Using meds while younger & then stopping | ADHD Information

Sometimes medication is needed, sometimes not, in my experience.

I look at it this way.

Think about a test tube that takes 100ml of liquid before it spills over.

An ADHD person is at 50-99% filled with chronic frustration depending on what level of cognitive impairment they are struggling with every moment of every day.

Now, if nothing difficult gets added, you might not need to drop the liquid level if there is 20-50% free space. The person may do okay without any meds.

Add some bullying, grieving, a job/school that doesn't fit their needs, a poor teacher or any other number of uncontrollable problems and the liquid level increases.

If it starts flowing over the top, it's a volcano eruption and you might need meds for a while to drop the levels. After skills that work around or with those problems are obtained, then the liquid may decrease again.

The original liquid levels never change without meds.

Maybe they've been struggling for long time before it was treated so you need to pour out some liquid via medication.

After a while the liquid is naturally dropping because their coping mechanisms are improving with age. It will never go below that 50-99% without meds, but if life circumstances are not adding more liquid 20-50% of empty spill space is just fine.

At 81-99% it's likely they'll always need medication because it's too close to the line of spillage and a small problem can cause it to boil over very quickly.
Every parent or care giver knows their child best and what works best for them but unfortunately, ADHD doesnt go away on weekends. However, stimulant meds are not blood level medications so one doesnt have to take them for a period of time in order for them to work. When the child is on the right med at the target dose the medication is effective not too long after the child ingests it. For my son, crossing the street during play time on weekends could have had deadly consequences due to lack of focus and impulsivity if he didnt take his meds so it's a disorder that affects every area of life..........ie...socially and emotionally. Throwing caution to the wind by acting before thinking in a social setting due to impulsivity can also have severe consequences. Children do not grow out of ADHD but symptoms change over time and some tone down due to learning coping strategies. With ADHD children there is a 30% maturity lag but over time with the right treatment they learn to compensate for their short comings in life. The good news is that with the right treatment and support system, the child can grow, meet their full potential and flourish in adulthood. Life will always have its ups and downs but thats true for everyone, ADHD or not. The goal is too have more good days than not so good days. Hope this helps and welcomeWell said luv

[QUOTE=MetisRebel]Well said luv [/QUOTE]

Why thanks MetisRebel

Luvmykids0239772.4901851852Wyatt was on meds for 1st and secnd grade and has been off since May. They were great for us and if we find he needs them again we will put him back on. they helped him and us learn what he is able to do. Now we know he actually can keep up with his grade and their is no learning disabilty just lack of focus. It also helped gave us a guidline to know which natural things work and which don't. It's an individual thing I guess.

Has anyone used meds for their kids while younger (my son is currently 6.5 years old) to help the be successful both in school and socially for their earlier years and then stopped as the child got older and hopefully abel to handle themselves better with some maturity?

Also, can you med only on week days and take weekends off successfully or does the child need to be on meds 7 days/week for the med to really work?

Thanks for all your help and replies as we try to work through this!

Kim

My ds is 6 yrs old and takes focalinxr. We do not give him meds on weekends unless there is something we need to do that requires him having more "control".

My doctor says some kids "grow out of it". But what I think is that some kids must learn coping skills as they get older. I try to teach my ds coping skills now in the hopes that they may help later. Kids do mature alot and sometimes it seems like there is a huge difference from one year to the next. But I have read that once you have adhd you always have it.

Kim1:

Just make sure his psych has a good handle on the meds he has to take for his liver. Strattera for him [for example] is probably a bad choice since it's tough on the liver.

Some meds can even be given to people with advanced cirrosis so maybe the doc could start with those and work from there.

He sounds pretty bright and with a little boost, he may go skipping along nicely

Thank you all so much for your replies to my question. We are new to the "official" ADHD, though have been dealing with my son'e behaviour issues for a while. It didn't seem to be too big of a problem until he moved to his new school this year - then it really reared its head, so to speak. I worry the most about social skills right now and think he will do well academically if we can get him to focus. One on one at home, we have better luck than in school where he is easily distracted. I am leaning towards trying meds - at least for a while with the hope we can get him off of them in the next few years. He also had a liver tranplant when he was only 18 months old - so is already on a life long med for that. I worry so much the long term impact of meds on him.

Thanks again for your help - it is greatly appreciated!

Quick OT - MetisRebel...I love your postings and your advice but for some of us who may be ADD/ADHD may have a hard time reading them b/c of TIGGER. The constant movement is very distracting...NOW PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG!! I LOVE TIGGER! In fact, that is what I call my husband (long story)

I actually have to put a piece of paper to cover it so I can concentrate on what you are saying (which btw is SO HELPFUL)

Just thought you might want to know this (or not)

[QUOTE=newmom]Quick OT - MetisRebel...I love your postings and your advice but for some of us who may be ADD/ADHD may have a hard time reading them b/c of TIGGER. The constant movement is very distracting...NOW PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG!! I LOVE TIGGER! In fact, that is what I call my husband (long story)

I actually have to put a piece of paper to cover it so I can concentrate on what you are saying (which btw is SO HELPFUL)

Just thought you might want to know this (or not)

[/QUOTE]

Actually sometimes it even bugs me! Especially if I post twice in a row.

So, everyone say "hello" to my new tigger

MetisRebel39772.6270717593Personally I think I have learned coping skills along the way AND I do something that I absolutely love for work. If I didn't I wouldn't be good at it. Just like in school - if I wasn't interested in it I couldn't focus.
My only wish is when I want to be organized at home - my entire family would help pitch it. It is hard to keep a house running smoothly and organized when no one else really cares.

Kim1 wrote: He also had a liver

tranplant when he was only 18 months old - so is already on a life long med for that. I worry so much the long term impact of meds on him.

Wow, my son had a kidney transplant at 22 months old and he is now almost 22 years old. My son has been taken anti rejection meds since his transplant as well as ADHD meds for many years and he is doing just fine It's all about quality of life issues and as parents, we do what we have to do to save our children's lives not only physically but emotionally as well. Hang in there.

[QUOTE=newmom]Personally I think I have learned coping skills along the way AND I do something that I absolutely love for work. If I didn't I wouldn't be good at it. Just like in school - if I wasn't interested in it I couldn't focus.
My only wish is when I want to be organized at home - my entire family would help pitch it. It is hard to keep a house running smoothly and organized when no one else really cares.

[/QUOTE]

Try dumping all their crap you find around the house on their beds...

At least they have to shovel it on the floor to sleep

Luvmykids02-

Thank you so much for sharing your story - it is such a relief to hear your son is doing well and has been on rejection and ADHD meds!

Thanks for also sharing your story Metisrebel.

I feel a new sense of hope and peace for Kyle and hope we can get him on the right med and dose quickly to improve his emotional well being.

Kim

Metis - THANKS! I love the new picture.

Honestly, I think I am ADD. Had issues with concentration and info retention at school. Never had great grades, always put in the slower groups.. but now that I have done so much research for my kids I do think I have it too.

Anyway, my daughter is starting her meds tomorrow. She is almost 7 and we are going to work with her therapist to try and get her off by middle or high school. At least that is what my husband wants to do now that he finally caved in and is allowing medication.

I honestly don't know if my children will need to be on medication for life. I am taking it one step at a time.

[QUOTE=Luvmykids02] Kim1 wrote: He also had a liver

tranplant when he was only 18 months old - so is already on a life long med for that. I worry so much the long term impact of meds on him.

[/QUOTE]

I know a fellow in his 50's that had a kidney transplant--and that was back in the day when things weren't so advanced. He's even got bipolar!

But he's an artist, a poet, a writer and if there's anyone in town worth knowing--well he's the networking king of all time

He even has a long time girlfriend.

So, you just never know how it's all going to turn out

[QUOTE=newmom]Metis - THANKS! I love the new picture.

I tried to find one that suited. Upside down looked about right to me

Honestly, I think I am ADD. Had issues with concentration and info retention at school. Never had great grades, always put in the slower groups.. but now that I have done so much research for my kids I do think I have it too.

The big question, are you reasonably content with your life? If you're not, then get assessed and see if there's something holding you back...

Anyway, my daughter is starting her meds tomorrow. She is almost 7 and we are going to work with her therapist to try and get her off by middle or high school. At least that is what my husband wants to do now that he finally caved in and is allowing medication.

I honestly don't know if my children will need to be on medication for life. I am taking it one step at a time.

[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. Keep us posted on you and DD's progress!

Hang in there Kim1. It can and does get better

[QUOTE=Kim1]

Luvmykids02-

Thank you so much for sharing your story - it is such a relief to hear your son is doing well and has been on rejection and ADHD meds!

Thanks for also sharing your story Metisrebel.

I feel a new sense of hope and peace for Kyle and hope we can get him on the right med and dose quickly to improve his emotional well being.

Kim

[/QUOTE]

You all might do better than you think

It might take a bit to find correct med&dose but you're on your way now