Help I need support/advice

Judilyn, My son has ADHD and has been on medication for almost nine years. He is 15 now. Our doctor has never said anything about stopping medications, due to puberty. As I understand, many kids may outgrow ADHD at around twelve years old. This was definately not the case for my son though. We are in the process of changing from his peditrition to a new doctor. During the interview process I discussed the doctors feelings on the medication issue. He will reevaluate my son for his own records. Although based on what my son and I have told him, he indicated that he does not feel a change in medication (or to not medicate) will be warranted. I would definately seek the advice of medical professional who understands and treats patients with ADHD. Hope this little bit of information helps. Also, I know of at least three adult friends that were diagnosed later in life; two started a medication regime that was helpful for them.

I have a 14 year old boy who wouldn't function in school without his medications. He has ADHD and OCD, and we tried taking him off his meds, but he can not consentrate or pass a grade. Please find a good phyciatrist near you who is willing to spend some time with your child and get him on the right medicine. My email is sandjfulkrod@yahoo.com if you want to chat.. oh and please don't listen to the hogwash about he's too old to be put on medicine, or that him going through puberty will affect the medicine... if they need it to function, they need it!!! Good luck, Sharon

A doctor considered diagnosing me with ADD when I was about eight years old. I did not get an official diagnosis nor did I receive medication until I was 14. Now I am 23 and still on medication. I have taken Ritilin SR and later switched to Dexedrine spanules. Both last for eight to 12 hours per pill, so I would only have to take medication in the morning and never had to worry about it. My first week on medication my mother, my friends, and even my teachers noticed a definite improvement, most of all in my memory, organization, and impulse control. Even to this day, people I know well can tell if I forgot to take my medication. Some kids do grow out of it, but for others it is a life long disorder. I have never exhibited side effects such as being tired all the time, getting headaches when my medication wears off, bouncing off the walls while on medication, nor an inability to concentrate while on my medicine. If your child does exhibit these signs, then your child is probably taking too much, on the wrong medication, or may not need medication at all. These are typical of an addiction to a stimulant or drug withdrawal. Most people with ADD will not have these symptoms. Though they may have short-term and mild headaches, a lack of appetite, mild stomach upset, a sensitivity to sun, get sunburns more easily, and dry mouth or "cotton mouth", but these symptoms typically do not last more than a couple weeks. If these symptoms persist past six weeks, I recommend taking your child to a doctor. Just to get rid of one more misconception... I have never increased my dosage of medication. I started at the lowest dosage and stayed there. Increasing stimulant dosage frequently and often may mean an addiction, or that someone else is stealing your child's medication (which is a crime punishable by a court of law). I believe strongly that behavior therapy should be started first. If that is not enough, then, and only then, should medication be tried. Most of all, medication alone does not work effectively. As far as I know, the worst medicating your child for ADD with the correct doses at the correct times can do is stunt your child growth by an inch or two. I still did get growth spurts on my medication. And even at 5'2, I don't regret taking medication as a teenager. FYI for the general public, stimulant medication, such as Ritilin or Dexedrine, needs to be taken at the same time, or times, every day, with no more than a half hour discrepancy. I take mine with breakfast every morning. And I don't take mine at night because it keeps me awake. A quick test for whether your kid has ADD, ADHD, something else, or nothing at all. Give them a cup of coffee or strong tea; like English breakfast tea, earl grey, or even strong iced tea, but weak iced tea or green tea are unlikely to show any "results". Between ten to thirty minutes later check on them. If they have ADD they have probably calmed down, are a bit more focused, and may even be sleepy. A child without ADD nor ADHD is likely to be bouncing off the walls, i.e., hyperactive. But this is purely an anecdotal test and it has never had any scientific testing. Arruniel

I would just like to say that you don't grow out of ADD/ADHD! I am now 30 and my son is 9 and we both have ADHD. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. If you think about it at the age of 12 or so you start to really understand self control. It is more about learning how to deal with ADD/ADHD and what works for you. I have to write almost everything down. I have horrible short term memory. The same went for homework. If I had an assignment that required reading, I would make notes while I read. It definately helped. You need to find little tricks that will help them remember. A day planner is a great place to start. To the original post. I would definately try meds again. He will feel better when he feels more in control of himself. Boys seem to have more trouble than girls. You might even look into an antidepressant. I was very depressed in HS. It helped immencely.

My son is 11 now and we have been able to reduce his meds however I can tell you that what you have described sounds like the frustrations he was going through after I listened to people talking me out of putting him on "drugs". I did a lot of research before deciding to go "against" the family and decided to go for it and it was the best decision we ever made. He still struggles at school but he has control and he isn't overwhelmed. There are also many things that they will be required to do for him at school that could make it easier. You probably already know this but I'll throw it out there anyway, even if he is not in special education, he will be qualified for special services just being diagnosed with ADHD. It doesn't mean he would be pulled out of class, it could be something as simple as placing him in the front of the class, giving him more time for assignments, giving him verbal instructiosn one on one instead of asking him to read, etc.... If the school refuses to do those accomodations you just mention section 504 and they will change their tune. The age of your son should not affect him getting put on meds. Even schools are supportive of it now. I actually had a hard time with the school trying to take my son off of them. Good luck.

Hi everyone We took him to see our doctor and went through all the usual questions, etc. My son was put on Adderall(xr) 10MG once a day. So far I have seen some wonderful changes. He himself says that he can feel a difference. I can not tell you how nice it was to get through studying/reviewing for an upcoming test with no problems. He passed all his test this week in school but one, and I believe that was because this was a test based on a book they were reading prior to him getting put on meds. So far, so good, and what a difference. He's happier, calmer, less and argumentive. :cool:

Dear J, I think your post really underscores the importance of getting a professional opinion from a competant professional. I'm glad your son is doing well. When ADHD is correctly diagnosed (that does not always happend, especially with children whe are in foster care or who were adopted), medication can work extremely well. Like diabetus, it is a chronic condition. However, also like diabetus (which can be controlled with diet and exercise), sometimes medication can be reduced or elimintated (but only on advice from the prescribing professional) after the child has learned how to behaviorally manage ADD. There are several good books around. You might want to pick one up written by Russell Barkley, Ph.D., who is the foremost expert on ADHD. Regards,