I know how you and he feels. I am and have a daughter with ADHD. I heard that med was one of the worst ones... you might want to do some research on that... Personally, my daughter takes adderall slow release... is really gentle. Try also to buy herbs that act as calming neuro nutrients and enhance mood and can be taken with the med. B-6 and 5-HTP are really good with the med but if your son is too small he can't take the second one. I have found giving a warm bath with lavender, while playing a relaxional cd. really calms her down. Then, I give her some chamomile tea and leave her in her room, which I also spray with lavender. You really have to look at his diet... you also might want to get rid of all sugar, lower carbs, increase protein, and fish .. don't have enough space to write in here, but you have to some research on all the foods that have a intercation with the drug. Eating something as simple as an orange, which is high in vitamin c, can have an enourmous effect of the drug..
Here is a much better option though. DMAE. Natural, non-habit forming, works as well as ritalin, and no side effects reported. "
The supplement has an interesting history. Initially, drug makers were interested in selling the product as a medication for attention deficit disorder when studies in the 1970s showed that deanol, the chemical name for DMAE, reduced hyperactivity and improved concentration in schoolchildren with learning disabilities and behavior problems. However, when further testing was deemed too expensive, it was packaged as a nutritional supplement, since this substance is naturally found in fish. "
I don't like to have on amphetamines all the time because of their risk for addiction and cardial problems, yet I take them (but anyway that's another story) If this works like is working now.. I 'll say goodby to prescription meds. for good. Read more at :
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525 ,10023,00.html
My son has been on Concerta for a month and a half now. I still wonder if I am doing the right thing by medicating him. His grades have improved and the teachers have said he is working very diligently but I still question my decision. I feel like I'm drugging my child. I noticed his pupils were dilated the other day. Is this normal? I also notice he yells at his sister (seems like he's posessed the way he yells) more often in the evening and he cries other times at the drop of a hat. Are these mood swings normal? He sometimes complains of headaches too. I feel helpless towards him right now Any advice would be appreciated!mama - been there too. It is soul destroying isnt it. all those symptoms are common, however need to be checked with the specialist.
He may need another drug to balance it out or perhaps a different longer lasting medication.
Dont feel hopeless, you are far from that, regardless you will either find the right medications or you will decide to go without them and have to learn alternative parenting techniques to cope with his ADHD behaviours.
Have faith in yourself. You are not alone.
Dmae: We tryed this, school said no benefit. Read can work opposite in some people.Also if person is having seizure like activity don't use.I liked him on this. Plus must be given more than once a day.Ous son has Sensory issues any way.I found his Strattera and Depakote together have helped best.Also read on reference section of this page depression is just part of the ADHD. I think because they no they are different as I did in school. RSHN