ADHD Meds post, with a twist (long)

[Dancind]

I have posted on threads here in the past on threads about medications for ADHD. My DD has been on meds since she was 7, she's 13 now. She has a severe auditory processing disability in addition to being diagnosed with ADD, and meds really turned things around for her at school. We tried Ritalin, it made her extremely paranoid, and we settled on Dexedrine spansules. Two years ago, she did a trial of Adderall, which made her extremely cranky. She was actually getting in fights at school! So back to Dexedrine, which I really thought didn't cause her any side effects. She has always had trouble socially, but in the last year had found a few friends in her gifted classes. Most of the kids at her school think she's a bit "weird" (her words).

For the last two years, I have given her twice daily doses of high quality fish oil. It really seemed to help with mood swings and a tendency toward depression, so we kept it up. This summer, for the first time, she has taken a break from the Dexedrine. As the summer has progressed, it has become very obvious that my daughter's personality is very different from what we thought it was. She is happy, easy-going, social, and very funny. An honest-to-gosh Mary Sunshine. My DH and I joke about our "new, improved" daughter. Her dance teacher has noticed, and the other kids have certainly noticed. I asked her, and she confirmed that she feels much happier this summer.

So we agreed that she would start school without going back on the meds. It's scary, because she has a challenging 8th grade year coming up, including Algebra, which she tested into last year. I don't know what we will do if she starts to fall behind because she isn't getting her work done.

I'm posting this because I thought maybe some other parents may have been through this with their kids, or noticed differences in their kids due to meds, or maybe noticed differences and not known what is going on. I still believe that there are kids that the meds help tremendously, with no ill side effects. I guess my kid is extra sensitive. I just wish I had realized it sooner.

 

[binny]

thats really interesting!

Karissa has SID and CAPD ( they think, shes young to test out though) she is going into her last year of preschool. Thats a good thing to know. Thanks for the post!

 

[ducklite]

I know what you mean. My son was on Ritalin for years, then switched to Concerta. That helped with the peaks and valleys we had with Ritalin, but, as he got older it severely affected the dopamine levels, and threw him into a clinical depression that was bad enough that we had to hospitalize him. They changed him to Wellbutrin, which not only helps with the depression, it also as a side effect can control ADHD.

It also is safer to take long-term with some of the other meds he takes for some other challenges he has.

They say that a lot of kids grow out of ADHD as they reach puberty, hopefully this is exactly the case with your daughter.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[Blondie]

My son was diagnosed ADHD several years ago, and we tried Dexedrine, Ritalin and Adderall (not all at the same time ofcourse). None of them worked like Concerta did. Last summer (he was 13 then) I noticed a big difference in his maturity level. He really grew up all of a sudden.

In September last year (8th grade) we decided to see how he'd do without meds.

He did wonderfully! He is no longer on any medication at all, and has turned into an A-B student!

It seems that he has totally outgrown the ADHD diagnosis. He is still a high strung extremly active kid, don't get me wrong. But academically he has completely changed for the better!

Good luck with your DD!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I'm glad that your daughter is doing so well. I've read that Flax seed oil will help also. My son has severe dyslexia and ADD. He is on Concerta. The Adderall made him a zombie. I am now looking into changing his diet. I know it isn't a cure but I believe it may help. Thanks for sharing.

All of us parents with special children have to stick together! I have learned so much from other parents and I try to help parents whose children has recently been diagnosed.

Lori

 

[Dancind]

I wonder if anyone has knowledge of Straterra? It's advertised as recommended for teen girls. Still hoping that no meds will work, but she is a bit of a space cadet still.

 

[Christine]

Strattera is a very different medicine than the stimulants. Or more along the lines of the SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft). They were testing this drug as a new SSRI for depression. They found that it didn't work well at all for depression but noticed that people using it claimed to feel more focused and organized. They then started researching it for ADHD and found some success.

My children have never tried it. My children's doctor claims to not have a lot of success with it but I have read stories on support group boards where some people are having major success with it. It does work like an SSRI in that it can take up to 6-8 weeks to get the maximum effectiveness and will cause dry mouth, appetite issues, possible stomach pain, and sexual side effects (not really an issue I guess for a child!!!).

It may be worth a try.

 

[lsyorke]

Be very careful using any drug that alters Serotonin levels in developing brains. The anger,aggression,suicide risk is VERY real and can show up over time. Initial use of SSRI's in children show some improvement and side effects start over time. Drastic personality changes can happen and be written off as normal childhood development changes. Suicide risk is highest at inception of drug therapy,with dosage changes and when weaning off.

Fish Oils are great for anxiety!!

 

[KarenC]

Originally posted by Dancind
I wonder if anyone has knowledge of Straterra? It's advertised as recommended for teen girls. Still hoping that no meds will work, but she is a bit of a space cadet still.

That's what I was going to suggest...it's not a stimulant, like the rest of the drugs she's been on.

My son started taking Concerta just about a year ago. He is much more easy to get along with when he's on the meds.

 

[ripleysmom]

I would give it a shot Dancind and see how she does. While it is a challenging year academically for her, it would be better for her to try now than to wait until she gets to high school.

Strattera, they are finding, mostly seems to work in children with ADHD of the inattentive variety. It helps them to focus with exacerbating their anxiety.

Good Luck dancind. I hope that things work out and that your DD can remain med free.

 

[Keggy]

Where can I find fish oil at?

Thanks,
Kelly

 

[Dancind]

Well, DD is of the inattentive variety. No doubt about that.

I buy the fish oil my Dr. recommended, Carlson Norwegian Salmon Oil. You can find deals on it on the internet, I buy it in multiples. You can also find it at any health food store, drugstore, Costco, just might not be the same purity.