Reply to Anyone decide not to medicate for ADHD after trying the meds?

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Reply to "Anyone decide not to medicate for ADHD after trying the meds?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I wouldn’t necessarily assume that she’s fine in school based on the teacher’s assessment, which often means she’s not disrupting other kids. If she’s missing half of the content, she is going to struggle going forward, especially in math which is cumulative. The fact that you are seeing more symptoms at home may mean she is working extra hard to focus at school, which means she has less resources for other things like learning how to socialize. It also may mean that the teacher is not observing her as closely as you are (likely). The structure of the school day probably helps. It is also going to affect her self esteem at some point. We didn’t medicate our DD because of these same reasons and I had no idea how much the sense of her own identity formed from the idea that she was spacey, immature and scattered. It became apparent later and if I could do anything again, it would be to medicate before I saw these social effects.

That being said, seven is young and I understand being conservative with meds. I’m not experienced with Focalin, but Vyvanse and Concerta are both long acting drugs. Especially Vyvanse which is 12-13 hours. Are you working with a psychiatrist? Your DD may do better with a short acting version in the AM and again at lunch. I have an older teen who does better with this - less appetite suppression, way less insomnia.

I highly recommend the YouTube series How to ADHD which is a very bright young woman who had a later diagnosis of ADHD and how is affects her. Very positive but very eye opening.[/quote]

+1 I think this is a great response. Totally makes sense to be hesitant and conservative with meds, but I wouldn't put a ton of stock in a teacher with a large classroom saying she doesn't notice it since your daughter's symptoms are easy to fly under the radar. Also, it sounds like your daughter was on meds in the fall when you got this report so that seems like it actually goes towards the meds working (Kindergarten teacher felt it was very noticeable, first grade she is on meds and the first grade teacher is not noticing it) We haven't stopped meds and my son has the emotion regulation piece so meds have been an important piece for us but we've had a similar experience that preschool there were a ton of school issues and it was very obvious. Kindergarten there is more structure and he is on meds and teachers say he is generally doing great. He does a short acting just one dose in the morning Ritalin and that has been brilliant for him. Yes afternoons can be a little wild but we use other strategies for that and for now that works and we then have little side effects from the meds.

I guess one of my questions is whether you are questioning the diagnosis generally? It sounds like no. If not, than I would just keep a very close eye because I do agree with the poster that kids sense of self is developed during these early years, so ideally you really want them to have the medication if they need it early so that the sense of self they develop is - I'm capable, I do well in school, I can stay on task when I need to most of the time, I have friends, etc. I think we sometimes don't give enough weight to the side effects of not medicating if a child really needs it.

That all being said I think what you're doing is reasonable! Give a try, just stay vigilant.[/quote]

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