Do you think stimulants permanently affected your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My perspective is that most unmedicated adults do not reach full potential and often suffer extensively from comorbid conditions. I chose to medicate and have no regrets. DC is on track to graduate college in 4 years.

I know unmedicated ADHD adults who have lost jobs, wrecked cars, failed marriages, etc. I also know many NT people who have also done those things. I would say that most people have bad things happen in life, do not reach full potential.

We know that the risks of those things are higher without medication.

I have seen doctors who say this but the studies I've read do not differentiate between those who are/were medicated and those who weren't.

Here is one study comparing accident rates in medicated vs. unmedicated adults.
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-medications-reduce-the-risk-for-car-crashes/

There are plenty of people with mild ADHD roaming around without getting into constant wrecks and becoming addicts. Those are the people who probably do not need meds. Unfortunately, the kids like this could end up pushed toward meds in the wrong environment.

Few people dispute those with dsevere ADHD need meds and it is worth the risks. For some though I do think the risk are not worth it.

Sure, it's worth it for some, not for others. Parents have to decide what to do based on the information they have right now. For my kid with severe ADHD, no question that medication is worth it. For others perhaps not. But I wager there are more parents who wished they medicated sooner than parents who wished they never medicated at all.

[Anonymous]

We are a family that wished we knew earlier (no dx until age 16). ADHD and the preteen/teen years are hard - not just because of ADHD but the impulsiveness, depression and anxiety that often come along with it. Medication for school has made a lot of difference in our ADHD combo kid and also allowed him to perform closer to his super high IQ. He was extremely frustrated to be struggling so much with school when he knew he was smart (AAP etc but we'd never done testing/it was never recommended). Yes we worry about the LT effects but honestly, he would have crashed and burned long before whatever effects people here are worried about happened.

[Anonymous]

What if he had been allowed to be an average college-bound student in Gen Ed classes?

A lot of super bright kids *could* be in every high-level class, they could master the material but an entire schedule of highest-level classes is impossible --- due to their condition. It just is.

[Anonymous]

I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

No one medicates their child so that they can be a "star". It is a really tough decision, something parents will struggle with throughout their child's life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

I don't think most doctors flippantly say anything. They give you the best information they have, which is less than what we will know 20 years from now. There are also things that are safe, but myths continue to spread that they are not safe, ex. vaccines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if he had been allowed to be an average college-bound student in Gen Ed classes?

A lot of super bright kids *could* be in every high-level class, they could master the material but an entire schedule of highest-level classes is impossible --- due to their condition. It just is.

You're assuming that the super bright kid is going to be capable of being successfully averagely college bound if in general ed classes. That's not a reasonable assumption. Even the work load required in regular classes is challenging for a super bright kid with executive function problems and inability to focus attention. It doesn't matter if the kid would understand the material if the kid can't actually get the material read. It doesn't matter if the work is brilliant if the kid can't manage to get the work completed, or turned in. It doesn't matter if the kid's a wonderful kid, if the impulsiveness, lack of ability to plan, and difficulty following conversational flow trash friendship after friendship.

The "extra" intellect a super bright kid has that isn't being used in gen-ed classes (which I think is a questionable assumption, but let's go with it) doesn't mean it gets to be used for the kid's deficits. Deficits are deficits. Sometimes they can be masked by exceptional abilities in other areas. Sometimes they can't.

And, what if my kid's an average kid, for whom gen-ed courses would be right on target. Should the average, ADHD kid take special ed classes, in order to avoid being medicated? (Assuming that a kid not being medicated can work well at a level "below" his natural level, which is a ridiculous assumption and displays a complete ignorance of ADHD.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

No one medicates their child so that they can be a "star". It is a really tough decision, something parents will struggle with throughout their child's life.

pp here- I'm not upset about the conversation and agree that we need to discuss medication and that there are meds that were previously considered safe but now are not (see my post)- but some of what you are saying is anecdotal and perhaps true in some cases, although I'm going to agree that medicating so a child can be a *star* is hopefully, rare.
I was enjoying some of the scientific articles, studies, etc. - as I said "reasoned discourse" based on science. I have specific concerns about stimulants based on what we've been discovering about other meds- but they might be unfounded.

[Anonymous]

People never say they are medicating so their kid can be a star but I have seen several very anxious parents fight for an ADD diagnosis in children who were borderline at most and it does seem like the motivation is higher grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

Urban legend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

Urban legend.

They post all over DCUM, this forum and others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if he had been allowed to be an average college-bound student in Gen Ed classes?

A lot of super bright kids *could* be in every high-level class, they could master the material but an entire schedule of highest-level classes is impossible --- due to their condition. It just is.

You're assuming that the super bright kid is going to be capable of being successfully averagely college bound if in general ed classes. That's not a reasonable assumption. Even the work load required in regular classes is challenging for a super bright kid with executive function problems and inability to focus attention. It doesn't matter if the kid would understand the material if the kid can't actually get the material read. It doesn't matter if the work is brilliant if the kid can't manage to get the work completed, or turned in. It doesn't matter if the kid's a wonderful kid, if the impulsiveness, lack of ability to plan, and difficulty following conversational flow trash friendship after friendship.

The "extra" intellect a super bright kid has that isn't being used in gen-ed classes (which I think is a questionable assumption, but let's go with it) doesn't mean it gets to be used for the kid's deficits. Deficits are deficits. Sometimes they can be masked by exceptional abilities in other areas. Sometimes they can't.

And, what if my kid's an average kid, for whom gen-ed courses would be right on target. Should the average, ADHD kid take special ed classes, in order to avoid being medicated? (Assuming that a kid not being medicated can work well at a level "below" his natural level, which is a ridiculous assumption and displays a complete ignorance of ADHD.)

NP. Do you think stimulants permanently affected your child?

Not sure, weight and height most likely, but time will tell.

I do know this for sure--my pretty bright kid could barely get through the classroom day as a 1st GRADER (and an Oct. birthday, so on the old side), due to his lack of impulse control.
Many calls from the school...he was on a path of ostracizing from peers and a loss of self worth.

Stimulants, complementing everything else we were doing, were necessary.

These are very tough personal decisions that parents and providers make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

Urban legend.

There are many parents who have posted on DCUM in the past, explaining how happy they are that their child went from having all B's in school and struggling to compete in their various sports and after-school activities, to getting mostly A's and having plenty of energy for several after-school activities per week. That's the kind of parent who medicates because they won't accept their kid's average abilities. We can't all be above-average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to see the thread become pro or anti medication, especially when so many of us have our tipping point where the potential benefits of medication outweigh unknown, longer term risks.

It's not an easy decision to medicate, and as a parent who has not (yet) gone down the road of medication- well, when I see my son struggle sometimes, that isn't easy either, and I do wonder if I'm making the right decision. We revisit it every six months.

What we do know are the serious risks of depression, anxiety, school failure, social exclusion, etc.

There are many medications that we take because they literally save our lives or our sanity that also carry risks- SSRIs, anticholinergics, even antibiotics have some risks/associations.

Not trying to jump on a soap box, but I like the reasoned discourse over meds because it can be a difficult choice and we beat ourselves up enough, I think.

Yes, and there are parents who chose to medicate so their average kid can be a star and there may be a chance the risks outweigh benefits. There are also kids buying this stuff from other kids. If your child is in the category where it literally saves their life or they would be getting into car crashes and having impulse control issues galore then of course you medicate. Yes, we need to keep discussing this. Doctors will flippantly say it's the safest choice and for some it just isn't. Sorry if the discussion upsets you, but we have been told over the years all sorts of things were safe and eventually we found out they weren't (certain pesticides, meds, plastics).

Urban legend.

There are many parents who have posted on DCUM in the past, explaining how happy they are that their child went from having all B's in school and struggling to compete in their various sports and after-school activities, to getting mostly A's and having plenty of energy for several after-school activities per week. That's the kind of parent who medicates because they won't accept their kid's average abilities. We can't all be above-average.

That doesn't mean their kids don't need medication. Maybe it sounds borderline to you, but if your kid is smart, he can get Bs without even trying. He uses his smarts to compensate for his failure to complete assignments. Eventually this strategy fails though, whether in the upper grades or on the job.

So it's not really about the grades themselves, but about your kid learning that they can actually do the work and it pays off. As for extracurriculars, if you've seen your kid take 3 hours just to unload the diswasher,, then do it ten minutes on medication, suddenly having time for extracurricular activities is a huge thrill.