Just wodnering from some long time members - how many of you give your child a medication holiday, and if you do, how often and what are the results?
I am new to ADHD meds (Concerta and low dose Ritalin) and worry about long term side affects like slow growth.
Some do and some don't. My daughter's doctor likes to go 7 days a week until you really get the feel of the meds and any side affects. We did take a month off this summer to try to put some weight on her. She is skinny like her dad was as a kid and does not put on weight easily (with or without meds). Some people only use the meds on school days if the child doesnt have issues on weekends with friends and activities. Here is another thread on this:
http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23832& PN=2
I'm not a long term member and we've only been on meds for 2 weeks, but I haven't given them on weekends and it's been fine. No problems on Monday. The doctor told us we could do that if we wished. Thanks for the replies. I will consider a break during the holidays.
My daughter has been taking Metadate CD for about 1 1/2 months now. We have taken one 4 day period off because she was sick with the flu and couldn't go to school and then it was the weekend. It took a whole week of being back on it before it really took effect again. Maybe we will try this for the summer but I will make sure I start giving it to her again atleast a week before school starts back up.