ADHD & meds

We have DD2's paed diagnosis now for ADHD.

I've said right from the start that I don't want to medicate her. At least not yet. Not until her body is mature enough to handle all the chemicles it'll be dealing with (if thats even possible!)

The paed did, of course, ask me to go read up on it. I haven't yet, but I will have too. I need my arguments against, seeing as he seems so 'pro meds'. (They have no side affects, won't turn her into a drug addict, yada yada yada)

Thing is, she's driving me mental! Every night, at about 5 - 6 pm I sit & wonder what the hell I'm thinking arguing meds?? When she's running back & forth through the house, stirring & tormenting the other kids, talking at the top of her voice after being told repeatedly to STOP!

She cannot sit still. She's also a sensory seeker. (OT puts sensory issues at the top of the list to sort out, paed puts ADHD up there instead, coz 'we all have sensory issues')

She has no patience. I'm feeding the baby, she's hungry. 2 minutes later she's crying (howling) coz she's still hungry & noones fixing it (ie, I'm still on my bum)

She cannot/will not do or try to do anything herself. Forcing her just gets more howling...

I have a million things going on right now. This is just one teeny, tiny thing going through my head!

So who medicates & why?
If so, what do you use & how does it help/affect your child?
Would it sit her on her butt for 3 minutes while I get dinner cooked? (No, I wouldn't do it just for that reason!)

I just don't know!!

She sounds like she has the patience of my toddler XD

Jokes aside, I remember my MIL once mentioning DH having ADD or ADHD as a kid and she controlled it by diet. Even now as an adult there are some things he can eat that will turn him a little crazy. Perhaps you could give this a shot first?

I already avoid things in her diet that I know set her off. What's left isn't really much at all. She's a big carb eater. Fruit & veg have to be snuck in somewhere.
I've just switched from white to wholemeal bread (whole grain when I can get away with it), will soon be baking my own.

She drinks water (juice/cordial maybe twice a week), sometimes milk, wheetbix for brekky, apple, sao's, sandwhich & le snack thingy (only processed crap I allow if I can help it), then meat, pasta/potatoes for dinner. Trying to avoid any additives where possible!

Paed reckons diet makes no difference... pfft!!

Have you tried the Failsafe diet?

No, will look into it.

Only thing is, as I said, she only eats some foods. She's really picky & more stubborn than a mule! She will NOT try new foods.

Will look it up & see what it says :)

Thanks

ETA - Looked it up, & I'm already doing all that. Am buying baker bread, but from woolies, so will look at the additives there, but thats the only thing that might be affecting her...
Will try the a2 milk too...

Ok, just read more... wow...

I think you have to try and remember that there is nothing wrong with meds if managed properly and not prescribed for the wrong reasons.
I think you should speak more with the OT and develop some strategies to assist you with her behaviours.
Good luck

I totally agree with lillima. If your child has ADHD it is a chemical imbalance. The meds can restore that balance allowing them to be able to function. I grew up with a brother with ADHD, he was a different person when he took his meds, he was able to concentrate and function better. He was much less disruptive and happier generally. It didn't cause him to be unresponsive or appear 'drugged'. Sure, if you are able to manage it with diet go for it, but meds aren't always a bad thing and might be worth a shot.
If they don't work or you're not comfortable then you don't have to give them to her. No one can make you. :)

Update...

I have a script for Ritalin in my car, waiting to be filled. I feel uneasy about it, but not because I don't think its the right thing to do... Because I'm not sure!!
How on earth do I know if this is right? I know I can stop at any time, we are only trialling, but giving her that first half pill has my gut already in knots & they're not even in my hands yet!!

OT has ditched us now that our EPC has run out. Didn't ask if I wanted to pay full price. Nothing. So we got 3 actual sessions.

I think I'll fill the script. I don't see the point in trialling them now, its only 3 weeks til end of term. Might wait til next year, 2nd term, since she's probably changing schools.

Anyone have advice re: Ritalin V Dex?

I just feel like she's way too young to be put on meds, but her schooling is suffering. & I know if I don't act now she'll slip further & further behind til its too hard to catch up again.

I guess we'll just figure it out as we go along...

I wish I had more advice for you :hug: but haven't really had much to do with it. Just did a quick google of ADHD support groups and found some websites that look good. :hug:

not much advice hun but in already arguing with myself and i dont even know if DS has it

DH was on dexy's as a child and i wouldnt reccommend them as they are highly addictive and have caused issues with him still now and he stopped taking them 13 yrs ago

As a reacher I have heard that it is better to put them on younger so they can learn the social norms and get basics of reading and writing down.

One of my besties ds1 is on it and I know she has done heaps of research. I can speak to her if you like as he was put in them very young.


Sent from my iPhone so short and sweet

Beatrix just kindly pointed out (while laughing) that I am a teacher, not a reacher lol.


Sent from my iPhone so short and sweet

She sounds like her candida is out of control and I'd 100% do the GAPS (gut and psychology syndrome) diet. She'll never need meds again. AWESOME book. It's changing our lives :D

ETA I have a resistant eater too and it was hell getting him to start on this diet. I'm not going to white wash that and I honestly do understand your concern But once you read the book you realise that this food is poisoning your child's body and there is just No Other Choice.

Another teacher here (I do some 'reaching' too, but only to get things on high shelves, not as an occupation ;)). I've seen ADHD kids by the bucket load. In general, the ones who were medicated were 'quieter', and better able to concentrate in a school environment (and hence learn better). If they even went a day without medication, many of them would have meltdowns - they were often upset, frustrated and angry at themselves as they knew they weren't 'right', iykwim. I've also seen the odd 'zombie' out there too, and one child who'd spend all day crying when on medication. So sad.
I've also done a fair few school camps, and sleep and med.s were often not at all compatible. They'd often have to be pulled out to sleep on their own because they'd be awake at all hours and would just annoy the heck out of their roommates.
My fave story was of a boy whose mum didn't want to do med.s and spent a lot of time and effort changing his diet. She'd often come in and tell me some of the things she'd found he reacted badly to, and it wasn't just the 'usual' culprits. Her boy was a different kid when his diet changed. Having said that, when he got to his teenage years, he was much harder to monitor diet-wise (just wanted to fit in with his friends, understandably) and did end up going onto medication.
Lots of parents resist med's when their kids are younger, but often don't do anything else. By the time the problem is addressed, their child has missed out on their education and social skilling basics and finds it very difficult to function at school (academically as well as socially).
I also know that some parents have had to change med.s several times to find the right one for their child.
Definitely seek support too. There are lots of other things you can do to help the ADHD child that are worth trying.

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I think I'll fill the script. I don't see the point in trialling them now, its only 3 weeks til end of term. Might wait til next year, 2nd term, since she's probably changing schools.

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i would think this is a better time to trial it than waiting til after the holidays. her current teacher knows her - as well as you being able to judge how she is reacting, the next best person is the teacher she has had for the best part of the last year. You will be able to see if there is a noticable difference in the way she behaves at home - her teacher will be able to tell you how it works at school. starting now won't mean you have to keep her on it over her holidays. my cousin used to take her son off the medication every school holidays to allow him a break. the difference in him when medicated compared to not medicated was amazing. HE wanted the meds - he is an amazingly talented artist (now 22yo) and sells his work - when he wasn't medicated, he said he felt flighty and his brain was all over the place - he could never focus as much as he wanted to on just one thing - he'd start on one thing but have so much going on he couldn't finish it properly kwim?

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My fave story was of a boy whose mum didn't want to do med.s and spent a lot of time and effort changing his diet. She'd often come in and tell me some of the things she'd found he reacted badly to, and it wasn't just the 'usual' culprits. Her boy was a different kid when his diet changed. Having said that, when he got to his teenage years, he was much harder to monitor diet-wise (just wanted to fit in with his friends, understandably) and did end up going onto medication.

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This is why GAPS is brilliant. Rather than managing symptoms with an elimination diet that can unhealthy and difficult to maintain long term, it treats the cause and heals the gut so that later on the person can eat those foods without consequences.

I think your plan to wait is good- do more research so you can make a decision you're happy with.

Thought I might see you in here meow :) Gaps is awsome and there is alot of proof. Looks daunting but you ease into it- not the kind of thing you just start 1 day, you work into it. Working our family into it now.
I have ADHD, my mum is stil in denial and when we move home I will be seeking OT to help re-train some thinking and work out a few kinks. As a child with a mother who was told to do something but treated me as normal (i was just a naughty child in her eyes) it was so hard. Not understanding why I was so "naughty" or how I could stop it and the school work just got harder and harder to understand.- So I say thank you, from your daughter or starting to do something to help her.
If you are going to medicate- I would also say now is the best time to do it- meds often need tweaking and ritalin is as good a place to start as any the other I would hold off on.
But do look into helping her diet as much as you can- Gaps, gluten free, additive free and color free as much as possible.
I know its hard to live with somebody so out control, but its not easy being that way either.
If you can get her and talk to her face to face to tell her to stop doing something- and suggest something else, or ask her to help you with making dinner/ dishes etc. If you can re-direct the energy everybody can win- its not always possible but re-direction is a big help once you get the hang of it. perhaps there are some tasks that would also help her sensory issues?
:hug: its really hard. I hope you can find some other mums in your situation to chat to- so you know your not alone and she isnt either

Whatever decision you make - just make sure you make an educated decision.

As far as the research goes the evidence is not strong that diet etc will 'fix' the problem.

Think of it like this - would you hesitate to get medication if your child had epilepsy or diabetes?? Psychological disorders ARE medical - so by trialling the medication you will be able see how she reacts to it. I also agree that this may be the perfect time to trial the meds - if she reacts badly you have time before school starts to get the mix right. Also it can take a few weeks for the meds to kick in properly.

As a psychologist working in schools I see lots of parents reluctant to medicate (and of course the opposite - parents too quick to medicate) - there is no shame in your child needing this support even if it is so you can get something done for 5 minutes!! as long as medication is not the ONLY strategy you use to support her behaviour and learning.

Maybe the next step is to get some guidance re: behavioura strateiges that could support her to self monitor and control her behaviour at home. This will be equally as important - and will ensure you are not relying on medication alone.

There is some evidence that natural medication - efalex - is supposed to help with concentration (I'm not sure how strong the research is, but it could be another thing to try)

Be careful about subscribing to the 'pop' psychology strategies - and make sure whatever you try is an evidence based intervention - that is, it has a research base proving it's effectiveness in adhd populations (for girls!)

good luck!

There are many different diets so lumping them under the one banner will absolutely make for a mixed bag of results. Dr Campbell-McBride is a neurologist and nutritionist. She compiles solid research based evidence to develop her protocol which is at this point ahead of the medical science. Personally, my son can't wait for the research to catch up. He's proof it's working. I just strongly suggest reading the book before making a decision.

I've had plenty of exposure to ADHD through my life. I have two brothers with it (one very severely affected), and my 14 year old DSS has it also.

Growing up with my brothers, my parents tried everything under the sun to avoid medicating them. Naturopath, dietitian, special exercise programs, kinesiology, craniosacral therapy, and the list goes on and on. Eventually they trialled the meds and never looked back. My severely affected brother became a much more well adjusted child that was able to concentrate at school and actually started to make friends! He was much happier. He's now 22 and working in a stable, well paid job and is quite enjoying himself. My less affected brother had major learning difficulties and self confidence issues as a child and the medication not only helped him with school, but also helped him gain a much healthier self image. He's also 22 now (twins) and after school actually went on to do a tafe course.

With my step son I saw the process repeat all over again. DH and I took DSS to a leading specialist in ADHD (luckily we managed to see her because we know her son) and we had a diagnosis of ADHD when he was about 9. His Mother completely refused to medicate him even as a trial. Having seen the difference that the meds can make, I really wish he had gone on to meds straight away, but also having seen the journey my parents had to make to accept meds, I understood where the Mother was coming from when she wanted to go through all the alternative options. If I thought we went through a lot with my brothers, it was nothing compared to DSS. I have a feeling he actually saw a witch doctor at one point! ;) Once again, absolutely nothing changed.

My DSS got to the point where he hated himself and his life and DH and I were seriously fearful for his life. When he turned 12 he made the choice to come and live with us (his younger brother also moved in with us as well) and he made the choice to try the medication. We've never made him take the medication, and yet he sees such a difference that he's now 14 and is still taking the meds by his choice. He went through a stage where he really resented his Mother's choice not to medicate him as he learnt from his doctor that the earlier kids go on the meds, the more often they are able to learn to control themselves easier and earlier when they are off their meds. We had to explain to him why she chose to try all the other options first to alleviate his anger.

I guess what I'm trying to get across is that although it's such a hard decision to medicate a child, it's definitely not a bad thing to do if it benefits the child. ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain which the medication corrects, therefore it's not just a psychological condition, it's a medical condition. And like someone else mentioned, would you hesitate to give a child diabetes or heart meds? I think it's great that you are looking at all your options though :)