Has anyone ever noticed? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Buspeople · 04-03-2003, 09:41 AM

I may be making the most general statement in the world and I mean not to offend anyone.

I am the mother of a 14 1/2 yr old son who was diagnosed with border line ADD when he was 7. He started meds at age 11. But over the years he has tried ritalin, concerta, ritalin again and now strattera.

Has anyone also ever noticed that many of us (parents & doctors) keep switching medications. The reason is usually because the child is not responding the way we want them to.

I, too, would love it if our son could either be on no meds or at least on one med that works for more than a short period of time. It seems as though each of these meds either last for a short time or maybe our tolerance for our children's behavior only lasts a short time. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

In reading the posts about strattera, I too find that this drug does wonders for ease of personality and stops the wandering around in circles for my son. I also find that it does nothing for his organization and concentration during school hours. Thus, my life with him at home is much better, but the teachers find him to be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any responses on this topic.

wilarto · 04-03-2003, 11:17 AM

I am a 44 adult diagnosed with ADD in childhood. Ritalin did nothing for me back then. I am older now and found that my sleep patterns had a lot to do with how hyper I was during the day and my focus skills suffered. I don't sleep well and haven't slept through a night since I can remember when. I cut out all caffeine products like chocolate, soda pop, sugar, coffee, tea. I recently went on clozepam (one pill before bedtime) and found a big difference in my sleep habits which has impacted me BIG TIME. I think the lack of sleep has a lot to do with the ADD and food products.

hope_for_the_best · 04-03-2003, 11:21 PM

BusPeople - I agree. My son is on Strattera and we've noticed improvements at home but the teacher has not noted any improvements at school. This is his first time taking any meds for his ADHD.

Since I've been reading messages on this board the last month, I too, have been amazed at the drug-switching that parents and physicians do. I'm not saying that its right or wrong, just that it has been an eye opener.

Its weird how it seems that the kids' bodies seem to adjust to the medications after awhile, causing the need to increase the dosage or change meds.

I wonder if their bodies are saying, "No, we are supposed to have this brain chemical configuration or pattern". Any externally imposed changes to this brain chemical configuration are eventually rejected or overcome by the body. Just a theory but how else to change the seemingly inevitable increases in dosages and meds.

MarieM · 04-04-2003, 07:42 AM

My son has been on Strattera for about 2 months now & it has done wonders for him. He was previously on Adderall XR & after losing much weight, getting a good nights sleep was almost impossible, he was like a zombie half the time & was burdened with OCD tendancies; all of these problems were corrected with the Strattera. Though we've been very pleased with the Strattera, it isn't a miracle drug. He still has his moments of impulsiveness, tries to get out of doing his homework, and I still get an occasional note or phone call from school. When instances like these arise, we are consistant in how we handle the situation so he knows there will always be consequences & he can learn from his mistakes. He's a good kid that is a bit immature & I don't expect a medication to make it all perfect. I feel the medication is a tool that helps us to guide him. The medication helps him to focus & then he is able to learn from his mistakes. I believe that finding a medication that makes everything "perfect" is unrealistic, kids will be kids & no medication is going to change that.

I feel very lucky to have found a medication that works for us so we can work with our son on a less stressful level. I realize not everyone has the same results or same situations but sometimes think expectations can be unrealistic.

marilyn60 · 04-04-2003, 12:36 PM

Don't you understand that being immature and impulsive are NORMAL characteristics of being a child? I can't understand anyone thinking it is a disorder or that something is wrong with the child. And children just do not mature at the same rates. Their inherent impulsivity and immaturity is WHY we deny them adult rights!

I know, I hated to be forced to deny my cherished ones anything, but knowing it is assisting them to a successful adulthood helped me hold firm.

Healthy children push the limits against restraints, to test if our convictions and standards are strong and worthwhile. It is tiring and frustrating to parents, but we chose the position, they didn't.
I think a lot of the drugging (not all) has to do with worn out parents.