Please Help... - Whitinsville,MA

Hi A.. My son was diagnosed in 2nd grade with severe ADHD. He started off on Ritilan for a number of years, the switched to Concerta. He too had a loss of appetite and lost some weight. Don't panic!!! Children with ADHD usually have very high metabolism rates just like my son. My son took the meds to get him through school only I did not make him take them after school or on the weekends or school breaks and eventually his weight evened out. He did have a decrease in appetite whenever he was taking the meds but since I didn't make him take them 24/7 he always made up for it and his weight came back on.

Here's some good new....my son is now 16 and has been off medication for more than 2 years. As he got older, he learned other ways to control his hyperness and to remain focused, thanks to maturity as well as wonderful resource help at school. He came to me one day and said he felt the meds just weren't doing anything anymore and he wanted to try school without them. We did a trial run...from one progress report to the next...to see how it went. The great news is that his grades went UP without meds!! Since stopping the meds, his grade point average continues to climb and as he gets older he is calmer and better focused just by virtue of maturity and learning techniques.

So....don't panic about the meds. There's a lot out there to try until you find one that helps with the least side affects. And hopefully you will find my story reassuring...it's not necessarily forever. Hang in there!!

P.

1 mom found this helpful

I am having great results with Focalin XR. He is staying the sames weight. Most boys are skinny, dont let all the overweight kids these days let you lose pespective on how skinny active boys are!

1 mom found this helpful

A.,
Have you had your nephew tested for allergies? There are so many mis-diagnosed children out there. Before pumping his growing system with more pills try out allergy testing first. Wheat,Dairy,Eggs........
I know it has worked for many friends.
Good Luck

Hi there,

I am a 31 year old with ADD (not ADHD). I know from experience, that all the type of medicine for these conditions cause loss of appetite and then weight loss (the ones i've tried anyway). For me, it's better to be on the medicine than not. Pediasure is a great supplement to his reglar diet.
You are doing a great job!

I can only say high protine drinks or sub meal drinks. I wish i knew someone but i don't. Good-luck an god bless you all!

you might want to get a full pysych eval. I have a 10 year old that was on Ridalin starting at 4. We had problems with it that got worst.
When she was 7 I had a full eval. it cost about 1500 or some insurances pay. this made all the difference. My daughter is really bipolar with minor adhd.

good luck

Hi My son is 5 and has ADHD and his appetite is decreased with meds. They say to try and give them a big breakfast before they get the meds and then to give supplements like milkshakes and add calories to their food! Plus when he DOES want to eat dont frown on that I used to frwn on in between meal snacking with my son but now if he wants to eat he gets a snack I LIKE to hear him say he is hungry I dont hear it that often! Good luck!

my 2 daughters have adhd ,,,,and both on meds one on aderoll and on eon starerra and wat i hjave foud works fer eatin habits and appetite decrease is always leavin helthy snacks out in his reach to snack on ..it has helped my chilkdren as wella s playin alil gmae withthem at dinner time kidna like reverse physclolgy in away and it ahs worked wonders the game i play is basically ill sit withthem and eat a plate of food and tellt ehm Dont u dare beat mommy with yer food n the reposne form thema s wella seqatin pays of they usually fisnh every bite on thierplate

hey there, I have a 5 year old son who also was diagnosed with adhd, he also has tried a few different meds and they work for a few weeks and then they just make him do other things that are inappropriate so they switch his meds. Now he is on adderall 20 miligrams which made him lose a lot of weight (at least 7 to 10 lbs.) and nobody seems to care and then his doc is talking about how maybe he has bi-polar and he is only 5! then he gives me this medication that is for people who are bi-polar it's called risperdal, and it's an anti-psychotic. So needless to say, i have just about given up, but my son is so out of control that he needs some sort of medicine. but nothing works. Now I am going throughout Manchester looking for someone to help me. I've called a few other services and set up appoinments, trying to get as many second opinions as I can. he currently attends Manchester Counseling Services and I have signed him up with 3 other facilities looking for answers and I recommend that you do the same, cause it sounds like we're on the same boat. It can't hurt to try different places looking for answers.

Hi A., my step-daughter is 9 and was just diagnosed with ADHD last year. We had to increase her medicine recently because we had the same problem with it not working, and we are also having problems with weightloss with her. Pediasure is expensive so another alternative would be Carnation instant breakfast. Make sure you give it to him before bed because your body's metabolism slows down while your asleep. Mix it with whole milk. Also, try giving it to him during the day as a snack along with maybe a chees stick or some fruit.

Good luck!

I'm not going through it with my daughter but I have ADD and have been on Strattera for about six years now. I ran through the gamet of Ritalin, Disipermine, if it was on the market I probably tried it until I found Strattera. The weight loss is normal and in my case evened, out in about six months. Keep in mind too that children lose weight and gain it all the time depending on their growing cycles. If the Straterra is working as well as you say it is, I would strongly reccomend NOT taking him off of it unless the weight loss continues dramatically. Whatever you do please do not take him off his medication on weekends and holidays and then back on for just school as some have suggested. These medications have withdrawl symptoms and once in the bloodstream need to stay in the bloodstream to work properly. It can take up to two weeks for them to fully work, so you can imagine what taking a child off their medication can do to them while they are waiting for it to kick back in. Please feel free to message me if you'd like to talk, I have lived with ADD and Depression my whole life and can tell you what it is like not to be medicated versus medicated, lol.

My name is C.. My son has ADHA and Bipolar. He was on dexatrine and was changed to Strattera it change him completely. But I have to see what I can do. Because his is starting to get aggressive. So try Concentra to see if that will help. I am going to try it. You can go online to the website and get a free information package so you can read on it before you suggest it to the doctor.

Hope this helps.

Hi A.,
I usually don't respond to these, but I had to respond to your message. Please don't let doctors dictate this type of care for your nephew. These type of drugs do more harm than good. I had a cousin on these and the side effects they left on him were incredible. His hands are very shaky and he's now 22 just like you. He's always paranoid and has had other side effects relating to his nervous system. Maybe the reason why your nephew is going this is because what sounds like to me being in a tough situation? It sounds like maybe he should be speaking to a doctor who can give you alternatives to the drugs. Or maybe you should talk to him or try to get him to open up? I know he's only six but you'll be amazed how "grown up" they can be. Please don't take me the wrong way I'm not judging you. I just want you to be aware of the drugs you are administering to him. Do some research. It sounds like you were given a big responsibility. But he's in your life for a bigger purpose. Feel free to email me back if you need to talk.

A little about me...I am 30 years old have a 1 1/2 year old son and a baby on the way. I am married and work full time.

Regards,
L.

hello A.,
My son has been on Adderall XR for about 1 1/2 years now, and in the beginning he lost almost 10 pounds. Unfortunatley the side affects of these drugs do cause them to lose their appetight. We've been seeing a nutritionist for about a year now, and she recommeded that I start giving my son Boost (240 calories) and or Carnation instant breakfast (220 calories) with every meal, and before he goes to bed. It's more of a treat for him, seeing as it's like having flavored milk with every meal. You could also just try to add as many calories with any meal that you can, for example if having a vegetable with dinner, make sure to put some butter on it. One tablespoon of butter adds about 100 calories to the veggies. I understand how much it stinks to find something that works, and then have them tell you if you can't stop the weight loss they're going to take it away. If you can at least stabalize the weight, they most likely won't hassle you anymore. Just push as many calories into him that you can.
Good luck:)
M. A

My daughter is 10 she has ADD and takes Adderol for her symptoms. She has the problem with lack of appetite as well. My doctor made the suggestion that she only take the medicine during school. So she does not take it on weekends or during the summer. She eats healthy and well when she is off the adderol for those periods of time and her growth is normal and healthy. Perhaps you could suggest that to his pediatrician ans see what she has to say.

My son was put on Strattera a while back and lost weight also. What worked for us, what offering him small frequent meals. Since his appetite wasn't too great, eating smaller frequent meals was enough to keep him satisfied and he snacked quite a bit. Just make sure the snacks are healthy!! Best of luck with this!!

Hey A..
My son is 8 and is going through basically the same thing. he isnt losing weight like your nephew, he just is not gaining any weight. for almost a year and a half he was between 46 and 48 puonds, he goes once a month and gets weighed before they fill his script and he might have lost 1 pound one month and then gained 2 the next back and forth like that. well i guess its been about 3 months now, they put him on boost (it does the same thing the pedisure does) and guess what,,he just made the 50 lb mark last month, we just went the other day and he gained 1/2 pound this month, so i guess its working but i still dont see the medication working too well. sometimes i get to the point where i think about taking him off of the medication all together,, but if i do, i might hurt someone!
so what im trying to say is, i think the pedisure will help him alot with gaining the pounds he needs. good luck, and if you have anymore questions i will be glad to help if i can, i have been dealing with my son like this for the last 4 years :(

We went through the same thing with all 3 of my children. We went different routes with each, trying to find something that works. In the end, the benefits were not enough to warrant us to continue the medication. My youngest experienced weight loss and severe sleep problems. He was also not growing in height as well as looking like a stick figure. Since we have ceased the meds 2 years ago, he has gained an excessive amount of weight due to his inability to control his appetite, something he didn't learn being on meds. We had to make him eat, our doctor suggested that we feed him milkshakes and such to help him gain weight. Now he is learning how to make good choices at meal times, he is starting to grow again, (2 inches taller so far) and I am utilizing the Special Ed program and he has an IEP. He is doing much better now. Many towns have advocates to help you through this process. The schools might not tell you who they are, but if you check for educational advocates in the phone book you will find them. Good luck!

It is not easy. My 12 yr old was on adderall and resperdal which worked great in the beginning but then he was jus the same way as he was before he started the medicine. He also started to have side effects from both of the meds. He was on strattera also which also worked great in the beginning. I have since then discontinued his meds and have been working with therapy to help me manage him at home. School he is great but home he is wild. Even if you give him maybe a milkshake it will help him to gain some weight. He will have a decrease in eating with those meds. Just encourage him to eat if not alot in one meal try giving him smaller meals more often. Good Luck!!!

Hi A. --
Most every one has responded to you not to worry the weight will level out, they are correct. The problem is just getting enough calories until that happens. Five small meals a day with snacks is much better for your nephew getting adjusted to the meds that three meals a day. What you might want to consider going is getting soma breakfast bars (yes the sugary ones) and send them to school with him so he can have them as mini meals. Try to get the school on board with the problem. There are times that my son who has been on Adderall for years will not get lunch. The principal last year (I am working on the new principal) would talk to him and even if he got him to get an ice cream or cheese and crackers, something to put in his stomach worked wonders. It will work out.
J.

my 8 yr old has ADHD & sensory intergration disfunction..he's on adderal xr & it helps him alot you can see the difference & he even says he feels better on it..3lbs in a mnth is not a huge weight loss..my son didn't really lose any weight he's 4'3" & 66lbs..almost as tall as me lol..as long as your nephew eats a cpl meals a day plus some snacks he should be fine..ya can't force a child to eat thats not hungry

A.,

Sounds like it is a bit much to put up with. Also too the meds take him away from being him. I know a child who has the same problem. He is now 21 years of age and has a job at Stop and Shop and his boss loves him. It seems to me at times the problem is toward you. Understand that it is not.

Feeding him abusively may not always be the answer. Feeding him regularly is what he needs to good health. He has a very high metabolism. At Women and Infants they have a program there to help with fast metabolism. Check it out. Maybe they have some suggestions.

WIC is another program that even though he may be over the age limit, maybe with acception he can get help with whatever you need. It is expensive out there these days. WIC also has a nutrition program that they put the parents through. Giving vouchers for Vegetables and Fruits and can even map out a suggested diet plan so he can gain a little weight, healthy.

Be careful on the meds you put him on. It is heartwrenching to see children just look tired all the time. Some of the meds can be guided by parents for when they are in school and summertime, or vacation they get right back on the medication to help out school and daycare. Being a person who has taken medication all their lives, sometimes your body will create a resistance once that need has been supplied and cared for. Keep track. It may be hard, but keep a journal and share that with the doctor. Does he have a specialist for his condition? There are specialists out there that just deal with patients that have the sam problem your nephew has and can best guide you on what to do.

I wish you the best. If you have any other questions, contact me and we will see what we can come up with together. --T.

Eventually his weight will even out. You can continue to give him the pediasure or just make milk shakes for him. Try and add a bit more fat to his diet.

My oldest son was on Strattera and went through the same thing. Unfortunately, we didn't see a change in his behaivor, so he's been switched to Focalin.

Good luck!
M.

My son, now 6, takes Focalin XR. He is ADHD and he has not lost weight with it. Hes hyper anyways, but he has seemed to gain weight lately. We noticed a difference in him in about 3-4 days after he started. Since its time released capsule it can be opened an sprinkled on toast or cereal or whatever so they dont even know they are taking it. Good luck.

A.,
My 6 year old son was also diagnosed with ADHD. We are in the process of getting into some specialists to make sure that's what it really is. There are a ton of conditions which are mistakenly diagnosed as ADHD. Food allergies, sleep disorders, high functioning autism, just to name a few.

As far as the eating goes, with the meds that affected my sons appetite, we would feed him a large breakfast before we gave him the pill. Eggs, toast, yogurt and whatever else we could get into him. He usually would not eat lunch at all and then would eat a normal dinner. Our pediatrician also suggested pediasure but we couldn't get my son to drink it. He never lost any weight.

So far the meds aren't doing much of anything for my son except having some nasty side effects.

Good luck!
T.

A. K,
I have a 9 year old in a similar situation. Have you tried the Daytrana patch? It is fairly new. I don't think that there is the perfect medication but, with this my son can take it off as soon as he gets home from school. I feel like it gives him some time to let the medication wear off.
We have also tried eating later in the evening, night time snacks (when he has more appetite) and large breakfasts of his favorite foods. If you find the answer let me know! It is a constant source of worry and stress. Food has become a huge issue in our house.

Good Luck,
T.

I am a fan of the miracle blanket and use often in my role as a postpartum doula. If your baby is using it only at night, give it some more time if it works. You can leave out her legs if you want. She does not need the incline if it is not helpful. Be sure she is getting tummy time and other physical movement during the day hours. She just may not be quite ready to settle herself yet. And as with any concerns you may have, ask the pediatrician what he/she thinks about the swaddling at night.

I know this request is a little old, but I found this website and had to respond..... www.naturalchild.com