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

[DisneyObsessed]

My son has been taking Paxil and Welbrutrin since he was 10. He is now 15. He was diagnosed ADD in 5th grade with high anxiety and depression. I have never felt that it was the right meds for him. While his moods are now ok, is ability to focus is non-existent. He does exactly what Cindysteve explained. He either doesn't do his homework, forgets the assignment, does the homework and then looses it, etc. etc. It's so frustrating for him. The psychiatrist we have been going to has left the practice. His pediatrician and I are working together to find another one. I'm praying that we can find someone who can help his problem, not just generalize.

 

[tkd lisa]

I posted several times on crusndsny's thread on the subject. I just wanted to add the importance of a professional evaluation. However, down in our rural area, it can take several months to get that appointment since there are so few qualified people. I can't imagine a trial run would be a bad thing.

One thing no one has mentioned here about adderal is that it contains a pretty strong dye (it's bright blue). There have been strong links between dyes and ADD/ADHD. Adderal didn't work for us, while ritalin, concerta, and strattera have had better results. Good luck. Lisa

 

[Christine]

I just want to echo what others have said--please go get your child a full evaluation rather than experimenting. Many learning disabilities or other disorders mimic ADHD. There is no way that a pediatrician should be diagnosing this. When we suspected my son and daughter had ADHD (or something) the pediatrician immediately referred us out. He said "I don't diagnose ADHD, I am not qualified to do so, but you get the evaluation done and I will prescribe the medication). So we did that and now the pediatrician mails us the prescriptions. Basically you are testing for other conditions since there is no real test for ADHD. On the other hand, the medication safe enough and I can see where there would be nothing wrong with a short "empirical" trial of meds. That's the good thing with the meds--you know rather quickly if they work or not; however the side effects can hand around for about 2 weeks.

Another story is that my cousin's son has been struggling in school since 1st grade. Very smart yet can't pass the tests (does homework, works hard, etc.). His pediatrician said "ADHD" gave him meds but only with VERY minor improvement. They finally stopped the meds and he has been continuing on. He is in 11th grade right now and having an extremely hard time of it. He is finally getting a full evaluation and it turns out that he has "executive functioning disorder." This should have been found out long ago had his pediatrician sent him out for testing. This condition is NOT treated with medicines but with "study coaches" and learning strategies. Bottom line, it is very important to get an evaluation.

Another point is that most ADHD/ADD kids are in the "gifted" range for IQ. My son was also getting straight A's in the 1st grade. Despite his ADHD, he was smart enough to pull the grades out, but his teacher told me that by the time he hit 4th grade he'd probably be falling apart. The high IQ can only carry them for so long. So, at this early stage, grades are not the biggest indicator.

 

[TEENEE]

My dd(8) has ADD. She has been on Adderall XR for almost a year. Your sons symptons are a lot like my daughters. She could not focus for very long, would find excuses to get out of her seat, could tell you all about stories and verbally answer the questions but could not concentrate long enough to get the answers on paper, her handwriting was terrible. When she first started taking the adderall she lost weight and had a week to maybe two weeks that she had a difficult time getting to sleep. Her doctor knew she would loose weight. He made it clear that she would require a snack before bed every night. The weight loss has not been that bad, she has not needed any kind of supplement to her diet. Her attention span was so bad before the adderrall that we weren't sure if she would pass 2nd grade. She has been on the honor roll all year in 3rd grade. She is much happier since she went on the medicine. I understand your concern for giving your child a pill every day. As you can see it has worked very well for us. Just an added note, we (at home and her teacher) tried any idea any of us could come up with to help her before we tried the pills. Just about everything we tried helped for a few days but nothing really stuck. Good luck in your decision. I know you will do what ever is best for your child.

 

[4disneyfans]

Auditory Processing Disorder is often misdiagnosed for ADD also. Which can be confirmed by an audiologist. Symptons also sound like the same ones my DD has and is has APD.

 

[missypie]

My son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndome and he is also quite ADD. We took him to a psychologist and a pediatric neurologist for the diagnosis. He started out on ADDeral and then we switched to Concerta. The whole family can tell when DS hasn't taken his medication. He wasn't diagnosed until 4th grade and it was us - not the school - who thought something wasn't right. DS is very very bright and all the teachers said his traits were just traits of giftedness. Yes and no.

 

[Tiggeroo]

What sort of professional makes ADD or learning disability diagnoses? I am taking my sons into a Psych. for their eval. Nobody has said anything about a neurologist, or how I can be sure there isn't another LD at play here. I asked the psychiatrist and he sort of dismissed my question.

 

[WDWAurora]

Ask the psych(ologist or iatrist) to tell you about the DSM-IV criteria that makes them believe it is ADD. There are 5 categories of criteria, and this could make you understand why they believe it to be that, but a neurologist is an option, not a necessity by any means. I've never really heard of anyone seeing a neurologist for an LD actually, and I've been studying psychology (school psych in particular, so LDs are one of my special subjects, I'm about to do a huge presentation on ADHD) for years now...

 

[Christine]

My son's evaluation was performed by a "team." It was led by a neurologist and a psychiatrist. According to my pediatrician, ADD/ADHD is no longer viewed as a "mental" disorder--it is considered a "neurological" disorder now; hence, the neurologist. They are specializing in it now since ADD/ADHD is a brain processing problem.

During the team evaluation, he had about a 45 minute physical exam with the neurologist. He then spent about 20 minutes with the psychiatrist. After that, he spent about 4 hours (with breaks) undergoing a battery of tests that would detect any learning disabilities, processing disorders, etc. They also questioned him about his social interactions and monitored how quickly or slowly he responded to certain questions. He was also give computerized tests that would measure how well he paid attention and for how long he could sustain the attention. After ALL of that, the team got back together to discuss all of the findings and then came up with a team diagnosis.

 

[BWVDenise]

I'd like to echo the comments regarding the chemical allergies and dye sensitivities. If my dd has red or yellow food dye in something she eats or drinks, she takes off for outerspace! She can't focus or concentrate, she flaps her arms and jumps up and down when she talks to me (NOT a normal thing for her to do), she get HIGHLY emotional and moody, she becomes abusive toward her brothers, and I could go on, and on, and on. She very well may have ADHD, but her behavior and ability to learn are dramatically improved with this simple change in diet. Just a thought and I hope it helps someone else!!

 

[momof2OH]

I've also posted on several of the other threads regarding this topic.
I have a son (13) who is dx: ADHD, BiPolar, OCD, Generalized aniexty disorder, Migraines, Hyperthyroidism, Immune Disorder, dyslexic/dysgraphia and most recently, Very High Cholestrol/Triglycerides. He has been dx ADHD since age 4. We have run the gammit of meds before we found the right one for him. He currently takes: Adderall XR (80mg), Prozac (40mg), Lithium (900mg), Clonidine (0.6mg) Synthroid, and a few other things. We have seen all the various behaviors that have been mentioned from him and some that haven't been. He sees a psych. every 4 weeks. We have tried weening him from the various meds at different times and it just doesn't work. Most recently he stopped taking his meds for 2 weeks and hid them from us. We knew right away something was wrong, but couldn't put our finger on what it was untill he broke down and told us what he had done. He wanted to be "normal" like other kids and not have to take meds, but he said he couldn't keep in control w/o them. My son literally cannot function w/o his meds! We know it and so does he.

My daughter (almost 16) is also dx: ADD and Bipolar. Both of my children are just like any other child (when on meds).

The most important thing you can do is find a good psychatrist/psychologist that can evaluate your son to see if he has any dx. They usually can evaluate or rule out a learning problem too. Therapy usually always goes hand in hand with the meds, so a good therapist is ideal.

Things do get better!

Good Luck and if you have any questions, please PM me anytime!!

 

[momof2OH]

Here's a poem that many of you might like to read. I have posted this before, but incase your new:


Through The Eyes Of A child With A.D.H.D.

Please tell me you love me, for I need to be accepted in your eyes.
Please let me know when I have done well, for I need to know that sometimes I am like other children.
Please share some of your thoughts with me, for my intelligence is not impaired.
Please learn all you can about my problems, I need understanding as well as discipline.
Please bother to correct me and keep me in line as much as necessary. I cannot steer myself.
Give me your patience, because, although it takes me longer, I need to succeed just like all the other children.
Please make time in your day for me. I need to feel that sttention and affection are things you want to give me. I will not go away if you pretent I am not there.
Remember that I am a complex person with many traits that are right and fine. Please help me to see those things in myself. You are my mirror.
Please do not abuse me; for, although I need a firmer hand than most, I feel lost and alone when I see rejection in your eyes. I have no motive, and all I can do is say, "I am sorry" over and over again.
Please remember that I love you, for you stand beside me day after day in this confusing and frightening world. You are the reason I am not alone.

-Author Unknown

 

[kbeverina]

Originally posted by princessmomma
My 7 year old son is having trouble paying attention in school. He is in 1st grade. His teacher says he needs to be told a number of times the instructions and then falls off task and has incomplete work. Yet, he consistently scores 10/10 on spelling tests, has an O for Oustanding in Mathematics and is reading at a 3rd grade level. He is not hyper but likes to zone out and mellow!

My main concern is his handwriting and his written expression. He can tell me what the correct answers or story he needs to write about ... it is actually VERY good, detailed and creative, but he just can't get it done of paper.

This exactly describes my 7-year old daughter. She's not hyper, just cannot focus and is easily distracted. Her teacher "looped" with the class from 1st to 2nd, so has been with her two school years and knows her well. She started hinting at having her evaluated last year, which just floored me because there was no hint of this from her teacher in Kindergarten.

But in a year and a half's time, she'd probably finished all of her work a handful of times by the end of the day. She has to be prompted all day to get going on her work, especially her journal entries. Anything involving writing--and she's the same as your son, very creative verbally, just couldn't seem to put it on paper. Her handwriting is also a huge problem.

I finally decided she needed to be evaluated, especially after watching her take 3 hours to complete a 6-sentence assignment at home. I had been telling myself when her reading improved, her writing would improve. But her reading improved tremendously over the summer, she last tested at a 4th grade level, and she gets all Os on her tests, she has no problems getting along socially, etc., and she still couldn't focus and get her work done.

About a month ago my sister convinced me to try flaxseed oil before taking her to be evaluated. I'm not anti-medication and neither is my sister. But she's a nutritionist and convinced me it's been doing wonders with some kids and it was worth a try.

I started giving her half a tablespoonful three weeks ago (I put it on toast with butter and sprinkle cinnamon on it, but's tasteless and can be put in drinks and dip bread into it)--by the third day she was an entirely new child. I was so skeptical and I'm still holding my breath, but her teacher, who has a child on an ADHD medication and has been as supportive of having my daughter evaluated as she's legally able to be, tells me she's a whole new kid and she can't believe the difference. She gets all of her work done easily, isn't distracted, even her handwriting has improved.

I'm not trying to give any kind of medical advice--I'm just starting to look into some research on this myself since it's been working so well for her. It might be something you want to research yourself. Good luck!

 

[goodstarr]

Kbeverina, that sounds exactly like my DD-7. Just recently, she's been getting poor grades for "attention" but her actual test scores are great. She constantly needs to be reminded to complete what she's doing and spaces out when left alone doing her schoolwork. She fidgets a lot and is easily distracted.(Funny how DH says that he was the same way-I guess what they say about heredity is correct). I'm going to try the flaxseed first and see how that goes. Thanks for the info.

 

[princessmomma]

kbeverina,

Wow, thanks for your post! Our children really do sound similar. I will give the flaxseed oil some research and see what I can find. My sister-in-all is also a nutrutionalist and I never ever thought about giving her a call. I really think it is allergy or food related. At least I hope it is. I would like to try this first.

momof 2OH

Thank you for the poem. I still have tears in my eyes. We really just need to love of little ones and let them know that everything will be fine and that they are loved.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by kbeverina
This exactly describes my 7-year old daughter. She's not hyper, just cannot focus and is easily distracted. Her teacher "looped" with the class from 1st to 2nd, so has been with her two school years and knows her well. She started hinting at having her evaluated last year, which just floored me because there was no hint of this from her teacher in Kindergarten.

But in a year and a half's time, she'd probably finished all of her work a handful of times by the end of the day. She has to be prompted all day to get going on her work, especially her journal entries. Anything involving writing--and she's the same as your son, very creative verbally, just couldn't seem to put it on paper. Her handwriting is also a huge problem.

I finally decided she needed to be evaluated, especially after watching her take 3 hours to complete a 6-sentence assignment at home. I had been telling myself when her reading improved, her writing would improve. But her reading improved tremendously over the summer, she last tested at a 4th grade level, and she gets all Os on her tests, she has no problems getting along socially, etc., and she still couldn't focus and get her work done.

About a month ago my sister convinced me to try flaxseed oil before taking her to be evaluated. I'm not anti-medication and neither is my sister. But she's a nutritionist and convinced me it's been doing wonders with some kids and it was worth a try.

I started giving her half a tablespoonful three weeks ago (I put it on toast with butter and sprinkle cinnamon on it, but's tasteless and can be put in drinks and dip bread into it)--by the third day she was an entirely new child. I was so skeptical and I'm still holding my breath, but her teacher, who has a child on an ADHD medication and has been as supportive of having my daughter evaluated as she's legally able to be, tells me she's a whole new kid and she can't believe the difference. She gets all of her work done easily, isn't distracted, even her handwriting has improved.

I'm not trying to give any kind of medical advice--I'm just starting to look into some research on this myself since it's been working so well for her. It might be something you want to research yourself. Good luck!

kbevrina,
Have you read the book "Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill" by Udo Erasmus? He explains in his book why the proper fat ratios are SO important. It seems to me that, as a population, we are terribly out of balance in our omega-3 essential fatty acids. This is why flax (and other omega-3 rich sources) seem to work very well in ADHD kids and depression, etc. And with the diet our children get today, it is really no wonder that there are more and more problems. My son is on meds but I have seriously begun to think about supplementing him with flax or another supplement. I do suggest you read the book because it does point out that after taking flax for more than a few months, you can get a omega-6 imbalance. Flax does not have the perfect ratio, but it is good if there is an imbalance. Only hemp seed oil is perfect (or a product that has been formulated to match hemp's ratios).

You can pick up the book at Whole Foods, but it is probably at the library too.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DS9 was diagnosed with ADD in K. He is not hyper and is a well behaved boy. He just can't focus without his meds. I am a former 2nd grade teacher and I didn't want to put him on medication. He already took meds. for Asthma.

My ped. said, "if he were diabetic would you deny him insulin?" I also asked about supplements and she said not to give him anything not approved by the FDA. She said some supplements may contain bacteria and other harmful ingredients. She didn't want me to give him anything that would react with his Asthma meds.

Welbutrin and Adderal didn't work for us. We lost our happy, always telling a joke, son. We tried lowering the doses but it was always difficult to find one that was effective.

He is now taking Concerta and I really like it. Boy, when he hasn't had his meds. in the morning you can tell. If I forget to give it to him I am guaranteed to get a note from his teachers.

His meds. also help him sleep better. The ped. said that these stimulants actually calm down the central nervous system in these children. He used to get up several times a night, we would hear him talking and now he gets a restful sleep.

Lori

 

[PigletsPal]

I have 2 sons that are are ADHD and they both go to a neuro for tx. My yougest Scott who is 12 has been on Addreall for the past 3 years and I have to say what a world of difference with his grades he now makes A's and B's he even likes to go to school now. I had to fight for years to get him tested thur the school because of the expence of this test. MY neuro Dr. wrote a letter stating his problems and they had to do the test then.
My middle son Eric not only is he a Diabetic, but has mild Touretts plus ADHD................Life is not easy for him, he was on wellburtirin for close to 5 years but she just switched him to stratera the newest drug out which also will help his touretts.
I know alot of Dr.'s want to label children as ADHD or ADD I would take him to a child neuro and have him checked out.

Good luck with your son and don't listen to all the neg. YOU have to do what YOU think is BEST for YOUR son.

 

[momof2OH]

Regarding the Omega-3 (fish oil). My son has been taking it for the past 4 months, along with a lot of other food changes. He takes 8000mg (4grams) a day. He was put on it for his cholestrol. We really havn't noticed it helping in the ADHD department.
But remember...what works for one might not work for another. Every person needs to find what works for them or their child. Each persons chemical make-up can be so different and many other factors can contribute to what might be going on. That's why a full medical and psychatric check-up is so important and should be the first step in finding the root of the problem/s. Keep in mind that if meds are they way to go, it usually is a trial and error game until you can find exactly the one that works.

I wish you all the best in your road to helping your son!! It can be a bumpy road at times, but be perstistant and patient. Things do work out!

 

[kbeverina]

Originally posted by Christine
kbevrina,
Have you read the book "Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill" by Udo Erasmus? He explains in his book why the proper fat ratios are SO important. It seems to me that, as a population, we are terribly out of balance in our omega-3 essential fatty acids. This is why flax (and other omega-3 rich sources) seem to work very well in ADHD kids and depression, etc. And with the diet our children get today, it is really no wonder that there are more and more problems. My son is on meds but I have seriously begun to think about supplementing him with flax or another supplement. I do suggest you read the book because it does point out that after taking flax for more than a few months, you can get a omega-6 imbalance. Flax does not have the perfect ratio, but it is good if there is an imbalance. Only hemp seed oil is perfect (or a product that has been formulated to match hemp's ratios).

You can pick up the book at Whole Foods, but it is probably at the library too.

Thanks for that info--I'm definitely going to look for that and do more research on the omega-6 imbalance.

I didn't look into it too much before I started giving it to her because I honestly didn't expect to see any difference. I just wanted to feel like I'd tried all the options before getting referred to the neurologist.

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.

The comment about denying the diabetic child insulin--I completely agree. My son is diabetic and I've read with aggravation the parents of newly diagnosed kids who try to cure their child's diabetes with alternative medicines. I thought of that often in the last year and a half. I didn't want to be like that when it came to my daughter.

For now, this is working, even her teacher agrees to stick with it. She's completed her work easily every day for 3 weeks--her teacher says you would never know there was ever a problem. She's even started getting up on her own in the morning, getting dressed, brushing her hair, making her own breakfast--all of it cheerfully. Before I had to prompt her to do every step. Get up. Get dressed. Brush your teeth. Brush your hair. Sit down and eat breakfast. Get your shoes on. Now she's up and ready and has time to watch some cartoons before she leaves.

princessmomma and goodstarr--good luck--I hope it all works out as quickly as possible for you.