question for adhd parents

[Lilsia]

It’s no different than taking allergy meds every day, or insulin or any other meds required on a daily basis. Don’t come here judging meds. Pretty sure a majority of people use meds after they’ve everything else. And furthermore, being medicated and successful is 1000x better than being unmedicated and miserable, bullied, depressed etc. You don’t get to decide what someone else’s medical decisions are nor do you get to judge them.

There is a huge huge difference between allergy medication and mood altering medication. And I don't think you even read what I said because I said that all other options should be evaluated first and medication should be the last resort. Which is probably true for many medications. And I never said I was judging anyone I was just saying that through personal experience you can grow up without being medicated for ADHD. And that medication should not be an instant automatic for all children. Sadly, that seems to be more and more normal now to just instantly medicate children with ADHD without trying other alternatives first. Maybe next time take a breath and actually read and comprehend what somebody says before going off on a tirade about it. But you don't have to take my word for it they've already been doing studies about it.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/03/cdc-warns-that-americans-may-be-overmedicating-two-to-five-year-olds-with-adhd/

 

[dez1978]

There is a huge huge difference between allergy medication and mood altering medication. And I don't think you even read what I said because I said that all other options should be evaluated first and medication should be the last resort. Which is probably true for many medications. And I never said I was judging anyone I was just saying that through personal experience you can grow up without being medicated for ADHD. And that medication should not be an instant automatic for all children. Sadly, that seems to be more and more normal now to just instantly medicate children with ADHD without trying other alternatives first. Maybe next time take a breath and actually read and comprehend what somebody says before going off on a tirade about it.

What you said was “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “. I responded to that. And while yes they are different than allergy medications in the types of medications they are, you wouldn’t bat an eye at giving a child Zyrtec every day when that’s what they need so why is medication to help a child be successful any different? Both of my kids have been on allergy meds of one form or another since they were 2. Oh no! I also responded that most people try other methods before deciding on meds. I don’t know a single person who put their kids on meds without trying other things 1st. Not 1. Your comment was judgy and unnecessary. Had you left out the part about “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “ it might not have come off that way

 

[tcufrog]

What you said was “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “. I responded to that. And while yes they are different than allergy medications in the types of medications they are, you wouldn’t bat an eye at giving a child Zyrtec every day when that’s what they need so why is medication to help a child be successful any different? Both of my kids have been on allergy meds of one form or another since they were 2. Oh no! I also responded that most people try other methods before deciding on meds. I don’t know a single person who put their kids on meds without trying other things 1st. Not 1. Your comment was judgy and unnecessary. Had you left out the part about “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “ it might not have come off that way

I totally agree. We tried so many things before we put our son on meds, including sending him to a special needs preschool where the teachers had special therapeutic training. Currently, he sees a psychologist and an autism support specialist and has an IEP. We put really expensive swings and a trampoline in the backyard for him to have ways to help regulate himself and have tried a wide variety of other things over the years. In short, we've spent a small fortune, countless hours, and tons of energy to try to help our son.

All of it has helped but none of it's enough. Now that our son is old enough to have a say in his medical care, he agrees with us. He can tell when he's not on the meds and he prefers to be on them.

 

[Lilsia]

What you said was “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “. I responded to that. And while yes they are different than allergy medications in the types of medications they are, you wouldn’t bat an eye at giving a child Zyrtec every day when that’s what they need so why is medication to help a child be successful any different? Both of my kids have been on allergy meds of one form or another since they were 2. Oh no! I also responded that most people try other methods before deciding on meds. I don’t know a single person who put their kids on meds without trying other things 1st. Not 1. Your comment was judgy and unnecessary. Had you left out the part about “I can’t imagine being medicated an entire childhood “ it might not have come off that way

I personally, can not imagine being medicated my whole childhood. I very much can have that view point. Growing up with ADHD was not fun, but For me, those mood altering medications has horrible side affects. It most definitely would have been bad for me. My feelings and experience is just as valid as anyone else. And if you don't agree with me, you don't have to. But that does not mean that I can't express my opinion, unless you think that only your opinion, and those who agree with you, are the only ones that can be expressed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I feel like a lot of the medication talk can boil down to what the issue is. For allergies the issue is often a body's reaction to things it determines is an enemy. To combat that medication often comes into play, ones that block histamine receptors, ones that tamper the body's reaction. Often it doesn't solve the issue just helps out so allegries aren't so severe. But avoidance of triggers, filtration and more are often done as well as medications depending on what the allergy is.

For other things like ADHD medications are often required because again it's the body's response to things, very different reason than allergies, but still. And normally in conjunction with medication is behavioral aides, coping mechanism, etc.

There is a stigma sometimes towards medications especially depending on the side effects but most often they are needed.

For me, those mood altering medications has horrible side affects.

Normally that's where trial and error come into play, your feelings about the side effects are absolutely valid as some can pack a punch although normally those are for people with schizophrenia, bipolar,etc, but each person's physiological reaction varies.

Consider that these days approaches are often different than in the past.

I do think it's a bit brushing off to talk about being medicated your whole childhood because in truth medication is needed for many along with other non-medication interventions. It can make it sound like those who put their loved ones on medication or they themselves needed medication were somehow wrong in doing so because their childhood was just that..taking medication. I don't think you meant it that way, more you were coming at it from how medications affected you and imagining how someone else may feel.

 

[DLgal]

I agree about the meds, those should be a very last resort. I would look to diet and other outlets first before going to medication. I can't imagine being medicated your whole childhood.

And a lot of people can't imagine NOT being medicated when the medication literally improves their quality of life 100%. ADHD is caused by literal deficiencies in brain chemicals used for neuron signaling. Meds restore the balance. Without them, people with ADHD are fighting against their own internal chemistry.

 

[PollyannaMom]

This isn't my thread, but I'd hate to see it shut down for arguing. - I think we can all agree that for some kids, medication works wonders, and for some kids, the side effects are worse than their particular challenges with ADHD.

So circling back to the school accommodations...Have you heard anything back from the teacher, OP?

 

[dez1978]

This isn't my thread, but I'd hate to see it shut down for arguing. - I think we can all agree that for some kids, medication work wonders, and for some kids, the side effects are worse than their particular challenges with ADHD.

So circling back to the school accommodations...Have you heard anything back from the teacher, OP?

Never back from his teacher, but I did hear back from the principal and got a generic "Let me look into this" response. But he has always been fair and willing to listen and help when he can. Since I have talked to him, my kid hasn't missed any more recesses. Idk if thats becasue he's suddenly perfect or if the principal passed along my concerns and suggestions. Friday is the last day of school until after christmas. So I will request a meeting after they go back to school to discuss things going forward. We did have an appt with our Dr on Monday and we talked about this and our steps moving forward so that we have a plan.

 

[tcufrog]

Let us know what happens. Getting help much harder and more stressful than it should be.