How Do Outhers Feel About Medicating Children with ADHD.

Updated on April 08, 2008
K.G. asks from Perris, CA
20 answers

My son is very bright and hes in 2nd grade and he has adhd we have studied him since kinder. And its still the same his behavior in school his concetration , the focusing is not ther. And its hurting his learnig in school. Well i he has started med. And my gosh there is a big change i have never been able to get this child to sit long enough to read 5 sentences befor let alone read a whole book he was so happy because he was able to read to me a whole two books and i never seen him smile like that it was so neat

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G.D.

answers from Modesto on

I would call: Houston Homeopaths...they specialize in ADD, ADHD and AUTISM!!! You will be happy you did!!! Love, G.. :0)

Homeopathy Center of Houston

7670 Woodway, Suite # 340

Houston , TX 77063

Office: ###-###-####

Fax: ###-###-####

www.HomeopathyHouston.com

P.S. They have recovered so may children from AUTISM, ADD and ADHD!!!

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M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello K.:

I have a 14 year old son and have had problems with him since he was about 8 years old or so. I avoided medicating him all of those years, after many nasty comments from other parents about his behavior. Doctors refused to say that he was ADHD because he did so well in school, always at the top of his class. Well, last year when he was 13, the inability to focus got the best of him. His grades began to drop and he became very depressed. I had him analyzed by a psychologist and discovered that he has bi-polar disorder, and ADHD. He's on medication for both now and is doing much better.

Just some food for thought - bipolar disorder is very common in boys, more so than girls. It sometimes is mistaken for ADHD when the true underlying problem is bipolar disorder. I'm not suggesting that your son has bipolar disorder however, just be aware of this and learn more about ADHD/bipolar disorder so that you can guide his doctors in the right direction. Through experience, I've also learned that you can't always take what they say as exact and need to be your own advocate. God bless you and I wish you well with your son. And yes, I do believe in medicating them for your own sanity as well as their well being however, know that there are many different meds out there and you need to find what works best for you.

Sincerely,

Understanding Mother

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J.V.

answers from San Francisco on

K.,

I have a 2nd grade son also with ADHD and he is on Strattera since he has taken that he has been 100 percent better people always make issues of children being on meds but if they studied what ADHD is knowing it is a chemical imbalance in the brain and the medication is just the chemical to raise it to be even. He feels better himself to my son has alot of friends now before his meds they didn't really want to hang with him.

Jen

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M.E.

answers from San Francisco on

Dear K.,

To medicate is a difficult decision sometimes. I believe that there are times and seasons. I was teaching third grade a few years back and had a boy that had a severe ADHD problem. It was HEART BREAKING to see him not be able to play normally and socialize normally with the other kids. He was bright, and personable but completely out of control. The other kids liked him, but not to play with. When he was on meds, he was able to focus and interact in the classroom.

The first thing to do whether you medicate or not, is to make sure that your child has a strict nutritional diet. Nutrition, proper excercise and sufficient sleep are the first line of defense and will assist any medications. Talk to your doctor about a medication plan. There are many different medications and doses and one size DOES NOT fit all.

The next and most important thing is to talk to your child about the situation. There a hundreds of famous and highly successful people that have suffered with ADD and ADHD. It has been a struggle for intelligent successful people throughout history. The child has to understand what they are dealing with. It is not all healthy habits and meds. The child needs to understand that there is extra effort on their part to cooperate with the plan and work with their teacher. If the student doesn't care, nothing will work as well.

As a teacher I can tell you that the few days during the year that all my ADHD kids 'happened' to be sick on the same day, we had our entire days work done by 1:30 and were able to enjoy a spontanious afternoon of art and games. With the other students disrupting the class we struggled to finish the day's work on time.

Parents need to realize that not dealing with the problem is robbing the entire class of their education. There are some wonderful books to better understand the nutrition, various medications and counseling programs that can bring a bit more sanity into your child's life.

The counseling and mentoring that you give your child is not just for today, but for a life time of learning to work with there situation and better function in society.

Joan

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P.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi K., so many options out there and only one is perfect for you and yours son.
I have a 2nd grader that was diagnosed in the middle of the school yr last yr. I didn't want to put him on anything either because other people giving their two cents worth and never having experienced it or being biased on the situation.
I put my son on medication in the end. I tried other things. We changed his diet, the way he was taught at school and his routine and to no avail. In january when we came back from winter vacation, he had his first appt to see the dr regarding meds. That first week has been the beginning of a totally different person. Before the medication, i was getting calls home on a almost daily basis because of behavior issues...not being about to focus, not sitting still, not participating in class. My son now has friends, something he didn't have a yr ago. He is almost at the top of his class now. This all something i don't think he would have accomplished if i wouldn't have made the right decision for him.
Now, i'm not saying that you should put your child on medications. I'm saying this was the right choice for us. Now, don't get me wrong, my son still has his bad days. That pill isn't magical. But it did help tremendously.
Much luck to you and your family on making the right choice. And don't let anyone bully you into making what you feel is the right one.

P.

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A.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi, I have an eight year old daughter , who is in third grade. She has recently ben diagnosed with ADHD. She is a bright child, but can't complete work at school,so she brings it home and then cries when I sit with her and try to get her to complete it. Her teacher didn't even realize she had ADHD (the inattentive type) because she was socially savvy and was doing okay, not great at school. I am very interested in trying medication with her, because if it works I think she'll be a much better student , and her self confidence will improve.

My question to you is .Does your son have any side effects from the medication? And what medication is he on?
Thanks,
Annie C.

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T.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

K.,
I have been a teacher for 15 years and I am also a mother of 4. I believe that if your child was given a diagnoses of ADHD by a qualified doctor (one who knows alot about this disability), then as a mother you need to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of your child. If his condition was affecting his performance in school, something needed to be done. You tried the medication and it has helped your son. Think of it this way... if your child had diabetes, would you not give him the insulin shots required for that condition? Without the medication, your child was falling behind and unable to work to his potential. The medication has changed that for him. I do have one word of caution. Keep in constant contact with the teacher and the doctor to make sure his dosage of medication is appropriate. Remember that as children grow, their medication needs to be adjusted. I think you did the right thing for your child.

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L.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,

Whether you medicate your child for ADHD or not, it's important to look for the "gifts of ADHD" to prevent your child from getting depression or anxiety or low self-esteem. I have two books on the Gift of ADHD which can help you find and focus on building your child's strengths in addition to patching up weaknesses through medication. you can find my books on amazon or visionarysoul.com. My latest book is 101 activities, no boring theories or hard to follow directions!

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J.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,
I am a fifth grade teacher and you should do what you think...no one else. It must be very hard to make that decision. If your son is happy, then that is good. I know kids always feel so bad when they can't learn or feel like they are a contributing member of the classroom. I always tell my students' parents to do what makes them and their child successful and happy.
J. (mom to 8 month old)

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L.R.

answers from Fresno on

I have had my son on ADHD meds since third grade. Over the years we have had to adjust his meds and even change them a few times. As long as your son has a good 504 plan in place and the medications are working, then it will only benefit him in the long run. Don't feel like you ever have to explain yourself. You worry about your son. There are people for and against the use of ADHD meds. I have been on the firing line before because my son has a heart defect. But I had done plenty of research and consults with his cardiologist before I even considered it. Without the meds, he cannot function. That is just how some children are. Some can do just fine on the right diet too. But each child and circumstance is different. Early intervention is key and it looks like you are on the right track. My son is in 5th grade now and is doing beautifully. But I did not get early intervention for him so his first few years of school had been a struggle. I knew something was not right but they kept telling me that he would grow out of it. So I wish you luck with your son and hopefully we will be just as successful as my son has been on his medication.

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T.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi K....we are also having problems with our 1st grader who has ADHD and were asked to consider meds for him since focus is a huge issue. Does your son have any negative changes? We're very wary of medicating him so young but I can't think of what else to do.

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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi K.. I have a 7yr old on medication for ADHD. We finally after years of issues decided, that this was best for him and for our family. It is wonderful! I know exactly what you mean about them not sitting for 5 min. Mine can finally do his homework in a resonable amount of time!

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M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My son also has ADHD. I have started 2 things: heavy metal detox (I did a hair test and he has too much mercury and lead) and I started neuro biofeedback. It is supposed to work really well.
My doc thinks that he will get better with both of these. I know how hard it is but I would try everything before I would put him on meds.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

As food allergies have a large impact on ADHD, I would suggest you visit the website NAET.com, and order/read the book: "Say Good-bye to ADD and ADHD."

"This book explains how ADD and ADHD are related to food, chemical, environmental factors, vaccinations, drugs, and other factors. In Say Good-bye ADD and ADHD, Dr. Nambudripad, the developer of NAET® (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques), provides an innovative and natural solution to ADD and ADHD, the most common problem plaguing many children and adults today. This book will provide guidelines to help selfevaluate and recognize the symptoms of ADD and ADHD or educate the parents to observe and evaluate the child’s behaviors from a very young age by guiding through a list of abnormal behaviors or patterns in the child. If any abnormality is suspected, then the parent could seek appropriate medical help at an early age. This book show you how certain commonly used foods and environmental substances can cause attention deficit and hyperactive disorders in your child; how you can test your child and detect the culprit causing the child’s sudden abnormal behaviors in your privacy of your own home using the Nambudripad’s Testing Techniques described in the book. This book will educate you how your child’s health problems can relate to allergy and, how allergies can manifest in myriad symptoms that might seem unrelated. The author also provides a few effective home-help procedures that might temporarily get your child out of trouble. The book also helps you find the help in assisting your child find the help he needs to reduce ADD or ADHD or even eliminate permanently and help the child lead a normal life. The book is supported by case studies from NAET® practitioners, and testimonials from patients who have been treated successfully by NAET®."

You can also find an NAET practitioner through the website. I go to Dr. David Karaba in Fullerton and love him dearly. His phone number is ###-###-####.

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L.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Wow! You have a lot on your plate! I am personally against medicating children, especially when it begins to alter their personality. A good friend of myne is dealing with the same problem, but she has found a lot of great answers.... Go to your local health food stores and they will have great alternantives with food and natural remedies in pill form. And of course, google ADHD, it never hurts!

Good luck!

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C.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a nephew, who was also very bright, and could not concentrate. His mother finally resorted to medication, after trying diet and homeopathis remedies. Nothing seemed to hurt. She resorted to medication, and her son began to excel in school and loved his more relaxed state of mind. He is now 12 years old and is off his medication. His Mom began medicating him at 7 years old. He said his medication made it possible for him to relax. So, I would say, "If it works, don't break it." It doesn't hurt to get more education on the subject, and if you have not tried other remedies, it won't hurt to try. But, if your son is happy being medicated and doing well, and you are happy with the results -- be happy and medicate.

I have another nephew who could not talk until he was 7 years old. He also had ADHD. Once medicated, he began to talk, and now is an excelled adult who is no longer on medication. He finally wanted to wean himself off the medication at 13 years old, which was done gradually and under doctor supervision. He is a fabulous grown young man today.

I do think there are a lot of children that are being over-medicated; however, there are also children who may need medication and feel and do better with it.

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My son was diagnosed with attention deficit after 1st grade, but he did not want to take medication at that time. During 4th grade, however, he began to find school more stressful as homework increased and he had more subjects to juggle. He began taking Concerta, and has gradually worked out a regime that he feels comfortable with. He takes a higher dose on school days or for long car trips, a lower dose in the summer or on weekends. He sometimes takes a booster in the afternoon if he is feeling particularly scattered. He recently stated that he feels he made the right decision to take the medication. His only concern is that he knows that it is expensive.

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R.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,

I would not medicate my child for this condition unless it was a last resort. You should seriously look into homeopathic remedies. So many of these types of conditions can be controlled by changing your child's diet. I have friends that have cut out all processed sugars and/or gluten. Children process foods very differently so you may need to try a few things before finding what works for your son. I utilized grape seed extract in my sons diet when he was 2-3 years old and that seemed to help. Maybe others will read this and provide their knowledge in this area.

All the best to you in finding a remedy.

R.

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 7yrs old in the second grade. He suffered from 2yrs old (daycare) until I started him on Concerta ER this year. Before the medication he had such low self esteem that on occation he spoke of wanting to "just die". He had impulsive behavior which caused him to be suspended 10 times last year. I changed schools and started the medication and you wouldn't believe what a change. My baby finally is suceeding. He got an award for 100 % participation and most eager hand raiser! Do what you feel in your heart. Only you truely know your child and how they are suffering.

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I.D.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Hi sweety,
and well done for having so much love for 6 kids, that is definitely a lot of work!
My advice is to NOT NOT NOT put your kids on any medication. The side effects of medications are so much worse than learning disabilities! People with learning disabilities do not kill themselves. There are several children who have taken medications who have killed themselves and those who have become so addicted to them that getting off becomes impossible, and then they have problems all their lifes.
Even if your kids are not the smartest around - which I do not believe because with love and patience they will learn - so what??
My granparents did not even go to high school and they were the nicest people ever, worked a lot, had a happy family.
You should check out this web site and click on the videos, you will get an idea of what I am talking about:

http://cchr.org/

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