I am looking for guidance from anyone using ADHD medications. My son is 5 years old and is having major conduct problems at school. We noticed them at preschool but the teachers just said he will grow out of it or get better with a more structured environment. First 2 weeks of school, and he has been to the principal's office 4 times. He has trouble focusing on an objective, hes impulsive, he gets into things that are not his. We are currently seeing a pyschologist and she has diagnosed him to be ADHD. My wife is really concerned with the medications out there with the side effects ? Are any of these medications safe or is there other alternatives we can look into? Please advise.
there are heaps of threads on this forum discussing alternatives. Just do a search!
People have had success with zinc supplements etc and omega 3's.
I opt for dexamphetamine for my son, but only on school days. Seems to be going okay with no major side effects and I discovered he is bloody brilliant once you can make him sit still.
Interestingly tho, I looked up dex on web and found that you should not use with cold and flu medications. So he has not had any for the past 3 days due to having a cold. and he is a little hyper.
The best way to discover side effects etc is to look at the drug on the net and research its effects and contraindications.
You might want to find out if he has any learning disabilities. Many times behavior and focusing problems cause the same symptoms as ADD, ADHD. Or they could be comorbid which would add to his frustration. My son was diagnosed wiith ADHD as well as many other things since he was 3.
Finally,last year we saw an Educational Psychologist and found he has learning disabilities. He was so frustrated because of these he acted out in and out of class.( Everytime the phone would ring I would cringe, and it rang often, with notes almost everyday, and they weren't love notes!)
He had adverse side effects to every med, and guess what they never really helped that much with attention or behavior because the LD"s were still there.
All I'm saying is research and educate yourself so your child is being treated for the correct diagnosis.
GOOD LUCK!
My daughter had some side effects w/ritilan so we switched to concertta. She did much better w/concertta, but she is doing just as well w/strattera (changed 3 months ago). Talk w/your doctor about your options...each medicine helps and affects people differently. Good luck!