For ADHD - H, could you tell me why you decided in favor of/ against stimulants?

[Anonymous]

My 9YO DS just got diagnosed with mild ADHD, mainly H. He is doing well academically, social relationships are fine, and is athletically active. But sometimes does have impulse control issues, can’t sit still for long, and sometimes talks over people in class.

We are discussing options, including medication, with the doctor.

I have heard/ read about some concerns with stimulants, and I’ve had friends in their 20/ who had challenges with adderall dependency, so I’m a little cautious on this.

For those of you that had similar circumstances and decided for or against stimulants, could you share your reasoning in decision making? And how is your child doing?

Thank you in advance.

[Anonymous]

We started with stimulants because even though my child's grades were good, he was coming home exhausted from having to work so hard to stay still. He was missing instruction because he was paying attention to controlling his body instead of the teacher -- so he didn't know what the assignment was or how he was supposed to complete it.

We tried several stimulants and they worked really well with no side effects that *I* saw. But he really didn't like how they made him feel, although he wasn't able to describe that the feeling. He's now on guanfacine, with a prescription for Ritalin that he takes as needed (for him, instrument lesson and evenings when he has a lot of homework). We revisit the decision about stimulants each year -- he's in 8th grade now and we all expect that he will need them in high school, when work gets harder, but for now he's ok on just guanfacine.

[Anonymous]

ADHD can switch types over time, so for example in the early years it can be hyperactive but in later years it can be more inattentive. For my DS he just started to have a really hard time with school performance (organization, paying attention) so medication felt like our only option in upper ES and now in MS. It works well, but of course I worry about long term side effects and dependence. Like I said, it just feels like there is no other option except homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

We had to start DS on stimulants at age 4, or he would not have been able to attend any kind of school setting.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the quick feedback. These are very helpful insights.

[Anonymous]

For those that went on medications, how often do you need to fill prescriptions? Do you have to make a doctor appointment every time, or can they be refilled automatically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that went on medications, how often do you need to fill prescriptions? Do you have to make a doctor appointment every time, or can they be refilled automatically?

We are in Florida and our rules here are that we have to have a 3 month tele appt with our pediatrician - it takes like 3 minutes. And an annual ADHD in person appointment. And the meds can only be refilled on one-month supplies, which means we have to ping our doctor on the portal every month 5 days before we run out.

[Anonymous]

In K and 1st, DC's teachers told us that he roamed all over the classroom and hardly ever sat in his chair but they weren't concerned. Then 2nd grade was virtual - and he didn't do it. We saw a psychologist who diagnosed him and recommended he start stimulant meds when he went back to school so that he would be able to stay in/near his seat, which would be required due to covid. So we did, and he did.

We are in Virginia and pick up a paper scrip monthly and deliver it to the pharmacy. We have checkup appointments every 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In K and 1st, DC's teachers told us that he roamed all over the classroom and hardly ever sat in his chair but they weren't concerned. Then 2nd grade was virtual - and he didn't do it. We saw a psychologist who diagnosed him and recommended he start stimulant meds when he went back to school so that he would be able to stay in/near his seat, which would be required due to covid. So we did, and he did.

We are in Virginia and pick up a paper scrip monthly and deliver it to the pharmacy. We have checkup appointments every 6 months.

^ Initially, I felt bad that we were giving DC medication just to sit down and stay still - but the meds have also helped him with emotional regulation and just "dealing" with life. We take med breaks on weekends and longer breaks so we can see the difference, and tbh I'm not sure that med breaks are the best thing to do, for him and the rest of the family.

[Anonymous]

I'm DH and had ADHD undiagnosed until I was 40. I medicated my H son because he had just enough impulsivity to get all the negativity associated with ADHD that eventually destroys your confidence and self-esteem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that went on medications, how often do you need to fill prescriptions? Do you have to make a doctor appointment every time, or can they be refilled automatically?

We get meds through the mail order pharmacy, so get three months at a time. At the regular pharmacy, one month at a time. Either way, no refills, but the doctor allows us to email him to request a new prescription without an appointment. We have appointments quarterly, unless there's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Interesting point about med breaks. I can see pros and cons of both. I guess it’s a trial and error process to see what arrangement works.

[Anonymous]

The insight about self esteem is also very helpful. Someone else told me a similar thing - that the negative feedback they get from those around them - as a result of impulsivity they can’t control - makes the kids feel bad about themselves and gradually fulfill the expectation that they are “problematic” or “difficult.”

[Anonymous]

We started meds when DS was about that age -he told us when he came home from school that "it was the best day ever". I think ADHD was impacting his life so much more than even we thought.

He is in college now and still taking meds because he wants to - he knows they help. And he has had the chance to take breaks and forgets sometimes, but he goes back to the meds because they legitimately help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those that went on medications, how often do you need to fill prescriptions? Do you have to make a doctor appointment every time, or can they be refilled automatically?

We get meds through the mail order pharmacy, so get three months at a time. At the regular pharmacy, one month at a time. Either way, no refills, but the doctor allows us to email him to request a new prescription without an appointment. We have appointments quarterly, unless there's a problem.

To get refills, our pediatrician requires a check-in appt with basic questions/assessment and blood test (2x a year).

Keep monitoring and assessing.

Good luck!