Son with ADHD

Sherri - posted on 01/14/2009

My son is 12 also, and for the longest time didn't want to take his meds. First thing was he didn't want to be different. I found that one of his friends was on the same thing, and let him know. That helped A LOT. The other thing is the "medicine" case. It mad him more responsible. I was able to tell if he didn't take it, and when we would set it out, it would remind him. The box is a little bigger than just the container, or the pill. Lastly we explained to him that this med, doesn't make him smarter but it does help him learn. I tried to explain that his learning is different than most kids. And because he learns differently, he needs "extra" help to pay attention. That seemed to work. I talk to him a lot about his meds though. I always ask if he sees a difference when he's on it and when he's not. My doctor also recommended we don't take a "break" from it on the weekend. It tends to confuse them more. Hope this helps. It looks like you got a lot of great advice.

Betty - posted on 01/14/2009

My son had the same problem. One thing you can do is get an order from the doctor to let the school give the morning meds to him at school. This is like having a helping hand out there helping you when you cannot be available to be there in the mornings. I had my son changed to concerta from ritalin so I only had the battle once a day. this was heaven. The school nurse would call him to the office if he forgot to go on his own. I found that having this consistancy ultimately helped him to remember better. If he missed doses, it was like starting all over again. Quoting Angel:

Son with ADHD

Son with ADHD is there any one else out there with the same problem. My son does not like to take his med's. I don't like that he has to take med's but I know that they work. He is able the think a little better but he still needs help remembering things. I need help.

Carolee - posted on 01/13/2009

Hello, well my son is ADHD and him as well did not like taking the meds, he found they made him a little shaky, did not want to eat much, was tired, he looked like he was out of it all the time, and i did nto like that nore did he. However they did help him to concentrate a lot better in class and helped him to stay seated but for me that was not good enough. So i took him off the pill talk to his teachers about it, they didn't really like the idea because it was another kid to watch and make sure he sat down, but he is my son and i want him to feel good. Look they had no choice but to be patient with him and to be aware that he was not acting out like that because he was a bully or a bad child with problems, because he is ADHD!



Its been about 3 years now he is off the meds and has pass every grade not with the highest marks but he did it on his own and by me being there for him and letting him know that he can beat that pill and he is smarter than that pill and that he will destroy it! With me helping him builing his self esteam level to a high. As well he is in a class with fewer students so that if they need extra help it is there for him, it is the same level of the grade just smaller class size and he likes it, but the teachers think he is ready to go to the bigger class :), i want to make sure he is really ready. He is in high school now and iam so proud of him and everything he has done since taken off the meds, have faith show them how to have faith and hopefuly everything will work out as it has for my son :).



All the best, im here if you need to talk..



Carolee

Shelly - posted on 01/13/2009

yes i do but my son has adhd and high anxity and he dose not like to take his meds and me to i know they do work couse when he takes them he is much more calm

Lori - posted on 01/13/2009

My son now 17 was diagnosed with ADHD and he too was on medication. He was a more severe case. Jumping on chair's and tables, doing things to put himself and others in danger. I knew he needed the medication, but with all the negative feedback on the medication it didnt sit well with me. I consulted the doctors and they said it was ok to just have him on the medication while at school. After school and the weekends he did not take the medication. Maybe talk to the doctor, they do have slow release medication where you could have him take it in the morning with breaky, and he then wouldnt need to take until he's home again, if that was something you chose to have him do. After attending many seminars after my son being on the medication for 8 years, I thought I would give it a try. One is no red meats or anything with red dye in it. Lots of tuna-primrose oils. To my surprise it worked, he's been off the medication for just about 5 years now. He does have red meat's once a week, but that's all his body can handle without going a little zainy. Good luck to both of you. It is really tough on them, especially if other kids know, it is something they get teased about, especially in high school.

Daniela - posted on 01/13/2009

My oldest daughter (8th grade) takes med and we did went through a brief period of refusal. I made it very clear that the meds are not a punishment but a necessity and reminded her how much they have helped her focus, etc. I also told her that if she didn't take her pill in the morning prior to leaving for school then she would leave me no choice but to have the school nurse administer the meds. She didn't like that idea so we are now back on track. :-)

Margaret - posted on 01/12/2009

Until this summer, my son, now 14 years old, was using the Daytrana patch for his ADHD. My son always had issues with taking a pill and would throw-up once or twice a month from the medication in his stomach. When I saw an ad for the Daytrana patch, he was thrilled that he wouldn't have to take a pill anymore. He was ultimately responsible for putting his patch on every morning but would sometimes forget. I would keep extra patches in the car in case he forgot so he could put it on before going into the school. It's easy to apply and you could even put it on your son's hip, the typical location for the patch, while he's asleep, before you leave for work. It takes an hour or so to start working, so putting it on earlier before school was helpful for us. Good luck!

I'd also like to add and ask.....my son stopped using medication for his ADHD this summer. He's now 14 and in the 9th grade. With his body changes from puberty, we have found him to be doing very well without medication. We were told that puberty could affect his ADHD in a variety of ways. Since it was summer and he chose to stop taking the meds, we thought we would see how things would go for him. We were pleasantly surprised and find him to be more responsible. He's typically forgetful and not very organized but he seems a lot happier not having to take meds on a daily basis.

Kat - posted on 01/12/2009

I let my son go without meds (which was a difficult choice) until he had an emotional investment in taking them. Now that he is 14 years and is very successful in school, I credit it to his investment in doing what is best for himself. It is hard on everyone - the family and teachers - but lifelong success was more important than immediacy of getting along. Our expectations never wavered so my son had to learn lots of coping skills without meds, but when he decided he was ready for that help, he just blossomed into a great guy with an independent spirit!

Tina - posted on 01/12/2009

If you didnt want to push the meds My son is on meds but one of the things to help him is to get him on GLUTEN FREE meals...NO wheat or adds or praservs....ITs all organic and it helps even out concentration, hyper and so on..research it..see if it would be something for you

Sonya - posted on 01/12/2009

my daughter is 8 and has been on medication for a couple of years already, yes i didnt like having to resort to medication but it did help with some problems at school and her being able to learn and concentrate better, we are luck that she takes her medication without too much fuss, as now she is also on the slow release medication so that only 1 tablet a day now, not 3, which i think helped, she eats then takes her tablet. we still also have a bad days but the good days make up for it sometimes. one thing that we have found to do good is her "good girl behaviour chart". she gets stars for when we dont have outbursts and she really wanted a DSL, so 200 squares went on the chart and she could earn 2 stars aday (am & pm) with getting ready for school with no arguments etc and the same with coming home and doing homework and getting ready for bed. then we made it a bit easier as even though she was about 1/2 way through she started loosing hope she could earn bonus stars and helping (eg folding her clothes and putting away, or picking up toys) and then as she was getting a bit closer and then she would loose it again we showed her that we had purched one for her and said to her that we believed in her being able to achived this and in good faith we already got the DSL and that she would be able to recieve it on getting her 200 stars and guess what......she did, so even if you start at something small and each square was worth $1.00 we have found that this works for us. another thing that worked for us (but only when out in public) was the time out mat. we used the floor mat from the car and made her sit on it in the shopping centre as she was being very badly behaved and making her sit in the shopping centre just that once on the mat all we have to say now is: "do we have to get the time out mat" and she behaves, its great.

Heather - posted on 01/12/2009

My 5yr old daughter also has ADHD, I have been lucky, she will take her meds with no problem. We have forgotten in 2 times this school year and she got in big trouble at school both days, so she makes sure she takes it if I forget. I worked for a large pediatric practice for the last 4 yrs, this is very common. They have a patch out now that just sticks on the back and it lasts 8-12 hrs. Its call Daytrana Patch, talk to the dr about it...Good Luck!

Samantha - posted on 01/12/2009

My daughter who is 6 years old has ADHD and ODD. When she gets up in the morning her pills is sitting by her coat so then she knows to take it before she leaves for school. She will normally put it in applesauce because she is not suppose to crush it or chew it so it makes it easier for her to take.

You can always do a reward system too. If he remembers to take his meds all week long then he gets to something special that he gets to pick. We have done this with my daughter on her behaviors and it has worked wonders. The only thing is u have to do what she wants and that is the only time that they have a free day, then it is back to routine.

Good Luck

Terri - posted on 01/12/2009

hi my son had this also I found that I had to keep him very busy at all times as for the meds just try to explain that these will help him more in school and in his peer group especially if the other children tend to pick on him some because of his adhd.I also found that my son grew out of alot of thi as he became older

Good Luck!

Angel - posted on 01/12/2009

I do have my facebook you can post to

Lisa - posted on 01/12/2009

Quoting Sandra:

My son was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarden and started taking medicine in 1st grade.  They would work for a couple of months,but then he would act like he wasn't taking anything.  He was steadly loosing weight.  He told me he did not feel right one day and was grey and pasty.  I took him to the peditrician where he was shipped to the hospital with a drug enduced heart mumur.  We tried them all and it is not worth my childs life so we opt not to use medicine.  He is going on 10 next month.  I just make sure he is covered under special education(IEP) when it comes to his school and I am his biggest advocate. 

The ADHD question first came up for us in kindergarten and we tried very hard to avoid a diagnosis and medication.  We adapted his diet, stayed very structured in schedule and managing expectations and used omegas and other natural supplements, including Monavie which we distribute.  The glucosamine in the active formula I hoped would help his focus, and it did to an extent, but things finally came to a head with the school and now halfway through first grade we have a diagnosis and are 2 weeks into medication.  No bad side effects yet but I am watching him like a hawk.  I am very hopeful that medication will be as short term as possible but for now here we are.  As he is in private school with no special ed, and so I can either change him to a different school or hopefull things will work better in this school system with continued behavior modification and meds for a while.

Lisa - posted on 01/12/2009

My son doesn't mind taking his meds, but we have just started this journey and so far they haven't helped nearly as much as I had hoped.  We tried for a long time to avoid medication but here we are.  My son is 6 and in first grade.  What about you?

Lisa - posted on 01/12/2009

My son doesn't mind taking his meds, but we have just started this journey and so far they haven't helped nearly as much as I had hoped.  We tried for a long time to avoid medication but here we are.  My son is 6 and in first grade.  What about you?

Lisa - posted on 01/12/2009

My son doesn't mind taking his meds, but we have just started this journey and so far they haven't helped nearly as much as I had hoped.  We tried for a long time to avoid medication but here we are.  My son is 6 and in first grade.  What about you?

Jamie - posted on 01/12/2009

My oldest son is almost 14 and he has ADHD and Tourettes Syndrome! Luckily he has never fought me on taking his medication! But forgetfullness is a huge problem with ADHD so that is constantly a struggle anyway! I will say that 7th grade is the hardest for some reason! And if I did not get up with him every morning and remind him to take his meds he would never remember! I also have a 9 yr old who has ADHD and is not fond of taking his meds but usually does it with little fuss! I guess I dont have much advice on that subject so much as sympathy for you and hopefully it helps to know you are not alone!

Kelly - posted on 01/12/2009

I have twin boys who are 11 years old ,and one of them has ADHD.We have a pill box that I fill up every weekend for him.We leave it out on the counter by his lunch kit so he will see it in the morning, when he goes to get his lunch kit.Luckly I'm able to be home to make sure he takes it.Maybe you should start getting him up before you leave so that you can make sure he takes it before you leave for work.I've also found that if my son isn't rushed in the mornings he has a better day.

Lori - posted on 01/12/2009

As a family?  Could his younger brother remind him?  Could you put a large note on the back of the front door reminding him to take them?  Could you set a special alram on the clock?  Our alarm clock has an option to set two alarms.  Then he'd have to turn off the alarm and if you had the pills right there it would be a reminder for him.  Maybe you or a family member or friend could call him at a certain time and remind him to take the pill. 

My 8 year old is on meds for his ADD and he actually reminds me to give him his pill.  He likes to take it, says it makes his brain feel better.

Lori - posted on 01/12/2009

As a family?  Could his younger brother remind him?  Could you put a large note on the back of the front door reminding him to take them?  Could you set a special alram on the clock?  Our alarm clock has an option to set two alarms.  Then he'd have to turn off the alarm and if you had the pills right there it would be a reminder for him.  Maybe you or a family member or friend could call him at a certain time and remind him to take the pill. 

My 8 year old is on meds for his ADD and he actually reminds me to give him his pill.  He likes to take it, says it makes his brain feel better.

Kelly - posted on 01/12/2009

Do you keep his meds handy. We have them where he can see them. My son also takes his meds before school. Does he have any older siblings. You can try getting them to help. We have our son take his meds as soon as he gets up.

Taryn - posted on 01/12/2009

I don't have an ADHD son, but my stepson is autistic. He is now 12 and takes his meds in a spoonful of peanut butter.  We have also crushed his medicine, when younger, in a spoonful of frosting (literally!)  Honestly, whatever it takes, they need their meds.

Danielle - posted on 01/12/2009

My daughter is 12 and suffers from Adhd with learning and behavior difficulties she was diagnosed by 3 different doctors since the age of 5 and she cant stand taking her meds. She states all the time how unfair it is that she has to take them when her peers dont. I brought it to the attention of her perscriber and he explained to her that she needs to take them because her body just doesn't produce enough of the chemical that helps her focus. He explained that her brain is like the brakes in a car and hers just need constant supervision so her brakes work otherwise if they dont she could crash just like a car would. It some what helped her.

I put her meds out every morning on top of her school bag and wait with a cup of milk and have to watch her physically take them cause we have found her throwing them away or putting them in her pockets to later throw out. Its a very tough thing to go through on a daily basis but once they get the hang of it and know that as parents we arent giving up they usually go with it. We also use daily check list to help her remember all her responsibilities like daily hygiene, chores, homework etc... we have had her tested and found that she is a visual learner not verbal which is common for all adhd patients so she needs constant visual cues......I hope this helps....good luck!!!

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2009

my ADHD daughter loves to take her meds, in fact she begs me to get up so she can have them. She feels so much more in control of herself and she knows others react better to her when she has taken them and can concentrate on her school work. She calls them her jack rabbit pills because she feels like one without them. She didn't like taking them at school in the beginning because she didn't want anyone to know about them, but her teacher has been soooooooo good and explained what she could to the class. Good luck getting him to take them. If it is Ritalin he is on, I heard they have a new patch you apply to the skin.

Jennifer - posted on 01/12/2009

I don't quite know all your circumstances around your son taking his pill. It could just be a kid thing. My son has always been able to take pills. I know when I was a kid I couldn't swallow any meds. Does he take them in down times like when he is off school? If not, He may not have so much trouble if he has a down time off of them. I hope this may help.

Jennifer - posted on 01/12/2009

We tried Concerta and Straterra.  Neither worked well-either no change or bad mood swings.  My son also doesn't like pills.  We finally tried the Daytrana patch.  You only use it when you need it..nothing to swallow.  My life is soooo much easier now and even his teachers and doctors are amazed at the change in him.  The only problem is getting him to remember to put it on early enough that it is working by 1st period.  Hope this helps...I feel your pain!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/12/2009

We tried Concerta and Straterra.  Neither worked well-either no change or bad mood swings.  My son also doesn't like pills.  We finally tried the Daytrana patch.  You only use it when you need it..nothing to swallow.  My life is soooo much easier now and even his teachers and doctors are amazed at the change in him.  The only problem is getting him to remember to put it on early enough that it is working by 1st period.  Hope this helps...I feel your pain!!

Debbie - posted on 01/11/2009

How old is he? and when did he last see his doctor about his meds?

I would consider having a med eval, and school eval to see where he is at. Some kids do learn to work with their ADHD as they get older and don't need meds, other kids start to notice side effects that make meds less desirable.

My son is no longer taking his ADHD meds and is doing very well. We worked with the school to teach him about paying attention, etc. He is better able to focus on a task or to redirect if his attention wanders (most of the time).

Debbie - posted on 01/11/2009

How old is he? and when did he last see his doctor about his meds?

I would consider having a med eval, and school eval to see where he is at. Some kids do learn to work with their ADHD as they get older and don't need meds, other kids start to notice side effects that make meds less desirable.

My son is no longer taking his ADHD meds and is doing very well. We worked with the school to teach him about paying attention, etc. He is better able to focus on a task or to redirect if his attention wanders (most of the time).

Debbie - posted on 01/11/2009

How old is he? and when did he last see his doctor about his meds?

I would consider having a med eval, and school eval to see where he is at. Some kids do learn to work with their ADHD as they get older and don't need meds, other kids start to notice side effects that make meds less desirable.

My son is no longer taking his ADHD meds and is doing very well. We worked with the school to teach him about paying attention, etc. He is better able to focus on a task or to redirect if his attention wanders (most of the time).

Kristine - posted on 01/11/2009

I am also a memeber of a health and wellness company and many people have said by just switching to non-toxic products and putting them on the better vitamins and supplements like omega3's (which also help with memory) it has helped them to not have to take the meds anymore. I know you said your whole family forgets sometimes and the note idea was really good too. Sometimes it depends on how it helps you if you remember or not. I know I never really remembered to take my vitamins either until I tried the ones from this company and felt the difference and now I hardly ever forget to take them because I know if I don't I will feel the difference.

Sandra - posted on 01/11/2009

My son was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarden and started taking medicine in 1st grade.  They would work for a couple of months,but then he would act like he wasn't taking anything.  He was steadly loosing weight.  He told me he did not feel right one day and was grey and pasty.  I took him to the peditrician where he was shipped to the hospital with a drug enduced heart mumur.  We tried them all and it is not worth my childs life so we opt not to use medicine.  He is going on 10 next month.  I just make sure he is covered under special education(IEP) when it comes to his school and I am his biggest advocate. 

Jessica - posted on 01/11/2009

Hi.  I work as a wellness consultant and use natural healing to help people with different health issues.  I have many testimonies of ADHD children and how natural healing helped them.  If you have an email address, I would be happy to send you some information.

Melissa - posted on 01/11/2009

my son is 9 and I have been dealing with this sinced he was about 2. He has been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, Bi-Polar, Intermitten Explosive Behavior Disorder, Aspergers syndrome and dislexia.

Liz - posted on 01/11/2009

My son doesn't have ADHD, but my nearly thirteen year old nephew does.

Angel - posted on 01/11/2009

How old is your son? You said he has other problems.

Angel - posted on 01/11/2009

Thank you for your help you are to first person to understand that it's not only my son but the whole family can forget. We all need to help him. If my husband doesn't go to work to early then he gets our son up and has him take his med's. If I have to go to work early then he has no one to help him remember. Thank you again for the helpful note idea.

Cara - posted on 01/11/2009

my daughter doesnt have adhd but my 11 1/2 yr old brother does and i have raised him since birth. he was at the point that he didnt want and still dont want to take his meds but last yr when that started my mother and i talked about the patch it goes on his hip and that way she could put it on him b4 she went to work in the mornings and then he was diagnosed with celiac disease so the patch had wheat in it and they changed his meds he is on a med that my mom opens and uts in his water in the mornings or sprite whatever he drinks in the mornings, i cant think of either of the names of the meds but i can ask my mom the name of it if u think one might work. the patch just like a quit smoking patch was on his skin and it absorbed into his skin and it does work. i believe the patch was called concerta and the pill he is on now is vyvanse. let me kno if u try it cuz it works for him.

Melissa - posted on 01/11/2009

Maybe you could stick a big note on the door to help remind him as he is going out the door. Thats the only thing i can think of. I know if I do not give my son his meds as soon as he comes downstairs then I forget . He has a horrible day in school if he misses a dose. But he has more then ADHD.

Angel - posted on 01/11/2009

Quoting Tisha:

I know you said your son doesn't want people to know but you could send his medicine to school and they will give it to the nurse and she would make sure he gets it.   I have the same problem with my son who is 11 soon will be 12.   Noone is school has to know.  I know it may sound rude but I told my son he would get grounded if he didn't take his pill, and that worked.  His problem was he would goof off in the mornings.   Maybe you can try the nurse thing.

My son takes his med's at home before school. I need help with how he and the whole family can help him remember to take his med's. None of his friend even know he is on med's.Even the school was unaware until last month when his grades went down cause he had not been taking his med's.

Tisha - posted on 01/11/2009

I know you said your son doesn't want people to know but you could send his medicine to school and they will give it to the nurse and she would make sure he gets it.   I have the same problem with my son who is 11 soon will be 12.   Noone is school has to know.  I know it may sound rude but I told my son he would get grounded if he didn't take his pill, and that worked.  His problem was he would goof off in the mornings.   Maybe you can try the nurse thing.

Hannah - posted on 01/11/2009

My 12 year old has ADHD. I fought putting him on meds forever. I finally did and he went from all F's in school to A, B and some C. Made a huge difference in his behavior. It is hard because i would rather have him not take it and he doesnt like them either.

Lara - posted on 01/11/2009

My son is 12 and has ADD.  He was diagnosed in the 2nd grade, no meds until 4th grade.  I think it depends on which meds they use.  He hated the pills (Focalin, Adderall) but does well with the Daytrana patch.  He has come to understand that it just helps him think in the same way they are teaching.

Kelly - posted on 01/11/2009

Quoting Angel:

Son with ADHD

Son with ADHD is there any one else out there with the same problem. My son does not like to take his med's. I don't like that he has to take med's but I know that they work. He is able the think a little better but he still needs help remembering things. I need help.

My son has ADHD and was diagnosed when he was in kindergarten. He is now in grade 5. We let him be involved with taking his meds and sort of made it a game when he was younger. This helped us quite a bit because now we have no problem with him taking them. I agree with you about not wanting him to have to take meds because we debated extensively about it. I even went so far as trying the natural route but that never worked from the get go. Since my son has been on the meds he is on, his memory has improved and so have his grades.

Michelle - posted on 01/11/2009

Yes I have an 11 year ld son who has ADHD. He also doesn't like to take his medicine. WE make sure he takes it every morning by watching him do so. We use a 30 second timer for him to take it. It is a daily struggle but like you it must be done.

Angel - posted on 01/11/2009

what can we do as a family to help him remember?

Theresa - posted on 01/11/2009

I have 2 girls almost 14 and almost 10..My oldest is ADHD, high anxiety and depression, she has been on meds since she was 7..To this day I have to stand and watch her take her pills, then check to make sure she didn't pretend. My younger one has also made up her mind that she doesn't need them..I do agree that the older they get, their peers do have alot to do with it. They believe that they are too different and just don't fit in, if they have to take meds everyday. I also tried the pill box, putting them out for her..She used to hide them under her cereal bowl and I wouldn't notice until she left.

Angel - posted on 01/11/2009

how old is your child? My son is 12 and it's more forgetting then not wanting to take.