New to ADHD need advise, support | ADHD Information

My child is 9 just diagnosed with ADHD. She started with anxiety issues at 5, the anxiety was at that time the most prominent issue athough I feel she has always been ADHD. She take 50 mg of zoloft for anxiety daily. Three weeks ago she was prescrided stratera for the ADHD, recently took her off due to her feeling unexplainable anger and wanting to hurt someone. (usually takes frustration out on little sis). I'm not real comfortable with meds. But am willing to try something if it will give her and our family peace. My nerves are shot and the guilt I feel is overwhelmng. I know she can't help most of her behavior issues ie. hyperactivity, impulsivness, not listening or following direction well, staying focussed. I just want her to be happy and enjoy life. She is also very sensitive, loving, can't get enough attention. She could have your full attention 24/7 and that still not be enough. I have been so stressed over the whole situation I feel I am being to hard on her which can't be good for the self esteem. Any thoughts or advise would be appreciated

I agree that the medicine journey can be difficult but if you stick with it it WILL pay off!  Once you get it right, WOW what a difference!  I haven't heard of the natural supplememts working by themselves in the place of medicine. I know that some supplements are used in addition to other meds.  For instance, my son takes melatonin at night to fall asleep easier and a probiotic to help with metabolizing everything (both recommended by the psychiatrist).  But I know they wouldn't make a bit of difference without his Ritalin and Tenex.

As for the issue of school.  You'll probably have to tell them anyway because he may have to take medicine at school.  Also,  if his ADHD is bad enough to try medication then they already know there are problems.  It's not like you'll be telling them things they don't know by actually giving it a name or diagnosis.  Chances are that once the medicine is stablized the behavior will improve so much that he will form all new relationships.  I think you'll be surprised at the difference.

Good luck and we're here to help each other so let us know how it's going.

Update: Dr. called yesterday after I sent email the day before and we are starting low dose of focalin only 5mg for a week to monitor side effects. I wish we were already there. Has anyone ever tried neu becalmd-yes Im new at this and been googling everything. (the Jon Bennett guy natural supplements for adhd) I may try on myself I could prob benefit from being calmed. Heres a question, to tell school or not...I know answer is most definitley yes..but we are at a very small school and my child has had to deal with bullying issues throughout. The main students that give so much problem are teachers kids...would hate for it to backfire and cause her more problems. I'm so glad to have other moms to talk with, my husband has a difficult time understanding and of course doens't get as emotionally involved as me. Thanks

We took 6 months finding the med and then the right dose. We tried several and then worked the dosing, which is very important. When you get right, however, you will be very pleased. It truly helps them where they can't help themselves.

My son tried adderall xr, but it made him angry. Stratterra made him depressed. Concerta has been the best for him. He also takes guanfacine for anxiety, only 1 mg, it helps relax him.

Every one is different. Don't fear them, just be patient. Also the only med that has a max doseage for weight is strattera. The others are based on where they are successful.

My son started at the lowest dose of concerta and finally leveled off 4 months later and stayed at that dose for over two years!!

Please ask any questions so we can be of help. The med journey can be very emotional. Hang in there, you are amongst friends here!!

Don't give up. We struggled with meds or not to med etc. We  are so glad we put her on  meds. Currently Daytrana patch- 15 mg. She has had the best two years of school ever. It's hard to get the right dosage and meds but well worth it. My daughter now can tell when she really needs to be meds vs. not being on them. Sometimes on weekends and vacation time we kinda give her the option. The up side of not taking them is she can eat more etc.
My daughter is 11, diagnosed when she was 9-- thank God!!!
good luck.

Logan's Mom

 

Thanks so much for your response..I believe you are right, it might be a little of both. That is wonderful to hear that your son is better on the meds! I hope I get my son back like you did.

Thanks again!

 

My son is 12. He is "his true self" on meds. When they wear off, however, the other son is back. Your son will have to learn over time to control things, however, he is young and meds will certainly help him with that. He will also realize how others feel about him when he is medicated and the difference when he is not. That is when they are maturing that they really do need to pick and choose the appropriate behavior. My son couldn't make it through a day without meds. He started meds just shy of 7. He is very impulsive and hyper. They also can say things due to impulsiveness, but not truly mean them. They can also be very annoying. I am impressed that he lasted this long through school not complaining.

You will find a big difference once you find the right med AND the righ doseage. That takes a while, so hang in there. Also have the others hang in there with him. It can be very emotional for the child and parents. My son took 6 months to level off and then stayed on that med and dose for almost 3 years!!

I also recommend a psychopharmacologist for the meds. They specialize in all these different medications. Pediatricians do not. Mine actually recommended it because he treats healthy children and broken bones, when they are sick, but not mental health.

Please let us know if you have any other questions. We have all been through this before and can share our experience.

One more thing Jenniec77, the majority of ADHD'ers have a co-morbid. My son has anxiety, speech delay and sensory integration. He is an honor student, plays football, basketball,and baseball. But I just wanted to let you know that you may find there is more going on with your son, even depression.

EVery one is different, just like the with meds - what works for someone doesn't work for everyone. But the dose is also important. The lower dose may be a disaster, but the next dose up may do the trick. And then there is rebound .......

There is so much more we can discuss but I don't want to overwhelm. Please ask we can be of help to your son and you!! You are at the best place for your son and family!!

Hi We have taken our 10 year old son to counseling and found out that our son has ADHD. We took him to counseling because we have a blended family that we started about a year ago. Their are 5 boys altogether, and they all fell in line with respect, rules, sharing, etc. accept my 10 year old. At first the kids sucked it up because they wanted our family to work but time after time my son would say things to be hurtful to me and the boys, if he did share, he would let the other children know that the shirt or whatever was his, when the situation was reversed they would not say a thing. He got jealous if I would show one of the other children attention, and then take it out on them by being mean or annoyng them. On the way home from school he would not let anyone else talk about thier day, he would butt in or he would try and one up them by taking a lie about his day. I am not sure if this is a sign of ADHD also or if someone had the same problem. He has all the other classic signs like being impulsive, talking non stop, crashing into things, non stop movement, forgetting what you said even if you are speaking directly to him, making careless mistakes in school.

I just was not sure of the way he is acting in our home is an affect of the ADHD because at this point we can not have him in the house when the other children are here because they have told their father they will not visit if he is here. They are fed up! I just wanted to know when he gets on meds and counseling if it will make him better around his stepbrothers so we can be a family again!
 

It's hard to say if his behavior is because of the ADHD or just his reaction to the situation.  The professionals would be better equipped to answer that but I know that ADHD symptoms CAN cause turmoil or at least aggravate the situation-no matter what it is.  ADHD symptoms can make any situation worse...much worse. 

I don't know if your son will do better around his step-brothers if he's medicated but I can tell you that my son is a TOTALLY different person on medicine vs. off of medicine.  If he wasn't on medication, most other kids wouldn't like to be around him.  It was like that until we put him on meds.  Then all of the wonderful traits about him were able to come out without all the frantic/impulsive behaviors covering them up!  Take heart, if ADHD is the cause of his problems, there is help and it will get better.  Just stick with it!

Good luck!