Meds for my son

[drummerboy_dave]

A new study on my son indicates the possibility of him having ADHD. We are considering medical treatment options. If you have pertinent information regarding the pros and cons of stimulants (we're thinking Focalin) versus non-stimulants (Strattera) please respond. Our next appointment is the 25th.

Thanks!

[Margies3]

I really think it all depends on what works for YOUR child. My son is on Adderall. He's been taking it since he was 4 years old and is 16 now. One year, when he was about 8th grade, the doctor decided she needed to have him try some other meds (Straterra was one of them, as was Focalin). It was a horrible experience and he basically lost a whole year of learning in school. In the end, he ended up right back on the Adderall. The Adderall works for him when nothing else does.

[KWSS1976]

If he is like mine he has alot of entergy and he is a boy and does not like to pay attention.......don't dope him up he will be a Zombie...He will grow out of it..

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

If he is like mine he has alot of entergy and he is a boy and does not like to pay attention.......don't dope him up he will be a Zombie...He will grow out of it..

Good grief. I'm sure all kids are exactly the same. Way to generalize.

[drummerboy_dave]

He's been a wreck for a couple years, but too young with not enough information to sort out what's going on in his brain. Plus, there's far too much overlap of symptoms in all these disorders. But, he's most definately, not a Neuro-typical kid!

I totally get that what works for one child may not work for another. Just trying to weigh the pros and cons of these two options. There are factors of both drugs that I like and dislike.

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

If he is like mine he has alot of entergy and he is a boy and does not like to pay attention.......don't dope him up he will be a Zombie...He will grow out of it..

One doesn't "grow out of it". It only gets worse. Much worse.

[geekette]

One of my nephews was diagnosed with ADHD. My sister, based on her own experience (a diagnosis of "hyperactivity" in the 1960s) was understandably opposed to medication and resisted it for quite a long time. However, attempts at behavioral modification failed to bring about change and she finally decided to go with medication. They had a pretty good success with it, but it's something you're going to have to monitor and stay on top of.

Oh yeah, the medication was Adderall...sorry!

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

One doesn't "grow out of it". It only gets worse. Much worse.

Yes and no. As a special education teacher, I believe there is an over-diagnosis of this very real condition. In the years I've taught children with ADD/ADHD ... some are the poster children for it .... while others are just misunderstood.

When folks say "outgrow" it ... I think they mean ... as experience, maturity take their natural course .... AND COPING SKILLS are taught ... children often learn to manage their condition. This seems to happen often as the child reaches his/her mid-teen years, IMO.

The special ed tag ... like everything else has its pros and cons ... but often concerned and involved parents seek to find ways for the child to manage their ADD/ADHD before high school ...

Here in TX, having Special Ed learning IEPs ... in this case under Other Health Impairment means the child's high school diploma is not "the same" as those in general ed ... and this can unfortunately affect the transcripts and decisions that colleges make .... this often does not apply if the child just has a BIP or Behavioral IEP, imo.

I'd recommend Focalin as a med only when all non-traditional avenues have been exhausted ... including behavior modification, diet, and homeopathic.

Tweaking the dosage ... often is pain-staking and heart-breaking to all involved...

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by DAII

Yes and no. As a special education teacher, I believe there is an over-diagnosis of this very real condition. In the years I've taught children with ADD/ADHD ... some are the poster children for it .... while others are just misunderstood.

When folks say "outgrow" it ... I think they mean ... as experience, maturity take their natural course .... AND COPING SKILLS are taught ... children often learn to manage their condition. This seems to happen often as the child reaches his/her mid-teen years, IMO.

The special ed tag ... like everything else has its pros and cons ... but often concerned and involved parents seek to find ways for the child to manage their ADD/ADHD before high school ...

Here in TX, having Special Ed learning IEPs ... in this case under Other Health Impairment means the child's high school diploma is not "the same" as those in general ed ... and this can unfortunately affect the transcripts and decisions that colleges make .... this often does not apply if the child just has a BIP or Behavioral IEP, imo.

I'd recommend Focalin as a med only when all non-traditional avenues have been exhausted ... including behavior modification, diet, and homeopathic.

Tweaking the dosage ... often is pain-staking and heart-breaking to all involved...

I'll modify my statement: It only gets worse...if it's the real deal and a severe real deal. Would that be a more accurate statement? These disorders left unaddressed and denied don't just disappear like asthma occasionally does.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by DAII

I'd recommend Focalin as a med only when all non-traditional avenues have been exhausted ... including behavior modification, diet, and homeopathic.

Tweaking the dosage ... often is pain-staking and heart-breaking to all involved...

Good advice.