Anyone know much about Adderall for kids with ADD???

[rbuzzotta]

DD #2 was just diagnosed with ADD. She is not hyperactive only has trouble focusing. The dr. prescribed her Adderall for when she is in school. This should help with her focusing and hopefully help her to read better (she also has auditory processing problem).

I was reluctant to use it but after speaking with my pediatrician at length, he said to give it a try. I totally trust him with my girls!! He is honest and truly takes the kids interest at heart!!

WEll, I gave it to her today. She seemed fine although she complained of a stomach ache and headache towards the end of the time the drug should wear off. I wanted to see how she reacts to this med on the weekend with me before I send her to school on it!! I will give it again tomorrow and see how she feels. I am giving her a low dose and after 3 days should up the dose a little etc.

Does anyone have experience with this med? If so, would you mind sharing any information with me??

Thank you!

 

[Poohbear123]

About 5 years ago. He was also on 2 other meds, so I couldn't really tell how it worked. I have a friend who's DD is on it, and is on the Deans List in college.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for the response Poohbear123

Anyone have info (first hand) on side affects and if they are short term???

Thanks again

 

[tiggerwannabe]

who is right behind me...
says he gets headaches sometimes,
that is all. He was diagnosed a few years ago,
he is now 14.

Hang in there with her,
she'll be fine with your support.

 

[Lars624]

Hi~My son is on Adderol....he hasn't had any side effects other than loss of appetite.
I hope this medication works as well for your DD as it has for my DS.

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

It may make you angry, but I for one don't buy into the whole ADD concept.

I think it was "discovered" so that doctors could make sales for the drug makers that are already in their pockets.

Your DS/DD can't concentrate - so you go out and pump them up with drugs ?? Strange logic to me.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Neverenufwdw...............no, you don't make me angry. But just want to let you know that I am not just pumpin her up with drugs. I am very reluctant to use medication for just about anything!! So isnt' her pediatrician.

We have to carefully weigh all the odds..............her self-esteem is diminishing due to her inability to concentrate and her inablility to read at grade level. My happy go lucky child is now getting down on herself. We do not want to retain her grade for next year. We have used many technniques and strategies to help. She will be getting more private tutoring this summer along with what she is getting now!

If this medication helps her to concentrate then yes, I will give it to her. It is a relatively safe med and is out of her system within 8 hours. She will not get it on weekends or holidays. Only while she will be in school.

Until you walk in the shoes of a parent facing this issue please do not blast anyone!! I hope you never have to face this as I believe you have made up your mind regarding this issue!!

 

[PigletsPal]

MY youngest son has ADHD and has been on this med. for a couple of years we even held him back a year he was having so many problems and I have to say what a change in him since taking this med. I also at first was very reluctant to "PUMP" him up with med. so I held off for a year and now regret taking that approach. He now gets "A's and B's" in school. He still has a problem with math, so the neuro. is thinking of changing his med after school starts next sept.
Scott hasn't had any side effects except for lack of appetite. Good luck and in a week or so will see such a difference in him and how much happier he will be in school. I even let his teachers know he was on this med. so they could give me feed back on how he was doing in his class room. They all couldn't believe the change in him and how much better he was doing.

 

[tar heel]

NeverEnufWDW has no idea what he/she is talking about. There are still people who think depression isn't real, too.

My youngest son takes Adderall, and the only real side effect he has had is loss of appetite.

 

[Davids-Coco]

My husband has AADD (extra A for adult). He has been on dexadrine, aka adderall, for approximately 9 years. He said that those are typical side effects. Watch out for dehydration b/c it is another normal side effect. He thinks that spansul capsules may be a better for her since they last all day. That would minimize headaches at the end of the day.

As for those who don't believe ADD, AADD, or ADHD exist...
LIVE WITH MY HUSBAND FOR ONE DAY OFF HIS MEDS!
His energy goes in all directions and the meds focus him so that he can succeed in life. Its caused by a chemical imballance in the brain. And by not recognizing it as something that has to be chemically controlled, you are also saying that any mental imballances are false including schizophrenia and depression.

 

[meandtheguys]

Just wondering if dehydration might cause the headache? I wish you and your DD well. I worked for years with kiddos with ADD or other problems, and I know that there are appropriate medical treatments that help a child (or adult) balance a chemical imbalance. Keep your chin up when folks give you a rough time for your decision! And some folks will.

Michelle

 

[JetMom]

My DS is in 6th grade and has been on Adderal XR since the middle of 4th grade. I fought the medication route for 2 years. I tried everything you can think of before I finally agreed to try the meds. All I can say is that I wish I had given in sooner.

The difference in my DS's social skills is phenominal! He wnt from D's in classroom conduct to B's. He went from not knowing how to interact with other children to having a solid group of friends. He is so much happier and confident.

The only side effect we experienced was upset stomach the first week and a decrease in appetite that adjusted itself in a few months. He currently experiences no side effects at all.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by NeverEnufWDW
It may make you angry, but I for one don't buy into the whole ADD concept.

I think it was "discovered" so that doctors could make sales for the drug makers that are already in their pockets.

Your DS/DD can't concentrate - so you go out and pump them up with drugs ?? Strange logic to me.

----------------------------------------

Well your logic isn't strange at all.. Typical for someone who has limited - or no knowledge of this medical condition..

Lots of great info on the internet.. Perhaps you could take a little time to read some of it before you start shooting from the hip..

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thank you all for the advice. DD wasn't feeliing well this morning so I decided against giving her the med. She is feeling better this evening and will give it to her tomorrow when she goes to school. I will meet with her teacher in the am to let her know about this and will make sure she has a big breakfast.

Thank you all again...............I truly appreciate all the advice and the PM's you have sent me!!!

 

[chelsea&austinsmom]

I have know word of advised hoping all works out with your DD. My nephews both diagnosed with ADD, and one with ADHD. Both are on medication and are doing well with the medication. Not sure the name of the medicine they take.

 

[ripleysmom]

It always amazes me that the people that claim that there is no such thing as ADHD are the people who have a child without the problem.

I'll gladly send anyone who does not believe in ADHD my unmedicated children and we'll see how quickly that changes.

To answer the OP my children both took Adderall and it worked but I found that it made them very irritable. They are now taking Ritalin and Strattera.

Just wanted to let you know that if Adderall doesn't do the trick please do not give up. There are other medications that can help. Appropriate medical intervention can make a world of difference to a child who is struggling.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
It always amazes me that the people that claim that there is no such thing as ADHD are the people who have a child without the problem.

I'll gladly send anyone who does not believe in ADHD my unmedicated children and we'll see how quickly that changes.

To answer the OP my children both took Adderall and it worked but I found that it made them very irritable. They are now taking Ritalin and Strattera.

Just wanted to let you know that if Adderall doesn't do the trick please do not give up. There are other medications that can help. Appropriate medical intervention can make a world of difference to a child who is struggling.

----------------------------------------

Amen!!!!!

 

[mom42860]

Sadly this is being sold for $2 a pill in DD's High School.

 

[Keokagal]

Common complaints, loss of appetite, occasional headache and/or stomachache, and possibly difficultyl falling asleep. Give her that big breakfast and please tell your school nurse. If she goes to the nurse w a heada/stomacha the nurse will be able to understand and probably give her a little snack.
Take it from a school nurse who has to give Adderall every day.
If your daughter improves in school your docs were on target w the diagnosis.
I understand how difficult is was for you to medicate your child. Remember these meds have been studied and found safe for over 40 years now.
Peace and Good Health to you and yours.

 

[Christine]

Both my kids tried Adderall for awhile. It certainly worked but they were much more "moody" on this medication than on Ritalin. I do think that the Adderall does a better job of controlling the ADHD symptoms than the Ritalin does; however, we could not stand the moodiness/crankiness.

Good luck.