ok and so will your son.

Good Luck!

Lisa - posted on 03/01/2009

Quoting Tammy:

when my son was diagnosed in kindergarden, there was no way "i was going to put my son on medication". 

That has changed.  Wanna see where the important change too place?

I wasnt "putting" my son on medication, I was giving him WHAT HE AND HIS BODY NEEDS.

You cannot with hold medical treatment your son needs just because society has developed a moral issue about something they know very little about.

Who could be a concerned parent and sit by and watch their child suffer.

He is twelve now and in middle school.   If he did not have his medicatoin, he would be a social outcast and thereby horribly depressed and be a complete failure at school.  

Medication wont do everything.  He'll still have some trouble with impluse control and other things, but it's much easier for the child to learn to manage his life and day to day problems with some sort of focus, rather than none.

All medication has side effects, even cold medicine and aspirin.  The most common is decreased appetite and for some on higher doess, difficulty sleeping.   Buy carnation breakfast drinks and whole milk and get in at least one "chocoloate shake" a day.  Helps get calories on and nutrition in.  For sleep on higher doeses, melatonin is natural and 3mg at bedtime, with doctor's approval, seems to do the trick.

Give your son all the tools you can to succeed in life.  Good Luck.

I'm glad you mentioned melatonin.  I just started Averi on it a week ago at 2mg.  I need to call her pediatrician and we'll probably need to up it to 3mg.  She was at her fathers the first weekend she took it and he freaked and told her she didn't need to take it and conveniently forgot to bring it back so I had to go buy more.  He's not the one that deals with her being up til 10-11pm at night when she has to go to school in the morning.  Oh, I should mention that she is now 6 and will be 7 in June.  She was diagnosed at 3 1/2 in Dec. 2005.  It took me 6 months to decide on the meds.  I had to quit my job because although her behavior wasn't that bad with babysitters, she wore them out and they couldn't keep up with her.  Many professionals have told me they have never seen a child as hyper as she is.  Also, thanks for the suggestions on getting in the calories.  The adderall affected her appetite when we first upped her dose, but it is getting back to normal now.  However, she is only 40 lbs and skin and bones.  Do you have any other suggestions on higher calorie foods?  Getting her to drink milk is a battle all in itself.  Thanks.

Lisa - posted on 03/01/2009

Hi Cynthia.  I felt the same way as you when my daughter was diagnosed with ODD and ADHD at the age of 3 1/2.  I really didn't want her on medication especially since I had taken a counselling course and had to do a paper on Ritalin.  Needless to say, she ended up on it and the side effects were horrible.  She was soooo not herself and seemed depressed all the time.  So I got her on another med called dexedrine, it worked just as well but without the side effects.  Once she was able to tolerate a high enough dose of that, we switched her to Adderall XR.  Reason being was that dexedrine was fast acting and only last 4-6 hours, the adderall is supposed to last 8-12 hours.  However, it seems like we're gonna have to increase her dose again.  It was just increased in September.  I recently started working from home with a health and wellness company.  I just found out last week that one of their products, called ProvexPlus is supposed to work better than Ritalin and it is all natural.  There are no chemicals or toxins in it whatsoever.  The company is also a licensed pharmaceutical company, but is completely green and natural.  So, I've spoken with Averi's pediatrician about it and let her know that I am going to try this in conjunction with the adderall xr.  If there is a difference I will know.  I can't get her to do homework, she is always screaming and flipping out about every little thing.  It's always like a war zone her, especially since I have a 14 year old daughter as well who is mildly ADD and the two are always at each other.  If I can find something that is natural and will calm her down so that things can be a little more peaceful here, I will be sooooooo grateful.  If you want, I can keep you posted on how things work out with Averi and the ProvexPlus.  I am starting her on it this month, and the difference in cost is also phenomenal.  Hope I helped. :-)

Denise - posted on 03/01/2009

Quoting Michelle:

This is my first time reading the posts of this group.  I have to say that I am a bit perplexed.  While I am convinced that the parents in this posting that DO medicate their children would not tolerate being judged for their decision, it appears that many here are very judgmental of those parents who do NOT medicate their children.  I find that very curious!  The tone of a posting is very hard to read.  I really hope that my perception is incorrect, so I wanted to put it out there.

I am not against meds, but do feel that this is a very individual choice.  I also feel that many, NOT ALL, doctors diagnose ADHD too hastily.  ADHD IS a real, valid disorder.  Yet, attention issues can also be symptoms of SO many other things that I feel it is really unfair for anyone on either side of this issue to "judge" the other.  We all love our children and do the very best that we can for them.  I would hate to see others leave what I believe could be a great discussion.

The question was not simply about what meds might work best, but whether or not to medicate.  The only way to be fair to Cynthia's process is to allow both sides to freely express their opinions.  It would be great to learn from each other and ask about differing opinions without making either side feel uncomfortable.  I apologize if this sounds like a rant, but I could share another side.  After reading the posts of others I am not sure that I am comfortable doing so.

I completely agree with you. The mom's sound very judgemental here. Everyone is different. My son was diagnosed in !st grade. By the time he was in third grade I decided to put him on meds. For months after that he had low grade fevers, warts on his hands, was not gaining any weight, and he started peeing blood. I took him to all kinds of doctors and they could not figure out was wrong. I then took him to a nutrinist who tested his hair, blood, and urine. His body was completely out of whack. We took him off the medication, changed his diet to no Gluten, gave him lots of minerals that he was missing (he still takes them every morning) and within three months he had no more fevers, warts, peeing blood etc. He can focus, gained weight and is doing great! He is now 13. So I am completely against concerta and every other medicine. But I don't judge anyone, everyone does what they think is best for their child.

Dvorah - posted on 03/01/2009

A little note about medication. It won't help any of the learning dissabilities that might come along with ADHD. Remember it will help the children with focus but there may be more besides the ADHD. LD, Learning Dissabilities. Dygraphia, Dyslexia.. you name it comes with the package sometimes. Oh and YES, I believe medication is part of the medical and educational formula to help these kids.

Jennifer - posted on 03/01/2009

My son was diagnosed in kindergarten.. And I did not want to put him on pharmaceuticals either. I finally did becaue he was falling behind.  I went through several ones with  side effects like rage.  This last one he was on concerta it seemed great up until 3 weeks ago when he was at school and on recess they found him lying on the ground disoriented and dizzy.  He had to have several test done and was immediately taken off.`  I know it is a very hard decision  you want to do whats best for your child.  But i would recommend seeing a naturopath dr.  make sure its not a nutritional deficiency or allergy..  I am doing this as well as I have found that calm and dmae work well for my son with of course fish oil.  The medication for this also needs to be used in conjunction with other methods such as couseling and such. 

Angel - posted on 03/01/2009

My son was recently diagnosed finally as well. I don't like the idea of meds, but with all the problems at school I had no choice. He is doing so much better and he is easier to be around. The change has been phenomenal. He is on Ritalin which only stays in the system for about 3-4 hrs. He is now taking it twice a day. If you do try this it is out of the system in 3-4 hrs just in case you don't like the side effects. There are other that take a month to leave their system. If I were you I would start off slow. It could save your sanity and your poor little guy a lot of torment he may be feeling. My son is feeling so much better about himself and he hardly ever has a tantrum I can't control. I also have found a book called 1-2-3 Magic which has helped us with the outburst. You will be amazed if you can stick to it. And it seems so simple. Take care and good luck.

Heid - posted on 03/01/2009

If u have met one child with ADHD u have met one...They are difrent,but have some things in common.My son is 10,diagnosed at 4.He`s on meds,from the start.

They have a sort og caos in their head,and they dont have the same stop buttons as other kids.They dont think before they do.I dont think we should be so afraid of using drugs,but we shoud be aware of the moods svings,and look fore depresion.

My son is on strattera.I see that u have alot of diferent drugs in the usa.

He has tried ritalin and conserta,but it did not work the way it should.

Strattera is the one that makes him konsontrate in scool.

(sorry about my english,its a bit rusty)

Susie - posted on 02/28/2009

I am new to this and it ay seem I am jumping in kind of late but my 6 almost 7 year old has been on Ritalin for over 2 years and it is working great. I wish I could show you pic's. I took a few of her before when she was standing in my living room spinning and after, eating.  Yes weight gain is an issue, but I have been giving her Ensure w/Protien. She is not gaining weight fast but she still has grown almost 3 inches in a year. Plus I am on Strattera for adult ADHD and I feel better now than I have in my whole life.

Melanie - posted on 02/28/2009

My daughter is 6yrs old. Like many of you it has been challenging to raise her. She has been diagnosed with TS, ADHD and ODD. The ADHD was very apparent earlier on and by many!

I was also dead set against giving her meds but I asked questions, googled and educated myself on the subject.  I decided to wait and see how she did in school and I mean by how she'd be able to focus/pay attention. To sum it up, she wasn't able to focus and she was extremely disruptive.  Some kids brain chemistry just need a little boost to organize, what works for you may not work for the next, I love seeing that I'm not the only but I don't like seeing critique when it comes to deciding to medicate in the best interests of the child.  Fortunately my daughter likes math and loves to read but was unable to "conform" to school so she is now homeschooled as a distributed learner (which means the same curriculum as in brick and mortar school). I know how my daughter is, I have tried a lot of things to help her. I teach her to treat people the way she wants to be treated and to make good choices amongst many other positives.

Charts work but they don't help her pay attention 24/7. I have read everything under the sun that I could get my hands on, but still. She has recently started seeing a psychiatrist who also helped educate me yet some more. I've always heard not to dicount meds as they are there for a reason. I asked my doctor and her psychiatrist about safe non stimulant meds and there are some out there, ( I should also mention that I've had her on efelax, I suggest googling it, these are you fatty acids and have been proven to help adhd).  I decided to give Strattera a go and the nice thing is she can come off of it at anytime, again google it. Another thing I had to take into consideration was that she has TS and being on a stimulant would more than likely increase her tics. She been on strattera for 3 weeks so far, starting at a low dose and increasing it to the dose now. I noticed an improvement more so in the second week and He told me it would take about 1 month to see the full benefits. Soooo, so far so good.

Good luck to all of you no matter what your decison is, it's always in the best interest of your child/children!! :o)