**ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27)

[clarkestep]

Originally Posted by Jonathon&MadsionsMommy I will tell you that you will meet people who support your decision and people who try to make you feel like the worst parent ever. You have to do what is right for your family.

Ain't that the truth! That's why I like being the Mom. It's my child and I can do what I think is best for him. God gave us the instincts we need for raising our children.

[lbrown1618]

UPDATE 2/27

Her ped referred us to the hospital's "Center for Human Development" for evaluation. They were great, 4 diff drs did testing. One was a phsych, an IQ test, I don't recall them all. They then collaberated and made a final diagnosis. I was very happy with them

They DID diagnose ADHD. Sent a report to her ped with 3 meds to recommend.
Cencerta, Vyvanse, Ritalin.
He is putting her on Ritalin LA, min dose (can't recall what mg).

They also recommend her seeing a counselor once a week to help her with the anxiety she feels, which are caused by her ADHD.

So we are picking up the RX and filling it today. Hopefully she will start it Saturday so its in her system fully for Monday school.

I think I found the GNC thing PP talked about. "Source Naturals Attentive Child". It says it tastes sweet and tarty. I think I will try that too.
The coffee idea is intriguing, but we don't drink coffee, so we have none in our house. And I think a vitamin wafer is more convenient than a cup of coffee. We seems like we are always too busy in the mornings.

They recommended we speak with her principal also. To put in place a OHI certification with the school (OHI= otherwise health impaired). This would provide a safety net for her, as well as accountability for the school. She won't go to any special classes...but would be given "preferential seating", and add'l time & assistance to complete work. Also, this would follow her each year so we don't have to go over it all with each new teacher.

However, I think we are going to start the meds and vitamins and see how her teacher views things before we tell them she is on anything. I think that will give us a more accurate result. THEN, we can meet with the principal about the OHI.

One more comment....I must say I'm a little miffed that her teacher didn't attend the staff meeting where all the drs collaberated. She was formally invited from their office and we mentioned it as well. She would understand her much better after hearing their thoughts I think. Heck, we're her parents, and we learned some helpful things. Her teacher sent home a note the other day...."Sarah seems to be trying harder but still struggles to complete her work". We really felt like writing her back to say, Yeah, maybe you would understand if you went to the damned meeting. But we didn't.

[Jillibean]

Glad you got an official diagnosis. It was kind of a relief for me because then I could move on and say "Now what". Don't get discouraged if the first med isn't the right one or the right dosage. Hang in there and you all will find the magic combination. Ritalin didn't work for my DD. She had severe mood swings and stomach upset. Good luck to you and your awesome kiddo!
Oh, and we know about the anxiety thing. We deal with it too. All a part of ADHD.

[indynurse99]

My daughter started taking medication for ADD in second grade, I was like umm.. no way she is such a good kid, and she really was and still is but her homework took hours and she was failing everything even though when teachers talked to her they knew she was smart. Anyway, the counselor gave me a book called
Driven to DistractionRecognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood
by Edward M.. Hallowell, M.D, John J. Ratey, M.D.

That was the best book I have ever read, we both saw a psychologist, and both diagnosed with ADD and both take vyvanse and we are both wonderful!
Coming from an adult with ADD, there is definitely a difference in my day with and without meds !
And I knew something was right the very first day she took her medication when I called her to come downstairs to eat dinner and she said "OK mom I am almost done with my homework" and she WAS!
Good luck to you,
Lynn

[lbrown1618]

I don't know about this Ritalin (its 10mg extended release btw)....she has been very mean and nasty. She started it Saturday morning, and Sat/Sun/Mon (today) she has been like this. Maybe its coincidence....but I read online that it can cause kids to become angry.

I have a call into her ped. I wanted to make sure this GNC vitamin is ok to take with whatever drug she is on. AND wanted to question him about a few Ritalin issues. It says online that it's not intended for kids with anxiety!! WTH? It said right in the report that she had anxiety. Also says it "can" stunt growth....which I know not all kids get the published side effects but she is already small for her age so I don't want to chance it.

[lbrown1618]

Originally Posted by indynurse99 Anyway, the counselor gave me a book called Driven to DistractionRecognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Edward M.. Hallowell, M.D, John J. Ratey, M.D. That was the best book I have ever read, we both saw a psychologist, and both diagnosed with ADD and both take vyvanse and we are both wonderful!

Thanks. I'm stopping by my library to check it out on the way home from work.

[lbrown1618]

Ok, so her ped is taking her off Ritalin. Increased aggression is a side effect, and htat is apparently what is happening in my DD. Also, as many of you mentioned its supposed to decrease her appetite. But she has been eating like crazy just like usual. So her ped thinks that because we aren't seeing a decrease in her appetite that the dose it too low (since he started with the min does anyway). But with the aggression we are seeing, INcreasing the dose would only make that worse. So....

We are now trying Adderall. He said the most common side effect parents tell him about is the child gets teary/weepy as they come off it in the evenings. I know pp mentioned that with Concerta....but none of you who use Adderall mentioned it. Do you see this in your child?

Also, what are the ages of your kids? My ped says he has never seen a problem with Ritalin in the 5-7 yr group, that is what he prefers in the younger kids.

Oh and I guess the anxiety thing is a warning on pretty much all adhd meds.

[essentia]

I'm not a kid, but the drug I switched to about nine months ago was first approved for pediatric use.

Vyvanse is the longest extended release drug out there. Fewer people have problematic side effects on it, it has low potential for abuse and is very "smooth" as it takes effect and wears off.

Downside is the expense. If you don't have insurance and can meet income guidelines (not that low, actually) you get the drug for free through Shire's Rx drug program.

Glad your daughter got the full evaluation, OP. Doctors who don't insist do their patients a disservice in the long run.

As you've probably heard (multiple times by now), anxiety and ADHD have a high rate of co-morbidity. Unchecked anxiety, depression and behavioral problems from undiagnosed ADHD (of either or mixed type) can lead to drug and alcohol abuse later in life in a frantic effort to cope by self-medication.

Sounds like your little girl has a great advocate in her corner.

[essentia]

Originally Posted by lbrown1618 We are now trying Adderall. He said the most common side effect parents tell him about is the child gets teary/weepy as they come off it in the evenings.

Yes, the Adderall crash -- teariness, weepiness, agitation -- is very common in both children and adults. If med is given at the same time every day it's easier to track and predict your child's crash time.

Oh and I guess the anxiety thing is a warning on pretty much all adhd meds.

Anxiety can come as a result of some meds, true. But the drugs are getting better all the time.

What non ADHDers may have a hard time understanding is the incredible frustration that often accompanies the disorder: frustration with others, with themselves, with the world is the root of the anxiety for a lot of us. ADHDers also tend to be hypersensitive to anxiety in others, esp. their parents. And as I pointed out above, anxiety and depression (which tend to run in families) are highly co-morbid with ADHD (which also tends to run in families).

Having a place of peace and quiet to retreat to when frustrations run high or when coming down off the drug can help manage anxiety. Teaching children self-calming techniques early on will go a long way in establishing strong self-care habits for the future.

ADHDers tend to respond better to rewards for good behavior than admonishment, yelling, threating or pleading about bad behaviors. They needs lots of positive -- not necessarily fawning -- feedback and assurance. Keep expections clear and consistent, and don't feel bad about more frequent but gentle reminders to do things. We really do loose track of time rather easily!

Regular exercise, small meals throughout the day and plenty of rest are a must along with medication for long-term management of symptoms. Now I know why my mom encouraged me to play as much as wanted --- wearing myself out ensured I got a good night's sleep pretty much all the time.

[lbrown1618]

Thanks essentia.....Very helpful info from an ADHDer point of view.