Thanks Barb.. I will be checking all of those sites out. I just want to have a fuller knowledge of this before going back to the dr. I mean he has had ADHD for 6 years now, it seems like I only know the basics..
Thanks Shakespeare... I thought that Focalin & Ritalin were in the same family but wasn't sure.. He has been pushing Ritalin since the beginning. The only reason he gave us a script for Focalin was cuz he was on the meds when he started seeing this dr. year and half ago. He was on Adderall XR a few years ago. The drug did great.. then it started not lasting long enough. Around 1 to 2 pm... it was gone. If a doc around here would give it to him 2x's a day, I would love to go back to it.
This is my first post here. I need help. My son is 9 yrs old & in the 4th grade. He has been dianosed with ADHD since the age of 3. They placed him on meds then (not sure what they were). He wasn't even on them for a month, I took him off of them because he wouldn't take them and also, I thought 3 was a lil early. His kindergarden year was great! But he was 1 of 10 students in his class. They knew he has ADHD, but never had any problems out of him. His first grade year that was a different story. I think his school had me on speed dial. I was in the office at least 2 to 3 times a week because of his behavior. Hitting, slapping, biting, pushing and the list goes on. I went to our regualar dr. for help, and they had problems finding a dr, who specialized in ADHD, that was taking new patients. After 4 long months, we finally found a dr. They placed him on Adderall, well that wasn't working off the bat, wasn't lasting long enough. So they changed him to Adderall XR 10mg. That worked fine until the summer time. His dr. wanted him off for at least 30 days. When he went back on his meds, they didn't work right, so we had to up him to 20mg. That lasted until half way thur his 2nd grade year, when I lost my insurance. I couldn't afford his meds. So he spent 4 months off of his meds. My son is very smart, just can't focus, sit still and can get very mouthly. After I got insurance and also after a huge move to a different state, we had to find a new dr. This dr didn't believe in giving stumilents, so he was placed on Strattera. OMG, that was awful. He went in the wrong direction. He was worse on that meds than he was off. So we took him off. The dr said there was nothing else that he could do with him. So I finally found a dr that would help me. So i thought. I had a friend of mine, which her son was also ADHD. She refered me to her son's dr. And told me to see if they would place him on Focalin. I did, and the dr didn't have a problem. Heck u were always in and out of his office in less than 3 to 5 minutes. That dr didn't work. I wanted someone to help me, not give me a script and expect me to run... So I xfered him to his current dr. He has been going there for 1 1/2 years now. Back in the spring, the Focalin wasn't working as long as b4. So they uped him by 10 mg a day. He takes his meds 3 times a day. I was warned then, it would be the last time they would up his meds. The next step would be Ritalin. Guess thats why I am here. I have heard so many horror stories... that I am scared. The dr. did end up uping him one more time. That was a lil less than a month ago. Just uped him a 5mg a day more. But it still isn't always cutting it.. Getting really mooding and stuff. Homework is like a act of congress to get him to do. By the time he gets home from school (bus ride there & back, plus school time) 12 hrs has passed, and to give him another 4 to 5 hrs a nite of homework. Its just so hard to get him to pay attention and to want to do it. I know when I go back to the dr. next month. He will want to put him on Ritalin. Someone please help me, give me advise... or alternative on what to do. Guess I am a mother in stress...
Michele...
Sorry that post was so long, just thought I would explain the total story, So I could get a clear answer...
Thx!
Michele
[QUOTE=Mikey's Momma] Getting really mooding and stuff. Homework is like a act of congress to get him to do. By the time he gets home from school (bus ride there & back, plus school time) 12 hrs has passed, and to give him another 4 to 5 hrs a nite of homework. Its just so hard to get him to pay attention and to want to do itMichele...[/QUOTE]
If he is already spending 12 hrs a day between school and the bus ride, I personally would tell the school that he was not doing any homework at home. Does he even attempt to do his home work on the bus? I know that the distractions could make it impossible.
I would be moody and irritable myself if I had to spend 12 hrs at work and then come home and spend another 4 or 5. He is a child.
Does he have a 504 or IEP? I would find an advocate and get him started on one or the other as soon as possible.
Every child deserves a childhood.
Hey Barb... After reading what I posted... I now see that I made a mistake here... he spends between the time he gets on the bus and is getting off is 9 hrs... then he is working on it until 9 at nite and still sometimes doesn't finish it. Gets it done when he can. Its just too much. What is a 504 or IEP. I am new to all of this. I am just at wits end. The last 2 days, I just feel sorry for him, and haven't made him do his work, just so that he can be a kid and play. It just isn't fair. He normally reads his reading book on the bus, cuz the bus ride is very bumpy and curvy... But he has study hall everyday, and sits there and works on homework!!!
Mikey's Momma,
You asked for alternatives. I can tell you that I have tried Adderall and Concerta. Adderall worked for me and then wore off. I didn't like Concerta at all. It felt like I was depressed on that medication. I tried herbs and they helped for a little while.
But I have been helped the most by a book and exercises. The book is Stopping ADHD and was written by two PHD professors in education disabilities. They believe that a non-matured reflex that controls us when our arms and legs are bent at the same time affects us so much that it gives us the sypmtoms of ADD and ADHD. I read the book and it made total sense to me. I tried to find more research on it, but couldn't find much. I did find some research done on the reflex. It is an actual reflex.
I have tried the exercises and have noticed a lot of improvement in my memory, my concentration, my organization and my comfort level.
I think the .00 the book costs is very well worth it.
Good luck to you.
http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=624&f=searc h
http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=762&f=searc h
http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=777&f=searc h
Mike's Momma, These are the links to some articles which will help you understand what is going on and what an IEP and 504 plan are. There is a lot to know but these will give you a good foundation to start.
Some of them need to be downloaded to Adobe reader but some don't. I suggest you start with the wrightslaw site first as I think that will cover most of what you need, then the others can clarify if necessary.
Good luck.
Hark! He spake, and shake speare!