ADHD- No More Meds?

[HappyLawyer]

yes, i am sorry yet another ADHD thread but i had a question, are there any people or people with children that worked their way off of meds? How is it going, are you or your child able to function or did you have to go back on them. I am still learning about this, but i am wondering if dtr will be on meds the rest of her life, i know the dosage may lower but i am just cuirous if she will always be on the meds

 

[tink38]

My DS, 11, has been on meds since 3rd grade. After the Katrina hit, we ran out and since he wasn't in school we left him off of them for awhile. He was about 2 months back at school and he started having trouble again. So, back to the meds it was. To be honest with you, I really don't know if they work. Sometimes he has good days and sometimes he doesn't. But that's all of us, isn't it? I know it IS very important to monitor the dosage. One growth spurt and forget it. He might as well not take them at all. I do know someone who was on them as a child but outgrew it.


Monique

 

[Tomskatt]

Speaking from some limited experience, my 20 yr old stepson was on meds and my DS5 is on them now...and their Dad probably should have been at some point ... it seems as ADHD kids grow up, they do not actually grow out of their deficiet as much as they learn to live with it and find a career or life that works for them. For example, my stepson is now in the restaurant business, where his constant moving and high energy are valued and things happen quickly and in spurts. Perfect for him. He is doing great and not on any meds. My dh works in a job that he is never doing the same thing 2 days in a row and he needs to be constantly changing his train of thought to follow the fast paced system he works with. When he gets involved with something he is totally engrossed and does an awesome job (I'm just a little proud of my guys )
I hope my little guy finds the fulfillment the other two have ... time wil tell.
Good luck to you, I hope this answers your question, at least partly.

 

[Brightsy]

My 6 yr. old was diagnosed w/ ADHD about a year and a half ago. I knew he was ADHD longer than that.
I was diagnosed as hyperactive when I was 6 yrs. old. I was put on Ritalin (we're talking waaay back in the mid-70's here, not many options back then.) Anyways, they kept me on it until I hit puberty.
I was an A/B student up until they took me off the meds. Nobody noticed the link between my being off meds and my grades dropping. I didn't even realize it until I was having my son evaluated. I had dug out all my old medical records and stuff and noticed that it was about 6 months after my meds were stopped that I started doing poorly in class. (I was taken off meds over summer break and it was about 6months later that report cards were issued.)
I've since learned to function well w/out meds. It was a matter of my being mature enough to figure out how to apply the behavioral mods I'd learned when I was younger. I have off days, sure, but I'm doing well enough.
I've thought about being re-evaluated myself, see where I fall into things, as it were.
In the meantime my son will continue his meds, and we'll be using behavioral mods to help him out so that someday he can hopefully live med free.

Sara

 

[Earstou]

There are many people who choose not to medicate at all, but we choose to medicate because my ds can't function in school without them. It not only helps him be able to complete his work (because he can concentrate with the meds), but it also helps him control his behavior.
My college age dd is ADD, and she continues with her meds. She's told my son, who fights taking the meds, that she can't get much done without it, and she really notices a difference when she isn't using her med. I don't know if she will continue with meds after college, I am leaving that up to her now!!!!