Colleen - fantastic research!
Looks like you are doing what I always recommend - staying in the loop. A parent who just takes one MDs opinion and gives pills to junior without follow-up is negligent at the very least. Once you start a program to control ADHD - you can't just step back and let it happen.
The chance of heart problems is very very small. Your child will have to have a congenital trouble with his heart - and it will show up after a short time on meds with proper check of pulse and blood pressure.
Sorry your nephew tried to check out like that. It seems you realize that the meds aren't the root cause - I'm sure that people around him noticed that his attitude and outlook was skewed - most people will worry in silence rather than get it looked at. Mental illness is mostly seen as a thing to hide because of the past with mental hospitals and public shame involved.
You're doing what needs to be done - watching and LISTENING to your son. When I was in elementary school before the wonderful meds were available I was disruptive in class and generally not a pleasure to teach or have at home. It's not the usual "johnny is restless in class" - I would blurt out things not pertaining to anything we were talking about, play with things on my desk or nearby desks and generally work at being the center of attention. I spent many days with my nose in the corner because of it.
Glad you're on the way to getting better! I hope for the best for you and your son!
Thank you for all your helpful input. Matt is taking the generic Adderall. I read the bottle this AM. I am just a little nervous about the medication thing. I felt like I was filling a script of cocaine for my little man the other day (he's my oldest) I have read the article in Canada where a few children were killed while taking adderall. My nephew was on it until last year when he tried to slit his wrists (16 years old). The drug was no longer working for it's purpose. I will definately take him to his pedatrician for blood pressure and weight checks. He doesn't go back to the Developmental Behavioral Psychologist until December.
Matthew is in extremely talented, loving and creative child. In 3rd grade he was removed from class, suspended and isolated because of behavioral problems. Knock on wood his behavioral problems have decreased dramatically after I started him on fish oil (May 2005)and Attentive Child (sept 2005). He still was unable to focus and stay on task at school. As his teacher told me "He is all over the place, scattered" This is what I worry about. Without a proper education, learning to read and comprehend he will not get far in our American society. Just looking at different family members ( males on both sides of the family) I see a frightening connection. We want Matthew to do almost anything he wants to with his life. His father for example was never officially diagnosed with ADD. He was quiet withdrawn and unable to focus and "learn". He hated school and was socially outcasted because he was "different" Today he has overcome this and is a wonderful plumbing mechanic ( visual learner). He is excellent at his job but he can not spell and will not read stories to our children (He struggles) This embarrasses him and he doesn't want the kids to know that Daddy can't read well. This will not happen to our son. We are using the medication to take the edge off. I will still continue his diet modification, Fish Oil and Attentive Child. I do worry about the increased heart issues and as I have read on other boards there children have freaked out taking adderall. I am writing a note to his teacher to watch for any change in his behavior (good, bad or weird)
Thank you again for all your input......Colleen
Glen.... she wants all the info.
YOU DIDN'T TELL HER THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT BANNED IT BECAUSE OF SOME KIDS DYING ON THE STUFF.
Yes I know they reinstated it, but there's a lot stronger warnings on it too.
And we're talking "amphetamines" right ????
So then why didn't you tell her that "abuse of amphetamines may lead to dependence" really means that... HER SON WILL BECOME ADDICTED TO THE CRAP !!!
The kid's an American and joining the military is a big deal down here. BUT THE US MILITARY DOESN'T REALLY WANT "MENTAL PATIENTS ON DRUGS"... which this child now has been labelled.
Give her all the info... including the part about this crap stunting her child's growth.
And I'll tell her...
YOU WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOURSELF IF YOUR CHILD DIES FROM TAKING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG THAT YOU WANT HIM TO.
Ah balanced! I was expecting you!
They banned Adderall because of 2 things - 1) there was a small (insignificant statistically) higher incident of deaths in children using adderal over dexedrine sulphate. 20 deaths out of millions - and it's INTERNATIONAL numbers - the deaths occurred worldwide. 20 - man - aspirin kills more people worldwide - many more.
2) adderall was not worth keeping on the market to canada because there was a reasonable equivalent in dexedrine sulphate. Not exactly the same but close.
Besides, Canada is considering bringing it back with the new "black label" warning that will warn consumers of the .0000001 chance of death. With an MD's attention (I KEEP TELLING PEOPLE TO SEE AN MD OFTEN), there is nearly zero percent chance of illness or death.
There are NO cases listed of a child or adult becoming addicted to prescribed amphetamines (since the 1980s when benzedrene and the other known addictive amphetamines were banned for normal use) when used at or lower than the recommended dosages. The addictions are always at higher doses - taken intentionally to get a "high". Low doses do not cause that high - and the body does not become physically dependent. LOOK IT UP SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN WWW.RITALINKILLS.ORG - ok? There ARE other sites out there more balanced.
And for that jab at americans - the US government is often know for doing stupid things - like "don't ask don't tell" - but you're some christian scientist or scientologist right? So you probably agree that homosexuality is like ADHD - something invented so the bad bad people can do things to kids. Boy you are SO clever!!
cmls529 - no harm will come to your child using Adderal - none. The odds are astronomically small and with the MD visits I suggested (once a week minimum) the chances are NONE - ZERO ZILCH.
Ignore this guy - he's a fundy troll looking to turn you from the one thing known to help your child.
He will probably recommend a prayer ring or something like that.
Poor, poor troll - missing his quota of scared parents.
I wish I'd of known about my ADHD 4 years ago, before I joined the military, so they wouldn't of taken me! Trust me, no loss on not being able to be a mindless ass hat for the government. They need your mind un-drugged so they can do some re-wiring of their own.
Colleen - first of all welcome!
Ok - adderal has some very well known side-effects. For the most part they are short-lived and tolerated by most. Expect the first couple of weeks to be an "adjustment time" for you and your son.
First thing is that dexedrine salts (adderal) are amphetamines. They raise the heart beat and blood pressure slightly when taken. Your son will breathe in and out slightly faster - and can cause light-headedness for the first while. I found that taking it for the first week or so. It won't keep like that for much longer than that.
Make sure to bring your son back to the doctor for weekly checkups. It's recommended - to check for weight loss/gain, blood pressure etc. The MD can make sure it's not going to cause any unforseen troubles - as there are rare problems with some people's hearts that can be aggravated by adderal. It only can be found by checking with the MD - so caution is the key.
You wish to keep him on low dose - for the first initial period that's a great thing. My MD went that way too - some MDs tend to go highest then drop until the side effects go away. That sounds crazy to me too - believe me!
Falling asleep is going to be an effort for a short while if your son is a bit sedentary in his play. If he's a real capital "H" hyperactive then he should be able to "burn off" most of the amphetamine before nightfall. I work until I nearly drop at my job - by the end of day it's been sweated out and I sleep very peacefully. It took a couple of weeks - and adjusting the meds to be out of him long before sleep is the best way. For XR - it lasts no longer than 12 hours - so an hour before school - even if you have to wake him up a little early - should allow it to be mostly gone by night. If it persists try the SR - you'll have to get teacher in on scheduled times to take it is all.
With a short time on it - he should be able to push aside the urges to misbehave and focus sharply when and as long as he wishes. It will NOT take away his spirit or his creativity. At the correct dosage it will allow him to be in control of the ADHD - and not it in control of him. That's the key - control. He'll be able to - especially with the behaviorist (good one by the way!!) retrain his mind to control his mind's focus until, hopefully, he'll be able to do it without meds. Most kids grow out of ADHD by teen years - even if he doesn't it isn't so bad.
Just watch him and be aware of what's going on. Sounds like he's good at communicating how he feels so that's a great thing right now. Listen, and bring him in if it's concerning you or him.
I bet in a week you'll see him happier, alert and more able to stick to task. It's a nice feeling - before meds an ADHD feels like he's in a room full of people yelling at him - unable to center on any one voice. Like a wasp's nest - its' not a nice feeling believe me! I was ADHD inattentive since before age 5 and going it through childhood without help and understanding is a scary thing.
Good luck - keep us posted!!
We just started my son on Addreall 10mg. He was diagnosed over the summer with ADHD combined type by 3 psychologists. We have done diet modification and Fish Oil. All worked wonderfully on his ODD issues. He still can not focus in class unless the teacher is right next to him. If he isn't learning and is all over the place than he is going to suffer down the road. be it socially or educationally. With that He will get 1 pill in the morning before he goes to school. The Dev Behavioral psychologist and I want him on a low dose. It is supposed to take the edge off ect. On the warning labels it says common side effects include loss of appetite, sleeplessness and some other minor things. After reading some threads it seems that there are much more serious side effects. What should I look for????
Today he took it for the 1st time. He told me his head and legs felt funny. Is this normal? I want to give his teacher a heads up on weird side effects. He unfortunately spends more time at school than with me
He also had a hard time falling asleep this evening. Thank you for any input and advice.....Colleen
heidi - you really make me laugh!!!!Glen,
I remember when SSRI antidepressants were "safe" with few side effects.
Now they all have a black box warning about causing SUICIDE in people.
They also warn about "withdrawal symptoms" from these non addictive, non habit forming drugs.
Do you want me to post some info from the drug companies themselves about how they covered up all the problems ?
COLLEEN,
LESS THAN 1% OF SIDE EFFECTS ARE EVER REVEALED TO THE PUBLIC BY THE FDA OR THE DRUG COMPANIES. IT IS ONLY WHEN TOO MANY KIDS HAVE DIED THAT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH THE FDA ACTUALLY NEW.
The FDA is currently leaderless and they don't want to anger the drug companies, yet they can't ignore the American public. There are Congressional hearings going on these days and the lies and deception that are being uncovered would certainly make you think twice about giving your child any drug.
THE SUICIDE RATE ON CYMBALTA IS 1 PER 603 USERS.
ELI LILLY WAS TRYING TO GET IT APPROVED AS A "STRESS INDUCED URINARY INCONTINENCE" DRUG. The FDA refused to approve it for that because of all the suicides. BUT THEY APPROVED IT AS AN ANTIDEPRESSANT !!!!