HELP!!! My 8yr old son has been on Ritalin LA 80mg in the morning and another 40mg at lunch. I know it's a high dose, but anything less does nothing. The trouble is everytime we get a med that's working it only works for about 4-6 months and then we have to start all over again. He seems to metabolize the meds very fast which is why he is on such a high dose. He has been officially diagnosed w/ ADHD. We've tried Strattera, Concerta, ritalin, adderall, clonidine, risperedal, depakote, melatonin (WOW, the list seems endless). Nothing seems to last for very long. He becomes very out of control. Bouncing off the walls, rude, disrespectful, extremely untolerable. I can't take it anymore. It is sometimes so bad I don't even want him around. What kind of a mother am I.
Any suggestions would be extremely helpful.
We were very lucky, the doctor who delivered all three of our kids,(from two seperate marriages) just happens to be one of the most prominent ADHD experts in central MN. He has treated over 2000 patients with ADHD over the past 17 years.
Two of our three boys have been diagnosed and the youngest, my stepson, was by far, the worst case scenario. His long list of bad behavior and school suspensions came to a head, after he stabbed his best friend with a pencil (no blood or damage) then, a week later was expeled for having a pocket knife he bought from another kid. He had been perscribed meds a year before but, his father had him convinced he didn't need them. He was 11 yrs old when they expeled him and he was sent to a disciplinary school. That summer we convinced his father by sending him to his weekend visitation without his meds. His father was knocking on our door by Saturday night, looking for them. We've had his support ever since.
The only thing that ended up working at all, was a high dose of Dexadrine. But he was still acting crazy at times. Our doctor didn't seem surprised. He asked us if we were ready to try the toughest ADHD treatment of all. Yes, anything!
"O.K. then, take him completely off of sugar and white bread for two weeks. Drink lots of water and feed him high protein foods. If you don't see a change, I'll understand if you find a different doctor." It really was the toughest thing we did. He was like an addict going thru withdrawls. Moody, crying, couldn't sleep. Begging... literally, begging us for sweets. I don't have to tell you the rest do I?
He's fourteen now, he still eats sweets, just a lot less of them. He's back in mainstream school and his grades are up, almost two letter grades from before. He's actually on a higher dose now, but he has grow alot lately and we're waiting for his normal hormones to kick in. It's worth it, he is a deep thinker and has some good questions that keep us on our toes.
You won't find a doctor who will be so free with his opinion very easy. They are not allowed to work outside of the box. He trusts us and we are not afraid to ask.
My mission at age 39, is to help them and others, avoid turning to drugs and alcohol like I did. I was diagnosed this year. Surprise, surprise.
Don't give up!
Welcome! I'm wondering what kind of doctor diagnosed your son and what kind of doctor is treating him. With that long list of meds that haven't worked, I'm also wondering whether there's more going on than ADHD. If he hasn't been evaluated recently, I would strongly recommend a thorough evaluation by a neuropsychologist who can assess for many childhood disorders, including but not limited to ADHD. I would also suggest an evaluation by a board-certified child psychiatrist, who can rule in or out mood disorders. It's extremely important to know what you're dealing with or you will not be putting the proper interventions into place to help your child.
SmallMom38720.5180555556
He has been evaluated by a board certified child psychiatrist. We tried the depakote in hopes of helping the mood swings. Nothing works. I am so frustrated and really have no idea how to handle him somedays.