ADHD ChilD

Hi, C.,

I'm not familiar with Concerta, but I have used neurofeedback with very positive results. It is used for ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, and even addictions, with few or no side effects and is very non-invasive, so you don't have to worry about it throwing your son for a loop, messing with his liver (toxicity issues), being addictive, etc. Neurofeedback doesn't get the big marketing dollars that pharmaceuticals get, so you won't hear about it as much - because it's just plain cheaper and more straightforward - but it's been tremendously successful with conditions like ADD/ADHD. I know of a practice in Fayetteville, and they're just splendid, really know their stuff. You could do a free consultation with Elise Burt. Also, it should be covered by insurance - mine covered it. You might start seeing results immediately, or it might take a number of sessions - it will not hammer him over the head like drugs can, which is good, though again, it might not provide the quick results that drugs sometimes introduce, but don't let that get you down if the latter is the case. It's ultimately a stabler, more permanent solution because it trains the brain to function optimally - on its own, without the need for continual therapies of one kind or another.

Also, there is an excellent book by Gabriel Cousens, MD, called Depression-Free for Life, which also addresses ADD/ADHD issues from a nutritional stand-point. Medical science doesn't address nutrition much because med school glosses over it. 36 hours of nutrition in all of the years of med school, I hear. But it's true: what we eat becomes us. I discovered that my anxiety disorder was caused, in part, by an imbalance in my diet that I had completely overlooked. Too many simple carbs, in my case, and an Omega fatty acid imbalance: too many Omega-6s, not enough Omega-3s. I've also used supplements to balance out my former, long-term deficiencies, like vitamin B complex. Such a little thing, but such solid results. Maybe there is some supplement or type of food that your son needs in what appears to be a balanced diet. Address these fundamental issues, and whatever therapy you choose is bound to be more effective in the long run. I was able to get off of my series of pharmaceuticals by looking into my diet, adjusting my nutrients, getting more exercise and taking time out to decompress. Who would have thought that such a simple, cheap approach would make such a powerful difference? Yet I'm a different person! It wasn't the years of meds that did it. They just caught me in a spiral. They left me a mess, even if some took away the symptoms temporarily. If Concerta isn't his first prescription, you've probably noticed what personality changes drugs can cause, and I know that must be hard for you, as a mother of a young boy, to see, wondering what it's doing to his fundamental personality. This is why I really hope you'll try neurofeedback and nutrition (a consultation with a nutritionist is such a gift, and it doesn't cost much at all. You can do one by phone, even).

Another thing to think about is, maybe you could do a detox with him. His ADHD could be caused by mercury, aluminum, some other contaminant and/or be other issue related to vaccines (mercury isn't entirely out of circulation, even still! They have only begun the phase-out, so most people think vaccines are free of them now. The companies don't want to toss their supplies, is how I've heard this intermediate situation described). Ozark Natural Foods probably has some detox products, or you could find some online. There's a company in Brevard, N.C. that has a very good line. You could also provide him with a medically supervised, more intensive detox through a program like Dr. Stephanie Cave's (M.D., F.A.A.F.P.). I think she's in Missouri. She has turned even cases of autism around pretty dramatically (you can read more in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About CHildren's Vaccinations, a very balanced and moderate book, but a very eye-opening one, as well).

Good luck. I know what a struggle these things can be. But knowledge is power. I'm sure that with all of the care you're giving your son, whatever options you explore, he will turn out just fine, and life will settle down in time.

L.

PS I read through some of the other responses, and would like to address one mother's question: paraphrased, "would you refuse insulin for your child if s/he were diabetic?" I know what she's saying, but in fact, insulin might not be the only solution there. One author who comes to mind, a leading nutrition scientist, T. Colin Campbell, in his book, The China Study, reported on a study that showed that diabetics - types I and II - were able to drastically decrease or even end their insulin treatments with a low-fat, whole-foods plant-based diet. I know that these types of programs, like Dr. McDougall's, aren't advertised like the pharmaceuticals are, so it's understandable that people think that many diseases like diabetes can only be treated with drugs, or surgery or what-not, but I urge you to consider that we're only hearing about the options that are placed in front of us because those are the ones that get the marketing dollars; they're the ones whose studies get subsidized by various big grants because they're so high-tech, require labs and expensive equipment, etc. It doesn't mean that the low-tech, simple, straightforward approaches don't work. It just means that no one's making billions of dollars off of them, so they won't advertise them on TV, in magazines, etc. What I'm trying to say is, exploring other options can't hurt, and could provide you and your son with exactly what he needs.

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Wow. I read these responses and I am sometimes taken by surprise at the variety of opinions. I am a teacher and the mother of 5. Of our 5 children 3 have been diagnosed as ADHD. We have been through a variety of medications. My advice is to educate yourself. I have attended many workshops, read tons of research and stayed very in touch with my children's teachers. Currently our oldest daughter is a wonderful young mother and attending nursing school. Our oldest son is now a flight instructor with a commercial pilot's license. We did not use medication to deal with behavior issues. We used medication to assist our child in society. Our 13 year old daughter takes Concerta with great success. The dosage is very important. There are a lot of other options out there. Some resources that have been invaluable are: Sandra Rief-she has a website and a fabulous book The ADHD Book of Lists, also a book that surprised me-getting Rid of Ritalin.
To me, anyone that htinks ADHD is just a behvior issue has not really seen the quality of life improvement that medication can offer these children. I chose to begin medication in 3rd grade for my 13 year old and she asks to be on it even during the summer because she needs the help to control her impulsivity. She makes all A's and is a wonderful girl. I am also making some decisions about our 6 year old. We have been working with the doctor to get a diagnosis. (The doctor's started asking about family history when he 2.) We have not began medication yet, but it is in the near future. Of ll 5 kids, only one does not have symptons. It is in our family on both sides. Don't get discouraged. Knowledge is your best tool.

Good luck-I am praying for you and your family.

Teaching mother of 5- his, mine, ours, 34 year old-married for 12 years.

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my son just made 8 and was currently on concerta. i recently took him off and put him on "focus attention" this is an all natural herb med especially for adhd. it works awesome. he has been on it since feb. 5 2008. i never had problems with the concerta and he was on the lowest dose i just didnt like giving him medicine.

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My son is in 4th grade and will be 10 next month. Since the day he was born he has been unable to keep still. He spins in circles, jumps on the couch, and is very wreckless. He is also a straight A student so medication was not even an issue with me for a long time. In the second grade he had a teacher (who has 30 year experience). She called me up on several occasions, not because he was agressively distrupting the class, but because she saw social behaviors that she felt would most likely affect his life when he was a little older. When she would give him punish homework it was things such as writing a sentence many times. And one time is was writing a prayer several times. These tasks literally took my son 4 hours to do. He would cry all night because he could't focus on getting it done. This was the same with a page of math problems. At the end of Second grade his teacher told me when I asked, that she would not recommend medication at this time because he was highly intelligent and was doing real good in school. However, she did warn us that in the 3rd or 4th grade when there was moare things that he would need to concentrate on, he may start having problems.

In third grade about halfway in we were struggling so much with those page long math assignments that would take him from 4 in the afternoon to 8:30 in the evening. We finally took him to the Dr. She had prescribed a small dose of concerta. This worked wonders! The first thing he said when he got home from school was that he needed to finish his home work and he hasn't had any problems since. He has also made several friends and seems really happy with himself. I was so worried about him before. Hope all goes well with you, I know its not easy! And yes my son does talk alot on the medication, but he no longer spins in circles, and stands on his desk. Good luck!

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I also have a child who has ADHD. My son is sx years old he takes Adderall XR 20 mg. This medicine is a time release pill it last him the whole day,. My son makes excellent grades in school he gets in trouble a least once a month. My son talks alot too. He is a big chatter box. I have no tried Concerta but my son has been on Adderall since he was five. The talking to much never goes away.

A little bit about me:

I am 29 years old. I have been married 8 months to my husband but we have been togather 11 years and I have one biological child and three stepchildren. My husband has been deployed to Iraq and he will not return until 2009. My son sometimes acts out because his dad is not here to help with the discipline. My son refuses to talk with his dad when he calls. Just have faith in your son and the lord and everything will be o.k. If I can do it and I am doing this alone for the moment I know you can.

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I want you to know that there is reason to work with the Doctors on your child's needs for ADHD and that it is most definately "worth it". The medications are not an exact science as each body is different and what they need to find balance is different. Real ADHD is caused by chemical imbalances and a medication is usually required to create the necessary balance. I have 2 children who were both ADHD, learning disabled, and gifted. This diagnosis was 25 years ago. My son was about 4 and my daughter was around 2 1/2. I tried everything they suggested back then (limit sugar, limit wheat, etc, etc, etc). My son was not a talker but he did not stop moving and did not sleep until he was totally exhausted. My daughter just could not focus and was always distracted. I worked full-time plus and was beyond exhausted dealing with both children, a job, overtime, and a military spouse. We were in Germany so I had no family support. I finally gave in and let them put my son on the ADHD drug of that time frame (Ritlin) when he was in pre-kindergarten. People at my office told me I was insane letting them drug my son but we both needed help. He drove everyone around him crazy and I was afraid I might lose it. We were lucky and the Doctor hit the correct amount of the Ritlin immediately. The drugs took the edge off my son and he learned how to cope with his ADHD. After fifth grade we were able to take him off the drug. When my daughter was in second grade we finally placed her on Ritlin as she could not concentrate or focus in class. Again, we were lucky and the Doctor hit the correct amount of the Ritlin immediately. Her grades came up almost immediately. She was only on the drugs a short time and learned to cope with the ADHD. I was told early by Doctors, Psychologists, etc., not to expect much from my kids-I would be lucky if they graduated High School. But I will have you know that they both graduated from High School and College with Honors. I never let them use ADHD or their disabilities to fail. I did ensure their teachers understood my children's diagnosis and that I did not expect their teachers to treat them differently or expect less of them because of their differences. My son is now in his late 20's and still has issues with ADHD, however, he refuses to use medication and is trying all the non-medication related gimicks for himself. My daughter has not had issues with ADHD until recently. She recently had a baby and it appears to have upset her balance. She currently has issues focusing but is not ready to speak to a Doctor about the problems yet. Keep the faith but also know that a lot of children diagnosed as having ADHD are really not ADHD. They might be pampered or undisciplined, getting too much sugar/simple carbs, or having a reaction to another food. If the Doctor cannot find a balance you might want to think about what your son is eating. Does he drink a lot of soda (diet or regular)? Does he get too much candy? Take note of all the juices and foods that contain high fructose corn syrup (sugar). It is the second ingredient in things you would never even think it was in. Does any particular food, drink, event, etc., increase his activity level? Try limiting things that appear to affect him. Ask a dozen different people about this issue and you will have a dozen different answers or suggestions. Get a second opinion if you are uncomfortable with your current Doctor. Find a Doctor who has studied ADHD. Ask them, they will normally tell you if they have done research on ADHD. You might even consult a Child Psychologist/Psychiatrist if possible. Use your intelligence and your Doctor's advice to determine what will best serve your child. Drugs may be the answer (I know we do not like to hear that but...). Do not give up and most of all PRAY!

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