Reply to Please share your experience with ADD (inattentive) medication

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our DS started medication in 6th grade.  It was a big mistake.

DS has gone thru adderall, focalin, concerta, ritalin.   Started after teacher said he was having trouble focusing and getting tests by pediatric neurologist.  It seemed like a godsend in middle school and really did help then,  but in high school it started affecting his sleep.  We did not do enough research and did not fully understand the tradeoffs.   Getting up at 5:45 for school going to school medicated, crashing after school, taking something else for homework (offered by DR when DS complained about homework), taking something else for sleep, on and on.  All prescribed by DR with parents thinking this was helping.  Child started thinking that pills were solving problems.   Affected mood, both highs and lows.   Took a whole summer of no medications to work this out and let DS starting to sleep normally again.

Don't start with medication, start with counseling, and tutors if necessary, and after that has been exhausted, and even then I would change schools first, and only then would I think about trying these ADHD medications.  There are no biological tests for ADHD, it is all subjective judgement by a DR.

I would also challenge parents, are your children really that much different than when you were a child?  I had the same attention and focus issues, still do, but I learned ways to adapt, and the school/pressure wasn't so over the top.

[/quote]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I think sometimes those of us that choose to medicate become very defensive about that choice and don't admit that there are side-effects or other options.[/quote]

I think the reason some people become defensive is because of the immediate PP who doesn't seem to have a balanced view of her experience with medication.  If you ever go to the SN forum, you'll see lots of parents discussing the side effects of medication and the challenges they have finding one that works and with an acceptable level of side effects.  Even though the PP noted improvements that 'seemed like a godsend and really did help', she feels her later experience negates all that.  What I see in her post is an extreme reaction that doesn't sound reasonable and is colored by prejudice - she had the same attentional issues but she learned to adapt.  The implication is that everyone else should as well. In recalling kids of her own time, she likely doesn't realize the kid that was considered stupid or a trouble maker likely had ADHD - which is what the kids with it in my day were labeled.   It bespeaks of ignorance about ADHD and continues the stigmatization of those who choose to treat their children's neurological disorder with medication.  No medication is without risk and without potential side effects.  Not all medical providers are equally capable of treating ADHD.  To make argue that medication should only be considered after changing schools is extreme.

FWIW - I have one child that can't tolerate the stimulant medications and the non-stimulants provided no benefit.  I have another child that responds very well to stimulant medication and we've seen no negative side effects - not even weight loss or sleep issues.[/quote]

I want to apologize if my post came out as preaching or extreme.  I did not mean to criticize or tell anyone else what to do.  Anyone that has children especially those that just don't fit in or are challenged at school, knows the  stress and fear and knows that each is unique and special.  I actually like the description snowflake even though people hear use it as negative.    I just wanted to add my personal experience and opinion.  Anyone that has children knows that you are never truly happy until your kids are happy.  I have reflected on these past decisions often, and don't think we did the best we could.    The OP asked for feedback and I wanted to provide my experience.   [/quote]

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