ADHD Meds?

Question

Ok, so my 5, almost 6 yo, has been diagnosed with ADHD. (It's been a long haul!!) We have been trying everything for the past 2 years to not have to put him on meds but at this point we have run out of other options to help him. My question is does anyone have any experience with ADHD drugs? the dr want's ritalin but I am not sure. I have read up on the different meds available and so far it is between ritalin and conterta. Some insight would be nice right about now. Thanks for anything!

Answer 1

Both meds have thier own list of issues for short and long term use...

Concerta is the newer of the 2. I have done work with ADHD kids and have ADHD in my extended family as well.

I really like Ritalin SR.. but Im not sure what does your MD would put your child on. I think it only comes in 20mg dosing

The nice thing bout it is.... It is sustained release... sooooooo
a child can take it in the am and not get a roller coaster effect during the day.

Also used to be many docs would recommend drug holidays on weekends and when kids are off school...
I really feel that is some cases where the behavior off the meds is soooo disruptive it will make for a miserable time for all including the child that is not the best thing...

Itis very important your child also gets some type of cognitive therapy, behavior mod etc... because it is VERY likely that as an adult she will still have some ADHD issues... Adult ADD is very common... many adults can do well off meds if they have learned those coping skills as children.

You are right its a long haul and you are only in the beginning but maybe on teh down hill of it I hope!

I wish you luck,..and remember... Not all but MANY physicians tend to prescribe the drugs the Pharmecuitical reps are pushing the hardest..the newer ones and some even get kick backs

Seriously it goes on.. I know it for a fact!
You choose..... its YOUR child

Good Luck
Wismom

Answer 2

Im surprised your child has been diagnosed with this already,I thought they couldnt be till they were 7,I would be careful with the diagnosis its self,many children are misdiagnosed because they were too young,and if you need a few other opinions get them.
Meds at your childs age scares me,Ive heard some bad things about meds and young children,like the preious poster posted.I myself was on Concerta 4 yrs ago and I had a real hard time eating and it got worse,to the point when I would only eat lunch,and nothing else,plus I had anger and mood swings so I went off of it,but every child is different,and theres no good med out there that doesnt have its side effects or possible issues if they decide to go off of it,some kids eventually grow out of it,more into adult hood,like me. Ive heard and read that its best to check into a childs diet first,rule out any food allergies,some foods(especially processed) are the culprit,please do some research on it if you havnt already. But if your child is suffering and nothing else works and you feel like you have thoroughly explored the natural ways,then try some medications but maybe wait a year or more if you can and smallest dosages possible and then move up if need be,but monitor your childs weight like a hawk and behavior,mentality,I was also somewhat suicidal while on Concerta,so be careful.Please remember that meds dont cure everything and that there has to be consistency in this childs life,and discipline,and sometimes just someone to talk to about whatever is going on with them. Not saying your not already doing that.

Answer 3

Stay away from the meds, trust me. Instead try getting him involved with physical activities like sports or even Martial Arts. The structure will teach him discipline and he will follow the example of the other kids. Also dress him everyday (shoes included) when you wake him up even on none school days to set a routine. Get him out of the house to do something everyday to keep him active to burn off the energy. Set rule and boundaries with consequences. If you must use meds after doing this start him off with the lowest dosage possible and see what happens. Ritalin has been around a long time and has worked great for some kids, however keeping him active is a better way to deal with it.

Answer 4

My son is 11 and was diagnosed at 4 with ADHD. I, like you, did everything possible not to have to put him on medication...but things came to a point where there just were not any other choices. We have tried every stimulant available in the last 5 years and the only medication he is able to take without side effects is Adderall XR. Ritalin made him violent, Concerta gave him tics, Metadate and Dexedrine made him very sick. Stratera worked well for a while then stopped working. I suggest doing as much research as you can on ADHD and it's medications before you make your decision. I have been in your shoes, you know your child best...do what you feel is right for him. Please feel free to contact me should you like to talk.

Answer 5

My son is 18. He was diagnosed first by a Pediatrician then by a Psychologist with ADHD at the age of 4. He started with Ritalin which worked until the age of 8. Then he was switched over to Adderal until age 12. Then switched back to Ritalin until age 15. When Stratera was developed the Pediatrician started him on that. My son still takes Stratera and probably will take it for the rest of his life. The best advise I can give you is to try and keep your son in counseling because ADHD, is a great confidence destroyer, children with ADHD need help dealing with a world full of people who still believe that all you need to do to cure and control a ADHD child is to give them a good slap. Believe me most ADHD children I have known slap themselves mentally all day long for things that they do, that they have no control over.

Answer 6

My daughter started taking Concerta when she was 7 and she is now almost 13. It has been a miracle for us. She doesn't zone out or anything like that. I will say that she does lose her appetite often, but not enough to be worried about. I know it's a hard road, and we tried to keep our daughter off meds too, but the Dr. finally put it to me this way, the only person that was going to suffer was her if she didn't get the meds. Good luck.

Answer 7

This was taken off a website, please don't
drug your kids look at this alternative www.fedup.com.au

"Child drugs linked to heart attack

Clara Pirani / The Australian | March 28 2006

CHILDREN as young as five have suffered strokes, heart attacks, hallucinations and convulsions after taking drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Documents obtained by The Australian reveal that almost 400 serious adverse reactions have been reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, some involving children as young as three.

Cases include the sudden death of a seven-year-old, and a five-year-old who suffered a stroke after taking Ritalin. Children also experienced heart palpitations and shortness of breath after taking Dexamphetamine.

Others taking Ritalin or Dexamphetamine - the two most commonly used ADHD drugs - experienced hair loss, muscle spasms, severe abdominal pain, tremors, insomnia, severe weight loss, depression and paranoia.

Almost 60 of the adverse-reaction reports dating back to 1980, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, involved children under the age of 10. "

Answer 8

was your child diagnosed by a pediatrician or by a psycholgist or psycharist??
the best diagnosis comes from either a psych. or psychatrist and they can advise you on all of the medicines avail and even tell you the ones they have had experience with and even tell you how and when to try and and how long to try on each med till you find the one that best helps your child
I know your pain my son had problems up to when he was put on cylert and dexadrine, and eventually was med free when he was 18. but we tried several different ones, before we found the right combination.
never dought your instincts though, you are the best judge of what your child needs, and be sure to have your doctor or someone recommended by the doctor observe your child in his or her classroom before and after he or she starts taking the meds you choose.

also have in my household a daughter now 18 yrs and going to college never on meds and is also very gifted. and my husband who was diagnosed with adhd at age 31 also never on meds

one more thing check online for local chapters of parent advocacy groups,like chadd, or others, type in google search field add or adhd advocacy groups and you should find lots of great information.

Answer 9

My son was on ritalin, and it worked fine. BUT, he would have major rebounds between his doses. He's now on Concerta (which is sort of like an extended-release version of ritalin), and things are a lot better.

Watch his appetite and sleep patterns though, they can get pretty messed up on either of these meds.

Answer 10

i have a lot of eperience with adhd meds. and childern. my son was diagnosed when he went into kindergarten with adhd and bipolar disorder. i tried for a long time trying non med. programs, and it ended up just like what your going through. we finally put him on adderall, that worked for a while then he was switched to metadate, then he went to focalin and is currently still on it. i was told by my sons ped. that he will have to stay on a med for the rest of his life. if you can limit the stress and try to limit the sugar intake they have that will work too. my son knows that aftera certain hour he cant have any sugary things. this works pretty well. as far as the stress factor, i try not to let him see me stressed out and try to limit as much stress in his life as possible, this will also help. i can tell you this for a fact, try to stay on the same routine everyday. example...if your child goes to bed at a cetain time then they should go to be every night at that time. that works some too. if you have any more questions just let me know. my email is [e-mail]