I have a question for parents with childrens with ADHD, please help. - ADD / ADHD Message Board

twohotindiana82 · 11-21-2005, 09:25 AM

My son is seven and only 50 lbs. He has ADHD and I am thinking about putting him on different meds. Unfortunatly, most have an appetite decreasing side effect. And I really don't think I could stand to see him any skinnier. My question is, to all the parents who were kind enough to want to help me. Is your child with ADHD skinny or on the very small side? Could this be from all his energy? He has a tremendeous amount of energy and doesn't slow down. He's a picky eater. I am debating wether or not to put him on different meds. Please help.

index.html · 11-22-2005, 12:53 AM

I understand how you feel! My severely ADHD son has always been a picky eater and thin like yours. And yes, I was concerned about putting him on a medication that might reduce his appetite.

I was given good advice when I started him on meds. They still get thirsty even if they're not hungry. Try to get in as many calories as possible in the liquid form. Smoothies, milkshakes, encouraging extra fruit juice, Ensure (if your child will drink it!). This worked well for us.

Good luck!

badkat · 11-22-2005, 06:30 AM

I'm with ya too....my son is 10yrs old very very skinny.... I also was able to get him to enjoy Ensure. We mix with them with fruit - ice - Hershey's chocolate or Strawberry syrups... doctor them up they aren't that bad. Also he enjoys Carnation drinks too. Another thing is I have alot of nutrious snacks around when he is in his "coming off" period late evening for him to nibble on I'll put some right in his room for the late night eating he wants to do...he certainly don't gain much - but he doesn't lose much, I keep it closely monitored! Good luck!

welshterriermom · 11-22-2005, 09:14 AM

These choices are so hard. My son is 13 now and we've been through the same thing. Both my boys are very thin (even the one without ADD) - so I knew this might be a battle. Our Dr. said "Let's find the best med for him, then we'll see about the weight and dietary issue." Just take things one step at a time and see how it goes.

I agree with the other parents, there are clever ways to get the nutrition in. Just might not be at the kitchen table like what we think.

We did the Carnation Instant breakfast in his milk or in milkshakes. Snacks like salami & cheese, crackers & peanutbutter, etc. seem to help.

BTW, he's been on mostly stimulant meds since kdg. and very, very thin, but he's 13 y.o. now & he's almost 6' tall, so they certainly haven't stunted his growth any. His dr. ALWAYS does a ht & wt. ck with his med checks. Hopefully yours does too.

Many hugs to you and you decide what's right for your son.
Take care ~

Suecat3 · 11-22-2005, 06:16 PM

My son, who's now 20, was always very skinny and rather small height-wise when he was younger. While his ADD meds certainly didn't put any weight on him, they weren't detrimental, either. I think the important thing is that they progress in inches and puonds overall, even if they're at the small end of the scale.
BTW, I also have ADHD, am on meds and am very slender, but as long as I'm healthy and don't lose any more, I'm okay. As the posters above said, there are creative ways to get your calories in during the day. Good luck finding a good med for your son! Sue