New Here and to ADHD | ADHD Information
I just found out my son has ADHD. His Dr wanted to perscribe him medication. I got sick to my stomach and decided against it. Well i talked to his teachers and they recommend him taking a low dosage. Because his ADHD is affecting his school work. I am scared to death to give him medication. I dont want it changing who he is or him being active. He is only 8 years old. I just dont know what to do. I thought he was doin good in school but his teachers said that was because they had to stand over him the whole time cause if they walked away he would get destracted very quick. She said he struggles greatly with paying attention and he is impulsive and makes wrong choices which get him into trouble many times during the day. He is very forgetful Thats not just at school its at home to. I have heard good things about medication and i have heard bad things. My sisters son had to be put on medication and he sat there like a zombie. I just dont know what to do i am very confused.
First of all, Welcome to the board! 
Second, if your sister's son sat like a zombie then the medications were ALL wrong! If the meds are working properly your child should be himself just without the annoying ADHD behaviors/feelings. I think that all of us who have chosen to medicate our kids felt like you at first. The key is eduction! Read as much as you can get your hands on and this board is a HUGE resource!
Medication has literally saved my son's quality of life! He would be a different child without it! (and not in a good way! 
) The medication allows his true nature to come out because he can slow down so he's not so "scrambled" all the time.
Ask any question you have here on this board. There's always someone who's been where you are and has words of widsom. And remember, you are not alone! We've all been where you are!
when my son was diagnosed he refused medication for the first 6 months this was the end of 3rd grade. he was the same always the problem, always the bad boy, all negative behaiviors. With the help of his fabulous 4thgrade teacher he started meds. things have been up and down since depending on meds. Focalin made him a zombie. Vyvance made him very aggressive, Stratera did squat except make him tired. Finally we settled in with Concerta,long acting Ritalin. and just recently added Intuniv, long acting tenex. the combo of the two has really helped out things alot
He is now in 6th grade, Middle School and even though we are at the end of school we are trying to level him out both for school and at home. He is much calmer and now feels better he says. not so many fits and not so much down on himself and more helpful to others. a different child.
I so remember the day he started Focalin and the zombie effect we saw. it did the trick at school but he had no personality. he was on the lowest dose. every med works different for every kid. Do not give up there is something out there that will help. welcome to the group and I wish you much luck on your long journey.
Tabitha, I am also scared of medicating. I think its something everyone goes through. my son was diagnosed about a week ago. he's 8 too. he doesn't seem to have behavioral issues at school. as much as he does as home. but his grades have just started suffering this year. right now we are just working with him more than ever. it seems to be helping him out alot but its burning me and my husband out. we have time for nothing else because we have to keep on our son and just constantly help him with homework and make sure he stays on task. reading all the forums have helped ease me on the idea of medcine but hasn't quite changed my mind yet. i get scared thinking of the zombie effect and the aggression that may be side effects. i don't wanna see my son like that. its just tough when you have to make the right decision and you feel like you don't know everything you need to. that's why right now i'm just reading and getting educated. there is a whole lot of information on this forum. i joined a few days ago and i'm overloaded with all the info. just read some of the posts about medicine and just educate yourself. that's the advice i can give since it is the advice i've given myself., good luck 
Gosh, I feel like I could have written your post except my son is 8 1/2 and he was diagnosed just about 2 years ago with ADHD. have not done any meds as of yet but am starting to think maybe we should. But like you said there are so many concerns. But on the other hand I am so tired of the yelling and constantly telling him/reminding him what to do. But isn't that my job as a mom?? and then I feel guilty for getting upset and frustrated with him. I mean just how do you know when your child needs meds?? Know what I mean? The thought is just so scary, and stressful and worrisome. Like you I am totally confused.
kelly
I knew it was time to try meds when my son's self esteem started on a crash course! He was very young saying things like "I'm always bad" "I'm a bad boy all the time", "Other kids don't want to play with me" "They don't like me" He was CONSTANTLY being corrected, reprimanded, redirected, yelled at etc...Heck, I'd feel horrible about myself too if it were me!
It was also easier to make the decision because we'd tried other things. We tried soooo many other things with NO improvement! It was just time! It was the best decision we ever made! Just keep in mind that you can always try meds and stop them at any time. It doesn't have to be a "life sentence" if you don't want it to be.