ADHD : my son....

amy.matt · March 2012

So, my son was diagnosed with ADHD back in December. We went on a mild dose of Ridilin, but it made him overly frightened of bugs, etc, so the doc took him off. Our next option is Aderol which we plan to start this weekend. I hate having to do this, but it really is unbearable without him on medication. The Ridilin did great for him at school, but looking back, it did zone him out at times and it was hard to get him to eat.... I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that we will find him something that will help. He will be 5 in July and we are trying to get it under control before kindergarten. I know I'm doing the right thing so he isn't labeled as the bad kid because he really is great in school.... I just hate feeling like this. I had to take him to get his blood drawn today just for a baseline before we started the next med.. Did you deal with this? What finally helped?

goofyteacher · March 2012

I'm sorry you are going through this, I do want to commend you for moving forward with this even though it is not easy.

I can only speak from experience with my students, but I do know that sometimes it is an extended time of trial and error to find the right medication or mixtures of medication that allow your son to be himself while being able to have some self-control at the same time.

Good luck, I know that it can be discouraging.

KatieLG04 · March 2012

Ritalin doesn't work well for a lot of people. Thankfully there are other classes of ADHD meds that often work well for kids that can't take Ritalin. I just have professional experience from being a clinical social worker, but there are definitely kids who need meds because they are so impulsive they put themselves and others at risk. I would also recommend behavioral treatment so your DS can learn skills to manage his symptoms. Good luck! It's a very tough decision to make.

KoriBrett · March 2012

Not a kid but my almost ex... who was diagnosed with add/adhd (he doesn't remember which, he does officially have adult adhd, ocd) at age 9ish. Was given Ritalin. And started to have tics, motor and vocal. Ritalin can bring out symptoms of Tourette's when it may otherwise have simply been carried.

Just a note on the side of caution with meds and early diagnoses. And auntie? Listen to her ;-)

brideonoct1 · March 2012

Wow. I have been in private practice with children as a therapist for 8 years and have never seen a child at the age of FOUR diagnosed and rx meds. I agree with auntie 100 percent. Please see a child psych or dev ped and get second opinions. I hope he is getting play therapy?

I am not saying its impossible for him to truly have adhd or that the meds worked but a specialist is so important. Good luck to you and your son!

amy.matt · March 2012

Auntie- we talked to our pediatrician originally, and she referred us to the behavioral health center and a child psychiatrist. That is who we are seeing. They are the only ones in the area that are very conservative with meds, etc. I do feel comfortable, in that regard and our own pediatrician is pretty conservative. I'm just trying to help him.... I'm sitting in on a ADHD talk at a kid expo this weekend that I'm hoping will help me understand it all. I've been through the worksheets and it seems he's ADHD 100%.... I've looked at other sensory processing disorder websites and that doesn't seem to be whats going on... The blood draw was just a CBC and ck the electrolytes and thyroid... They are just trying to get a baseline.... Thank you for your thoughts! I appreciate it!

shouldbworkin · March 2012

Unfortunately, sometimes you have to mess around with the meds to find out which works best for you. Adderal was way too strong for DS, so we're back to ritalin for the time being and will try an extended release med this summer. Zoning out and not eating are common complaints with stimulants, though. In a way, the non-extended release meds are better for eating if you can squeeze in a meal between doses. Many parents load their kids up AM/PM to make up for not much eating during the day, too.

But, to tell you the honest trust, at 4 y/o and not even in KG yet, my focus would be on impulse control and not on performance in school. Although it's not great for the long term, I do tend to think that guanfacine/intuniv is good for younger kids to help them control impulses in a school setting where they don't need the focus so much yet. Focus was not really an issue in school for us until 1st grade.

jlw2505 · March 2012

My DD has ADHD, was diagnosed a few months after her 5th birthday. Finding the right med and the right dose can be frustrating but once you find the right thing - it can be such a life changing thing for your child. I hope you are doing this for more than your child not be labeled as the bad kid - being medicated for ADHD is so much more than that - it can give your child the chance to mature and grow and be able to learn. In addition to medication, we did therapy to make sure we were parenting in a style that works with her ADHD and learned about ways to help our DD cope and deal with her ADHD and taught all of us ways to help her succeed. Anyway, DD has been taking Medidate very successful and we are trying her on Folcalin XR to see if we can find something that lasts all day (the Medidate will last 8-10 hours and only lasts 8 in DD which means she has to take a 2nd med on some days - the Folcalin XR will last 12 hours. We have tried a few other meds that were big fails but we are still trying for a 10-12 hour medication). Right now, she is trying the Folcalin XR 5 MG but we might need to up it to 10 MG. Her Medidate does is perfect. Keep trying and stay positive, you will find the right medication or combo of meds that help but also look into some books and therapy to also help. The combo can be a life changer for the whole family,.

amy.matt · March 2012

Auntie- thank you so much for the link. I will definitely check it out. I'm trying everything I can think of and am definitely doing it for more reasons than him being labeled as a bad kid. He was great when he first started ridilin and I noticed a complete change in the entire family being more laid back and even noticed a change in my 1 1/2 year old. I should clarify that my son will be 5 in July. I know it's still young, but....I'm hoping to get results of the blood draw when I call the doc back tomorrow.

I just got a call from the doc and she's actually going to have me start straterra, not adderall. I've read good and bad, of course... I'll keep an eye on him. He even notices a difference... The other day he told me that his body just won't be still. Breaks my heart! I want him to be able to relax and just be a kid. His issues are definitely the hyperactivity and impulsivity. He's just non stop moving and talking from the moment he wakes up till the moment he goes to sleep. I mean nonstop. We have been watching him since last year and just brought him in this December after advice from his teacher at school. I just want him to be ok. Breaks my heart, as I said.

justEK · March 2012

I've been on Strattera myself for a little over a month. I have noticed huge changes for myself and it's a great because it's a non-stimulant.

GL! I hope you find what works best for him!

amy.matt · March 2012

Auntie - thank you so much again!! I've bookmarked that link you posted and can't thank you enough. I'm looking forward to my little session tomorrow and to get moving on a behaviorist. I'll do what ever it takes... we are only 2 days in on the 10mg pill, so no change yet. I do think he might be one of those kids that just can't handle a stimulant... or at least at his age. I'm just concerned the once a day straterra will wear off in afternoon and the evenings are typically our most stressful time with him... so, we'll see. I'm staying optimistic.

thank you!!

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