Newly diagnosed

My oldest Bio daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD since 2nd grade. She was first on Ritalin and it worked great but as she got older and we didn't want her to take 3 pills a day we switched her to something else which I can't think of right now. It was great but she lost a lot of weight, so we switched her to Concerta. She was on it for probably 3 years and she maxed out the dose (mostly because of change issues in the home, that we had no control over) We tried Stratera and it did nothing at all for her. We are now on Adderall (which I believe is a ritalin derivative). She takes one pill a day in the morning before school. Now, for us we can see a complete change when she is properly dosed. She has always been able to feel the change herself too (although we have bouts of "I don't want to take pills, I want to be like everyone else" or "I can control my self"). She went from almost failing k-garten, 1st and 2nd grade to A-B honor roll (up until 7th grade when we had to pull her out of school and homeschool her a semester because of my mil moving in and changing our family dynamic, which caused our latest med change) There are a lot of people who will try to tell you that you shouldn't medicate for ADHD. But to us it has made a world of difference. Her first few years in school she had no friends, because she was bossy and other kids didn't like the way she treated others (she always acted first then thought about the consequences later if at all). It honestly worried me sometimes how thoughtless she was, because I never knew if she would do something stupid and get hurt like jump off the roof. Now she has a lot of friends (even if they do run over her some, she is kind of intimidated now, scared of losing friends if she is too bossy, but at least she thinks about her actions before acting). When dd started taking meds we explained to her that it is like glasses for her brain, it helps her focus. One thing to keep in mind is that kids with ADD/ADHD don't deal well with change, any change in the family dynamic you have to work through, when my mil moved in Steph had to go into therapy for a while until we got her meds re-adjusted. That is one concern we are going to have to deal with very soon I hope, when we adopt.

WE have 2 with ADD.. One medicated and weaned himself off completely now at the age of 13. He has always been very outgoing very social and very felxable and its easy for him to make friends. No hyperactivity. He was on adderall 1x per day for 4 years. Last year we switched to Strattera because he didnt need the amphetemines- Strattera worked beautifully for us. But now we are med free completely. And he is doing great. Another is not medicated- he has more hyperactivity. After learning things from the oldest.. Meds are not a solution but they are a definate help. And I stress help. I have learned that while they are on the meds we need to keep them focused enough to repeat the behavior or slowing of the mind when not on meds. At the age of 13, I am happy to say , my son has done just that. He can now control. The other is also doing well without the meds. Always hated labels-- my dr had 3 kids with add, and she herself as well. She was never fond of meds as a "solutional cure" but a "help" to alleviate the symptoms. You'll have to experiment.. the strattera does take build-up time. The adderall takes effect nearly in a week. The hardest part on the adderrall was the late afternoon crash when everything came to a hault and my son just went bizurk mind wise and his head was filled with all those thousands of thoughts and couldnt focus on one of them. You have to do the best for your child and go with the med that best suits her. Just remember the meds arent a solution to ADD- they help alleviate the symptoms.

My stepson was diagnosed woth ADHD nearly a year ago. At first he was taking Ritalin LA but we had to change because the jump in the dosage was too much for him. So now he is taking Adderall and it has worked wonders for him. I have not noticed as much of a crash with the Adderall. Wiht the Ritalin I noticed a huge crash in the evening when I picked him up from after-school care at 5:30 p.m. Now I still see a small "crash" but not until 7 or so in the evening and it is a much smoother change. I am also pleased with the increases in the dosage. It goes up in increments of 5 instead of 10.

Thank you all for your input. My son is now on Concerta. He has shown no signs of appetite loss, and only minimal signs of restlessness when trying to fall asleep. He has been on the meds for only 5 days and it has made a HUGE difference. In school (kindergarten) he is able to stay seated and do his work. His frustration level is not nearly as low as it was. He is just calmer and able to deal with things easier, which is helping his self-esteem tremendously. I agree that meds are only a help, not the total answer. But this is helping him understand about focus and control. He realizes the difference in himself already. As for the crash, it comes around 7pm, but is also not nearly as emotional as it used to be. He is taking th lowest dose (18mg) of Concerta just in the morning before school. Life is so much better right now. Thanks again for sharing your experience with me.

The advantage of Strattera is that it is a Non-Stimulant and so has fewer side-effects on sleep, eating, weight, etc. Most of the families I treat prefer Strattera. If you do use a stimulant, you may find that the extended release versions cause less up and down and rebound effects. You pediatrician should be familiar with your child and other medical issues to consider. Hopefully, you have had your child evaluated by a specialist in ADD and that person has sent a report with test scores to your pediatrician so that the proper treatment can be initiated. regards

Dr. Art...My son was fully evaluated by a psychologist, who did all of the appropriate testing, both computerized, and by observation. His IQ was tested and teacher and parental evaluations were completed. I fully understand the difference between stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. I also have heard of the most recent reports regarding Strattera and liver problems. Our doctor said that no new prescriptions are being written for Strattera at this time. And so far, the lowest dose of Concerta is working really well. Thank you for your input and advise.

I have a 5 year old stepson and he is the most normal boy you'll ever meet. His mom decided he needed to be on medicine because he is ADHD - I am still trying to find a way to get him off of it. I am SO SICK of parents taking the easy route and just having their kids put on medication so they don't have to deal with everyday problems. HELLO THEY ARE KIDS!!! Kids are moody, kids are hyper, kids get excited easily over tons of stuff. Hell, if all kids who acted that way when I was young were considered ADD/ADHD and put on medicine, that would have been everyone I know!! I do know there are some children who do have mental problems, but it seems like everywhere I look now kids are being put on meds more and more for this "disease". My stepson is FIVE YEARS OLD. So he doesn't always listen, and he doesn't remember everything he's told and he asks lots of questions and he gets excited - it's because HE IS YOUNG and there are so many things in the world that are new to him and it's hard for ANYONE to focus on something when excited about something else. My stepson is NOT the same happy kid he was before he started taking this **** medicine - if anything, his behavior is worse. I think there are too many doctors out there who are not diagnosing these poor kids correctly so they have to take this medicine that is making them feel like crap and they don't even understand why! I read something earlier on this site about a 10 year old on straterra, corbeta (sp?) AND prozac - all in one day! I'm sorry, but that seems way too extreme for a kid. Kids these days have enough problems without their own parents adding to it by putting them on unnecessary medications.

[font=Comic Sans MS]Magickal, while I appreciate your concern for your stepson, I need to ask you a few questions. Mind you, I am not questioning your judgement nor am I being judgemental. My first question is does your stepson live with you the majority of the time? If he does not you may not be seeing the whole picture. Have you discussed your concerns with his mother? I would recommend doing so. This way you both will be able to voice any concerns you may have concerning his "disease" and his medication. Would his mother allow you to accompany her to the next Dr. visit? Again so that you can voice your concerns and hear what the Dr. has to say. [/font][font=Comic Sans MS]I am a stepmother of a 6 yr old little boy who was diagnosed with ADHD 11 months ago. He lives with us full time and I have seen first hand how vital these medications are to some children. Every situation is different and every child has varied needs. My stepson is not so severe that he requires a lot of extra assistance but I must say that he was unable to function normally in any setting. He acted out in every setting there was known to man. He was very disrespectful, very spontaneous, and gave no thought what so ever to the feelings of others. When he would be punished whether it be time out, losing a priviledge or in extreme cases, spanked, he would say he wanted to be good he just did not know how. He was making family life a living nightmare and was at the point of being expelled from Kindergarten and afterschool care. We all were so frustrated that we were willing to try anything. We were desperate. I finally was able to convince our pediatrician to do a trial run with medication and see how it went. 4 days after starting the medication, he was a new child. I now have a loving, smiling, happy child who functions in ANY setting and he is a delight to be around. [/font][font=Comic Sans MS]I just want you to consider the idea that every child is different. Please consider all of the factors before judging those of us who have decided this is what our children need. Have active participation with the mother (if she will allow it) to learn as much as you can about your stepson. I also recommend learning as much as you can about this disorder.[/font]

My oldest son was diagnosed ADHD in K. I fully ageed with the diagnosis and he was place on ritalin. Everything went well and he is a Great 19 year old kid that doesn't get into trouble. The medication gave him the ability to think before acting. Before meds, he was in troulble all the time. I read all the info that I could find and I realized I was also reading about myself. I was diagnosed ADHD and put on meds. You don't know how many times I made mistakes because I acted on impulse without considering the consequences. Thank God for meds. I worked in Department of Corrections for 10 years and I talked with alot of inmates that were ADHD but I didn't ever meet one that was put on medication that they took on a regular basis. Most were diagnosed as a child but, for some reason they were not given meds on a regular basis. My nephew that should have been on meds for ADHD wasn't put on them even though he was diagnosed. He is now 20 years old, has a criminal record, uses cocaine, drinks and smokes pot. He has even robbed his own Mom's house. He is on his way to prison. I believe he is self medicating. I wish he would have been given medication when he needed it. A co-worker's 8 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD, she admitted that he was ADHD but did not want her son on meds. Well, within a year he ran out in front of a car because he acted on impulse and he is now in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. I always wonder what would have happened to him if he were given the meds he needed. Maybe there are some kids that are misdiagnosed ADHD but I know there are alot of kids that could function alot better if their medical needs were being met. Please, don't judge people for seeking medical care for their children when needed.

ADHD and several other mental health disorders (Bipolar disorder, for example) are biochemical disorders of genetic orgin that respond very well to the right medications. Since the conditions are biochemical, like Diabetus, medications are often the most effective treatments and by reducing symtoms, they enhance a sense of effectiveness and self-esteem

Dr. Art, I agree 100% and I will be so happy if the rest of the world ever figures this out. Thank you!!!!!!! I wonder if the same parents would deny their children of insulin when they need it?

Myself and my biodd were diagnosed this spring and both put on Strattera. She's only 6 and yes I agonized for years. I suspected there was something different about her (more like me) when she was 2 years old. But, when she was 4, it was obvious when her 2 year old brother was far more 'normal' with attention issues and could focus and think far better than her. Her 'distraction' reached a point that she was incapacitated. I was beyond frustrated, I was outside my own ability to function after trying desperately to deal with her issues for years. I love my daughter. But, I distinctly remember what life was like. The day I heard myself screaming at her that she just had to CHOOSE to be different was the day I admitted *we* couldn't do this on our own anymore. 3 days after my dd started her medications, she came running to me to inform me, "Mommy, I can THINK!" I asked her how she felt. She said she felt great, but different. Two days later, she came back to inform me, "Mommy. My medicine for distraction helps me do something else. It helps me remember things." I have dealt with being 'different' from everyone else my entire life. I have developed solid behavioral modification and coping mechanisms to help me suceed in life. But, becoming a mother and attempting to homeschool my children pushed me to the brink of insanity. I had reached the point that I was literally imobilized. Why? Because I would sit on the couch and stress over 50 things that I had to get up and accomplish at this very moment to the point that I couldn't possibly get up and actually accomplish ONE THING anymore. I couldn't take it any longer. And, I knew if I continued to run away from who I was, it was only going to get worse. Beyond that, it was teaching my daughter to be ashamed and embarrassed for how she was created, rather than embracing and learning to cope with it. I cannot begin to describe to you the difference a little pill has made in my life, nor my dd's. I cannot explain because you cannot fathom the difference if you have never experienced life in the manner that I have. For the first time in my LIFE, I can focus. I can think clearly. I can prioritize. I can avoid panicking over everything. I can interact with my children, maintain my life in the manner I always *wanted* and at the end of the day I feel great about who I am. I've never experienced this before in my life. In all those years that I thought turning to medication was the cop-out and avoided being diagnosed like the plague--and this was what was waiting on the other side! I feel like a niave fool for having fought so hard and so long to not dealing with this appropriately years ago. I've talked to people who were probably misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Those people do NOT report the same life altering changes that both I and my dd have experienced. For them, life didn't change and the meds weren't a wonder at all. But, for us its has given us back our lives. Dd still struggles with understanding that her 'distraction medicine' is not a magic pill. She still has to choose to make positive choices and choose to do the best options for her life. But, for the first time in both of our lives, its possible to actually CHOOSE our own paths in life. Before, we could never stop to THINK and make an actual choice. Now, our thoughts are organized and coherent and we can actually make those choices. True ADD/ADHD is organic in nature. Its not made up. Its not an excuse. There is something simply different. And, sometimes its so different that be able to manuever in life, you do need the extra assistance that medication provides. Not all do. But, don't assume that no one needs medication simply because you know one person you *think* doesn't need it.

I have to disagree here a bit. Medication is not always the answer for ADD or ADHD! Many studies have been done to prove the chemicals we keep in our house and clean our house with are contributers to asthma, the rise in ADHD, etc. Please... before you choose to medicate for ADHD, do a search into safer household products and toxins in your home! Now.. I am not a nature nut or against medication for medical problems, but I know what switching our household to safer non-toxic products has done to help our son as far as his hyperactivity and his allergies :) Just look into it, what can it hurt right?

Colorbind, thank you for your open and honest post. I appreciated your strength in sharing your story. Magickal, I second tamarosa advice about talking to the mom and finding out everything you can. Also, I would like to suggest you think about your words before pre-judging every parent out there, who knows what is best for their child. My Godson was not diagnosed ADHD until right before 1st grade. I tried to get my g/f to get him diagnosed for over 2 years before that. He destroyed many things in their home and was unable to control himself and his thoughts. Recently he brought up some things that took place before he started his "attention medication" (he is on Strattera and Concerta now). He remembers WANTING to stop what he was doing, but he just couldn't. He wanted to be able to concentrate, but he was unable to do so. He notices the difference and is very happy to be on meds now. A 6 yr. old boy we had here last week is on Concerta. I could tell his dose is too low. During dinner one night he was rambling on and on, not able to contain himself. He stopped at one point, looked at me, and asked, "Did I take my behavior meds today?" He knew he couldn't control himself and he knew he needed help, so he thought maybe he didn't take his pill. I am praying that he has a doctor's appt. soon and it is discovered he needs a med increase. Unfortunately, things aren't a good situation at home and I don't think his mom will do much. Our son was 3-1/2 when he was diagnosed ADHD severe. We were NOT med people, and I did tell the child psychologist that. We were like "typical" people who heard all the bad stories about meds and we didn't stop to THINK that the medication was created for a REASON! There are kids, and adults, who NEED IT! The psychologist explained to me that if our son couldn't concentrate, he couldn't learn. If he couldn't learn, he couldn't grow. It made sense to us! Stimulants didn't work for him at all, so he was on Imiprimine for his ADHD until Strattera came out. He's been on it for over 2 yrs. now and it works fabulously for him. Magickal, the little boy who is on 3 meds every day, that you feel is way too extreme, may have disabilities you are not aware of. Please do not judge the parents unless you live in their home and walk a mile in their shoes. Our son is on 8 different meds. One is for his asthma, and one is for allergies, the rest are for his mental disabilities. If he wasn't on meds, he'd be institutionalized. We want our 7 yr. old home with us. He isn't doped up or "out of it". He is able to function and make it through the day. He has mild to moderate mental retardation, ADHD, and mood disorder. Quite honestly, we don't really care if anyone thinks bad of us for the medication our son is on. They aren't in our home. They don't live with him 24/7. They don't face the possibility of placing their child in a residential home before he is 12 yrs. old. They don't matter, our son does! Micki_Streeter, true, there are chemicals, and even certain foods we eat, that can add to ADHD. However, not all ADHD's are the same. Some are mild and can be controlled with simple changes like you mentioned, where others are moderate to severe that require medication. Every child is different. Every situation is different. For the number of children who are misdiagnosed, and wrongly medicated, I bet there are 10 kids who are NOT diagnosed and properly medicated! We were once parents who criticized other parents for putting thier children on meds and taking the "easy way out". We've learned how wrong we were to judge others so harshly. We are now parents who greatly appreciate the benefits of medication and realize that they were created for a reason, and that reason is children like our son.

[QUOTE Every child is different. Every situation is different. For the number of children who are misdiagnosed, and wrongly medicated, I bet there are 10 kids who are NOT diagnosed and properly medicated! We were once parents who criticized other parents for putting thier children on meds and taking the "easy way out". We've learned how wrong we were to judge others so harshly. We are now parents who greatly appreciate the benefits of medication and realize that they were created for a reason, and that reason is children like our son.[/QUOTE] This reminds me of an earlier post that I had made. I will post it here again for you. Keeep up the good work protecting and supporting your son mn_mom4more. He is YOUR son for a reason. #1 01-10-2005, 04:11 PM rights Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 176 Heaven's Very Special Child ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- This poem was in Ann Landers and I thought I would share it with others. Heaven's Very Special Child A meeting was held quite far from Earth. "It's time again for another birth." Said the angels to the Lord above, "This special child will need much love. His progress may seem very slow. Accomplishments he may not show And he'll require extra care From the folks he meets way down there. He may not run or laugh or play; His thoughts may seem quite far away. In many ways he won't adapt And he'll be known as handicapped. So let's be careful where he's sent, We want his life to be content. Please, Lord, find parents who Will do a special job for You. They will not realize right away The leading role they're asked to play But with this child sent from above Comes stronger faith and richer love. And soon they'll know the privilege given In caring for this gift from Heaven. Their precious charge, so meek and mild, Is Heaven's very special child." author unknown