I echo the group's opinions on Ritalin Jilette. They are a wise and honorable bunch and you can trust their opinion. Here's one from a guy who never got the chance to take it before school began - and didn't through elementary, high school university and work. I didn't find out about medication and other help until I was 37. Your child has a marvellous chance to get to be a normal kid - able to get the most from school, relationships and play.
Without the meds her world will be a blur. It will be hard to focus and with help she can do it but it will make her sweat to do it most days.
Don't let what some people will say about the meds turning your daughter into a "zombie" or being used to make her quiet and withdrawn. Believe me - no kid with ADHD will EVER be made to be like that! We are a chatty, curious bunch and your child will change only in that instead of her urges from ADHD being the boss of her - she'll be able to study when she wants, talk when she wants (and control what she says - which is hard without meds) and play with the kids in harmony rather than being the "odd kid" out. That's a sad thing and I don't like to look back on that.
As a kid I was so scared of what I didn't know or was uncomfortable with. Homework, group study, team games were a frightening thing for me.
It's great to be imaginative, have boundless energy and to be talkative and independant. But it only takes us so far. The Ritalin if it's right for your child will allow a focus and ability to join in on anything she wants to or needs to. I miss the group things most of all. The kids recognize an ADHD kid is unusual and sticks out - and as kids will be they tend to ostracize us without a second thought.
ADHD meds don't command us - they allow us to command ADHD!! All the good things, insight, initiative and creative thought stay the same - in my case they improved a whole lot. The memory becomes sharper, and the ability to memorize and complete complex tasks becomes greater. Another good part is in sports and other activities - the clumsiness that comes with ADHD is lessened - and learning sports that require coordination is much much easier!
Hope this helps - to see what no meds can be like may help you more than knowing what they actually do.
GlenW38656.9949189815You're welcome Jillette. One year investigating, eh? Right on schedule! We tried so many different tactics, too. Even home school. After 1 homeschool semester on Ritalin, we sent him back to school, but brought him back the next year, b/c the education was superior, and the input was a lot less than we'd thought it would be.[QUOTE=joemom]I was like you too..but I know my son needs the medication to improve his quality of life..you should see a change within 30 minutes of giving the medication (if it is the correct strength). I think ritalin is a good med and has been around for more than 50 years. Be aware of the side effects and ask your doc for info on how to manage any side effects that you may see ( one side effect is called rebound which happens as the medication wears off--- my son would get a bit groumpy).[/QUOTE]
thank you and the rebound does not sound like fun. Is there another med that does not cause rebound? Curious because if that is so then I want that, I am stressed as it is. Now I have to figure out how to explain it to her for the psychologist wants this to be a blind study not to let the school know for two weeks, if I tell her it is a med to help her she will tell her teacher. I will have to explain to her soon why she is taking it and do it in a way she will not feel akward. My girl is overly friendly and will tell anyone she meets everything about her which scares me.
She has the generic form of Ritalin Methylin 5 mg 1 tablet in the morning. I just feel bad not letting the school know in case of anything but it is to be a blind study. I was told if the school nurse calls me I can spill the beans to her.
The medication is not liquid but a small pill and I cannot crush it so this should be interesting. Remember the girl who would not take the tylenol with codiene for pain after having her tonsils out, mmmm.
All stimulants are given in the morning so they can work before a child has to work in school. What type of Ritalin is it? If it is regular old Ritalin, it will last about 4 hours and not affect sleep. If it is Ritalin LA, it lasts about 8 hours and should not affect sleep. All stimulants have the potential for rebound, but each kid responds differently to each med so there is no way of knowing before your child tries it.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
I will echo the responses of the others. Without Ritalin, no learning would take place. If you asked me last year I would have said no way to meds but after being around here 1 year and hearing great stories i am nervous yet my views have changed. Tommorow is the day I pick it up and will start it by wednesday am, is that when it is normally given? See I do not know much. I also hope it will not hinder sleep for we have difficulties now in fact it is 10pm and my kid is still up.There is a liquid form of Methlyn if pills are a problem. [QUOTE=Jillette]
She did fine this am I told her it was a vitamin until the blind study is done then I will tell her the truth.
I almost threw in the towel today about 35 minutes after taking the med she refused to sit on the school bus. One seat had a whole in the seat a small one, another had a tare, and the third looked dirty in her eyes. My husband told me he had to physically sit her down while she fussed. I then wanted to call the school in case but called the doctor instead to ease my mind. No calls from the school not even after noon when the med wore off. I swear is it OCD or part of ADHD why she is a perfectionist.
[/QUOTE]She did fine this am I told her it was a vitamin until the blind study is done then I will tell her the truth.
I almost threw in the towel today about 35 minutes after taking the med she refused to sit on the school bus. One seat had a whole in the seat a small one, another had a tare, and the third looked dirty in her eyes. My husband told me he had to physically sit her down while she fussed. I then wanted to call the school in case but called the doctor instead to ease my mind. No calls from the school not even after noon when the med wore off. I swear is it OCD or part of ADHD why she is a perfectionist.
Some ADDers need a place for everything, and put everything in it's place, b/c it's the only way to survive...