My son (8) has diagnosed ADHD. I went to a school conference yesterday and was told, that he is just not able to concentrate or sit still and constantly needs redirection. I have tried the following meds over the past 2 1/2 years:
Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Focalin, Adderall, Adderall XR, Metadate CD and Strattera. Out of all of these meds, only Metadate CD was effective, but only for a few months. He is currently not on any medication and I've started a natural approach three weeks ago and he is also attending a new school this year since we have moved: Multivitamins and Minerals, Antioxidants, Omega 3 Fish Oil, 5-HTP and Gingo Biloba with Vinpocetine. I know that there will be no overnight success and it may take several weeks. When I mentioned my "natural approach" yesterday, the teacher told me "I don't mean to discourage you, but I think your son really needs more than a natural approach". I told her, that I am not willing to go the stimulant route again. The only stimulant I have not tried is Concerta and Dexedrine. But I doubt it that they would help since all the other ones didn't do anything for him. I was wondering if I should give Wellbutrin a try. Or could it possibly be that he does not even have ADHD, that it's maybe just anxiety? I really would like to get him tested, but I'm also not sure where to go. He was tested at age 5, but even the doctor said, that he should be retested when he gets a little bit older. I've posted this question on this board and have received various answers. And just this morning I read on this board, that Psychologists due a better ADHD Testing than Neurologists or Psychiatrist. Can anybody give me any advice on where to go for testing, what other meds I could try or if it even could be something else than ADHD?

It can always be something other than ADD. Doctors are sloppy and just want to make a quick diagnosis. Even if the real problem would be obvious if they did a couple more hours worth of testing. Its not really true that psychologist do better testing than neurologist or psychiatrist. It all really depends on whether or not the doctor is a good one. Personally I was diagnosed by a psychologist who specialized in behavioral disorders. It involved over 5 hours of testing IQ, memory, tova, skills test, comprehension of moral concepts laws and rules, family history, school history, and tons more. The thing is your son is so young that he would probably get bored with long tests and the results would come out ADD even if hes not. You need to be sure to mention to his new doctor that you think maybe ADD is a misdiagnosis and tell him what you think some other possiblities may be. That way he/she will be more likely to do further testing and look into other possible problems. And dont listen to teachers.... it doesnt take much for them to want a child medicated. Also try beCalmd http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif. What dosages of the supplements do you give him daily? Is there any improvement at all?

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~*~ Kristy ~*~

The fish oil is 2 x 240 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA.
Gingo Biloba (60 mg) with Vinpocetine (5 mg) 2 x
5-HTP 50 mg 1 x

I have started with the fish oil first before adding all the other supplements and I can see a decrease in his hyperactivity, which was a huge problem before. But I guess at school there is a different story. Teacher told me he was wiggling left and right in his chair today to the degree where he almost fell out of it.

Strange is the fact that he never has problems doing his math. Once he gets started, he follows right through with it. But all the other subjects, especially reading and writing, are a big problem for him.
Also strange is the fact that I am always told that he cannot focus, yet at home I often notice situation where he seems to be overfocused, like when he is watching something on TV and I am just a few steps away from him and call his name. He hardly ever responds when I call his name the first time, only when I stand right next to him, almost at his ear, I can see that it has an effect like he almost "snaps out of it" and he finally hears me. But he has no hearing problem, so I can rule that out. I've read about Becalm'd and since it also contains the 5 HTP, but at a much lesser dosage than my 5 HTP product, I thought my product would be more effective and also would be easier to swallow, since it is a small capsule and he does not like chewables. I don't know how big the Becalm'd capsules are. I was reading that the not focusing has to do with Dopamine being too low. Since I heard that Wellbutrin can increase Dopamine, I was wondering if that would help.

[This message has been edited by Palms (edited 09-16-2003).]

I think he's too young for wellbutrin. Its usually used in teens and adults. beCalmd has DL-phenylalanine in it to increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels. And just a tidbit of info..... TV does not mean a thing, neither does how long he can play video games. These both have a hypnotic effect so the fact that he can watch tv like that doesnt really matter. As for math, well maybe thats his subject. People with ADHD can overfocus on things that really interest them. Usually they do better with one on one attention and less distractions. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html - go here and give the activities a try. They simulate how a child with attention problems feels in a classroom full of distractions, so for about 10 seconds or so you can have a little taste of what your son feels like every day for 6 hours per day while hes in class trying to focus. BTW the 5-HTP increases serotonin, (that can make attention problems worse if he's not also taking something to increase the dopamine levels) beCalmd takes care of all of that. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Also what accomodations does your son receive in class? Him wiggling in his chair should not be a problem. Infact he should be receiving accomodations such as being allowed to stand up and stretch, being able to sit on the floor where theres more wiggle room etc. Talk to the school about this. He should also be entitled to go out into a smaller group for reading and other subjects he has problems in.

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~*~ Kristy ~*~

My friend's son, age 7, is on Wellbutrin, which his dr. described as "stimulant-light." He has always been extremely hyper, and she is very pleased with the results this medication is producing.

Interesting Beesmom. Ya, wellbutrin does have a stimulant like effect. I have never heard of such a young kid being on wellbutrin though. From everything Ive read about it there has been no studies with its effects on children. And all the dosage and indication charts were for adults. I am very interested to find this out.... does anybody happen to know if wellbutrin is approved by the FDA for use in children or know of any studies done on its effectiveness in children??

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~*~ Kristy ~*~

There is a medication called Desoxyn that a lot of people arent aware of. The reason for this is that its chemical name is methamphedimine, which disuades most docs from prescribing it, even though deemed a very effective alternative when other meds dont appear to be working.