BellaOnline Forums Family Special Needs Children ADHD/ADD Drug Poll 1st Post Deleted Accidentally

I have inadvertantly deleted the first message in this thread - sorry. See subsequent messages if you wish to participate.

Pam W

Since I started this crazy poll, it's only fair that I go first, right? <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I have 2 sons who have been diagnosed with ADHD. My oldest, who is 10, does not have an attention concern but is extremely hyper and moody, to say the least, due to allergies. He's allergic to latex, most animals, and nearly everything in Mother Nature. My other son, who is 7, a real little firecracker, is what most physicians would say is a 'typical ADHD' kid. No attention spand, rather not much, extremely hyper, and a major figitor. Both of my son's have tried Strattera, Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall XR. Our brand of choice, as of right now, Adderall XR. It helps them get through their school day and wears off about 4-4:30 p.m., about an hour after they get off the bus. I like Adderall XR for them because there are no drops or peaks with the drug for them. It's a level dose that is time-released throughout the day during school and I can even go without giveing them the Adderall XR on the weekend and start it back up on the next school day without any concerns.

What do I hate about the med? My boys don't want to eat and have insomnia. Fortunately, we've fixed those two problems somewhat with a small dose of Periactin each day (it's an anti-hystamine).

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hello

How did strattera work for your boys. Mine was on ritalin but is supose to go on strattera, but he�s only 4years old. I know that strattera has only been tried on children over 6 years old.

Thank you

My Chris was dx'ed with ADHD in 1st grade. He will be 18 in Sept. He is currently on Adderall XR & doing well with it. In 1st grade & for several yrs he was on Ritalin. He has never had any serious side effects with either of these. One thing that I find VERY important is the right/good doctor, whether pedi or psyco. His 1st dr was great but he moved when Chris was in 5th grade. It took a few yrs to find another good one. While we were trying, I felt like Chris was their guinea pig. They kept trying all kinds of different meds. By good, I mean one who really understands ADHD. They are out there but just because a person has MD after their name doesn't mean they know anything about ADHD. Anyway, my ADD personality has a tendancy to ramble!

We had my son Tyler on imiprimine starting at 4 yrs old and went on to Cylert for a few yrs. Those drugs just did not help at all so we switched gears to Ritalin and had him in in home counseling for a yr which did wonders for him.He has been on different forms of Ritalin for the last 3 yrs currently and is on the all day slow release version now. I am pretty satisfied with it. He is much more cooperative and is being more responsible regarding his schoolwork. He is beginning to think of other people and do things for them instead of himself only.He eats well whereas before he was underweight and picky. The dr blamed that on the Ritalin but I don't believe it. We did switch to a vegetarian diet a few yrs ago and his weight increased at that time and maintained. He will eat anything I give him now. Hope this helps someone <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Tammie

My 13 year old son is ADHD and Bipolar Type 2. He takes 36mg of Concerta in the morning and 20mg of Geodon at night. He also has to take 0.01mg of DDAVP at night for bedwetting issues. If he misses one dose of Concerta even his teachers at school can tell that he's missed it. If he misses his dose of Geodon at night, or takes it too late at night he has an extremely hard time falling asleep. He has been on many medicinal cosktails since he was diagnosed 5 years ago. For now we have found the right medications and the right doses. However, as he goes through puberty I have been warned by the psychiatrist that we may need to adjust the dosages or even try new medications due to the hormonal changes that are happening in his body.

hi since every1's child is suffering from add can u answr me a question? if alcoholism runs on both sides is it really true ur child is most likely gonna get it?

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From SNC Editor Pam:

I am not sure whether your question is about the prevalence of ADD in children of alcoholic parents, or the likelihood that a child of alcoholic parents will grow up to be an alcoholic.

Many children who grew up with alcoholism in the home make the choice never to drink liquor, and others drink only rarely and in moderation. I believe that there is a genetic component in alcoholism, and for some people, the first drink triggers the addiction.

Many parents who do not drink alcohol have children who have ADD, so I am not sure there is a relationship between having an alcoholic parent and children developing ADD.

There are local and regional telephone hotlines associated with crisis clinics and other community organizations that can answer young people's questions about both alcoholism and ADD, and some nationwide toll free numbers you can call for more information, resources and support. I would be glad to refer you to a help line if you would like to talk to someone anonymously who is knowledgeable about these topics.

Pam W

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 16, and I still have it (I'm now 27, and I think the H is finally wearing off!). I was given dexedrine when I was diagnosed and it turned me into a zombie. I could finally focus, and wasn't bouncing of the walls all the time, but I was a little TOO focused, and just kinda out of it. I didn't eat for 2 weeks, and didn't sleep either, so I was like the walking dead. My mother took me off the medication and we decided to try and handle it through diet. That has worked pretty well for me, although there are still times where my ADD "acts up" and I can't really function at all. I don't know if they even make a drug for adults with ADD, does anyone know? Since my son was born it is really hard for me to get the right amount of sleep (although he does allow me some <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) and to eat regularly, so I have been considering trying a new medication if it starts to look like I need the extra help. I'm really hoping my son does not have ADD, the poor kid has enough problems (he was born with a critical heart defect and has already had 2 heart surgeries and will have at least 2 more). Does anyone know what the odds are when 1 parent has ADHD of the child having it?
Thanks