Hi my son is 14 and has just been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety disorder. The Dr. felt strongly (and we agreed) that the anxiety needed to be treated first so he's been put on a very low dose of fluoxetine (prozac). Since then it's like his control is gone out the window. He's pokey (driving his older sister nuts) and impulsive. Even he acknowledges he can't keep his hands under control. He fiddles with whatever strikes his mind at the moment (like stuff on his teacher's desk). His anxiety is alleviated somewhat. He can stick with and finish a test in class now without having to run to the bathroom. His marks for tests are starting to go up but he is hopelessly disorganized now.
The doctor wants to put him on meds now for ADHD. As you might be able to tell, I sort of agree. My husband is concerned that our otherwise healthy son will then be on two psychiatric meds. I don't want to lose the wonderful kid I know and love. Pokey or not, he has a wonderful sense of humor and his high activity level is sort of fun. He loves sports and watching him play with our dog is wonderful. I would like him to be able to control his behaviour in school and not get in so much trouble.
Do other parents of kids worry about the mixture of meds? Is it normal for kids to be on 2 meds? I don't want a sedated doped-up son.
ADHD meds do not dope up or sedate anyone. Please educate yourself by doing credible research and also speak to someone who specializes in med management, for example, a psychiatrist in order to get accurate information about meds for ADHD. Make decisions based on accurate knowledge, not fear. If your worried about the mxiture of meds speak to your local pharmacist as well but these two medications are the protocal for those with an anxiety disorder in combination with ADHD. Again, your childs doctor should be educated on this subject and should be able to explain it to you in knowledgeable terms. The only time parents worry is when they are being given inaccurate information and when that happens fear causes us to make the wrong decisions. Their are many parents on this board that are a fountain of information so you have come to the right place. WelcomeI agree with the above post. I would also reccommend, if you haven't already, get an accurate diagnosis from a psychologist who specializes in ADHD and children. ( In addition to a correct diagnosis and understanding of ADHD, ADHD has a much higher succes rate - about 80% when both meds and behavioral therapy are used together)
Both my kids have ADHD and I learned (this and much more) that anxiety and ADHD can both look the same. My older son had stomach aches almost daily with the anxiety of school, and the growing responsibilities of a 12 year old. He has inattentive type ADHD and the meds definately made a huge difference for him and his anxieties.
My younger son has combined type ADHD and is very hyper, impulsive, has ODD a quirky personality and super smart. He was also starting to suffer with depression before he was medicated. (he thought he had a bad brain, was stupid etc.) The meds are the difference for him to regualte himself and interact in a positive way with others (especially his brother who can get soooo annoyed with him) He is still his quirky cute wonderful self. NO personality change, just able to: ready, aim, fire... as opposed to : ready, fire, aim:)
Hope this helps!
hey Hi Kat..
You have two good posts above. This one is to welcome you (especially as you are form Canada! smile ) and to tell you my experience. In short it is summed up in my note at the signature line below. I'd add that it took two years of persistent willingness to try recommended meds and doses FOR THE SUGGESTED TRIAL PERIOD. for four plus years now i am stabel and happier thatn ever in my life. I'm on a combinatiojn of two mens that work for me. FINDING DOCS you can work with well is worth any effort. and to repeat f rom above, there is a great deal of info on this site. learn to search by subjext and by the individual postrers that you like.
Pls let us know how things develope.
Thank you to Luvmykids02, geeeemo, and
integrtydispair. We've been learning as we go and it's a little worrisome I guess. I grew up believing that medications are for sick people (and I used to be an ICU RN). I look at my beautiful healthy boy who is being treated badly by teachers and feeling like he is stupid.
The diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD has been determined through extensive testing and evaluation by an educational psychologist and a psychiatrist specializing in adolescent mental health. I guess my concern is because of my husband's experience as a teacher. He has personally seen kids who appear "doped up" and does not want our son to be the same way. I do trust the professionals we are dealing with but it seems there must be some practitioners out there who are over-medicating.
I have searched PubMed for current medical journal articles and ERIC for current education articles. I am genuinely curious about other parents personal experiences. It seems that having a child with ADHD is a taboo subject. I hear people saying things like "these kids don't really have ADHD but are just not being raised right". Or recently from another teacher "Yeah in the classroom we're firing off ritalin from cannons these days. We just tell the kids to open their mouths and everyone gets a dose" I'm not kidding - I know this particular individual is ignorant but it doesn't help when you're trying to get help or just some feedback. When I didn't know about my son, I just ignored these remarks but now it's personal.
So back to my question: How long are the trial periods usually. I have to wait until mid-may for our next appointment (another 6 weeks). My son has to write final exams 3 weeks later and I certainly don't want his brain drug-addled while he's trying to write. On the other hand, maybe he might actually do well on his exams for a change! If he were only 7 or 8 years old, I would not be as concerned. We are trying to be as up-front with him as possible. He knows his treatment plan and even our current dilemma. He's fed up being impulsive and pokey - he's aware he's doing it but has difficulty controlling himself.
I'll stop now. Thanks for all your help and support again.
You won't lose your son but the medication will change your son. He might not be as playful or exciteable or as funny or joke as much. The director of the ADD clinic in Las Vegas Nevada Dr Clark told me that often other people might not like a person as much once they are on medication. I have taken medication for ADD for about 15 years and can attest to the fact that is does change people. But this is the idea. It is supposed to change people, give them more focus, allow them to followr through on tasks, be more organized etc. if you want the same person don't put them on medication.
It sounnds like your son might benefit from medication but instead of deciding for him i would get him evaluated by a psychiatrist specializing in ADD ADhd, and get him counseling for his anxiety. You may be missing something and it could be uncovered in counseling. I would also encourage you to let your son in on the decision to take medication.
You have to find out what his goals are and what he likes to do and what he wants to be better at before you medicate him. Maybe he wants to be a comedian and he is funnier off meds. From My experience I would reccomend communicating with your son and get to know him. It could be good for bad to go on meds.....it sounds like you are decidng for him and that may be part of his anxiety. He is old enough to understand adhd and what the medications are for and what they do. You can't know what is making him act up just by one doctor visit. Get a counselor get to know you child, what makes him tick and maybe that will help his anxiety. I was a kid with Adhd once and felt it was a betrayal having my parents decide what course to take without letting me have a say.