Advice on ADHD Meds for my 7yr Old Son | ADHD Information

He sounds just like my ds at 7!
It can be scary to try meds for the first time. We
started out with the tride and true Ritalin short acting
on the weekend. So far the Ritalin and Concerta have been
the only ones that heave worked well with the hyper
active part of his ADHD. I would suggest to start the med
at a time when YOU will be there to evaluate how he is
doing. Also continue with therapy it is very important
for him and you to have someone to talk with!

Some one had put my lessened my fears some by putting it
this way.

If your child was drowning and you know that this might
at least keep his head above the water, it would be worth
a try.


I have tried many things other than meds to treat my ds
ADHD and we are still on the meds! We tried about 6 meds
total. and about double that of other things.

There will always be things to deal with it is not a
magic pill. ie... we are struggling with his low weight!

He dose take some supplements and a natural dieit seems
to help by 30% But it is difficult to watch what he eats
24/7. He is in middle school now.

Hope this helped you a little and that you understand it.
It is after midnight and I need to got to bed!!! So hard
when all it quiet.

The description of your boy's behavior problems are exactly like my almost 7 y.o. boy! I just put him on meds about 3 weeks ago. He sees a pediatric nuero-developmental doc who perscribed Focalin XR 5 mg. Like you, I was scared of the unkown. The first week there was some side efffects - head ache, tummy ache, lack of appetite (perhaps causing head/tummy ache), some crying jags at night and rebounding. Rebounding is when they come off the med and their behavior is worse (nice, huh?!!) I must say things are better with the side effects these days, except for some rebounding. He just got in troulbe at school in the library and that was the end of the day. When the librarian called me to say thet he broke school property (a pencil!), I told her about the rebounding so she was more understanding. My major problem w/the Focalin XR is that it is not lasting thru the school day for him like it's supposed to. 

Hope this helps and good luck! 

HI Lady Jenna and welcome! If you enter the name of any medicine you have questions about in the search area on the top right of the page, you will get alot of feedback and opinions. I found this to be easier than just scanning page after page on this site. Also, make sure you have a pen and paper so you can take notes as you read, otherwise your head will be spinning, there's so much information! Another site that helped me was rxlist.com. They give information on all the main ADHD meds and also have quite an extensive user review section. Just a warning though, you will read about bad experiences with just about any of the medications, but don't get discouraged because there are also many, many success stories...mine being one of them! Our son, age 6, was very much like yours, minus the depression part. We started him on focalin xr Christmas day, 5 mg for the first week and then upped it to 10 mg which is where we stayed. It seemed like a miracle at first, but then I was concerned about the rebounding, his lack of appetite, and a disconnected type of behavior (kind of a "flatness" of his personality) which lasted an hour or two each day. Good news is now, 7 wks. later, most of these side effects have diminished greatly, and he is a completely different child in school...great grades, wonderful behavior reports, and generally just a happy boy! So, good luck as you begin this journey, and I hope this board helps you as much as it did me.I know each child is different, as is their problem
areas, symptoms etc. I am completely new to all this ADHD
stuff.
Although I have searched the internet ALOT for info. as
well as read up on it from handouts, paperwork etc. given
to us by the doctor, therapist & school.
Christian just recently finally getting the dx. of ADHD
we are planning on starting him on meds to see if that
will help. (as well as him continuing his therapy)
I've read so much about different medications my mind is
just twisting & turning about which medication to try.
I am sure the doctor (his pediatrician) will "suggest"
something. I worry as I've read all these horror stories
written by other parents who try medication after
medication. The side effects alone are a worry for me.
Again, I realize each child is different, as different
effects to different meds. & what may work for one may
very well not for another.
I was just curious if anyone could suggest some that we
might consider talking with our pediatrician about to try
with Christian.
To highlight Christian is 7yrs old
his problems :
- has trouble controlling his self
-severe behavior problems
-back talking (always having to get last word in)
- blurting out
- not following directions
-hyper ( he rarely walks but instead RUNS everywhere)
-sleeps very very little
- can't sit still for even a short period of time without
fidgeting or messing with something
-can't stay focused
-has social problems, interacting with other kids etc.
-anger issues (which REALLY worries me!)as he at times,
takes it out on his younger sister age 6yrs
-mild depression
-problems at school resulting from above (he will be a
504 student as soon as all paperwork processes he attends
public school)
-problems at home due to above
It's been a VERY long hard trying road with him, it's
taken what seemed like forever to get this dx. FINALLY of
ADHD (hyper type) we have yet to get the "official"
paperwork with everything written out in full detail from
his physiologist.That we will take back to his
pediatrician whom we seen 1st who suggested he see the
pediatric physiologist. We've tried so many things here
at home & school is just terrible for him.
We want to try medication for him but wish we knew more
about which meds were better for his type of ADHD & his
problems. (also with least amount of side effects )
That is why I am asking. Like I said..I realize each
child & their situation is different.
But if there is possibly a medication that has worked for
several of you all here in his similar case we'd LOVE
to hear about it & also hear any pro/con on ANY meds or
advice/input you may have. Being new to this is very
scary. Like I said I've tried my best to read up as much
as possible. But 1st hand support & help is priceless.
Thanks so much for your help !
-Lady Jenna40221.8668055556