Medicating for ADHD regrets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No regrets. ADHD meds plus antianxiety medication greatly improved emotional regulation. We were in a world of hurt without it.

Same here. Until we added the SSRI, my younger DS (of 2 on meds) really couldn't access the curricula. His anxiety manifests differently than his older brothers and I regret we didn't add it sooner.

[Anonymous]

I have ZERO regret.

[Anonymous]

I resented my parents a little for starting me on adderall when I was only 14. I’m now almost 40 and struggle so much when off of it. It’s a challenge. For so long I wished they had never put me on it until I was old enough to make that decision. But now, having a child with ADHD I understand why they may that choice for me. I only wish I had been on it earlier. My child is 10 and it’s a game changer for him socially and academically. I’m very thankful for the meds for him and for me.

[Anonymous]

None at all. There are downsides, so you will struggle with finding exactly the right dose—and that may be different during vacations or weekends than an ordinary school day, and it may change over time. But DS would be remarkably less successful and less happy if we had to give these drugs up entirely. I think actually I wouldn’t even try to have him in conventional American elementary school without it (and this is a brilliant, above-grade level kid). We would have to radically change our lives and go traveling and homeschool or something like that, to prevent the total collapse of his self esteem.

[Anonymous]

Same as others - only regret is not starting sooner. Lots of damaged self-esteem issues to undo once meds got DC on track.

[Anonymous]

OP - every choice has pros and cons. Every DC is different - our dC is dyslexic and ADHD w/ strong family history of bipolar. I have not started DC on meds because we were able to manage in other ways (intense special instruction in reading, couple of yrs of SN school which was great for self-esteem and self-advocacy, lots of parental oversight, etc.). We also had concerns about possible side effects - growth stunting and possible trigger for bipolar from stimulant meds. It is working for us, but it is a decision that I constantly re-evaluate.

I say this because there is no magic bullet. Every choice has pros and cons. Sometimes there are alternatives to meds, sometimes not. Anecdotes from other parents can be informative but not determinative because every ADHD kid is different. The choice you make now may be something that you change later.

ADHD, generally, is a chronic, lifelong problem to manage in a variety of ways (meds, social supports, habit formation, therapist, etc.) all of which change because life isn't static.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1. The only regret I have is not starting earlier

+2. By the time we came to terms that DD needed meds, she almost had a psychiatric admission (yes for ADHD), and we had no place to take her. That was very scary. It's a tough decision for parents. In our situation, it was the difference between daily life of HELL for everyone and now DD is stabilized and we have some sense of normalcy.

[Anonymous]

OP- we haven't medicated yet either and this is a valuable discussion.

I used to think I wouldn't use medication, but now, my son is eleven, and the hormones are amping up. We're starting to have more impulsivity, defiance, etc., and it's emotionally harder for me to deal with that behavior because it can feel a lot uglier. The lack of focus and ability to plan/organize is harder to manage at this age- there social and academic consequences that can't be smoothed over.

I expect we will medicate starting over the summer before middle school to work out the rough spots.

[Anonymous]

Op, most of these meds only stay in the system for 10-12 hours at most, so I'm not sure what the regret would be. Either it works without side effects that can't be managed, or it doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, most of these meds only stay in the system for 10-12 hours at most, so I'm not sure what the regret would be. Either it works without side effects that can't be managed, or it doesn't.

NP. OP's questions are valid. There are no long term studies on what the effect of long term use is, even if in the body for "only" 10 - 12 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, most of these meds only stay in the system for 10-12 hours at most, so I'm not sure what the regret would be. Either it works without side effects that can't be managed, or it doesn't.

NP. OP's questions are valid. There are no long term studies on what the effect of long term use is, even if in the body for "only" 10 - 12 hours.

You were saying?

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/877438

Honestly there are a lot of drugs for which there are no long term studies. Life is about calculated risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, unmediated teens with ADHD are more at risk of self-medicating with street drugs and alcohol. When they are on appropriate ADHD meds, that risk falls back to that of neurotypical kids.

Please cite your source. I've heard the opposite. By already taking medication, it already lowers one's resistance to trying something new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, unmediated teens with ADHD are more at risk of self-medicating with street drugs and alcohol. When they are on appropriate ADHD meds, that risk falls back to that of neurotypical kids.

Please cite your source. I've heard the opposite. By already taking medication, it already lowers one's resistance to trying something new.

The PPP is right. Kids with ADHD tend to be impulsive and more likely to use drugs. But once treated their risk is no greater. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-and-substance-abuse-is-there-a-link

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, unmediated teens with ADHD are more at risk of self-medicating with street drugs and alcohol. When they are on appropriate ADHD meds, that risk falls back to that of neurotypical kids.

Please cite your source. I've heard the opposite. By already taking medication, it already lowers one's resistance to trying something new.

I don't know who you've been talking to but I'd stop. One of the hallmarks of ADHD is increased risk taking and propensity to engage in negative behaviors.

[Anonymous]

We're still trying to find the right medication, given a co-existing anxiety medication and some other medical issues. But I do regret not trying sooner. I think especially with girls, depression starts becoming a real risk in the 10-12 age range, and even if your child seems not to be struggling much with the ADHD, it may be impacting their self-esteem more than you know.