Did you decide to give your child with ADD medication, I am confused!

[ripleysmom]

princessmomma, I sincerely hope that it was not your child's pediatrician who made the recommendation about trying Adderall. Quite honestly a pediatrician should be recommending that you see with a neurologist or psychiatrist for a further evaluation of your DD's condition. I would not feel comfortable giving my children medication unless I had ruled out other issues first, which should be done by a neurologist or psychiatrist.

If you would like some additional information go to www.chadd.org This website is dedicated to ADHD. They can also point you in the direction of a local CHADD chapter who might be able to give you some information about neurologists/psychiatrists in the area.

kbeverina, that is very interesting to know about flaxseed oil. Christine thank you for adding that information. I will go check it out. While medication does help my son, he is still very disorganized. Perhaps the omega-3's could help him in that area.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

princessmomma, I sincerely hope that it was not your child's pediatrician who made the recommendation about trying Adderall. Quite honestly a pediatrician should be recommending that you see with a neurologist or psychiatrist for a further evaluation of your DD's condition. I would not feel comfortable giving my children medication unless I had ruled out other issues first, which should be done by a neurologist or psychiatrist

I soooooo agree with this statement. A pediatrician doesn't have the proper schooling to make a determination about mental health. See a professional first.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by kbeverina
From what I've read so far, it helps kids who have a deficiency in the omega-3, which is essential for the cell membranes in the cerebral cortex to perform their functions.

Once you read the book by Udo Erasmus, you will probably come to the conclusion that we are ALL deficient in omega-3. He gives a very good history on why this has happened (it has EVERYTHING to do with food processing and the ruination of the good oils we used to eat). For the record, Udo is considered "alternative"; however, he has his PhD in nutrition and is highly respected in Canada where he practicies (kind of like our Dr. Weil).

On another note, today is MY first day of taking Ritalin. I have not been officially diagnosed with ADHD/ADD; however, since both of my children have it and they are now noting a very strong genetic preference for this disorder, I decided to speak to my "psych doc" about. I go to him for an anxiety disorder. I've never considered myself to be ADHD; however, in thinking back, I have many (not all) of the female traits of ADHD. A big one for me is feeling overwhelmed by certain types of projects. I feel that this has held me back from reaching my full potential at work (although really I get by just fine). Also, I had a lot of the impuse type behavior as a teenager that derailed my efforts for college education and making better decisions. I think I used to daydream a lot. The only reason that I managed, I think, is because academics back in the 60s-early-80s in my area were pitiful. Anyone could have passed that crap!!! So, I took my first Metadate CD this morning, scared to death. I am VERY sensitive to most medications (even OTC like Sudafed). The only thing that DOESN'T bother me is Motrin. Well, you know what--this stuff isn't that bad. Now I realize that I'm not a child and I don't have a "growing" brain, but this is giving my FAR few side effects some of the stuff that is touted as "safe." I have tried most of the SSRIs and they were just EVIL for me. God awful. I think Ritalin really gets a bad rap. But again, using something on an adult is far different from a child. I just want to say, to those who are using it on their children, that this stuff really isn't that bad.

 

[goodstarr]

Kbeverina, OMG, I started DD-7 on the flaxseed oil 2 days ago and, in a word, WOW!!!I can't believe that my daughter is completing her homework in less than half the time as before. I put the flaxseed oil in a smoothie in the morning and evening and, like I said, WOW!!! She has greatly decreased on her spacing out in just 2 days. I used to think that her handwriting was good before, but now, WOW!!!! She doesn't get frustrated when she is trying to figure a problem out. She just asks for help, we give a quick explanation, and then she says "Oh" and does the rest of it all by herself. She used to be constipated all the time (going about every 3-4 days), but since starting the oil on Sunday, she went Sunday, Monday and an hour ago. WOW!!! Thank you sooo much for posting your sister's advice. I'll keep you posted as to what her teacher says over time.

 

[HLFDZN]

My son is 17 and not doing well. Sorry to say the 4 case studies that we had done at the schools showed that he was doing "OK" in school, just behind due to catholic education. In 8th grade he began "self medicating" with marijuana. He has been thru numerous treatment programs until now he has no mental health benefits left. Last November he was hospitalized after attacking his father. He was found to have OCD ( obsessive compusive disorder) as well as paranoia, depression and possible Bipolar disorder. He too was well behaved in school and a holy terror at home. His first treatment was ritalin and that made him unable to sleep.... so then they put him on something to help him sleep....Zyprexa first then Seroquel. That made it impossible for him to get out of bed in the A.M. In 9th grade he was found to have a learning disabilty. He gets resource at school. We have tried several medicines and recently I read a book on bipolar children saying that the stimulents given to them for what is thought to be ADHD makes them agressive. That has happened to my son and I doubt that he is really ADHD. I think all along he has been bipolar and the doctors who have a mere 15 minutes to manage medication just want to get you out of their office.He was on Adderall and was abusing it....taking too much one time and staying up for 3 days straight. I now lock up his meds in my room and dole them out each day, like I would for a small child. There is no hope of him becoming independent any time soon. The counseler at school said Adderal is the hottest drug on the market at school now. It is also one of the easiest to abuse since the kids open the capsules and snort the medication for a high. It is very very addictive. He is now on Concerta, Abilify for the OCD and Lexapro for the depression as well as Depokote for the Bipolar disorder. My hopes for him are to be a happy independant adult. I am mixed about the medications he has been on. I am not sure if he would have been worse off without them. I used to kick myself for not catching the "ADHD" sooner, but now I wonder about his future. I wish our country would recognize these disorders as Physical not just mental. I don't know how anyone can be expected to overcome bipolar disorder in a mere 60 days of treatment for a lifetime. This is not going to go away. Sorry to ramble, I would say get eduacated before you medicate. Make sure you are comfortable with the decision.
I have another son who was very active in 1st and 2nd grade.....I thought he was ADHD and his teacher just kept saying "be more patient with him" She allowed him to stand and do his work and use up some of his energy. I am happy to report that he is in 6th grade, doing great and has learned to pay attention and sit and do his work now. He has blossomed tremendously. Thank God for the teacher who was patient with him!!!! Good luck to all who posted here...Melissa

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by goodstarr
Kbeverina, OMG, I started DD-7 on the flaxseed oil 2 days ago and, in a word, WOW!!!I can't believe that my daughter is completing her homework in less than half the time as before. I put the flaxseed oil in a smoothie in the morning and evening and, like I said, WOW!!! She has greatly decreased on her spacing out in just 2 days. I used to think that her handwriting was good before, but now, WOW!!!! She doesn't get frustrated when she is trying to figure a problem out. She just asks for help, we give a quick explanation, and then she says "Oh" and does the rest of it all by herself. She used to be constipated all the time (going about every 3-4 days), but since starting the oil on Sunday, she went Sunday, Monday and an hour ago. WOW!!! Thank you sooo much for posting your sister's advice. I'll keep you posted as to what her teacher says over time.

This is interesting...DS is on ADHD meds, and now I'm curious whether this would work for him as well. Please keep us posted!

 

[momof2OH]

A very good psychatrist is key. I am so very greatful for the one we have. He really takes his time with us, talking to each of my kids to find out from them how they feel. Do they think the meds are working. Are there any problems. He is wonderful!!

Melissa, if you feel the meds arn't working, let the doctor know. Sometimes it's as simple as uping the dose or maybe a different med is needed. That is one of the most frustrating things about these types of disorders. You might have to try several before you find the one or ones that work. It took us several years to find the right combination and dosage for my son. He just turned 13 and is on the smaller side, but his dosages are higher than most adults, but that's because he has a very high matabolism. We have to give him that high of a dose so he can get the right amount after he's done burning most of it off. In all the years he's taken meds and it's been a long time, he's never had a problem. He still has more energy than 10 people. It's amazing.
You just have to keep be persistant with the doctors.

Good Luck with your son!!

 

[kbeverina]

Originally posted by goodstarr
Kbeverina, OMG, I started DD-7 on the flaxseed oil 2 days ago and, in a word, WOW!!!I can't believe that my daughter is completing her homework in less than half the time as before. I put the flaxseed oil in a smoothie in the morning and evening and, like I said, WOW!!! She has greatly decreased on her spacing out in just 2 days. I used to think that her handwriting was good before, but now, WOW!!!! She doesn't get frustrated when she is trying to figure a problem out. She just asks for help, we give a quick explanation, and then she says "Oh" and does the rest of it all by herself. She used to be constipated all the time (going about every 3-4 days), but since starting the oil on Sunday, she went Sunday, Monday and an hour ago. WOW!!! Thank you sooo much for posting your sister's advice. I'll keep you posted as to what her teacher says over time.

I found myself smiling all through your post because every time I think about the difference in my daughter--I just keep thinking WOW! over and over. It's been pretty amazing. I was trying not to rave too much, but I'm still blown away by it.

My daughter was also easily frustrated and argumentative over every homework assignment. She would be set in her mind that she was not going to understand it or it would be too hard. She would get stuck on the fact that her spelling word sentences had to contain at least 5 words--5 words, no way could she think of 5 words, that was too hard. She would sit and think about how hard it was to think of sentences with 5 words rather than just doing the sentences. Now she doesn't let herself get so overwhelmed by the assignment that she can't go forward with it.

It's interesting about the handwriting--she went from really poor, huge, messy handwriting to this really small, neat handwriting. I attributed the handwriting difficulty partially to her being a lefty and partially to a connective tissue disorder we only learned about 18 months ago (long story--the whole reason my sister researched and tried the flaxseed oil was to help her son who was born with a more severe form of this disorder that we had no idea ran in our family, but was identified in my kids as well by a geneticist. Shortly after his 2nd birthday he hadn't even taken his first steps--2 days after she started giving him the flaxseed oil, he just started walking and she's convinced it was the flaxseed oil. Who knows, but when she was raving about it and talking me into trying it, I thought she was a bit over the top. Now I'm a raving nut, too!)

Anyway, I hope it all continues to work well for your daughter--I can really feel your excitement because that's how I feel still. It's so great to see her breeze through her work and not be distracted by everything else going on and not get "stuck" when it comes to the writing assignments. It feels like this huge burden has become a lot lighter. It may not be the answer forever, but for now it seems to be exactly what she needs.

Melissa--I really feel for you. It must be so difficult to watch your son go through that. I hope he's doing better soon.