My son is on ADDERALL Need advise?

Question

My son started Adderall XR and I changed it to regular adderall. He has been on this medication for about 10 months. I just recently found out that a lot of ADHD is because children are lacking B12 in their brain. I am considering trying it. I need advise. He takes Clonidine to make him sleep. And I am almost positive that his dad takes his adderall. I get him back after his weekend and he can not sit still. He is calling me names and hitting me. I ask him if he got his meds this weekend he almost always says no. I can just tell that he hasn't had his meds. My ex-husband says that its all in Drakes head and that he don't need them. So, if you were me would you try the B12 instead of adderall? I really dont want him on meds anyway. The teachers always tell my that they know if he has had his meds or not.

Answer 1

ADHD needs to be treated with behaviour modification, diet, and sometimes, with medication. My son takes Adderall, but I know that it wouldn't work for him if that was the only treatment. And, every kid is different, so there is really no "right" answer for everyone.

It sounds like your son is experiencing what pediatricians call "ritalin rebound" (Adderall is similar to Ritalin). If he takes his meds through the week, and then misses a couple days, his brain chemistry is off, and he could get agitated or even violent until the medication gets back to the blood level he's accustomed to.

Your ex is not right, ADHD isn't "in people's heads". The problem is that a lot of people mis-diagnose ADHD and some docs randomly medicate when there are other approaches that might work. I would try the B12 (its a water soluble vitamin, so you don't have to worry about overdosing, the excess just comes out in the urine). Consult your doctor before changing or discontinuing his medication, though - it may have to be tapered off to avoid problems.

Answer 2

I am pretty familiar with these meds, as I have a PhD in psych and my brother in law is actually an ADHD drug rep. I have never been a fan of Adderall XR. Too addictive and too many side effects.

Have you considered Vyvanse? It is fairly new and the highs and lows are MUCH less extreme. My bro in law says all his doctors are switching their patients to it from Adderall. I'd say do your research and seriously consider it. It's not as stout as Adderall and is much better in so many ways.

As far as his dad taking his Adderall, there you have something serious and you should be looking into it or talking to your lawyer about it.

Also, don't use his ADHD or lack of meds or whatever as an excuse to justify bad behavior. ADHD kids still need disciipline, so don't let him call you names and hit you. That's inexcusable.

Obviously I don't know your son and his case, so you can only take this at face value. But I would definitely bring it up with his dr. And don't just decide to take him off of them. This drug is designed to be weaned off slowly through reduced dosage.

Answer 3

Why did you switch him to regular Adderall? Adderall XR is a sustained release form of the medication while "regular Adderall is not and when it is depleted... it's gone.

It sounds like your son has a difficult case of ADHD.... So I would not withhold the medication from him. However it would not hurt him to take the B12 and see what happens.

As well it sounds like he needs strong discipline....

My son's description of ADD and his thought process is that a 100 radios are in a room all a different station so he can't focus in on just one.

While ADHD meds are speed for everyone else.... for sufferers of the disorder it calms the mind and helps them focus in. Please do not deny your son that opportunity!

Answer 4

Talk to your mental health care professional before you take him off his meds, some of the meds can have bad effects if stopped all of a sudden, so make sure he doesn't have to be weaned off of it....Source worked in Mental Health for over 3 years as case manager.....And if Dad is taking your son's meds maybe he should be reported for using prescription drugs that aren't written for him and child abuse because not to give your son his meds is a form of child abuse.....

Answer 5

first and foremost do not play doctor on your own child... my son is on adderall too for ADD. i hate that he has to take medication but, it helps him and that is my only concern. as he grows older i am hoping he will learn to better control his behavior... as far as your husband goes... it may put you out some, but i would meet up with your son each day that he is there to give him medicine. i realize it might make things difficult but the only thing you can control is what you do.... so do what is right... make sure some how some way your son gets his meds...

Answer 6

Your last statement is a big clue. If you think the Dad is taking his meds and not giving them to him, it might be hard for you, but you may just have to go everyday and give it to him yourself. Talk with your sons doctor. DON"T stop the meds though because there can be severe reactions. Once again, talk with the doctor.

Answer 7

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