ADD/ADHD experience?

[marmis]

Anyone have experience with ADD/ADHD in their children?? We have been battling almost 4 years with the pediatrician on this subject and have gotten NOWHERE! My son (9yrs) is very energetic little man and NEVER stops. Since kidergarten his teachers have commented that he cannot stay on task, talks out of turn and just never calms down. When the pediatrician contacts the teachers for their input, they say he is fine and offer me advice on herbal remedies. How can I help this child?? He most recently has become physically aggresive towards others and has started making "clicking" noises constantly. When we force him to sit for a few minutes, his legs keep going and this clicking is constant. We often fight with him until 11 or 12 at night in order to get him to bed. He constantly gets out of bed following us around the house talking - it seems like he doesn't breath while talking. I have had enough! I am at the end of my ropes with this! We have finally resulted to "energy drinks" to calm him down at night and I feel terrible for doing this. Shortly after drinking one he will calm down enough to lay in bed and read until falling asleep. Last year he had one more yellow slip for talking and he could have been suspended...at age 9! School just started 3 days ago and SO FAR we have not had any reports - I really hope it stays that way, but I have the feeling it will quickly change. Any advice?

[YouPdWhat]

Go for 2nd opinion. If this Dr. won't help seek it elsewhere. I am suprised thought hat the energy drinks CALM him instead of making him worse.

[kurlisola]

Ask your school for a full evaluation on your son. In our district, if we do that, then they call in counselors, therapists, teachers ect... to get an idea of what is going on & try to get him properly diagnosed.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

we had hannah tested for ADHD and Aspergers last year. She does not have either. BUT I will say that you have to do some sort of testing if you think your DS has ADHD. There isnt really a readily available test for it. Our school was pushing a med trial on us before they did a full evaluation of Hannahs behaviors. I would not consent to put her on Riddlin just because her teacher thought she "might" have ADHD or maybe even aspergers. So I talked to my pediatrician (who is a great guy and in on the school board as well) about what were my options to test Hannah for this without medication as the first step. He said that he would like to 1.) have the school physcologist 2.) The school mental health specialist, and 3.) himself do an in class room observation over the course of a month or two as well as have me to some home observations as well with me filling out surveys on what I noticed over 2 weeks time.

It was the conclusion of all 3 that Hannah did not have ADHD or Aspergers but that she was just really smart (IQ of 159) and board in school. She also thinks differently (hard to explain). At times she knew more on a subject being taught in class than the teacher did. LOL She also needs to work on her social skills because she doesnt relate to her peers very well.

That all being said I would really push your school and your dr (or get a new doctor) to really evaluate your child in class and do some assesment tests, then if recomended to do a med trial (med trials here are Ritlin for 2 weeks a placebo for 2 weeks only the phamacist knows which weeks is what) and parents do an observation study at home for the 4 weeks and the teacher does the same at school for the 4 weeks. If it is noticed that there was an improvement in behaviour durring the weeks on Ritlin then there is a chance he has ADD/ADHD and you can go from there on other meds.

HTH..and BTW..I have a child that is not ADHD, but she NEVER shuts up! She talks 24/7 I swear! LOL

[Coupon*Crazy*Mom]

My 8 year old son has ADHD so I feel your pain! I highly suggest you get a second opinion. If his current pediatrician is not willing to helping your son find someone that is.

The diagonsis of ADD/ADHD is just the begining of a very long road including figuring out the correct meds, getting into the right classes, IEP's, etc.

Feel free to PM me anytime to talk. Hugs to you and your family!

P.S. The caffeine in energy drinks is what calms the person down, same thing with coffee or pop.

[kurlisola]

P.S. The caffeine in energy drinks is what calms the person down. Same thing with coffee.

Funny thing about caffeine. It calms me down. For years, I would drink a glass of sugared ice tea right before bed & sleep like a baby. Now, dh on the other hand, it would keep him awake all night. He never understood that caffeine affected me differently.

[YouPdWhat]

I was diagnosed with a certain condition in 1999. I was told immediately to get off anything that contains caffeine as it causes excitability. I also have a very hard time with most all meds even those that they use to put you to sleep for the same reason. It is really funny how things can have different effects on different people.

[nozymom]

Marmis,
I have had similar experience w/my ds. At first, grades 1-4, I was told he was inmature...and he is younger than most in his grade as he is a june baby. My son had a wonderful 5th grade teacher, and to make a long story short....we were referred by our family dr. to a child psychologist...who requested that the school do an evaluation. The evaluation concluded an anxiety disorder...which can resemble ADHD. I would have never guessed, until i really thought back..my little guy would worry about us running out of gas in the car, worry about if the school bus broke down...etc. I too am a stress ball so I guess he comes rightfully by it. Anyway, he was initially placed on adhd meds, which he did not tollerate. Then on an anxiety medication which he took for 1 1/2 yrs, Last Jan the dose was cut in half, this June he was taken completely off of the medication. And so far, with school starting..he is doing well. We have worked hard, actually he has, to develop strategies to deal with things that worry him. And I must say I feel that maturity has played a big part also...He is now 12 years old, and can recognize when his anxiety level rises. He still is very very active...gets bored with school unless it's something he really has an interest in...But, he is much happier and able to better communicate when things bother him.
PS getting to sleep was very difficult for my ds...family dr recommended 1mg of melatonin...which worked wonderfully...Now, he knows when he will need melatonin to help him get to sleep. Now on average he takes the melatonin only 2-3 times a week
Hope some of this helps...I remember being so frustrated and feeling there must be something I could do to help my son....It was the most difficult time for me and for my son.....Best of luck!! Things will be ok~!!

[marmis]

My son is also a June baby and they have blamed it on the immaturity thing. We held him back one year. I will have to check into the melatonin that you mentioned. Thanks for all the input!

[mommytokris]

Marmis,
I can relate to how you are feeling! I have a son who is 18 y/o now. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4 y/o. He was tested and retested. But, he has severe ADHD. I don't want to get into all of it on here. Everybody has their own opinions. If you would like to PM me, please feel free. I will try to help you.

Hang in there, it takes alot of patience. I know YOU Can do it!!!!!!