Adhd

[Sinderelli]

My DS7 is diagnosed with ADHD and has taken Focalin for the last year and a half. We went through extensive testing before he was diagnosed, taking all the correct steps- we first went to a developmental pediatrician, tried behavior modification, diet changes, etc. We rules out any possible underlying causes, such as hearing and sight difficulty.

There is no doubt that my son is ADHD. I am a first grade teacher, and although I am in way qualified to diagnose ADHD I do believe I can recognize symptoms of it and I definitely recognize it in my DS. The school he attended for Pre-K through this year is known for being "less tolerant" and academically rigorous. Up until this year, my DS has had wonderful, nurturing teachers who were willing to make minor accomodations for him this year. This year, however, was not the case. After much deliberation and a couple of insulting comments toward my DS we decided to move him out of the school and into the school where I teach.

I noticed the Focalin causes him to be extremely irritable and generally cranky all around. After a whole week of not having him on his meds (Thanksgiving week) I noticed a significant change in his attitude/behavior. I did not give him his medicine before school today and warned his teacher beforehand to be on the lookout for any disruptions.

She informed me that he was WONDERFUL today- he got all of his work done, was much less irritable, did not blurt out, etc. Basically, it was an IMPROVEMENT over the days he is on his meds. His school environment now is much less stressful- his previous school had kids on heart monitors BECAUSE OF STRESS.

Basically, I am seeking advice from anyone who has experience with this kind of situation or anyone with friendly advice. Please- no flames for having him on meds in the first place. It was a very difficult decision for us and one that I am still wrestling with. Thanks in advance for all info!!

 

[janette]

My 12yo DD was diagnosed as ADD last year, we tried medications but she didn't feel any different and seemed to be more emotional. She's older so I do take her feelings into consideration and right now I'm not finding medications to be necessary. She is doing well with school this year, I haven't heard of any issues from the teachers other than one mentioned she should get a stress ball. She tends to need something to do with her hands.

If his symptoms come back maybe try something else but it sounds like that wasn't the right medication for him.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

My DS (almost 17) has been Adderall XR since he was 14. Two months ago he wanted to try something else, so we tried Focalin. I told him to give it a month. After a month, he wanted to go back to the Adderall. He told me the Addrerall worked better for him.
It sounds like Focalin might not be the right prescription for him since he does so much better when he doesn't take it. If you ever choose to try medication again, there are many other choices. Something else might work out better. Medicine should make you feel better, not worse.
We had a lot of patient, understanding teachers while DS was in elementary school. In the 1st through 3rd grades, DS found it very hard to pay attention. His grades were good though. He was better in grades 4th through 7th, but when he was in the 8th grade he found it hard to focus again. Our doctor told us that it happens sometimes when they have to take on more responsibility for keeping up with everything.

BTW, I can't believe anyone would ever flame you for seeking medication for your DS. I know how you feel though, I was very reluctant to have my son take anything. It was a last resort. I shouldn't have been so reluctant though, since it works. Good luck in finding what's best for your DS.

 

[malibuconlee]

My sister-in-law didn't want her son on Ridalin, so she started him on some herbal stuff she found online last school year. The teacher noticed a difference and asked what she was giving him so she could reccommend it to another student's parents. He was in kindergarten when he started taking it, and is now in first grade. If you'd like I can ask what she gives him and post when she answers.

 

[Sinderelli]

My sister-in-law didn't want her son on Ridalin, so she started him on some herbal stuff she found online last school year. The teacher noticed a difference and asked what she was giving him so she could reccommend it to another student's parents. He was in kindergarten when he started taking it, and is now in first grade. If you'd like I can ask what she gives him and post when she answers.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Malibuconlee, I'd like to know the name of the herbal med. Did she talk to her pediatrician before giving it to her son? I don't know that much about herbal meds and would like to do a little research. Thank you!

 

[geffric]

Have you checked out Feingold http://www.feingold.org/program-pg.html

My son ( 15) is on Adderall XR and we have been on a Feingold diet since he was 3. We tried Feingold alone for many years but as he got older and school became more demanding we added the medications. As DisneyfeverTN said, this is not an exact science and different children respond to different medications at different times. On a yearly basis we assess his needs and adjust pr experiment accordingly.

 

[camreesmom]

Our DD7 is on Adderall XR and has been for a year now. There is such a huge difference when she is on her meds and when she is not. She herself is miserable when she's not taking them because she literally cannot stop talking or moving. She tries really hard but just can't do it and ends up very very frustrated. At first, she was only taking it on school days but it made such a huge difference in her social skills and grades that she takes it every day now, even during the summer. We take her to the doctor every 3 months for follow ups, weight checks, etc. DS15 also took Adderall XR. We tried him on Concerta for a while and it put him in a horrible mood. He would have headaches and his temper was awful. My stepson also takes Adderall but not the XR. He's been on Straterra and Concerta and neither one of those worked for him. Different meds definitely work differently on different kids. DS15 no longer takes meds and hasn't since he was in 6th grade. It is a very hard decision to put your child on meds but sometimes it is for the best. DH and I have 8 kids and 4 of them have been diagnosed with ADHD. It has been a struggle at times but you have to do what is best for them.

 

[Kimmumum]

My DS12 was 5 when he was put on Ritalin for ADHD. A couple of years later he was switched to Concerta (basically a 24 time released Ritalin). It only worked for about 8-10 hours/day for him though. About 2 years ago we switched him to Strattera. A lot of people (patients and doctors) do not like Strattera. They think it doesn't work as well as other meds. I wanted to try it because it wasn't a "controlled substance". It works naturally with your own body chemicals. It works for my son. Our doctor said that even though most of his patients don't think Strattera works he will leave my son on it if it is working. Go with your heart. Everything will work out.

 

[Sinderelli]

My DS12 was 5 when he was put on Ritalin for ADHD. A couple of years later he was switched to Concerta (basically a 24 time released Ritalin). It only worked for about 8-10 hours/day for him though. About 2 years ago we switched him to Strattera. A lot of people (patients and doctors) do not like Strattera. They think it doesn't work as well as other meds. I wanted to try it because it wasn't a "controlled substance". It works naturally with your own body chemicals. It works for my son. Our doctor said that even though most of his patients don't think Strattera works he will leave my son on it if it is working. Go with your heart. Everything will work out.

Glad to hear the Strattera worked for your son. That was the first medication we tried, and it did not work for my son.

I am so confused, because I am not sure if the stress of the previous school exacerbated his symptoms. He is a much happier kid now. I think I am going to take his situation in my own hands, keep him off the meds this week and see how it goes. If it does not work out, I am going to talk to his doctor about switching meds. I am definitely not putting him back on the Focalin.

I can't thank everyone enough for the replies...it's so reassuring to know there are others out there!

 

[Christine]

I have had my kids on and off meds. It seems that when I take them off, they do very well for about 2 weeks and then it all goes the HECK again. Just see how he does. If things start to slip you can put him back on.

 

[malibuconlee]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Malibuconlee, I'd like to know the name of the herbal med. Did she talk to her pediatrician before giving it to her son? I don't know that much about herbal meds and would like to do a little research. Thank you!

Sure thing. I'll send her an email and reply back when I hear from her. I'm not sure about her asking her pediatrician.

 

[Lars624]

My 17y/o son also takes Adderal XR....we tried Concerta but it made my son very angry & irritable.

 

[HappyLawyer]

My DS7 is diagnosed with ADHD and has taken Focalin for the last year and a half. We went through extensive testing before he was diagnosed, taking all the correct steps- we first went to a developmental pediatrician, tried behavior modification, diet changes, etc. We rules out any possible underlying causes, such as hearing and sight difficulty.

There is no doubt that my son is ADHD. I am a first grade teacher, and although I am in way qualified to diagnose ADHD I do believe I can recognize symptoms of it and I definitely recognize it in my DS. The school he attended for Pre-K through this year is known for being "less tolerant" and academically rigorous. Up until this year, my DS has had wonderful, nurturing teachers who were willing to make minor accomodations for him this year. This year, however, was not the case. After much deliberation and a couple of insulting comments toward my DS we decided to move him out of the school and into the school where I teach.

I noticed the Focalin causes him to be extremely irritable and generally cranky all around. After a whole week of not having him on his meds (Thanksgiving week) I noticed a significant change in his attitude/behavior. I did not give him his medicine before school today and warned his teacher beforehand to be on the lookout for any disruptions.

She informed me that he was WONDERFUL today- he got all of his work done, was much less irritable, did not blurt out, etc. Basically, it was an IMPROVEMENT over the days he is on his meds. His school environment now is much less stressful- his previous school had kids on heart monitors BECAUSE OF STRESS.

Basically, I am seeking advice from anyone who has experience with this kind of situation or anyone with friendly advice. Please- no flames for having him on meds in the first place. It was a very difficult decision for us and one that I am still wrestling with. Thanks in advance for all info!!

I think the disabilities board would be a great place for you to post this,

My dtr is on Focalin now and it works great, she was on Adderall XL it made her extremely irritable and angry, she is not like a new little girl, i did not like the way she was angry, clinching up her fists and more attitude then i have ever seen. Having him on meds is your choice and to hell with anyone who flames you. It took a long time before i decided to medicate my little girl, it is not an easy decision. But post this on the disabilities board and watch the responses and support pour in. As an ED/BD special ed teacher i understand the importance for the right combo of meds.

 

[LBAK]

My DD now 20 was on Ritalin in elementary school. I thought she was doing very well on it. When it came around to her triennial testing I took her off it as I wanted her true test scores so she could continue receiving services. (Our school doesn't like to give services) When I checked and asked her teacher how she was doing off her meds. she told me great and she was suprised she had such a great personality. She was funny and animated the teacher had never seen when she was on her meds. It was then I decided no more meds. I also am a teacher and I have had plenty of children in my class that were challenges and somehow I managed. These teachers would too. The school district was not pleased but she was my child and this is what I chose. Was it easy? No but with lots of behavior mod. we made it. She graduated 2 years ago and is now a very sucessful hair stylist. I am very proud and I think I made a good decision keeping her off medication. Take some time if you can before you make another decision about what medication is right for him. Good luck!

 

[simpilotswife]

If you're not already using one, you might want to consider a pediatric pyschiatrist. They are much more familiar with the pharmacological alternatives that are out there.

 

[cabmom]

My son (8)sees a pediatric pyschiatrist and was diagnosed(at 6) by her. We did not want to go the meds route, however decided to try it. What a difference it has made! He is on Adderall, only 10mg. We noticed a difference on the 5mg so we are putting him back on it.

Marilynn

 

[Sinderelli]

Another good day today! I am keeping my fingers crossed...thanks everyone for the support!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

My DS9 started taking Daytrana several months ago. It is a new drug for ADHD. It is actually a patch that is applied to the hip. We like it b/c you can remove it if you want a shorter duration affect. In other words, you have more control than with the oral pill.

We have tried every thing from concerta to stratera and this has been by far the best. Absolutely no side effects at all ! He used to come home sad on the concerta or have meltdowns or say he couldn't laugh or smile but now he is happy as can be. The stratera made him so depressed that the doctor took him off of that right away.

Daytrana has helped so much with his impulsiveness and help him focus at school. If you're currently not satisfied with your child's med, ask your doctor about this or look it up on the Web!. It's been a Godsend!

 

[Sinderelli]

My DS9 started taking Daytrana several months ago. It is a new drug for ADHD. It is actually a patch that is applied to the hip. We like it b/c you can remove it if you want a shorter duration affect. In other words, you have more control than with the oral pill.

We have tried every thing from concerta to stratera and this has been by far the best. Absolutely no side effects at all ! He used to come home sad on the concerta or have meltdowns or say he couldn't laugh or smile but now he is happy as can be. The stratera made him so depressed that the doctor took him off of that right away.

Daytrana has helped so much with his impulsiveness and help him focus at school. If you're currently not satisfied with your child's med, ask your doctor about this or look it up on the Web!. It's been a Godsend!

I've heard good things about Daytrana. What about your DS's appetite? My DS would not touch food from after breakfast until dinnertime. That always bothered me so much.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I've heard good things about Daytrana. What about your DS's appetite? My DS would not touch food from after breakfast until dinnertime. That always bothered me so much.

His appetite is not great but is a lot better on the patch. My DS was the same way after breakfast. He's a HUGE breakfast eater (like I'm talking 7 pankcakes!). On the concerta, he would not eat much for lunch or dinner. We have seen his appetite increase on the Daytrana. Maybe because as soon as he gets home from school, we have him take the patch off so the medicine starts to work it's way out of his system. He usually has a healthy appetite for dinner and has a nice snack before bed! Here's the crazy part. He tells us he actually likes the way the Daytrana makes him feel. He says it helps him stay focused at school and helps him concentrate and that it doesn't make him sad like the concerta did. We even give it to him on the weekends which we never did with the concerta.