Just Diagnosed.. NEED HELP | ADHD Information

My son and I just finished a week long hospital stay in which they tested him for a million and a half things. The diagnosis was ADHD Combined Type. The last 2 days, they started him on Ritalin. 5mg in the morning, and 5mg in the afternoon. Today, they gave him 10mg in the morning and 10mg in the afternoon. We went home a little after the afternoon dose and my son started behaving WORSE than before the meds. He freaked out and started banging things and screaming until he choked..and it was all for nothing. He didn't even want anything. He is 5, and I was wondering if this reaction is normal in the beginning of meds or if it's something I should have called my doctor about. He's calmed down since.. but I'm so new to all this that I don't know what's going on anymore. [QUOTE=Mandia]I had a neurologist, a child behavioralist, a pediatritian and a child psychologist all tell me after taking personal family history (extensive), MRI, CAT scans, blood and urine analysis, that it was undoubtedly ADHD, and that the best thing was Ritalin.

I live in Canada and I don't have much choice when it comes to who I see, I don't get to see who I want, I get to see who other doctors refer me to. [/QUOTE]

It depends on where you live in Canada too. It also depends how many specialists in the field you're looking at. And you CAN tell a referring physician "that specialist and I don't communicate. Any other ideas? Or get your dr. to recommend you to someone that comes highly recommended by people you trust. I've done this more than once.

I'm a bit confoozled so maybe you can help me out.

It isn't usual to keep someone in the hospital for a week here--especially not just for testing. Is there something else going on?
The pediatritian and the psychologist are following him as an outpatient.

I'm from NB and unless I want to drive somewhere else, like Halifax (if they refer me) then there really isn't anyone else that I can see. I've gone all over the province trying to get someone to help me, and this is the best I have gotten.

He was also in for constipation, the first 2 days where evacuation, and the other 5 were for testing. [QUOTE=Mandia]The pediatritian and the psychologist are following him as an outpatient.

I'm from NB and unless I want to drive somewhere else, like Halifax (if they refer me) then there really isn't anyone else that I can see. I've gone all over the province trying to get someone to help me, and this is the best I have gotten.

He was also in for constipation, the first 2 days where evacuation, and the other 5 were for testing. [/QUOTE]

Oh thanks--that helps--I get confoozled easily

Are there any ChADD chapters in NB? Or maybe you could start a parent's group and everyone could research and help each other out?

I dunno, testing a kid under those circumstances [constipated for what feels like forever, then intruded upon, traumatized by being in hospital] instead of later seems to me a bit odd?

Not normal.

Welcome Mandia.

Please report the reaction to the doc. It may be that the med or dose is wrong or that the diagnosis missed something (easy to do on young kids).

This isn't right. What were the qualifications of the diagnosing doctors? And what testing was done?

Definitely not right. What and who is doing his follow up now that he's out of the hospital? You may want to find your own psychiatrist and go from there. Ideally try to find a pediatric psychopharmocologist, they'll have the best experience with meds.

I had a neurologist, a child behavioralist, a pediatritian and a child psychologist all tell me after taking personal family history (extensive), MRI, CAT scans, blood and urine analysis, that it was undoubtedly ADHD, and that the best thing was Ritalin.

I live in Canada and I don't have much choice when it comes to who I see, I don't get to see who I want, I get to see who other doctors refer me to.

ok, who is following his meds as an outatient? The neurologist?

I would definatly contact whomever gave you the meds. That is not a normal reaction and should have been observred at that dose before he went home. It seems like this is not right for him. Call the doctor who is in charge of his outpatient care

Whoa!

Hi Mandia , my son is also 5, and just diagnosed ADHD, combined type as well. He just started meds 10 days ago. He gets 2.5 mg of Ritalin before his 3 hour kindergarten class. The results have been amazing. We see a pediatric psychiatry group. We are going to ask about medicating him at home as well, since the results have been life-changing. SInce I'm new to this, and not a Dr. of course, I think your son's dosage seems a lot higher than my son's. Two totally different kids though. Definitely tell the Dr.  I would not wait.