Inattentive disorder

[VioletRose89]

Thank you again. I will probably be asking a lot of questions.

I was finally able to get a hold of the doctor's office with an answer to the "questionaire" they had me fill out for my son. The nurse told me that the doctor wants me to make an appt to come in and get a prescription. I asked what was the prescription and what was it for? She said "I don't know".

I am hoping the doctor will talk to me and my son - I am a little concerned that SHE has not ever seen him for this. We saw one of the other doctors there to start this. And she just wants to RX him without seeing him.

In any event - I have some people telling me to be careful and don't let them put him on meds - then others telling me if the meds will help, absolutely put him on them. It is pretty confusing.

Do you or anyone know what the most prescribed drug for this is so I can do a little research on it? I hate being totally uninformed when it comes to this stuff.

Thanks again for all your kind words. I am glad to see that there is hope.

[addprogrammer]

VioletRose,

Yes, research, research, research. Most common meds are based on methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both can be abused. And certainly that is a risk that must be weighed. But you actually face a much bigger problem and that is how emotionally charged the issue is.

I resisted meds for some time after I was diagnosed. I changed my position when it became overwhelming obvious to me that the risks of the meds was nothing in comparison to the devastation ADHD was causing me.

You might ask yourself, how's my boy doing unmedicated? Do I want the rest of his life to be like his first 17 years? Then compare that to the risks of any medications that might provide relief.

Bob

[Lizzie62]

Hi VioletRose,
As for your doctor/school issues, no one wants to diagnose ADD. ADHD is more commonly diagnosed because of the behavioral problems. Children with ADD are quiet and normally rather well behaved which makes them "obstinate" or "lazy". How many times has a teacher told you, "I know he can do the work, but he needs more effort." or "He's not working to his potential." They make you feel as though you have a bad child who refuses to do what he's told. I can't believe you have made it all this time without pulling your hair out! I can't tell you how many times I have sat with my one ADD daughter for up to 3 hours at a kitchen table with all distractions off of the table waiting for her to finish one work sheet. But it is so tough to get that diagnosis.

Two of my daughters and I are ADD. I had to take my one daughter to participate in a study at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvannia. That was the only way I could get a diagnosis without going through the Child Study Team for an evaluation. I didn't want her to go through Child Study Team because of the nightmare I had with my older daughter. But thats a story for another time!

As far as medication is concerned, it will likely be Adderall, Ritalin or Concerta. I now take adderall which is wonderful! I hated Ritalin because it made me depressed and moody and I am already prone to depression and on medication for that. I haven't tried Concerta.

I think medication will help your son, and I think he really needs something. Neither of my girls are on medication right now, but both have been at some time.

The best of luck to you and your son. I also was so relieved to find out that there were others out there!

Liz

[rheanna]

VioletRose89,

You are not a terrible mom! You've been struggling with your son's health issues for 17 years! You're not neglecting him -- it's obvious that you love him very much. Please keep in mind that just because you haven't found an "answer" yet, doesn't mean that you are neglecting him or not doing your very best. It just means that you're still working on it.

I hope that you are able to keep up the fight to get some sort of helpful diagnosis for your son. Just because some teachers and doctors don't take you and your son seriously doesn't mean that they are right. Lots of parents on this board will give you the support to keep up the fight.

I am concerned that your son's doctor is talking about giving him a prescription based on a questionaire that you filled out for him. It is inappropriate to prescribe ADD meds without a thorough diagnosis, which involves participation by your son. And if the med she's planning on proescribing isn't for ADD, then I would insist on questioning her thoroughly regarding just what it's for.

Please let us know how the doctor visit goes.

--Rheanna

--Rheanna

[VioletRose89]

Thanks you Rheanna and Liz. I appreciate your replies.

I talked to the doctor today and she also talked to my son a little. She put him on Strattera. She said it is not addictive nor a narcotic. Also that it works well with teens.

I have looked up a little info on this medicine and was a little surprised at the side effects listed when I asked the doctor what the side effects were and she said usually dry mouth... thats it! :\

Does anyone have any experience with this medicine? How long does it take to show how it works? The reason I ask is that I gave my son his first pill this afternoon and he got sleepy... but he also got really cranky. He is usually pretty easy going and tonight he got angry because he did not get a pair of bike gloves he wanted. Maybe I am just watching too closely now - being a little paranoid.

Any other insight would be really appreciated.