[QUOTE=OlderMom] I've heard of even some ADHD kids not doing well on Adderrall. [/QUOTE]
Mine is (was) one of them.
Leigh_GA_6638784.6012731481
Hmmm. I came back to explain that. My son is no longer on medication (took him off nine months ago). Four years of side effects were enough. Adderall, although, it helped the most with focusing (by FAR) had so many side effects, I was beginning to think that my son was in for a lifetime of misery. I finally agreed to try mood stabilizers a year ago. Scary side effect to one (no change in emotional state) and the other had no side effect, but it didn't help with his emotions either.
FINALLY, I decided we'd had enough, and should go with my own instincts.........that the "bipolar-like symptoms" were a result of nothing but the stimulants, and that he had no business on any of the meds. Low and behold, a month after taking him off everything (and putting him on Omegas and a few other supplements), he was a different child......happier, content, easier-going. FYI----the bipolar-like symptoms were never what I had been counciled on or read about, but the doctor insisted it "could be" (there were never "rages" or "violence" of any sort). He would just cry at the drop of a hat, yelled when he was mad, persistent in trying to get his way, an overly anxious child. Again......all of that just went away when we took him off meds. The focusing issue, however, was still there.....and a major problem, but we're seeing big success with the alternative route we've taken. We've gone with a "naturopathic" route and are finally seeing success with the focusing.
I'm not suggesting anyone take their kids off meds. If they are working, then GREAT! But if they aren't, and the side effects are bad enough, it can feel like hell for everyone involved. I just want to make it clear that it IS possible for an ADHD child to have bad emotional reactions to Adderall, for example, and NOT be bipolar. It SHOULD all be looked into, though, just in case.
adderall or stratterra were not the culprit for my son it was drugs in the same category as ritalin ( ritalin concerta and focalin) although he was not angry as you described he was quite irritable, crabby, grumpy and whiney....
I have learned that different kids respond sooooooooooo differently to the various meds
Adderrall and Straterra should work well if a child has ADHD. THe problem is if the child is diagnosed with ADHD and doesn't really have it; the misdiagnoses. That's why I asked. The ADHD kids I know are all on Straterra and doing well, BUT they really have ADHD. I've heard of even some ADHD kids not doing well on Adderrall. My son can have a bad attitude as well. I have to ask myself sometimes if I'm allowing it in some way. I send him to his room for the attitude, for a brief period. When he was younger it was so bad, it would lead to temper tantrums (9). It went on for quite a while, until my daughter was hiding under the table during one of his yelling modes, and said I can't take it anymore. Then I changed my discipline to You have 10 minutes to scream etc., after that I'm going to call up and ask you to stop, if you stop your 10 minute time out will start, if not you can start an hour time out when you are quiet. He received 1 hour time out only. The behavior disappeared real quick. This was how I found out if he could control it or not. He obviously had full control over his behavior. What I'm saying, is maybe you need to find out if its a behavior or if he can't control it. Either way nobody needs to tolerate a bad attitude all the time. Occasionally everyone has a bad attitude. My son has bad attitudes frequently too, but I can just ignore them now. Good Luck.Leigh, I agree 100% and sometimes the "cure" is worse that the symptoms. I am so glad that you found something that works for your son
BTW I have heard that strattera is making some kids look like they have aspergers
I would look at this on two fronts. Has he by any chance been changed to Adderrall or Straterra? Both can make kids with mood disorders off the wall out of control. Do you have mood disorders, substance abuse or suicide attempts on either side of his family tree? If so then I'd advise seeing a Psychiatrist with the MD to evaluate him for Early Onset Bipolar. ADHD is often a first dx., often not the last.Not mincing words here, but medicine and especially medicine adjustments/changes can screw with someones mind significantly. Some of the side effects of stimulants can be horrific. Dex (the one i take) has side effects that include anger, mood swings, suicidal/homicidal thoughts and feelings. It all depends on the individual. My friend had mood swings from happy to sad, and had the suicidal feelings. Much as i hate to say it, i got mood swings from happy to angry, and had homicidal feeilngs, so its seems to work in categories. It seems to me your son is feeling the "angry" side effects. In my personal experience, it is exascerbated by the feelings that SmallMom said. Any tiny thing i got frustrated with and the situation could explode into something so much worse. Trying to learn new concepts, for example, could lead to a feeling of failure and stupidity, and upset and frustrate me with myself and everyone around me. I was old enough to control my feelings, which is probably too hard for a 9 year old to do, as he has no concept on why he is feeling this way. You need to "talk him down" from his anger, and explain to him that his feelings are normal. Most of all (and probably hardest of all), you need to accept that these "supercharged" feelings arent his own, and be forgiving and understanding when he acts out. If he calls you a name, shouts profanities, etc. etc., dont try to discipline him while hes doing it, as this will make the situation worse. Simply wait for him to finish, then talk to him about it calmly when the situation has cooled off.
MY SON HAS ADHD,AND HAS HAD IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS,HES BEEN THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT ONE KID COULD GO THROUGH,AND RECENTLY HIS ANGER IS TERRIBLE,MIND YOU HES NOW GOING THROUGH MEDICATION CHANGES AND IS DEALING WITH ALOT.WorriedMom, welcome! What kind of doctor diagnosed him and what kind of doctor is treating him? What meds/dose is he on?
Anger can come from many places -- frustration, inflexibility, anxiety, depression, etc. It's really impossible for us to diagnose over the internet, but I can tell you that I would highly recommend a re-evaluation by a board-certified child psychiatrist, who should be able to shed some light on what's going on.
Hi Worried. We helped my adhd son who was angry, moody, difficult... with homeopathy. There is a alternatives bd if you would like to visit!
Hello~ I am new to this board but wanted to share. I have a son who is going to turn 9 in 2 weeks. He has been on adderall for 1 1/2 year. It's amazing how well it's helped with his school work. He went from barely passing first grade, to getting really awesome grades in 3rd grade. His teacher always tells me he's her roll model.
I sometimes think he does so well at school and saves all his moodiness and such for us at home! He has been on 15 mg for about a year but just yesterday went to 20 mg. His teacher said his grades are still good, but that he's been easily distracted and gets frustrated much more often. At home he gets so upset, so easy! Acts very mean and nasty to his younger siblings and cannot seem to listen at all to us when we ask him to do even the most simple things. He doesn't stop to think of what will happen when he does something he shouldn't and doesn't seem to really care. Last week he broke a neighbors light on the outside of the house and the very next day he broke spindle on our stairs and just acted like no biggie. I have been very frustrated because I try to be patient but it's very tiring to go over and over things and still feel like he isn't "getting it." Lately his anger has been bad and I have no idea why? I've tried talking to him and he says nothing is wrong or bothering him. If I ask why he did something wrong to get in trouble his answer is always "cuz."
If anyone has any good suggestions on reading materials for me that could help me understand more of why he's acting out these ways it would be great. We go to the dr early in April and I wanted to talk to him about other ways to treat the adhd? But I hate to change his med because his grades have improved so much.
Thank you for any imput.