Torn between the decision to medicate - re: ADD/ADHD

Richardsmom_817

My son is 7 and has finally been diagnosed w/ an attentional problem, he's been a mystery for the last year, plus.  Finally on an IEP...just wondering if anyone decided to try the medication route....I am pondering the thought....I hate to do it, I don't want any side effects and should I see any, he is off of it.  I am just curious..what if it does help?  Any input would be appreciated

gy86

Well given that most ADD meds are just some form of legal speed, I'd be hesitant to give a 7-year-old amphetamines too.  The side effects and withdrawal can be pretty unpleasant.  If you decide to go the meds route, I hope you do so as part of a counselor's treatment plan which also includes lots of behavioral therapy.  Meds should used in conjunction with counseling, never as a substitute; unfortunately not all health care providers operate this way and not all insurance have as generous a benefit for mental health counseling as they do for prescription pharmacueticals.

Have you explored dietary triggers?  I know many families where ADD or other behavioral problems have been made worse by certain types of foods; usually sugars/grains; often there are dairy or soy issues too. If you haven't already done so, I'd start by cutting out all processed foods, refined grains, and added sweeteners.  See how he does after a few months of that; it should make a huge difference!

shadypines

Sent you a PM

Brewtowngrl

I think it really is a case by case thing.  Is he really struggling in school?  Does he like school?  Is he acting out violently?  If yes I would definitely do meds in conjunction with therapy.  My SIL waited till my nephew was in 4th grade and she feels she really missed the boat to start.  By then he had already classified himself as the class clown and didn't take school seriously.  He hated school and didn't want to go starting at a very early age.  

I think we are headed in this direction as well.  We have a call in to a psychologist and therapist to help us at home cope with the behavior issues and for him to handle it as well.  He already gets a weighted vest at 4K and we do sensory brushing.  We have no desire to start meds any time soon.  He is just shy of 5 and I think it is too early, but we need to figure out how to help him because next year will be really hard with all day school as opposed to 1/2 day now.  Right now he works so hard to stay focused in those few hours that he explodes when he gets home.  

Hope you figure out the best solution for him and your family.  I understand being conflicted and I am sure I will feel the same way when we get there.  

kcisthebombdotcom

If I were in your shoes, I'd give it 6 months of behavior therapy before deciding whether to add medication.

grr_aargh

Talk to other people with experience.  In cases with truly diagnosed ADHD - brain scans show low synapse activity which is aleviated with  medications.  If a psychiatrist had established my son had ADHD, I'd probably take him to a neuropsych to establish his brain activity and treat him accordingly. 

Some ADD/ADHD can be treated behaviorally, particularly given strict structure and great committment - but if you are not able to do that, I think it's unfair to refuse to medicate a person who can be helped with that medication, if that makes sense.

 I don't think it's wrong to try behavioral therapy, but I also do not think it's wrong to treat a child who is struggling with medication.  

marchbaby

We are currently having this discussion now.  Our pediatrician has told us in the past he does not like to medicate unless they are doing poorly in school, have no friends, are a danger to themselves, or are driving their parents crazy.  Up until this year he didn't have any of these things. This year, he seems to have them all He has one friend left, his grades have dropped, he can be a danger to himself in that he doesn't watch out for cars etc, and while i'm used to living with ADD and repeating things a million times (my husband has it) he has gotten worse.  Even getting himself a snack will take four to five reminders and the other day I walked in the kitchen after him when he want to get a snack.  He opened the fridge and left wide open and left the room, forgetting the snack...he had no clue when I mentioned it to him.  He also plays hockey, and while he likes it he struggles to keep up with the other kids.  He does great in practice, but struggles with games. I think its b/c the practices are done in stations, 10 minutes each station so its fast moving.  The games are 1 hour of doing the same thing and by the second period he's losing it.  By the third period he has no clue where the puck even is, he is too busy swinging his stick around like a wand and skating in circles.  

That said, we are leaning towards trying medication.  We are waiting for the formal evaluations, but we all know he has it.  Once we have that we will bring them to his doctor and discuss with him.  I have been against medicating,  but at this point he is struggling so much.  What worries me most is the lack of friends at this point.   His teacher also said its starting to affect his school work and in her experience in third grade ADD really shows its head.  He is currently in 2nd grade so if we could start getting a handle on things before 3rd grade that would be helpful. 

Richardsmom_817

Thank you everyone for all of your input.....each of your situations mirror mine in some way....different things your kids do/are struggling with.