Son with ADHD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've stopped giving Adderrall to my rising 5th grader for the summer. I only gave it to him for 1 wk while he was in a summer camp. Honestly, I think his mood is better without it. Yes, he is more hyper and louder when not on it, but we can live with that at home. Unfortunately, in a class of 20+ kids during the school year, the teacher can't cope.

He's small for his age and I wanted to see if he would grow/gain weight during the summer.So far, he seems much more relaxed and his appetite has improved. I wish I didn't have to give it during the school year.

Are you sure you do? Is he only on this powerful drug because "the teacher can't cope?"

[Anonymous]

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/06/09/fewer-prescriptions-for-adhd-less-drug-abuse/adhd-drugs-have-long-term-risks

[Anonymous]

My son takes it all year every day and that's what works for us. It's hard to ask these questions on this board where people love to have an opinion about ADHD when their kids don't have ADHD.

I personally never respond to posts about medical or psychological issues that my kids don't have but for some reason people love to comment about this one....

Just ignore and do what you think is best or do a bit of trial and error and see what works better for you.

[Anonymous]

7 days a week on Adderall, and his MD strongly believes in no med vacations because ADHD affects so much more than learning/ academics-- it's a global problem. But we were able to keep DS off meds until MS, so we don't have the same growth concerns (DS is 5'6''/107 lbs).

[Anonymous]

DD asks to take them on weekends as she told us she hates how she feels without them. Ask you son.

[Anonymous]

DD takes hers 7 days a week all year and Dr supports that for her. I would check with your Dr if you have concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD asks to take them on weekends as she told us she hates how she feels without them. Ask you son. [/quote

He hates them cause his not very hyper but he has can't pay attention very well.

[Anonymous]

My dd is 9 and just started on a ritalin based medicine. The dr said that while she was starting up, to take it every day for 3 weeks. After that, we could take a break on weekends, summer and holidays if we wanted. I ask dd if she wants to take it. She takes it on a weekend day when she has lessons and math tutoring, but then all this week, she is at a play-based camp, so she is not taking it.

This works for her because she is mostly inattentive, and her social skills are pretty good.

[Anonymous]

I don't give DS (8) his Focalin on the weekend unless he has a sporting event where he needs to focus. It hasn't been an issue so far.