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Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)
Son has ADD in grade 2 what med us best?
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amother
OP


 

Post Mon, Jun 10 2019, 8:39 pm
My son has ADD, which meds are best?

Can anyone share their experience??

Im struggling bec I think my dh has it too and my mil is in denial
Of these types of things such that my dh is not doing well.

I want to help my son be successful such that he has a lot
Of trouble now but hopefully with the proper treatment, he will
Improve in all areas.

Can anyone relate and sharw what worked for
Their child??
Tia.
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busymother




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jun 10 2019, 9:08 pm
You would have to go to a psychiatrist to find out which meds would be best for your son.
May I first suggest you make sure he’s getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and not lacking any nutrients before you resort to meds?
Talking from experience here... wish I would’ve gotten those straightened out first.
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amother
Mauve


 

Post Mon, Jun 10 2019, 10:06 pm
Each child responds to medications differently. My child responded poorly to Adderall and Ritalin and is doing well on Vyvanse. Unfortunately it's trial and error and not much fun until you find the right mix. But a good doctor should be able to guide you well.
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amother
Slateblue


 

Post Mon, Jun 10 2019, 10:48 pm
I have a number of children with ADHD and each child responds differently to different medicines so you really need to work with your dr. It's also worth setting a system up to measure improvement and giving it to the teachers as well so you can see that the medicine is helping. and overtime sometimes the medicine needs to be tweaked.

my dh also found out he had adhd after we began treatment for my son. (and soon after we realized most of the kids have it to)
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seeker




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Jun 10 2019, 10:55 pm
What they said - very individual, look for a doctor who has a good reputation for being flexible and working with the parents' and child's concerns.

Definitely, definitely keep in touch with the school because effects come and go over the course of the day and you will need this information to judge how it's working.
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Mrs.K




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 12:03 am
So true. So individual. What worked for one of my children was horrific for another and vice versa. Everyone responds differently with different side effects. It's a trial and error, one that should be monitored closely by you and your doctor.
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amother
Pink


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 1:00 am
Mrs.K wrote:
So true. So individual. What worked for one of my children was horrific for another and vice versa. Everyone responds differently with different side effects. It's a trial and error, one that should be monitored closely by you and your doctor.


Could you explain what you mean by "worked " and "horrific" please?
My son has recently started on ADHD meds and we are trying to understand if they are helping or causing negative effects. Psychiatrist says these things take time to settle down. But how long till you see results, or know it's the wrong drug for your child?
Thanks
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Mrs.K




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 1:20 am
amother [ Pink ] wrote:
Could you explain what you mean by "worked " and "horrific" please?
My son has recently started on ADHD meds and we are trying to understand if they are helping or causing negative effects. Psychiatrist says these things take time to settle down. But how long till you see results, or know it's the wrong drug for your child?
Thanks


It can mean anything from having no effect on his/her behavior and mannerisms to having a negative effect, or no change at all. Additionally, these medications have side effects such as loss of appetite, insomnia, facial tics, certain behavioral changes etc. A medication that gives one child horrible side effects can work great for the next.
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amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 4:35 am
Thank you all for responding. After doing more research, I saw that adderal can have side effects such as that the body must rely on it...and can cause high blood pressure/heart problems...

I read that some meds may even cause
Mood swings /behavior issues, but right now my son has great behavior but spaces out is distracted...cant remember...

I know I need a good Dr but I'm wondering if the side effects will create other problems.

I want to do my research before just following the Dr.

Did anyone here have a son with great behavior but can't focus or remember...or....??pls tell me about side effects too...

Thanks
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busymother




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 4:46 am
amother [ OP ] wrote:
Thank you all for responding. After doing more research, I saw that adderal can have side effects such as that the body must rely on it...and can cause high blood pressure/heart problems...

I read that some meds may even cause
Mood swings /behavior issues, but right now my son has great behavior but spaces out is distracted...cant remember...

I know I need a good Dr but I'm wondering if the side effects will create other problems.

I want to do my research before just following the Dr.

Did anyone here have a son with great behavior but can't focus or remember...or....??pls tell me about side effects too...

Thanks


Could be it’s a learning issue? Maybe he just needs to be taking more frequent breaks during class. As I said, it’s important to explore all other options first. My dd15 was on meds from first till sixth grades. She did amazing on the meds but the side effects were horrendous. Now she’s got a host of other issues (depression, anxiety, obesity...) as a long term result of taking meds. It’s not for everyone and should definitely be a last resort. I know my answer is not going to be popular but I had to say it. You can pm me if you want to know more details.
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amother
Gold


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 4:51 am
Your research shouldn't be here. This isn't real research. I can't stress this enough that what works for another A's child may have no effect on amother B's child. First get an offical diagnosis. Does your son have ADHD or ADD. Is it the complex kind? This could take a couple of weeks. Do this now because you need his teacher's input.

Once you know what your son has, look at the different medications for your son's condition. Then Google what the drug manufacturers say about side effects. Google what reputable sites says about side effects - like the Mayo clinic and Harvard.

There are psychiatrists who specialize in ADD/ADHD for children. I know one in Manhattan is several hundred dollars for a consult, but will worth it. I am letting you know that resource is available. You can start with a local psychiatrist. Some pediatricians will not prescribe unless first prescribed by a psychiatrist.

You also can consult a school psychologist who can help you understand how your son's affect effects the teacher and other adults in his life. Armed with this knowledge, you can advocate for your son.
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imasinger




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 4:52 am
When first starting medication trials, pretty much everyone starts with tiny, short acting doses of Ritalin derivatives (methylphenidate, metadate). That let's you see how his body responds to medication of this sort. Then, dosage and extended release time is worked on. If there's a good response, that's it. If there's no response, or the side effects outweigh the benefits, the psychiatrist will suggest another choice.

Don't rely on anyone here. Get a good doctor, and work with them.
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amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 5:56 am
busymother wrote:
Could be it’s a learning issue? Maybe he just needs to be taking more frequent breaks during class. As I said, it’s important to explore all other options first. My dd15 was on meds from first till sixth grades. She did amazing on the meds but the side effects were horrendous. Now she’s got a host of other issues (depression, anxiety, obesity...) as a long term result of taking meds. It’s not for everyone and should definitely be a last resort. I know my answer is not going to be popular but I had to say it. You can pm me if you want to know more details.


Please explain what you mean "just a learning issue"??? Yes, my son has learning issues but I believe its due too add. He definitely doesn't have the hyper""" part, but I am new to this and I would appreciate if you can share the difference bec like you said, I'm hearing about horrible side effects and "curing" one issue may cause others so I want to hear from everyone who went through this with their children bec there is a lot to gain from talking to ppl who actually experienced it vs drs who see many patients like an assembly line and dont really have time to listen or "get to know" my child.
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amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 6:08 am
amother [ Gold ] wrote:
Your research shouldn't be here. This isn't real research.

Once you know what your son has, look at the different medications for your son's condition. Then Google what the drug manufacturers say about side effects. Google what reputable sites says about side effects - like the Mayo clinic and Harvard.

There are psychiatrists who specialize in ADD/ADHD for children.

You also can consult a school psychologist who can help you understand how your son's affect effects the teacher and other adults in his life. Armed with this knowledge, you can advocate for your son.


I disagree. There's a lot to be gained from "talking" to ppl who experienced this. Yes, a good Dr with a diagnosis...needs to happen...but going to a Dr "armed" with information is key and ppl who experienced something can share things that a Dr may not take into account bec reality is that drs overbook and "go through patients" as an assembly line and don't really have time to listen to concerns ....instead, its more dictatorship...which I dont want.

I'm talking from my experience that I went to a top Dr for myself and waited hrs after which the Dr didntreally take time to look up my chart from last time...wat to follow up...

Recently, I went to a second opinion top Dr and saw a pa after which I saw the Dr (for my sons condition) for 2 min and he wouldn't let me ask questions, and told me "sit on the couch""

Maybe, he's a good surgeon but doctors are not miracle workers.

I also had a previous medical issue which I did a lot ofresearch by speaking to others who experienced it. I then asked my Dr if I can take those meds like others and she agreed to try and bh my condition improved (even though the Dr originally didnt think it was a good combination of meds). Drs are experts in the knowledge but many miss the actual experience that moms here have which is valuable data that drs dont have time to research.
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amother
Gold


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 6:14 am
amother [ OP ] wrote:
I disagree. There's a lot to be gained from "talking" to ppl who experienced this. Yes, a good Dr with a diagnosis...needs to happen...but going to a Dr "armed" with information is key and ppl who experienced something can share things that a Dr may not take into account bec reality is that drs overbook and "go through patients" as an assembly line and don't really have time to listen to concerns ....instead, its more dictatorship...which I dont want.

I'm talking from my experience that I went to a top Dr for myself and waited hrs after which the Dr didntreally take time to look up my chart from last time...wat to follow up...

Recently, I went to a second opinion top Dr and saw a pa after which I saw the Dr (for my sons condition) for 2 min and he wouldn't let me ask questions, and told me "sit on the couch""

Maybe, he's a good surgeon but doctors are not miracle workers.

I also had a previous medical issue which I did a lot ofresearch by speaking to others who experienced it. I then asked my Dr if I can take those meds like others and she agreed to try and bh my condition improved (even though the Dr originally didnt think it was a good combination of meds). Drs are experts in the knowledge but many miss the actual experience that moms here have which is valuable data that drs dont have time to research.


It's good to talk with people with experience. This I agree. It isn't research. It's talking to people with experience.
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amother
Natural


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 6:19 am
My son only had a focusing issue, not a behavioral issue.

We tried everything before beginning meds - OT, PT, vision therapy, water therapy, horseback riding therapy, sports teams, extra tutoring. It was all a waste of time!

We took him to a private specialist - a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician who put him on Ritalin and it has been amazing! I feel so bad that we made him wait to the point where he wasn't doing well in school because we were trying alternative therapies.
He is now ka"h at the top in his class in every subject.

One thing we learned is that headaches is a sign that he needs a higher dose. When he had a growth spurt, he got headaches and I was sure he needed a lower dose but the dr. explained that he grew so much, he needed more. Sure enough, the headache went away as soon as she raised the dosage.
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amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 6:25 am
amother [ Natural ] wrote:
My son only had a focusing issue, not a behavioral issue.

We tried everything before beginning meds - OT, PT, vision therapy, water therapy, horseback riding therapy, sports teams, extra tutoring. It was all a waste of time!

We took him to a private specialist - a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician who put him on Ritalin and it has been amazing! I feel so bad that we made him wait to the point where he wasn't doing well in school because we were trying alternative therapies.
He is now ka"h at the top in his class in every subject.

One thing we learned is that headaches is a sign that he needs a higher dose. When he had a growth spurt, he got headaches and I was sure he needed a lower dose but the dr. explained that he grew so much, he needed more. Sure enough, the headache went away as soon as she raised the dosage.


Thanks for this. I'll look into this type of Dr.

I have a 2 questions.

1) were there any bad side effects from the Ritalin?

2) did your son struggle with remembering things and did he do poorly academically before the Ritalin?
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amother
Natural


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 7:09 am
amother [ OP ] wrote:
Thanks for this. I'll look into this type of Dr.

I have a 2 questions.

1) were there any bad side effects from the Ritalin?

2) did your son struggle with remembering things and did he do poorly academically before the Ritalin?


1) No bad side effects. Just lower appetite during the hours he is on it. He takes slow release so it lasts from 8am-4pm. He makes up for it by eating very nicely before and after and there have been no health issues, B"H.

2) Before Ritalin, he did poorly academically in terms of losing focus, so he would have trouble reading and paying attention in class. He actually has an excellent memory and relied on that as a crutch.
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amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 8:52 am
amother [ Natural ] wrote:
1) No bad side effects. Just lower appetite during the hours he is on it. He takes slow release so it lasts from 8am-4pm. He makes up for it by eating very nicely before and after and there have been no health issues, B"H.

2) Before Ritalin, he did poorly academically in terms of losing focus, so he would have trouble reading and paying attention in class. He actually has an excellent memory and relied on that as a crutch.


Thanks.
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busymother




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jun 11 2019, 9:23 am
We paid out of pocket and went to top doctors cuz I was really nervous about the whole idea. She was diagnosed with ADHD and put on low dose of Ritalin. She was no longer a behavior issue in school, she was a zombie. They were really happy. She no longer slept and ate at erratic times. When the meds wore off at 4pm she had triple the amount of energy and was impossible to deal with at home.
Just trying to weigh in more sides because you asked even though it’s not popular on this site. After a couple attempts at different meds I completely took her off all medications. Took her to a natural dr who said she has learning issues, (we knew that) anxiety and depression. Not adhd. She’s now suffering the long term consequences of the meds and doing much much better with the right diagnosis.
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