Worried if meds are the right option.... | ADHD Information

By 10 years old, it sounds like you've probably tried everything. You can always give medication a trial run and see if he sees improvement while at school. When my son started in second grade he told me the pills were magic, and made him good instead of bad. He still had the occasional difficult day but things got much better with time. With my son, now 16, he always says about school, when his meds don't work as well, "I get bored, I do stupid things, I get into trouble". The meds don't usually help to motivate them to do better, or become an A student, but everything improves overall. Good luck with your decision.

I know exactly how you are feeling and understand your apprehension about giving your son medication. I give my son med every school a.m. and feel absolutely torn up inside over doing it......however..

if your son is 10yrs old it is fair to say that you have done all that you can in terms of behavior management, etc....and you have to ask yourself...does your son like getting into the trouble he is getting himself in? This is the thing that finally got me around to medicating him....realizing that, no matter what we did, no matter what happened at school, he couldn't get it together. At some point, you have to assume it is not within his abilities to correct it and needs additional help, beyond parents, teachers, church, etc....

Yes, the medication will absolutely change your son. You are giving him the mediation to change him...right? The son you are familiar with will change, for us, he is so much more calmed and in control of himself....he loses his quirkiness and exhuberance that we have come to love him for, but it isn't so drastic that it is freightening. (like the vegetable some people equate the meds with...)

We started my son on concerta and ultimately changed it to Adderall as the Concerta seemed to make him REALLY introverted.....Adderall does the same thing but for my son, it is really more "normal" because as social as he was, he was hyper-social....so, being a bit more introverted works well in the school environment.

It is a hard decision and I truly understand and have been there.....be selective, if you do choose to go this route, in who you tell.....some people will not understand...-including family members.

I agree with everyone above. We tried Concerta, but it made my daughter into a loner. So now she is on Ritalin LA. Lots of people here have had success with Concerta. Remember, if the first med doesn't work, the next one you try might, so don't give up! And it can be a long process to get the meds adjusted right. It's a hard decision, so good luck in whatever you decide.

My son is 10 years old tomorrow. I have been on this board a couple times to post but now I need some additional advice. He has been diagnoised with ADHD. My husband was very anti-drugs (he had a previous bad experience watching his newphew take the wrong meds for a similar situation). BUT now we both are just unsure of what to do and think medication may be the next option.

My son is an typical 10 year old but we have horrible behavioural issues. He doesn't do what we ask, he does talk back some, he lies (a lot, even just forged my signature to a school document), and school is our big issue. Less than a month into school now the teacher has already requested a conference - our son simply doesn't listen, he is too busy talking, asking unrelated questions, playing with stuff his desk, etc. that he misses the whole lesson. He doesn't want to do his homework (we argue through the whole afternoon and often by the end he says I hate him because I make him do his homework). He already has failed 2 tests (a math and a spelling). He has to read everyday and he does but has no idea what he has read (no comprehesion). The school says he doesn't need tested for LDs. We had a tutor this summer and she says he can do it if he tries but is forgetful and unorganized. She says he has no desire to succeed. I am very discouraged.

We have tried charts, marble system, taking things away, everything to try to get him to do the things he needs to get done both here and at school.

My husband last night finally said he thought we should try medicine. He is just worried it will change him into a child he doesn't know. Our doctor wants to try Concerta (I have been reading up on it) but I wanted to know opinions on it. Additionally what other things can we try.

Thanks for any and all advice.

M.E. Mom,

I do not have any experience with concerta. My stepson is 9 yrs old and has ADHD. He has always been medicated. I think there are other things that help. Routines are needed, I believe at least, for them to feel in control of somethings. My son was in soccer and swim lessons for a while and that helped alot. Non-competitive organized sports help. It helps to keep them busy without making it too much. I heard that karate lesson help to control/channel anger issues. I've been thinking about trying that myself. I hope that helps. Keep up the hope!

The right medication at the most theraputic should not change the child or who he/she is. The goal is the maximum benefit, mininal side effects at the lowest dose possible. Stimulant medication is not age or weight dependant as everyone responds differently. This is why the child is put through a trial of meds to determine the target dose for that particular indiviual. There is not one medication better than the other but rather which medication works best for the individual The right medication doesnt change the child, it changes the odds of success in all area's of life. Less the high level of distraction, the child is now able to focus, concentrate and not be the best but rather be their personal best and bring out their full potential, the potential that was hindered by inattention, impulsivity and for some hyperactivity as well. The child will no longer blurt things out or act out inappropriately due to impulsivity and while some might think the child was just out going or outspoken, the child was actually speaking or acting without thinking.

The medication is also not a behavior pill. The child who is on the target dose now has the ability to make a choice rather than act on impulse and like anyone else, we dont always make the right choices. Behavior modification standing alone doesn't fully manage the symptoms of ADHD but in combination with medication, it teaches the child to make better choices and modify the behavior that was once all over the map. When the child succeeds, its not the medication that deserves the credit but rather the child.

If you see side effects that you consider undesirable, contact your childs doctor as the dose may be too high, too low, its the wrong medication. The only change that takes place when the medication is effective is that the child starts to experience quality of life and because your want your child to have quality of life, that makes you a great mom, not a bad mom Good luck with your decision

Excellent point and well-said. My son still has that spark in his eye, but now he can choose not to act out.

We tried concerta and we had to keep upping the dose until he was on an adult dosage (he was 8). We tried Adderall next and then went to strattera when the adderall conflicted with another med he had to take. We added in 40mg Ritalin LA and the combination has worked well for him. A month ago we switched him to Daytrana. It's a ritalin patch. He takes less (30mg) and there are no low spots in his day where he can't concentrate. The drop off at the end of the day is much gentler and easier to take. There are no rebound problems for him.

He just came home with his interim report card and it had 4 A's, 2 B's and 1 C. Comments from teachers include "very focused," "hard worker" and "a pleasure to have in my class."

Medicating is not an easy decision. Do lots of research, talk to your doctor and then make your decision. Whatever you do, you're not a bad mom!

Giving your child medication is a very personal decision. If you give meds, you can always change your mind. Just keep in mind, the path to optimal med and dose can be a long one because everyone is different.

My 10yo daughter is on concerta and we are working out the proper dose (she is not hyperactive at school so we do not have that to gauge things on). She has gone from sullen and refusing to be a part of the class, to actively and excitedly (in an appropriate manner) participating in class. She had hated school last year and had become depressed and anxious, she is so much happier this year. Last year I felt we were losing her. On meds she is still the funny, immaginitive, bright child but has less trouble staying on task so is not constantly told to do something she already knows she needs to do but can't. She is also on guanfacine because she weighs so little to start with, she has no leaway to lose weight and guanfacine can help with weight issues, defiance, memory, hyperactivity, but not attention. It is used to augment the concerta.

Guanfacine as ebson said is the generic for tenex. It is given to my daughter to augment the concerta because my daughter has no room for weight loss and lost a couple (though maybe not significant) pounds this summer on concerta. It was also given to see how well it would help with sleeping when she took a break from the concerta (she sleeps better on concerta than normal). It is a blood pressure med and the short acting has to be taked 3 times a day. Clonidine is similar and is given in long acting patch form to help some kids sleep. These are currently given "off label" for ADHD but Shire had submitted data on their long acting form to get marketing approval for ADHD. There are many options to get to optimal treatment. I am a strong believer in positive reinforcement behavior modification as an important part of treatment.

I understand your fear completely. My son is 5 is was recently (a month or so ago) dx'd with ADHD. The first med we tried made him into a zombie and I cried what did I do to my child!!!! Now after changing meds and doses we have found something that works for both home and school.

The first med you try might not be what works the best for your child. Work closely with your doctor and remember that they don't have to be like zombie's. Now that we have found what works for us things have changed from night to day.

As my ds lay sleeping last night I stood my the side of his bed and cried. Cried because we had such a good day, cried because he has come so far, and cried because why didn't I do this for him sooner

Be positive and remember meds are done on a trial basis. If you don't like what it does for your child or side effects you call the dr and try something else until you find the fit that works for your family.

Each one of us can tell your our story of how this med worked for our child or this one did not, but in the end each child reacts differently to meds and doses. It is a long journey but once you find the right med and dose you will see your child's personaility shining through but more control. Stay Strong.

What is "Guanfacine"? Is it a pill, liquid or patch?

Guanfacine is the generic name for Tenex, a blood pressure med. It is also used for ADHD, helps with impulsivity, and sleep. it is a rather small pill, usually 1-2 mgs. It also comes in a patch although i am not familiar with it.

i am taking concerta myself,my son is not medicated(only 4)i tried retilin but it did not agree with me,concerta is better for me,the only problem is the loss of appetite which could be more of a problem for a child but there is way around it ,as for sleeping,i always had problems anyway but i have not seen a big difference.

i am ADD,not ADHD but i did not become zombielike or lost any of my personnality.

We started my son on Adderall last Sept. when he was 6, in 1st grade. At first he seemed very tired and a little foggy, but that wore off. But the problem was he was always angry at me and my husband. So after 2 months we switched him to Concerta. The anger continued but his teacher said she never saw any anger, and I went into his class to volunteer once a week and never saw anger in there either, but got it full blast outside of the classroom. He never showed anger at anyone but me and my husband. So when I mentioned it to the pediatrician this past August he suggested Focalin which is new and doesn't have the extra ingredients of Ritalin or the others so you only give them 1/2 the dose. Well, no more anger and he's doing the best he's ever done in school! I know everyone is different and one medicine could work on one person and not on another but I just wanted to tell you our story. Good Luck!!

Jennifer

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I have always told my son that having ADD is not an excuse for anything. He'll say that he can't help it, he's ADD and I tell him "yes you can!" I only part way believe that he can control himself, but I want him to believe that he's bigger and stronger and smarter than ADD and he can lick it! He can control himself. Because I expect it, he tries really hard to deliver it. And every time he tries and succeeds, he believes he can do it, too.

My son is 6 1/2 and was diagnosed ADHD in the Spring. We immediately started behavioral counseling. Now he is in first grade and his acting out in school is unbearable...screaming at teachers, refusing to work, hitting classmates, scribbling on classmates work, hitting lunch mother. I never expected it to get this bad. But besides what the teacher say, my son is unhappy. He tells me his brain made him do it. His self esteem is dwindling. Disciplining him gets more difficult because he needs constant discipline and that really goes against building self esteem. He tells me he is a bad boy and it breaks my heart to hear that.

We decided to put him on meds and the psychiatrist prescribed Adderall XR 10mg. We will start tomorrow. I am scared. At this point my fear is what if the meds don't work? I want him to find his niche in this world and be happy.

Good luck to you on your decision. I know it's not easy but at this point I felt the diminishing self esteem would worsen to the point of possible drug abuse and total antisocial behavior as he got older.

Hi,