ADHD Medicines, which one is best?

Kim - posted on 09/20/2011

Quote: "Janice Adamson - ..Well, out of my five children,four of them have it in varying degrees, as well as other co-existing conditions.I myself also have AD/HD.Your question is a hard one, because what might work for one child, may not work with another.There is an anti-depressant called Buproprion that can help with both depression and AD/HD.I am prescribed this along with stimulants to help with my syptoms.A helpful book to read is called "The Explosive Child" in regards to your son's emotional lability.Sensory issues as well as other disorders often co-exist with AD/HD, but not always. My sons' issues in regards to weight loss have more to do with different textures,smells and tastes in foods. They are also on Seroquel in the evening to help with the rebound effect of the medication wearing off, it helps with emotional lability (meltdowns), sleep patterns and makes them hungry as well.I hope this information is somewhat helpful to you. Too bad kids don't come with a manual... and no two are the same! "

You are aware "Seroquel" is perscribed for bi-polar????
Also someone mentioned issues with texture of foods etc...that can be "Aspergers" which is a high funtioning autism...which is one of the main things you will see in a child with aspergers...they are very fussy about texture, color etc of their foods!

"Amanda Winter" Im sure you parents are no different then most of the parents here with children that have ADHD/ADD...it is a very hard decission to make...to medicate or not to medicate....I'm sure back when you were on ridolin it was one of the only medications they had but its a whole new world out there now!

If a parent chooses not to medicate they could be changing the future of their child, the ability to keep up with their peers... to gain the future they desire for themselves.

Kim - posted on 09/20/2011

A couple of links to help you compare which ADD/ADHD medication you feel more comfortable trying for your child. Again please make sure to inform your doctor of all Family history such as Heart problems, Kidney, liver etc.

Also, talk to your child(s) doctor about not giving any ADD/ADHD medication during the summer and/or weekends ...this is the solution we found works for our son. He grows more in the summer and eats constantly!

A great website to compare the different ADHD meds
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth...

Warnings of some of the medications
http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medicat...

Kelly I personally would try a different medication...let your doctor know that your son is showing so many side effects. There might be one out there that doesn't do it so much for him. Our son first started on Addrell but due to heart issues in the family I wasn't wild about it, about 6 months into it, he started having heart palpations and chest pains. We switched him to Focolin it was a big improvement but please check out those links, they have so many knew things out there. Just remember not all children will have the same side effects on each medication...just have to try them out. If the Vyvanse is the best for him to get through school then don't give it to him on the weekends or during the summer..if you have somewhere or an event you need to attend and don't want to give him the full strength ask your doctor about a short acting for those special events. Wishing you the best hun!

Amy - posted on 09/20/2011

yes.

Natalie - posted on 09/20/2011

@Amy , isn't that for in addtion to a stimulant?

Amy - posted on 09/20/2011

you can also try an non stimulant medication like intuniv.

Jodi - posted on 09/14/2011

I have a 9 year old daughter with ADD and there are lots of new meds out there now. Just have to talk to your doctor and decide what is best for you and your child. She has been on the same meds for a year and a half and she is doing a lot better with the meds. Its a scary thought putting your child on meds but again it is your choice. Boys and girls are different also. There are some that are time released through out the day not like the old ones that had to be given two to three times a day. I've met alot of people that were not medicated when they were younger and they have suffered the consequences. There are side affects to all ADD and AD/HD meds but some are not as severe as others. It could also be the meds that are affecting the weight of the child also.

Natalie - posted on 09/14/2011

Kelly, have you tried a patch? My son had weigh issues when he was on Concerta and we tried a couple of others after that and settled on the Daytrana patch. He did well on that, he actually gained wait but that was due to eating because he was bored.

Beth - posted on 09/08/2011

My daughter has ADHD and an anxiety disorder and for the past 3 months she has been taking strattera. So far it's been great. But, this medicine is for both ADHD and anxiety problems so it might not be appropriate for a child who doesn't have both.
Talk with your pediatrician to see what they recommend.

CHRISTINA-CHRISSY - posted on 09/08/2011

My 9 year old daughter was already skin and bones BUT she has always been that way she is just a tiny kid... Anyways she was dx with ADD and she has been on Adderal XR and it has seem to help at school BUT at home she is an emotional wreck, the doc just upped her dose Tuesday so we will see how it works. But yes all kids r different my son is 8 and he is has ADHD & ODD and is on Adderall XR too but he is on a higher dose and also Intuntiv and is dong great. His weight has been good. I wish you luck and I hope it is just a phase!

Jennifer - posted on 08/03/2011

my boys do really well on vyanse. they are on the lowest does. then travis started moods and we changed toamphetamine 7mg twiceday. doctor told me they have to eat high in protin diet. if they dont eat breackfast it well go threw there systom alot faster and they wont be hungry. pedsure for kids really good.

Jenny - posted on 05/05/2009

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age. I was TOTALLY against him going on any medication. I finally agreed to a "blind test" in which the teacher of his class was given no information but to record his behavior for the next month. For two weeks he was on medication, then for two weeks he was off it. The difference in his behavior for the two weeks on medication was astounding and so much better than ever. Since then he has been on the same medication, Concerta, very successfully. His appetite has fluctuated but never has he been underweight or malnourished. His sleep is occasionally moderately affected but never enough to have an impact.

That said....it doesn't mean concerta or ANY medication is right for your child. Trial and error, mothers intuition, research and patience are the tools you need to make the right decision for your child. Listen to the advice of other mothers, doctors, etc. but most of all listen to your own instincts as a mother! :)

Lorna - posted on 05/05/2009

my son has been on ritalin and that didnt seem to help him at all he never gained weight throught the medication causing him to have lack of appetite now he is on concertral and i find that works loads better with him and since he been on it he been gaining weight and growing normally but like everyone on here says what works for on dont always work for another hope u find something that helps you soon

Janice - posted on 05/05/2009

Quoting Amanda:

ADHD Medications are never good for children..
Just my personal experience..
My brother and myself were put on ridolin (sp?)
When we were younger, and it made us BOTH worse. We were MUCH worse in school cause of the medication.
There are other treatments and steps you could take to help treat your son for ADHD.
Therapy is a really good thing especially at that age.
I just personally don't think drugging a child cause he/she has adhd or ADD is good at all ..
just my opinion

Hi, Amanda! I am a mother of five children, four of them have AD/HD, as do I.Not all medications react the same for all children and/or adults.True AD/HD cases don't exhibit worsening behaviors, it is quite the opposite. Most parents and doctors used to prescribe meds. to hyperactive children, but there is a huge difference between that and having attention-deficit along side it, or just attention-deficit,alone.Usually recommended treatments run hand in hand with the medications in effect, or medications need to be adjusted or changed , as everyone is different.I have a child with AD/HD and she is not on medications, and hers is mild to moderate. Two of my sons are severely affected and even classified as disabilities in the perceiving, remembering and thinking categories. My other son has Asperger's Syndrome, however his ADHD is moderate,yet exasperates his Asperger's symptoms.Medications in combination with social skills training, can help immensely when used in conjunction with each other.Not all of my children and/or myself are on the same medications, or dosages either.Medications have helped them have better relationship with family, their peers and within society.They can concentrate and focus better, as can I.For my family and from an adult perspective, having true AD/HD medication is helping, but as with many things such as diabeties it is not a cure, and the medications wear off.I do not find them addictive and have gone without taking my medication, with no adverse effects. I can only speak from my own experiences, and that which I have observed within my family.

Melissa - posted on 05/05/2009

We both ended up out growing adhd

Melissa - posted on 05/05/2009

When both my and my brother were younger we were both on ridolin. It didn't effect our weight or eating, it helped us focus a lot better in school.

Janice - posted on 05/05/2009

Well, out of my five children,four of them have it in varying degrees, as well as other co-existing conditions.I myself also have AD/HD.Your question is a hard one, because what might work for one child, may not work with another.There is an anti-depressant called Buproprion that can help with both depression and AD/HD.I am prescribed this along with stimulants to help with my syptoms.A helpful book to read is called "The Explosive Child" in regards to your son's emotional lability.Sensory issues as well as other disorders often co-exist with AD/HD, but not always. My sons' issues in regards to weight loss have more to do with different textures,smells and tastes in foods. They are also on Seroquel in the evening to help with the rebound effect of the medication wearing off, it helps with emotional lability (meltdowns), sleep patterns and makes them hungry as well.I hope this information is somewhat helpful to you. Too bad kids don't come with a manual... and no two are the same!

Amanda - posted on 05/05/2009

ADHD Medications are never good for children..
Just my personal experience..
My brother and myself were put on ridolin (sp?)
When we were younger, and it made us BOTH worse. We were MUCH worse in school cause of the medication.
There are other treatments and steps you could take to help treat your son for ADHD.
Therapy is a really good thing especially at that age.
I just personally don't think drugging a child cause he/she has adhd or ADD is good at all ..
just my opinion

Elizabeth - posted on 05/05/2009

Have you looked into other methods, like the Feingold diet, that treat ADHD without medication?