I too did a lot of research on ADHD meds and my son was on adderall until I read a report that canada band the drug from being sold because they had something like 20 something strokes and I think 14 dealths all in children from normal usage of the drug.
Emmediatly I took my son off of it.
He is now taking stratter which is what you were asking about. It can sometimes have a side effect of suisidal thoughts and or actions. But the numbers to me was not enough to worry about.
My son did go through suisidal talk, but since it was the only med out there that did not have methamphetamine in it I was determined to continue to give it a try. Once we found the right dose for him he no longer has those thoughts. (Thank you GOD)
But I will say that I had to put him in a phsyc hospital to find his right dose.
Hope any of this helps and good luck!!!
The ban on adderall was lifted in canada after review of the available information:
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/40/19/2
Thank you for that!! I always love to read new things about medication or anything that has to do with Ethan and his disorders.
The reason I even started doing research on it though was because he was complaining about his heart and his chest hurting and when I read that it scared me so bad that I immediatly took him off and will never put him back on.
But that's just my descision. If it is helping other parents children then I am glad and think that's what they should be taking.
Just not my son!!!
I hope I don't sound hatefull. I'm not trying to be!!!
You don't sound at all hateful. My post was just an update of information (bad news is reported heavily and resolution rarely reported).
If my child was complaining about chest pain on a stimulant, I would do exactly what you did, and be just as leary about ever trying a stim again. Has your son ever had an ekg, especially after the chest pain?
The most recent studies claim the best results are obtained from a combination of counseling & medication.If the anxiety is due to the difficulties dealing with ADHD, any med that helps with the ADHD will help with the anxiety. My daughter had anxiety and depression because of school failure and home stress all due to ADHD. When we found good treatment for the ADHD, the anxiety and depression went away.
If the anxiety is not due to the ADHD, the stims might make the anxiety worse. Everyone responds to the different meds differently.
Here is a chart with ADHD meds for some information (it is a little old):
http://www.myadhd.com/treatment_tools/medicationchart.html
Here is also some information on the recommended multimodal treatment (meds and behavior management) based on a large recent study:
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK1#multimodal
vickie39059.9387615741yes once I took him off before I put him on anything else I did go and get a EKG done and I also had his liver tested and everything came out fine.
But he had been off the med for about 2 wks by the time I had it done so I don't know if it would have turned out differently.
But when he would complain I would feel his chest and I would feel his heart just almost beating out of his chest!
STRATTERA MADE HIM ILL ALSO.Every child is different and needs different things. The tremendous job you have is to find what works best with your DS. Then you need to change those methods as needed as he changes and grows. Daunting task as we all know. My DS was 7 when he was diagnosed as severely ADHD, we tried various stimulant meds (including adderall xr). He was an emotional mess after taking them for a few months - saying he wished he was dead etc. (talk about breaking a mom's heart). We then got him on Strattera. Big difference - he was doing so well. By age 9 we were having ALOT of arguing and anger issues. He was then diagnosed as ODD. Risperdal is a miracle med for him - he was still taking Strattera. We also have had years of physiotherapy and continue. Next week we are adding Focalin because puberty is sending him into another tailspin and he is having many issues. He also takes Wellbutrin and Guanfacine. Of course I am very concerned about what he is taking but I also have to balance his life success and failures. He has been in unofficial social enhancement programs and and IEP since 4th grade. This year he is more depressed because peer pressure is getting to him.
I am not happy learning your DS not eligible for a IEP because he is smart. I wonder how these schools do that. My DS is VERY smart - but he is listed as "Severely Emotionally Disturbed", true - not because of his ADHD directly but yet it is. I am very fortunate to be in this school system.
Basically what I am saying is that you need to go through an educated trial and error to find what works best for your child and you. Of course these boards are a great resource for ideas, support, and outlet. But at the end of the day you and your child need to find what works best for him.
Best of luck to you!
If he has trouble in new enviroments, high anxiety, a high IQ, wiggles a lot, and is struggling socially, it's a good idea to have him see a NeuroPsych, who can test for ADHD and beyond. He could have Aspergers Syndrome too. If so, meds and counseling are NOT the best therapy for that. And a regular psycologist wouldn't know how to identify it. It's only been recognized within the past ten years and is often misdiagnosed as ADHD at first. How does he do, say, at crowded malls and stores, like Walmart? Does he cover his ears for loud noises? Is he clumsy and socially clueless? Even if it's ADHD, a Neuropsych can give really good advice. Good luck.