My son wants NO MEDS | ADHD Information
My son has been on meds for 7 months, he is 7 years old. He does not want to take them anymore. He says they make him feel angry and like crying. I am considering stopping them.
He is on the smallest dose, so overmedicated is not the problem. His school work has improved, however his behaviour is back to b4 med days.
He has always been intense, I find the meds just make him focus on his intensity more. And plus he gets chest pains when he runs when he is on them. He does not get this off them. I have had his heart checked out and it is okay.
Rae7038258.2024768519Rae70, I think you & your son need to try a different med. I would have your son explain to your Dr how he feels on the meds so the Dr can decide which different med will work better for him. If its a stimulant problem, try Strattera we have had great success in this house with it.Hi Rae70-I am not sure what meds your son is on, but if they are stimulants maybe they are making him a bit more anxious. I always think of that classification as something close to coffee and the way it effects some people who drink it-anxious feeling. Maybe this is what is causing the chest pains. Another thing to consider is that if he feels so strongly about stopping them, then the pains might be psychosomatic (the brains way of dealing with an emotional issue by exhibiting physical symptoms). Not sure if this would fit-but it is something to consider. Good luck with it and let us know how you are doing.Defnitely stop your son's medication!!! If a 7 year old knows enough to tell you he feels that way, then LISTEN!! Parents tend to lack in the listening! Talk to the doctor, perhaps another medication will work better. (Or maybe he's better off just being himself! Maybe some behavior therapy would work better than medication.) Good luck and keep us posted!RAE70,
Sounds like you are facing a similar challenge that our son has been dealing with. He needs strattera for his hyperactivity and impulse challenges. Without it, other children don't want to associate with him because of his in ability to take the time to make good choices and his need to verbalize continuously uninterrupted without listening to others. The fact that you are concerned, and listening to him means that you are watching him with an eagle's eye. Sounds like meds (either type or dosage) need to be reviewed. I'd be cautious though about stopping immediately without consulting with your medical adviser.
Paul
Rae70,
Not sure your son inherited from you, he may only be wanting you to make the decision for him. I like to think of myself as a benvolent dictator where I listen to my kids concerns and the ones that I think are important to their health, safety and the well being of the family group get veto'd over his.
Fortunately, my wife on the other hand loves to dialogue giving us a balance. But, in my humble opinion, there are just some things a kid has to do.....take your meds now and move on. (Of course I make this dogmatic statement after I'm assured that there are no side effects to be concerned with).
Paul
My son has been on meds for 7 months, he is 7 years old. He does not want to take them anymore. He says they make him feel angry and like crying
Rae70..if your son is crying and angry, perhaps this is not the right dose or right medication for your child. If your son is strictly ADHD with no co existing conditions, ADHD medication should not produce such severe side efffects if its the right dose and the right med. Maybe you should give the doc a call and report the side effects your son is experiencing. Keep us posted
The dose my son is on is the lowest dose possible.
Paul said "he may only be wanting you to make the decision for him" - what makes it very hard for me is that my husband and I disagree. I would prefer him off the meds and my husband wants him on them. So unfortunately the grown ups are not much help for him in this decision making at the moment.
ATM we have decided to keep him on the meds purely on school days. He seems to be doing okay again. I tried a couple days without them and he had problems. My daughter said that at school assembly, my son was like a zombie, just sitting there stareing - she was very shocked - because he is usually being very naughty and embarrassing her, when he should be sitting still. I asked him how he was feeling on assembly, he just said he was just a bit spaced out.
I do however see "normal" children looking spaced out at times too. Perhaps it is because i am so used to seeing hyper - that when he is actually still we think he is at deaths door. It is an adjustment for the whole family. I of course would prefer to have a different solution than medication but it does seem to help him learn. So I will try and stay focussed on the positives. He is happy once again to take the medications. Thanks all for your kind thoughts and advice.
Thank you all for your advice - my son tells me now that he doesnt want to go to school with out the meds - AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGG
. So he 'cant decide' - but I guess he inherited that from me.What about using the new low dose chewable tablet for ADHD. It comes in a 2.5 mg dose. Our son feels empowered taking the pill himself (of course we give it to him to take) but being chewable he can take it himself before breakfast and lunch. We also give him one pill on Sunday morning before Sunday school. This one dose has helped a lot and we get to sit through church. Our doctor really likes the slow titration of this product. It is methylin chewable tablet Rae70,
Isn't it amazing how kids pickup on the vibes of their parents. Just this morning my wife and I were at odds about trying to have our son do homework before breakfast (and before his meds kicked in). I was saying, "it was useless because he wouldn't be able to focus." and my wife was saying, "patience, just give him time." Can you guess which way my son went? Anyway, power of suggestion, self fulfilling prophecy, whatever you want to call it, he didn't complete his homework. So, I guess the answer is, as parents, have concensus before we talk with the little folk.
It's either meds or not, but whatever path you've chosen, be consistent in the message. You may come to the day when there is'nt a choice and because of previous prejudices (and mix messages) it will be much more difficult to swallow the pill.
Paul
The second my son tells me this medication makes him feel bad in any way, down the toilet they go. IMHO, our kids' health doesn't depend on this stuff; it's simply a tool to help us all manage this condition.
I'm glad to hear that most parents in here are open to all options in helping there kids. I see too many that either rely only on meds or go to the other extreme and refuse to even consider them. I am insanely hyperactive was not on meds as a child. It was horrible and as soon as I was old enough I went to the doctor to see what I could do to be more "normal". If I had it to do all over again I would definately tell my parents to put me on medication and keep me on it. I'm sure I'd complain because I wouldn't feel like taking the pill everyday. But the relief from symptoms would have quickly gotten rid of that complaint.
thanks paul for the advice, and sometimes it is hard to keep our traps shut till the littleuns are in bed. Sometimes it just wants to burst out. And also, in your situation would you really have taken your wife aside and had your opinion. It just comes out!
It is very difficult being parents and we do stuff up a lot, and I hope our kids understand and forgive one day!.
My hubby and I are often fighting about the boy in front of the boy, I am trying to change this.