14 Year old in need of meds | ADHD Information

My son is 14 and is in need of a ADHD medication, and I was wondering if there was anyone out there that new which medications would be best.  I was also wondering about side effects and my family has a history of bi-polar, what would you recommend? Ritalin?  Any feed back would be appreciated.

 

Odysey

I would consult with his Psychiatrist qabout which meds would be best, his psych knows him and knows what will/might work.Does he have bipolar? If so, that needs to be treated first to stabilize the mood. I have read that stimulants can be very very bad for bipolar patients. I hope you have a pediatric psychiatrist on the case.everybody is different in his or her medication needs. Just try and see what works best.DeletedClaz2839140.4418865741

I am sorry claz28, but sometimes untreated ADHD kids are agressive....because of their frustration with the disorder and trying to deal with that frustration....and sometimes a side effect of the stimulant meds are a bit more aggression...I agree that uncontrollable aggression and outbursts are a sign of bipolar, but aggression does not always = bipolar.....

Yes if stimulant meds make aggression much worse, or uncontrollable, the child should be evaluated for bipolar. 

But my son, who is JUST ADHD inattentive, did become a tad more aggressive after months on the stim med.  He was not aggressive before meds...or hyper...or a behavior problem, nor is he now on the stims..just a bit more 'quick on the draw' so to say....My doc told me that that is a side effect of ALL the stims.  Not just in kids who are bipolar....it is simply a fact of the drug....She added a small dose of tenex, and he is fine now.

Again, I am glad that your child and family have found a solution to your child's problems, but sometimes agression is just aggression, not bipolar.

I will definately ask about tenex. Thank you! You have really been a big help. I needed this. i am so glad I found this website!Adderall is a great medication. The side effects are that they can't get to sleep. So the doc prescribed clonidine to help them sleep. The only problem was that my son was sleeping so hare, that he started wetting the bed, so we had to cut back on the Clonidine. They also see a psychologist once a month. The Adderall has made a world of difference though.jenpcole...tenex (guanfacine) also helps with sleep problems and is much less sedating than the clonidine.  You may ask the doc about that med if you need it for sleep issues...