MOMMAHEN269
11-12-2003, 05:14 PM
My son is 5 yrs old and is adhd. We first started him on Adderall 2.5 mgs in morning. For the first 2 weeks he got up a 5 different nights sporaticaly and vomited. Our doctor took him off and started him on Dexedrine 2.5mg 1 in the morning after breakfaast 1 at 11am. He only goes half day kindergarten. His teacher says he is the brightest kid she teaches and his behavior is terrific. I was shocked because it was afar cry from last year. Last year the teacher said he was the most impulsive kid in class. The problem though it seems it only last maybe 4-6hrs and when he comes down he is very sensitive and moody. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do. I am so excited he is doing that well in school, but at some nights it seems like he has a nuclear meltdown. mommahen
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* Free ~ Spirit *
11-12-2003, 05:33 PM
Momma -
I know you are trying to help your son. It's wonderful that his teacher thinks so highly of him. :) Have you ever tried any natural treatments? If you have not I would suggest getting him off meds and trying a safer route. These medications can have major long term side effects, both physical and psychological. They should only be used when absolutely necessary and only when all other safer treatment plans have failed. New studies have proved supplementation can be just as effective in the treatment of ADHD. The trick is finding the correct supplements to use. Some of them are fairly cheap while others are a bit more expensive. If you have not tried other treatments besides medication please do so. These meds are hard core! There are much safer ways out there to help your son. A nice thing about supplements is once they start working they work all day every day. No come down, no nasty side effects. Please consider this option.
I know you are trying to help your son. It's wonderful that his teacher thinks so highly of him. :) Have you ever tried any natural treatments? If you have not I would suggest getting him off meds and trying a safer route. These medications can have major long term side effects, both physical and psychological. They should only be used when absolutely necessary and only when all other safer treatment plans have failed. New studies have proved supplementation can be just as effective in the treatment of ADHD. The trick is finding the correct supplements to use. Some of them are fairly cheap while others are a bit more expensive. If you have not tried other treatments besides medication please do so. These meds are hard core! There are much safer ways out there to help your son. A nice thing about supplements is once they start working they work all day every day. No come down, no nasty side effects. Please consider this option.
MOMMAHEN269
11-12-2003, 06:21 PM
I have never tried natural treatments for the adhd. I have a 3 yr old with autism and his whole diet is based on natrual organic foods and supplements. I hate to say maybe I have been a lazy parent when it comes to my 5 yr old by popping a pill down him instead of trying other methods first. We did some behavorial modification and it took me almost over a year to decide medicine. I have been so consumed with my 3yr with asd that I have not educated myself on ther options for adhd. If you or anyone reading has any advice on names of some natural products that others have tried please post. thank you
* Free ~ Spirit *
11-12-2003, 07:02 PM
I understand you must be very busy. It can be hard raising special children. Please realise that stimulant medications are related to cocaine and meth amphetamine. Infact.. the generic adderall is sold under the name "amphetamine salt combo" These medications can have the same side effects as cocaine and meth. Of course they are very helpful for some patients who would not be able to function without it but they should definantly not be given to children who respond to other treatments or who are not truely disabled by their ADD symptoms.
First thing you need to do so I as well as others on the board can give you suggestions on alternative treatments is tell us a little bit more information about the type of ADD your son has.
Is it ADD or ADHD?
Does he have any additional conditions or symptoms that are not part of the core ADD symptoms?
What are the most troubling symptoms that he has?
Are you positive that ADD is a correct diagnosis?
A very safe supplement that seems to be very effective in treating many ADD/ADHD/anxiety/OCD/depressive symptoms is beCalmd. It is a blend so you wouldn't have to buy tons of different types of vitamins. It is only available online. I take it, it did wonders for me, I'm in the process of switching however, because beCalmd was getting a bit too expensive. I am still taking beCalmd, in a lower dose however, and have added two of my new supplements. GABA and taurine. With the taurine I notice that I have more control over my movements. What I mean is, I was always bad at sports but suddenly I'm improving without practice. There is also an online game I like to play which involved quickly clicking on tiny spots on the screen. I was getting to level 4 or 5 and usually when the game ended I would be pretty agitated. About 5 days after I added the taurine I played the game and easily made it to level 14.
Some of the cheapest most general supplements used for ADD are L-Tyrosine & DL-Phenylalanine. These are starting points. For some people they work as well as meds, for some people they dont work at all. In my case DL-Phenylalanine is helpful while L-Tyrosine makes me become somewhat aggressive. There are many other supplements that are helpful for ADD it all depends on the individual. Also, I should mention, there are a lot of products sold that claim to be "natural" that are herbal. Some of which contain dangerous herbs. You need to be careful that you are using things that are safe. A popular herb that I have seen in many products designed to help ADD/ADHD individuals is "Skullcap" This has proven negative physical side effects and should not be used in children or used in adults long term. Vitamins/Supplements are generally safe of course you should always do your research.
It will be a lot of work to find the correct treatment plan for your son but I'm sure you would agree that he is worth it!
First thing you need to do so I as well as others on the board can give you suggestions on alternative treatments is tell us a little bit more information about the type of ADD your son has.
Is it ADD or ADHD?
Does he have any additional conditions or symptoms that are not part of the core ADD symptoms?
What are the most troubling symptoms that he has?
Are you positive that ADD is a correct diagnosis?
A very safe supplement that seems to be very effective in treating many ADD/ADHD/anxiety/OCD/depressive symptoms is beCalmd. It is a blend so you wouldn't have to buy tons of different types of vitamins. It is only available online. I take it, it did wonders for me, I'm in the process of switching however, because beCalmd was getting a bit too expensive. I am still taking beCalmd, in a lower dose however, and have added two of my new supplements. GABA and taurine. With the taurine I notice that I have more control over my movements. What I mean is, I was always bad at sports but suddenly I'm improving without practice. There is also an online game I like to play which involved quickly clicking on tiny spots on the screen. I was getting to level 4 or 5 and usually when the game ended I would be pretty agitated. About 5 days after I added the taurine I played the game and easily made it to level 14.
Some of the cheapest most general supplements used for ADD are L-Tyrosine & DL-Phenylalanine. These are starting points. For some people they work as well as meds, for some people they dont work at all. In my case DL-Phenylalanine is helpful while L-Tyrosine makes me become somewhat aggressive. There are many other supplements that are helpful for ADD it all depends on the individual. Also, I should mention, there are a lot of products sold that claim to be "natural" that are herbal. Some of which contain dangerous herbs. You need to be careful that you are using things that are safe. A popular herb that I have seen in many products designed to help ADD/ADHD individuals is "Skullcap" This has proven negative physical side effects and should not be used in children or used in adults long term. Vitamins/Supplements are generally safe of course you should always do your research.
It will be a lot of work to find the correct treatment plan for your son but I'm sure you would agree that he is worth it!
MOMMAHEN269
11-12-2003, 08:00 PM
My son was diagnosed ADHD. He is somewhat like Jekyll and Hyde. He is very loud and you can be sitting quietly watching t.v and he will just blurt out something very loud. He is pretty smart there are no academic problems at all. Just behavioral. He twirls his hair all the time, he tells me it feels good. He has friends but sometimes his attitude can become very push offish. He seems just like a constant engine that doens't turn off until he runs out of gas. When he was little he was destructive. Not in a aggressive manner though. He always had in hands in to something or somewhere they shouldn't. I know all kids are like that but he was much more. He basically can't sit still. I am gonna look up what you have recommened as a start. Thanks
* Free ~ Spirit *
11-12-2003, 08:53 PM
hmmmm that doesnt really sound like ADHD. Just because a child is extremely hyperactive does not mean they are ADHD. From what you've said it sounds like he may actually have a disorder in the autism spectrum. Possibly much milder than your 3 year olds problems but still in the same spectrum.
As I mentioned, ADHD is misdiagnosed quite often. Doctors are too lazy to look for the real problem so often times they just give the child a general ADHD label. Children who have many different problems will fit ADD criteria, yet they truely do not have ADD. It sounds like this may have happened with your son. The hair twirling, the jekel and hide type behavior, even the hyperactivity could be accounted for by an autistic spectrum disorder.
I would suggest you start by changing his diet. He should be eating natural foods and taking supplements, probably somewhat similar to what your 3 year old does.
Avoid sugars, processed foods, and color dyes.
As I mentioned, ADHD is misdiagnosed quite often. Doctors are too lazy to look for the real problem so often times they just give the child a general ADHD label. Children who have many different problems will fit ADD criteria, yet they truely do not have ADD. It sounds like this may have happened with your son. The hair twirling, the jekel and hide type behavior, even the hyperactivity could be accounted for by an autistic spectrum disorder.
I would suggest you start by changing his diet. He should be eating natural foods and taking supplements, probably somewhat similar to what your 3 year old does.
Avoid sugars, processed foods, and color dyes.
MOMMAHEN269
11-12-2003, 10:28 PM
That is funny you should say that about my son not having adhd it being somewhere on the autism spectrum. My husband and I were having the same discussion the other day. I thought some of his behaviors could fall under ASD. Even though he is ten time more functioning than that of my 3 yr old the loud uncontrollable outbursts, hair twirling, and plays better alone concern me . Don't get me wrong he plays with his friends everyday. He intitates play and had never been delayed in anything. EXCEPT SOCIAL SKILLS!! Sometimes I think it is personality. He doesn't like to take turns at certain games or if he doesn't get his way he cries. What kid doesn't do that at one point or another. He just cries and cries hard (nuclear meltdown). We send our youngest to a chiropractor who specializes in special needs kids. He has asked us to bring the 5 yr old down to look at him to possibly recieve movement and cranial sacral therapy also. I think I am going to have discussion ablout having him evaluated by the University where we had our little one evaluated at. The cranial sacral therapy has had such a huge impact on my 3 yr old hyperness. Thanks for all of you input and advice.
* Free ~ Spirit *
11-13-2003, 02:37 PM
I think that having him evaluated by the same place as your younger son would be a fabulous idea.
Some ADHD medications can make anger/emotional outbursts/ and other autistic like symptoms worse. Of course I've already told you how I feel about these meds. It would be great if he could get off of them. Hopefully the evaluation comes to some sort of conclusion and hopefully your 5yr old can get some symptom relief using some of the same treatments your 3 yr old does. That would be absolutely wonderful.
So do you think you will take him into the chiropractor that your 3yr old sees and have him evaluated at the U?
Well, have a great day.
Some ADHD medications can make anger/emotional outbursts/ and other autistic like symptoms worse. Of course I've already told you how I feel about these meds. It would be great if he could get off of them. Hopefully the evaluation comes to some sort of conclusion and hopefully your 5yr old can get some symptom relief using some of the same treatments your 3 yr old does. That would be absolutely wonderful.
So do you think you will take him into the chiropractor that your 3yr old sees and have him evaluated at the U?
Well, have a great day.
Markie Mark
11-13-2003, 03:19 PM
I know I am on dexidrine and will not go without it. But I have found that fish oil has allowed me to reduce my meds. It has also helped on the rebound that you are experiencing in the evenings with your boy. I would give both of your kids the fish oil it helps the brain in many ways. I would recomend giving them 2 gr. of fish oil a day. If they have problems and or the taste try "Cormega" it is orange flavored. I always take my pills before a meal, if I take it after I sometimes get fish burps. Good luck with both your kids.
MOMMAHEN269
11-13-2003, 05:00 PM
I am going to have my son evaluated at the university and also let him recieve therapy through the chiropractor. Our 3yr olds chiropractor has already asked us to bring him for treatment and has told us to take our 5 yr old off the dexedrine also. He feels the same as that it is cocaine. My youngest takes cod liver oil by Nordic Naturals in an orange flavor everyday. I really think that has helped his eye contact. It went from being truly autistic and not looking at you all to now always looking you in the eye when you speak. So that is probably a great place to start. The chiropractor works with DAN doctors. They are DEFEAT AUTISM NOW doctors. They use biomedical treatments in treating autsim. It has made a MAJOR difference in my youngest sons life. I look forward to seeing the changes in my oldest. He is a bright and loving child I feel whatever this disorder is, it has cheated him from having valuable relationships with peers. Thank you from the Henhouse!