Do I continue with medication?

Question

My son is six and a half years old. Last year in January he was diagnosed with ADHD. I was not a parent that took this lightly and just put him on medication. I went into his classroom and spent countless hours observing his behavior often without him knowing I was there. After seeing for myself for several weeks, I decided to try the medication. He began with Concerta which shortly after was changed to Adderall. He did not take his medication during the summer, however since the school year began he dosage has been increased once. I am reluctant to increase it again, which is what his teacher is suggesting. I can not keep increasing his dosage without serious concern. If the meds are not working, when are we supposed to stop and re-evaluate the situation.I need someone with some form of experience in this. Please from one concerned parent to another.

Answer 1

Although I'm not a parent with a child who has ADHD, I'm an elementary school teacher. If I were you, I'd schedule an appointment with his doctor and go from there. It IS possible that the increase in dosage wasn't quite what he needed, but it's also possible that Adderall isn't the right medication for him. Was he successful on it last year? I also wonder too, what the teacher's expectations are in relation to what his previous teacher's expectations were. If he's struggling in school, SOMETHING needs to be done, but the teacher doesn't know any more than the other people giving their opinions on here if increasing the dosage is the right thing to do. My suggestion is to stop and re-evaluate the situation now. Consider other medications and dosages, consider additional behavior modification and diet changes, and do all of this under the guidance of a competent doctor. Best wishes!

Answer 2

Why is his teacher suggesting anything about increasing a dosage??? I am a teacher and this is absolutely not allowed.

It sometimes takes time to find the right med to treat. We went through this with our son- going from Adderall, to Strattera, and back to Concerta. The concerta works best for our son.

In addition to meds, therapy is needed to help your child learn how to deal with the ADHD. Our son has Autism and ADHD- and we have been in therapy with him to help him learn to deal. It works wonders. We started with biofeedback and are now doing play therapy.

We also do not give the meds in the summertime. He has to take his Risperadol for the autism.

You need to contact the prescribing doctor about the issues you are having with the meds. If they are not working, and some do not change them. Strattera had awful effects on our son- he wouldn't eat, was vomiting, and was hyperactive/out-of-control.

On the Concerta- he is the same child he always is...just calmer. The meds should not "drug" them if they are the correct meds and at the correct dosages.

Contact the doctor tomorrow and have an immediate appt. set up to discuss this. When they grow, the dosage will need to be adjusted, but it shouldn't be that often.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Go back to the doctor. This is not a decision for the teacher to make. Also contact your local education authority regarding classroom help for your child. In a class of 30 in the UK at that age, there would be a teacher, plus a classroom assistant for children such as your son with an actual statemented problem - medication would be an unusual step, esp at age 6.

Why did you cease the medication over the summer holidays? Surely this will have meant that at the beginning of termn he was effectively started afresh with it, since the medication would be completely out of his system after a few weeks.

Answer 4

Adderall and Concerta are different forms of the same drug, the latter designed for slower release. My advice is to think twice about increasing dosage. Too many kids are on adderall and ritalin. The teacher shouldn't be the one to decide this - it should be a decision made by your son's doctor and you, with your son's input (he's only six but he certainly can tell you how it feels to take the medication). Too many teachers want every kid to regress to the mean, but in fact, there's a range of behaviors. I got into a lot of difficulty when Adderall was prescribed to my son, and it turned into a drug abuse problem that continues many years later. I hope you can work this out.

Answer 5

There is a product out there called the Neurophone that helps with concentration and focus, I've heard of it curing ADHD. It transmits soundwaves through the nerves in the body's tissues (you can actually play music through it and hear it through the skin!) but it aligns the two hemispheres of the brain which helps you concentrate. It also opens up the brain's memory areas so if you use it while studying or learning something it helps with memorization and recall. We have one and it's awesome, it's also good for headaches or stress. I recommend it!
The first link below tells you about the benifits of using it, the second is where you can buy one, and has some other links that will tell you more about how it works

Answer 6

Teachers do NOT prescribe medications or dosages, nor should they even attempt to do so. It is a serious breach o fnot only professional ethics, but also of the laws concerning professional licensing. In short, the teacher, unless he or she is also a medical doctor, is practicing medicine without a license.

If there has been any noticeable change, the child should be re-evaluated by a qualified medical doctor, who will make his recommendations or suggestions.

Teachers who do not want any student to vary from what they consider the "norm" do not belong in the education system, at least in my opinion, and it sounds as if this may be one of those situations.

Answer 7

Ok, I went through this. My daughter was on Metadate (a sustained form, like Concerta). When she finally got to 60 mg. a day it worked and never needed an increase, and that was in 6th grade. She went on meds in 2nd grade. So no need for an increase in 6 years despite going through puberty and being 60 lbs. larger. You need to tweak it to figure out how much he needs. And for the naysayers, I have some interesting report cards to show you both before and after medication, so keep comments to yourself if you don't believe in ADHD.

Answer 8

ADHD is a very serious situation which could have very serious repercussions for the rest of his life. My ex husband suffers from it, and so does my son.

So far I have yet to start medicating him, but scared that time will come. Talking to some of the other parents though, I learned a few things.

The medication made their child sluggish and lost some of their personality. In one parents words, their child "became a lump." Not knowing all your details, I would not recommend increasing his dosage if you can avoid it.

Talk to the school administrators. My sons teacher gives him special attention to deal with his ADHD. That is what he needed was one on one time with someone who is firm and won't give in to his little episodes. She keeps him focused and on task.

Sadly, most teachers aren't trained for this type of thing and just want to plug your kid full of medication to make their thankless jobs easier.

Consider thigs like counseling to teach your son how to control his ADHD on his own and work with his doctor on his medications. Tell his doctor you don't want to increase his dosage and ask for other suggestions to get his ADHD under control. Otherwise your son could end up meds for the rest of his life. It could becoem a problem when he is an adult and has to learn to fight this disease on his own.

Also, keep in mind, ADHD is diagnosed like the flu. Not all kids diagnosed with it actually have it, a teacher just can't control them. Stricter discipline and a less tolerant attitude towards the undesired behavior may cause changes, but it takes time. Look for local support groups to get tips that have worked for other parents, and see what your child responds to. Good luck!!

Answer 9

You said it yourself... If the meds are not working, then are we supposed to stop and re-evaluate the situation and thats what you should do. Your son is young and I am sure active. Consider diet and other changes you could implement as well. Also what is the teacher doing to help assist your child in making different choices that are positive for him? Meds are not a cure all, do what your heart and your gut tell you to. good luck

Answer 10

My son has adhd and was taking straterra 30 mg. Which help him during school. I would suggest that you go back to your childs doctor and see about getting him on straterra. You can look up any medications and the side effects online. I did my homework when I was told my son had a problem. Be educated on this issue.