Anyone have neuro psyh testing done? | ADHD Information

I am very confused right now! My son is 9 years old and  in the 3rd grade. He was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten. We have tried Vyvanse, Daytrana, Focalin, Metadate...he is on Concerta, but the psychiatrist(who I am not sure I care for) wants us to try Ritalin now. If the ritalin doesn't work he  is talking about Tenex.  He has only gained a pound and grew an inch in one year; so that is a big concern too. He is very volatile in the morning; yelling he hates us, hitting the cats, hitting us. His behavior does seem to improve when his medication kicks in. He is getting extra help in school, but still struggles. Homework after school is tough and the anger comes out-bedtime can be a struggle too. I hate the drug game...I am feeling like maybe we have a wrong diagnosis or maybe we are just bad parents.  I have contacted a neuro-psychologist and have an intial consultation. I called his psychiatrist and he said he doesn't think that my son needs the testing. (we have only been seeing this md for 6 months as our pediatrician no longer felt comfortable changing his medications.) Should I just follow through with the appt. I know it is expensive... I just want what is best for my son. He can be so sweet and loving; then angry and oppositional. Sorry this is long winded-just praying for some guidence. Thanks Kris  mom2conner40619.6971527778I'm sorry to say I have no helpful advise, but I just needed to say - hang in there.  You are NOT bad parents!  Bad parents would blame the child, blame the school, blame the kid next door or the doctor.  Good parents ask for advice and learn as much as they can so they can help their child. 

yikes.

i got testing an think it is a good idea.

hitting you and cats, as opposed to a punching bag, is a big big no no in nearly everybody's book.  Attachment D/O children see paychologists who deal with this.  And all family therapists deal w/ it too.

my hart goes out to you and yours.

Hi Mom to Conner. I think most of us have been where you are, and the self doubt is cripling. If there was just a standard dose of something that would fix it! Two tylenol and you're good to go, right?

There are so many kinds of meds. My second child has AHDH and we didn't know til first grade but my fourth child, I pretty much knew by the time he was two. But no one wants to put a 2 year old on adhd meds. We waited til he was almost 4 and it was still a struggle to find meds that work. Concerta that my other child is on gave my younger one terrible ticks. We finally ended up with Tenex and it's been amazing. I'm tempted to change my older guy to tenex because it doesn't seem to have the "grumpy morning, grumpy evening" problems you mentioned. Concerta wears out and everyone in the house knows when, but tenex is always there. Sure, he's crabby when he's tired or hungry - but so am I!

Once you find the right meds, everything will be so much better. And I love the comment that you're not a bad parent because you're trying to figure this out and not blame everyone else!!! Good parents look at their child and try to help them and that's exactly what you're doing.

Yes. You will get a 20 page report with testing results. It will be a series of 2
hrs appts. Sounds like the psychiatrist needs some help. This would be a
good route.