Any one know about the supplement ATTEND? | ADHD Information

Hello, I am new to this site... wish I had looked for it years ago !!  I have 2 boys currently being treated.  My 11 year old is on Ritalin (ADHD)  and  my 9 year old just started Stratera (ADD)  a month ago.  I found a site and it recommended a product called Attend.  Its an all natural supplement... Has anyone else seen this or better yet tried it?  I am struggling with my 9 year old.  The stratera does not seem to be helping and I feel he actually has a worse attitude now.  Any other ideas would be helpful and appreciated too.

Thanks Denice

Hi Denice - I asked the same question back on March 25/05 and received a few responses which you may want to read back there in the event no one responds here.  March 25 - Everydayjsj.  My 9 year old son was assessed a few months ago and after alot of thought and research, I have decided not to put him on medication at this time. But as problems seem to be increasing I will try the Natural route.  Just gathering more info on it now and also want to check with our local chapter of CHADD to see what natural product is recommended, if any.  Then off to a health supplement store to see what they suggest.  One thing mentioned constantly in the March responses is possible toxic content in the Natural products as many are not approved by the FDA.  That has to be checked carefully.  I did notice on the Attend website that they have an FDA or some kind of registration number for their product.  I will know more by next week and will gladly update you on what I have found.    JoAnne

Hi Denice - just a quick note - spent 1 1/2 hours on phone yesterday with CHADD senior member and have natural product material being sent in the mail today.   Don't know if it's just a herbal listing or has actual market products, but will have it next week and update again then.  One thing he kept stressing was "structure", with or without medication, ADD/ADHD kids need complete structure on a daily basis.  This will help them develop their own coping skills as this is what they do to appear normal, not grow out of it as some people think. They will have a tendency (when older) to love coffee, pop, smoking etc, anything with a stimulant in it to help them through the day.  One major direction he gave me is to start training my son now to "stop, assess, then react".  Our kids react without consequence and that can lead to trouble as they grow. Perhaps you have heard alot of this already but I thought I would pass this on in case.  He was just so insightful that my head is spinning with all the info.  Will update again next week - JoAnne  

 This is my first message of this forum.  I have a few questions, not about the forum, but about medications.

My 14 year old daughter (weight 230 lbs and 5 feet 6 inches tall) is currently on NO medication for ADD.  Her APRN is recommending Stretara.  What I have read, gives me ALOT of concern    !  Liver failure to name one ! 

She was on Ritalin in elementary school.  Did okay with it.  Then in Middle school, she was on Concerta 18mg.  She took it, but complained of headaches and stomach aches.  Since 7th grade she has not been on anything.  Alot of problems at home. 

With her school, she is now a freshman in High School, we have a IEP/PPT, as she also has CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER, and it falls under "Other Health Impairments".  She is NOT ON MEDS NOW.   

Does anyone have any suggestions?  Adderall looks promising.   

 

Thank You

I did read back at your previous post.  I have the list of "ingredients" at the pharmacy getting it checked out as I write this.  I did go ahead and start him on the concerta today, although I am having second thoughts.  He just stopped taking Strattera.  I did not get to into things with my first son, I just did the ohh ok medicate him and this time I am having second thoughts.  We are also looking into diet changes.  I know my mother had me on a restricted diet as  a child and I guess its time to stop being lazy and do it too.  I will let you know also what I find out.  Thanks again Denice

We tried Attend back before my son was on medication.  He would have been 7 years old then and we had him taking a lot of the Attend, though I don't remember now exactly how much.  It took a few weeks to see any effect but then we did notice things gradually getting better.  There was not a tremendous difference, but I would say some improvement.  At the time we were under a tremendous amount of pressure from the school to put him on medication (they were threatening to send him to a different school for "emotionally disturbed" children).  Once we started him on medication (adderall XR at the time) we stopped the Attend.  The Adderall had a much more immediate effect.

I think of my son as pretty extreme in the ADHD category.  I've known other kids who were able to make it through school until they were in 4th or 5th grade without starting medication but my son was in 1st grade and uncontrollable.  My belief is that Attend would work for the kids who have a milder ADHD.  Unfortunately, my son needs the medication.

 

Denise