Experience with putting a 4 yo on Ritalin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Ugh so were a few days in and I’m not really noticing any positives. If anything he seems more disregulated and impulsive?? Anyone have similar thoughts?

I’m planning to see a child psychiatrist to help us calibrate the meds but just wondering how long it really takes to know if this is the right medication. Thus far, I’m not feeling great about it and I expected to see more of a difference.

I'm the PP above who left a lengthy post about starting a 4 year old on meds. In our experience, impact of the proper meds is instant on the first day within 45 minutes. We have tried probably 8 stimulants over the years, and have always had the same timeframe. If anything, day 1 is too effective, too subdued, zombie like - and then things even out on day 2. And as i noted above, DS has a fair mix of issues beyond classic adhd, and his psychiatrist considers him pretty complicated for figuring out the right med mix. If on day 2, the adhd issues aren't "fixed", then you either need to try a different med or increase. There's zero reason to wait the two weeks to titrate up, that doctors typically recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Ugh so were a few days in and I’m not really noticing any positives. If anything he seems more disregulated and impulsive?? Anyone have similar thoughts?

I’m planning to see a child psychiatrist to help us calibrate the meds but just wondering how long it really takes to know if this is the right medication. Thus far, I’m not feeling great about it and I expected to see more of a difference.

I'm the PP above who left a lengthy post about starting a 4 year old on meds. In our experience, impact of the proper meds is instant on the first day within 45 minutes. We have tried probably 8 stimulants over the years, and have always had the same timeframe. If anything, day 1 is too effective, too subdued, zombie like - and then things even out on day 2. And as i noted above, DS has a fair mix of issues beyond classic adhd, and his psychiatrist considers him pretty complicated for figuring out the right med mix. If on day 2, the adhd issues aren't "fixed", then you either need to try a different med or increase. There's zero reason to wait the two weeks to titrate up, that doctors typically recommend.

Whoa - that really depends on the child. OP’s kid is on seizure meds and she needs to see it these cause any interactions, so many reasons to wait.

[Anonymous]

I’m a different PP who started my son at 4 and have seen positive results. For us, the positive impact was immediate, on day one, and that’s what our psychiatrist told us to expect. Negative side effects have shown up over time and are managed with dosage adjustments. I hope you can get some help soon, OP.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for the replies. The PPs saying they saw instant results is more what I expected, but our current dose is SUPER low from what I understand.
If anything DC seems grumpier and more impulsive on it.

I know for myself personally, the effects of adderall are felt VERY quickly.

I think I’m going to wait until we can get in with a child psychiatrist to help us in Calibrating doses and finding the right med.

[Anonymous]

I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I should explain that the dose we would start on is very low and we’d be doing it with the supervision of a child psychiatrist.

Seems crazy to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

Sure, pills are the answer and diet is silly. For a 4 year old.

I'd try everything under the sun before putting my 4 year old on anything starting with "meth" or ending in "-phetamine."

[Anonymous]

Maybe this kid can't handle full day preschool yet. Could try half day, and other half do something else, maybe physical activity with a sitter. Karate, swimming, park. Take kid to church or other place of worship on weekends. Learn sitting still for an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

This. Clean out the garbage chemicals first.
What have you done, nutrition wise, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

Sure, pills are the answer and diet is silly. For a 4 year old.

I'd try everything under the sun before putting my 4 year old on anything starting with "meth" or ending in "-phetamine."

The above PP makes a good point. I'm definitely not a believer in diet is everything but you may want to try (at least in conjunction with meds) lowering or eliminating sugar and similar products. It can't hurt to try multiple things at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

I see results of candy, MSG, and dairy right away. Takes 6 minutes, not 6 months. Dairy is just allergy/respiratory though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a relatively unusual thing to do, but we have gotten 4 different opinions from 4 different doctors and they all recommend we put our 4 yo on Ritalin for ADHD. We are starting later this week. Has anyone else done this on a child so young? How did it go?

I’m excited to try it and see if it helps, but afraid to get my hopes up too high. I myself take adderall and find it immensely helpful.

I am 100% pro drugs. Better chemistry for better living!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

I see results of candy, MSG, and dairy right away. Takes 6 minutes, not 6 months. Dairy is just allergy/respiratory though.

Kids don’t get thrown out of three preschools because they’re eating candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d try a GAPS diet for 6-12 months first.

hahahah yes, that's a perfect solution for a parent struggling with a kid who has been through 3 preschools in the last year. Just try a diet approach not based in science that takes 6 months to see non scientific results.

I see results of candy, MSG, and dairy right away. Takes 6 minutes, not 6 months. Dairy is just allergy/respiratory though.

Kids don’t get thrown out of three preschools because they’re eating candy.

Maybe . . . kid shouldn't be in preschool all day yet. Maybe kid needs more physical activity. More consequences at home. Nanny 9-1-1