Any experience with ADD?

[JennyMominRI]

It looks like 10 YO DS might have ADD or ADHD.. We have suspected it for years but as he has been at home I've handled it by giving him lots of 1 on 1 time etc.Now that he's in school,It's time for a diagnosis and treatment..We called his Ped who has referred us to a specialist in ADD.Does nayone have any personal experience with this?

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Yes, we've gone from he has it, to he doesn't, to maybe he has a few signs of it, etc...we've seen a regular physician, psychologist and psychiatrist. It's been a hard frustrating road. Good luck and feel free to PM me if things come up along the way that you may have questions about...

 

[Christine]

Yes, DD (14) has the inattentive type and has better grades when medicated (and a much lower frustration level). DS (10) has ADHD and also is wonderful when medicated. Neither have had any behavorial issues, but their school work/grades are terrible when they are not medicated.

 

[BWVDenise]

Jenny,
We are also awaiting an appointment for our ds who is 7. We couldn't get an appointment with the pediatric neurologist until February! I hope his teacher can survive him that long. Best wishes to you!

 

[fivefordisney]

Yes, DD (14) has the inattentive type and has better grades when medicated (and a much lower frustration level). DS (10) has ADHD and also is wonderful when medicated. Neither have had any behavorial issues, but their school work/grades are terrible when they are not medicated.

If you don't mind me asking, which medication is working? I have an appointment with a pediatric neurologist on Monday for my 9yoDD who I suspect is ADHD inattentive type. I know that often the meds don't work for the inattentive type so am wondering which one helped your kids...

Thanks, for any info you can give...

 

[Christine]

If you don't mind me asking, which medication is working? I have an appointment with a pediatric neurologist on Monday for my 9yoDD who I suspect is ADHD inattentive type. I know that often the meds don't work for the inattentive type so am wondering which one helped your kids...

Thanks, for any info you can give...

Right now, both of my kids are on Metadate CD. It is methylphenidate. 30% of the drug releases in the morning and 70% releases a few hours later. That seems to work well with their school day.

My DD (14) the inattentive type, has done well on both Concerta and Metadate. She is the type that gets very little side effects and it all seems to work well on her.

My DS who is more impulsive, gets more side effects and has had more adverse reactions, but he, too, has done well on the Metadate (after trying ALL of them).

The Ritalin LA works good too. It is virtually the same as Metadate except it releases 50%/50%. We just prefer the 30%/70% and Metadate is "cheaper" on our copay because it's been out on the market longer than Ritalin LA.

But you are correct in that the medication doesn't work as well on the inattentive type as well as the true "hyper" type. My DD is much better on the medication but she still has inattentive tendencies so it didn't 100% cure it. But it is workable.

 

[ducklite]

My son was DX ADHD when he was about six. He's outgrown the "H", and the "ADD" has gotten better, but he's still got ADD. He's learned a lot of coping mechanisms for it, and he takes Wellbutrin which actually helps control adult ADD. In the past he took Ritalin, Concerta, and one other, can't recall what though, sorry.

Anne

 

[fivefordisney]

Thank you so much for your info!

Did any of your children develop tics from the medication? I am a reading specialist and have worked with a boy who developed very severe tics... The doctors say the tics were "hardwired" and already present and the meds just exaggerated them. I just worry about uncovering latent tics.

Does anyone have experience with that?

 

[goofyforlife]

Christine,

Does your DD have the social issues common to girls with ADD? (ie peer trouble etc....)

I have 12yo DD with ADD. This year seems a little better but we are having a heck of a time trying to get school to help us educate her better....

 

[Christine]

Thank you so much for your info!

Did any of your children develop tics from the medication? I am a reading specialist and have worked with a boy who developed very severe tics... The doctors say the tics were "hardwired" and already present and the meds just exaggerated them. I just worry about uncovering latent tics.

Does anyone have experience with that?

No tics here. But my friend's son did have this. Turns out he had Tourrette's that was exacerbated by the meds.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Yep, my son was put on Adderall and got tons of tics and also started losing his temper like you wouldn't believe. They said he had too much of an anxiety/mood issue to handle stimulant drugs and they put him on Risperdal instead. It doesn't curb his hyperness completely, but when he gets wound up it is easier to calm him down. It is like a good compromise. His teacher still complains, but at this point, I don't care - I would rather have him like this then blinking and making little noises and twitches all the time and losing his temper every day.

 

[fivefordisney]

Yep, my son was put on Adderall and got tons of tics and also started losing his temper like you wouldn't believe. They said he had too much of an anxiety/mood issue to handle stimulant drugs and they put him on Risperdal instead. It doesn't curb his hyperness completely, but when he gets wound up it is easier to calm him down. It is like a good compromise. His teacher still complains, but at this point, I don't care - I would rather have him like this then blinking and making little noises and twitches all the time and losing his temper every day.

Wow. That really sounds like the boy in my school. I can't remember the specifics, but he was on a combination of meds--one to help with the hyperactivity and one to help with the inattention. His tics were so severe and he was so embarrassed. It was so sad. They altered his meds and his hyperactivity is diminished but the inattentive stuff still remains.

After working with this student, I completely agree with you! It is much better to deal with overactivity than severe tics.

 

[BWVDenise]

Oh boy. Tics and stunted growth? I thought I read that some of these meds slow their growth. My 7 yo is only about the size of a 4 yo now, so can't afford to have anything slow his growth. Tics wouldn't be very good either. What on earth is a parent to do?

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I know. That makes things so hard. While my son was on Adderall he did not grow or gain a single pound. As soon as we switched him over to Risperdal, he gained 5 pounds and grew 1/2 inch. We were so excited!

 

[fivefordisney]

Oh boy. Tics and stunted growth? I thought I read that some of these meds slow their growth. My 7 yo is only about the size of a 4 yo now, so can't afford to have anything slow his growth. Tics wouldn't be very good either. What on earth is a parent to do?

It is so hard--emotionally. Unfortunately, the research finds that only medication really works. The behavior therapy, diet therapy--none of it works for most of the population. It is just really hard.

That being said, I have seen marvelous improvement and positive results with many of my students who used medication. The recent experience with the tic thing just scared me...

 

[Christine]

Oh boy. Tics and stunted growth? I thought I read that some of these meds slow their growth. My 7 yo is only about the size of a 4 yo now, so can't afford to have anything slow his growth. Tics wouldn't be very good either. What on earth is a parent to do?

These things can happen but I would not call them common. Both of my children gain weight and grow just fine on the meds. They monitor this very closely. The key is to find just the right dose that doesn't interfere with their eating habits and still controls the behavior. Too much and you have problems. We look for a happy medium. I could give my kids "more" medication and better control the ADHD symptoms, but then we get side effects.

Also, for anyone just starting out. The worst side effects occur in the first 2 weeks. I take my kids off the meds during the summer and when we start back up, I am just a wreck. They are quiet, moody, and they don't each much. After we pass the 2-week mark, they side effects disappear.

 

[swilphil]

It is so hard--emotionally. Unfortunately, the research finds that only medication really works. The behavior therapy, diet therapy--none of it works for most of the population. It is just really hard.

That being said, I have seen marvelous improvement and positive results with many of my students who used medication. The recent experience with the tic thing just scared me...

I have known of cases where diet therapy and behavior therapy have worked with students were very active, disorganized, moody, etc. They showed many of the symptoms of ADD or ADHD but actually were initially misdiagnosed. At one time, some doctors and teachers were too quick to turn to medication for this behavior. So diet and behavior interventions did work. Of course, I've also known of cases of actual ADD where medication worked wonders.

 

[lewdyan1]

My DS is on Concerta and boy can we see a difference on days when he takes it versus days he forgets! He did have a small problem with tics on stratera, but again, like someone else said, some kids ae just wired that way. I haven't noticed any tics while he has been on the Concerta. If you have anymore questions, feel free to post them over at the DisABILITIES board! Lot of people with lots of experience there!

 

[ducklite]

Oh boy. Tics and stunted growth? I thought I read that some of these meds slow their growth. My 7 yo is only about the size of a 4 yo now, so can't afford to have anything slow his growth. Tics wouldn't be very good either. What on earth is a parent to do?

It can delay puberty. My son was a little small for his age, when his meds were changed when he was 16 he shot up like a weed--he's now 6' and weighs 140lbs. He's slender but muscular, and could neer be called "skinny".

Anne

 

[CharityLynn]

my son is on Concerta and at first I was uneasy about putting him on medication but let me tell you it is so nice seeing him progressing, especially in his school work. Like someonelse said the hardest part is the first 2 weeks, and getting the correct dose figured out.