| | Daily Living Discuss **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27) in the The Hot House forums; 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. ...  | | | |   |  |
02-27-2009, 06:24:56 PM
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#12 |  |  | | TRADER FLAMING
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,016
| Re: **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27) 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.
__________________ -----~Lori~ ----- Also have 2+ copies of inserts ~ 6+ months worth (just not enough time to add those to my Haves) |
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02-28-2009, 07:56:26 AM
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#14 |  |  | | TRADER IN TRAINING
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 19
| Re: **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27) 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 |
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03-02-2009, 10:21:58 PM
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#16 |  |  | | TRADER FLAMING
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,016
| Re: **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27)
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.
__________________ -----~Lori~ ----- Also have 2+ copies of inserts ~ 6+ months worth (just not enough time to add those to my Haves) |
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03-03-2009, 06:45:23 AM
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#18 |  |  | | TRADER SPARKING
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 480
| Re: **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27) 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.  |
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03-03-2009, 07:13:49 AM
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#19 |  |  | | TRADER SPARKING
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 480
| Re: **ADD** Tell me about your kids and their meds **(Update 2/27)
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.  |
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