Your Advise Please..... help - ADD / ADHD Message Board

amazonfriend · 06-06-2006, 11:47 AM

Hi-

First let me give you a little history before I get to my question/problem.

I have an 8 year old daughter w/ ADHD. She has been diangosed for 1 1/2 years, she has been taking 10mg of Adderall XL. It has seemed to be a perfect match for her with her school work and everything.

During the school year we kept her on meds on the weekends. She seemed to have a lot of difficulty if she was off on the weekends. She would get very grouchy and have meltdowns, sometimes not always - BUT only if something came up that upset her, for example having doing her chores and she would rather play or an argument w/ me or getting dressed to go off and she wants to stay home and play. For me she was a mess until her meltdown was over.

She is Much better for her Dad, (We are happily married, we agree on how we are raising her). Looking back I was this way towards my mother while I was growing up, it is weird how history is repeating!

We have kept her off the meds for spring/Christmas break and last summer.

BUT this summer she seems to not be adjusting to being off the meds.

She is having difficulty with her friends and younger sister, she is being very bossy and mean. She is getting into trouble and I am worried about her self-esteem!!

Should we keep her on the meds??

We want her to know how to react and live day-to-day off of the meds.

BUT.. we don't want her to be on an adhd rollercoaster and all over the board!

We know ADHD impacts how she reacts w/ others, she is very impulsive, sometimes hyper. She seems to be showing more symptoms as she gets older. She has always been very quiet and reserved. This is just so different for us.

Please Help!

amazonfriend · 06-08-2006, 11:59 AM

Please help me out by leaving a post.

MuskokaMommy · 06-08-2006, 05:51 PM

I can't help you out, but hopefully someone will jump in here with personal experience. Goodluck!!

shautzie · 06-08-2006, 06:43 PM

Hi Amazon friend,

I REALLY understand what you are going thru I myself as a little girl went undiagnosed for years up until my son who just turned 9 was diagnosed. My son was tested we have tried several meds adderall xr being one of them when he was on it, he did well in school but i could tell he was on edge when it was wearing off, he became angry and difficult (something he is not known for). He fought more with his little brother and talked back more.. I myself take adderall xr but a very small amount When I have missed a dose I feel irritable. We decided as a family for right now medication was not for him.. Since i have been able to focus more he brings the work he cannot finish in class home and i sit right next to him and make sure he gets it done(i do not do it for him). It has helped and i am VERY encouraging.. Unfortantley people think kids with add are just lazy and dont want to get there work done.. This is not true!!!! They just need a chance to learn to focus and try to learn the strategies to help them focus. It does wear on there self esteem and that may be what is happening with her a little, if you have a teacher who does not understand. you need to find one that does, teachers can do a tremendous amount of damage if they do not understand ADD. I have noticed my son still getting frustrated but his outbursts are less and he smiles more.

Dont forget there bodies are going thru some hormonal changes as well. i do think the age does have something to do with her acting out a little. Sounds like you are a wonderful mom! Just take a deep breath and relax.. She is blessed to have a Mom and Dad concerned! Personally i would not give her meds one day and not other days, although i can understand your motivation for doing so.. We did the same thing with terriable results. It just did not work for us.. My boy is not on meds now but he knows it is always an option we can go back to if he starts having problems in school. I hope this helps! Please feel free to ask if you need more info..

nickkaylee · 06-10-2006, 11:33 AM

I don't know what to say to help you. I do want to say that my son is on his meds and he's home as it's the weekend. I'll tell you right now I absolutely can not stand him! He's is just so hyper and is driving everyone in the house crazy. He is acting like he's 4 years old and he's 11!!! He is doing anything he can to drive us crazy. He is usually VERY mouthy and I'm at my wits end! I need help also!