Refuses to take ADHD meds

[Anonymous]

+1 for the fizzy drinks! Please check with the pharmacist before cutting or crushing your pills. Many are time released and MUST remain intact.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - OP here. So helpful!!

[Anonymous]

Strattera upset my kid’s stomach, so that made it hard for him to comply! But that’s 100% important for him so we backed off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a mom of two kids with severe ADHD, honestly, at that age, I would just hold off. My kids couldn't tolerate it and both waited until high school. I would swap the drugs for a ton of executive function coaching and tutoring, and make sure they're in an environment that tolerates the inattention. Those drugs make you feel horrible and starting at 7, staring down 20 years or more of it would make me cranky and not want to take it either. And I know I'll get criticized for this opinion, but I do have experience and stand by it. It's just too young to start these drugs.

Not the OP, but I needed to hear this today. We have tried countless stimulants with my DS, hoping that the next one will be "it" or he "just needs to get used to it." They all make him miserable: sad, cranky, anxious, etc. His grades are terrible, but he has an IEP so he's chugging along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a mom of two kids with severe ADHD, honestly, at that age, I would just hold off. My kids couldn't tolerate it and both waited until high school. I would swap the drugs for a ton of executive function coaching and tutoring, and make sure they're in an environment that tolerates the inattention. Those drugs make you feel horrible and starting at 7, staring down 20 years or more of it would make me cranky and not want to take it either. And I know I'll get criticized for this opinion, but I do have experience and stand by it. It's just too young to start these drugs.

Not the OP, but I needed to hear this today. We have tried countless stimulants with my DS, hoping that the next one will be "it" or he "just needs to get used to it." They all make him miserable: sad, cranky, anxious, etc. His grades are terrible, but he has an IEP so he's chugging along.

OK, but there are non-stimulant drugs - why is your prescribing doctor not having you try a different class of medication?

[Anonymous]

Don’t force her to take them if she’s telling you they are causing her anxiety and to not want to eat. Especially at 7.

My kid tried both of those meds and ultimately couldn’t take either. Stomach issues, no appetite, anxiety, depression and a few other side effects were worse than any benefits. I couldn’t force my kid to take something that made them feel so bad.

We took time off and kept having discussions with the doctor. He’s currently not any on meds as a teen and there are issues but at least we know of some he can’t take. We are exploring other ideas. I’m sorry this isn’t helpful.