I have a kid in my class whose parents refused meds for three years. He's been in self-contained all this time. Now this year he is on meds, is having great days at school, is learning to read, and no longer spends much of each day rolling around on the floor screaming.

I know that nobody wants to put their kids on meds, but why wait so long to at least try? You aren't saying you'll give them forever, but what can it hurt to try when a kid is failing so much? It just breaks my heart to see these kids that are in such need that they have been removed from all general education classes and are falling behind, all because they can't focus and feel terrible about themselves. If they had diabetes, wouldn't you try insulin?

Sorry to rant on. Good luck. I hope your child finds relief.

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.

Anonymous wrote:No regrets here. One of the best things we did for our son.

Same. OP, when you find the right med, it's an incredible transformation.

My husband stalled for years, and my only regret is not medicating sooner. We started when my son was 10, and had already nearly failed 4th grade. Inattentive ADHD.

Anonymous wrote:

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

AMEN

We are desperately trying to get in with the doctor for medication and we are frustrated that we have waited for so long.

No regrets. Was hard to see stimulants fail but INtuniv did the trick. He seemed years more mature and felt so good about the change.

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

Anonymous wrote:No regrets here. One of the best things we did for our son.

Same. Made a world of difference for DS. He was about to get expelled from school when we discovered he has ADHD and got medicated,

For one of my children the side effects of the medications were awful ( we tried several) so we quit. My other son started taking medication for ADHD in his 20s - miraculous turn around for him with college and his school work. I wish I'd started him years before.

No regrets here. One of the best things we did for our son.

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

AMEN

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

For my dd it was more of a regret that I waited. It was a little hard at the beginning seeing her have a letdown time at the end of the day and not eat as much but for the first time she felt successful at school. That was worth everything!

We're considering starting our 9yo dd on stimulant medication for ADHD (inattentive w emotional dysregulation). I have mixed feelings about this - anyone started their child on stimulants and now regret ? TIA !