HELP!! Need advice on Ritalin | ADHD Information

I finally caved in after several years of dealing with an ADHD child, and we are giving my 7 1/2 year old her first dose of Ritalin tomorrow morning. 

My DD has been struggling in school every year.  She is impulsive, cannot keep her hands to herself, is always getting in everyone else's business and frequently talks out of turn.  She is an amazing student, and good grades come easy for her, but her behavior is now effecting her grades - last week she missed the last 3 words of her spelling test because she was coloring.

My heart is crushed.   I have heard horrific things about this drug, especially that it is the same as meth.  Her pediatrician feels that this is the safest medication to begin with and, depending on her reaction, we can go from there.

Please, please, give me advice on Ritalin - what the effects have been on your child.  I am so clueless about this disorder and would appreciate any any all feedback.

Much thanks and God Bless.

If you are to the point of using medication as a resource, then it is what it is.  It is not a cure all, it is a tool. Give you and your daughter a break and see if it helps. 

My nephew started Ritalin at 4 or 5.  A kid that was never supposed to make it through school, graduated high school and is finishing a technical school and has a fabulous job waiting for him. 

He would have never have had the success that he has without the medication.  He manages on his own now and doesn't take any meds.  He left the meds behind in high school. 

If your child had any other issue, you would give her the medication that she needed.  Ritalin is not the horror that it is made out to be if used properly.

I hope it helps you all, but if it doesn't remember it often takes folks several meds to find the best one. 

My child has severe reactions to the meds and can't take them.  I wish we had a tool that could help make it easier for her. 

Good luck! 

My son takes Ritalin and it's been a miracle for him!   Please, please don't listen to the ignorant rantings of people who say these drugs are like Meth!  That is ridiculous!  These meds have been around a long time and researched extensively.  When used properly they can absolutely change a child's life for the better! Educate yourself as much as you can.  Read on this site as much as you have time for.  There is soooooo much useful info here!  Most of us have been where you are and we've come through it.

First, I recommend seeing a specialist for the meds.  Most times it is VERY difficult to get the meds right and it just prolongs the difficult part if you see a pediatrician that is not an expert in the field of meds.  A psychiatrist, or psychopharmacologist etc deals with meds all day every day and they are the ones that will help you find the right combo faster!  Pediatricians usually are inexperienced and way to cautious with the meds and it just makes your life worse than it needs to be.  We started with a pediatrician and really didn't make any progress until months later when we went to a specialist.

Research as much as you can about what to look for when starting meds.  Learn what the side effects are.  The main ones to watch for are reduced appetite and "rebound".  Even if the appetite is bad in the beginning it usually evens out within a few months.  "Rebound" is a reaction that happens when the meds are leaving the body.  The ADHD symptoms can come back and seem worse.  My son gets very emotional and inconsolible when he's rebounding.  Rebound is not acceptable! If it happens, it can usually be solved easily with a dose change or a timing change.  If that doesn't work then the med needs to be changed.  My son had horrible rebound on Adderall so we switched to Ritalin and he doesn't have rebound anymore.  But every child reacts differently to these meds so what happens to one kid doesn't necessarily happen to another.

Please understand that what you're feeling is natural and we've all been there!  But you are doing the best thing!  Take it from a mom with a medication success story!  Good luck!