Medicate for add or not

[Nancyz123]

Hi there.  I have a 13 year old boy, who is very intelligent, and was recently diagnosed with ADD.  I have been going around and around trying to figure out what is best for him.  Do I prescribe him prescription drugs and take the risk of him becoming hooked on them, or do I try and medicate him naturally with homeopathic medicine?  I see the advantages in both, but not sure what is actually best.  His grades and behavior have definitely fallen drastically!  It is something that needs to get a under control quickly!  I also want to be fair to him and give him what he needs to make sure he succeeds!  I realize that every child is different, but  can anyone give me a little insight of what is the best thing to do.  Please help

[abbyxelizabeth]

Oops, this wasn't your post. Sorry!

[abbyxelizabeth]

No problem, I really wish the best for you and your child!

[kirk8]

I just posted a response to your other thread.  I'd just like to say I agree with abbyxelizabeth's post and have had a similar experience.  Although, I would say that I've had an easier time finding effective dosages of medications than she has.

I disagree with allmymarbles 100%.  We do know that the side effects of most of these drugs are.  For example, adderall is mixed amphetamine salts.  It's been around for a hundred years.  It has sold under many brand names but it is the same chemicals.  JFK took mixed amphetamine salts while in office to help him stay more alert because the side effects of the pain medicine he took for his back made him groggy. Long term side effects of ritalin (methylphenidrate) have been well documented too.  However, we don't know what the long term side effects of some of these new, non stimulant, medications are.

Also, If you look into homeopathy you will find that most doctors conciser it "quackery." These and other medicine alternatives are largely untested and unregulated.  Many distributes claim that there products are homeopathic even though there products are not listed in the "homeopathic pharmacopia."  This is health fraud and it is a billion dolor industry.  

Medicine that a doctor prescribes is tested for years by the FDA, and pulled from the market if it is found to be unsafe.  Side effects are documented and patients are informed of them.  Alternative treatments/medications not tested by the government at all.  Manufacturers/distributes make all kind of unproven claims.  Usually they get away with it.  Occasionally, the government (FTC) will take them to court and stop them.

[Sandman2]

    Agree completely.  Its really up to the doctor to pull all of that together.  And too many times that have neither the time nor the experience to do so.

[allmymarbles]

We are not so far apart in our thinking. I feel the real problem is that the child is not seen in a global setting. The teacher sees him at school. The therapist sees him in the office. Who sees his day-to-day living at his home? Who knows what's in the refrigerator? Who knows the parents' ability to parent? What is the atmosphere in the house? With all of these unknowns the pill becomes more risky that it would otherwise appear.

[Sandman2]

   I agree with everything you said about the behavioral and nutritional approach, and side effects.  I am not so sure about your statement about the long-term effects.  These meds have now been used for over 40 years and I would think that we would be seeing some long term effects by now.   And, I have studies that show kids who have not been medicated are much more likely to self medicate. ( But that could also be because they did not get the right behavioral help, I would have to go back to reread the study.)  
  I certainly agree it has been over diagnosed - think both doctors and parents are responsible for that.   And there definitely are other things that mimic it (SPD for example).
   My personal feeling about medication is that you try almost (stay away from quackery items) everything else first. But, unfortunately, it may be the only thing that will help a child pay attention (executive function) in school and thus may become necessary.  And if you do go the medication route - make sure you don't regard it as a "magic pill" that will make all your troubles go away.  Behavioral training must go with it!
   But thanks for your disclaimer.  I always kind of wondered.

[allmymarbles]

I belong to the group that is against medication (except in truly extreme situations). In addition to its obvious side effects, we do not know the long-term effects of these dangerous drugs. I speak for many who favor a behavioral and nutritional approach. It should also be noted that other conditions can mimic ADHD, and that there is a history of over-diagnosis.

[Sandman2]

   What a wonderful reply.  Thank you.  It mirrors the experience of many posts I have read here - but very nicely stated.  Hopefully, you will hang around and share your journeys with us!

[abbyxelizabeth]

I am young, 18, but I have been taking ADD (and other) medications since I was in the third or fourth grade.  I have had experience with pretty much every ADD/ADHD meds out there.  I find them to be very helpful.  In fact, my parents often refer to this, I went from failing school in the fourth grade to getting straight A's and B's after starting Concerta.  Of course, things got a little bit more complicated as I grew up and began harder schooling.  Every person/child is different and has different needs when it comes to medications.  Just because one med works for one child, does not mean it will work in the same way or at all for yours.  The right med, or the right combination of meds, is very important in my opinion.  When it comes to all the meds I take, the wrong medication(s) and combination of medications is worse than no medication.  (I would do extensive research on ADD/ADHD, as it can develop into other things such as depression, anxiety, etc., that was at least my case.  You want to be prepared, and knowledge is power.)

I would say gear up for a long journey.  ADHD/ADD, although it is not necessarily the most extreme of mental illnesses, can still be a very difficult obstacle to overcome, especially when it comes to work and schooling. I know this from experience.  I had lots of difficulties I saw other kids didn't have, and it constantly upset me to know that.  I wanted to be like everyone else.  If your child is ever feeling bad about himself, remind him of what good comes from ADHD/ADD, and what other good qualities your child has (such as his intelligence; I often hear kids with ADHD/ADD will have talents, skills, and intelligence that other kids don't possess.  Of course not always the case, but I'm sure you notice something special in your child.  I'm sure every parent does.)  My mother always reminded me of my artistic talents.

Take the advice of your doctor.  I don't think you're going to get it right the first time with whatever you try.  I've taken TONS of different meds and whatnot in the past. It's taken ten years, but I believe (working with my doctor, of course) we're closer to finding the combination and dosage that truly works best for me.

I truly wish you the best of luck.  This won't be easy, but I pray that you and your boy will have a better time with it than I did.  Feel free to message me if you ever need to talk or ask for advice regarding this.  

Take care.  

[Sandman2]

  I think that Mark has a good point.  If you decide to go the medication route, one of the most important things is the relationship between the parent and the doctor.  All  of these meds are a bit trial and error simply because every child is different.  If the parent is not communicating with the doctor, there child will not get the best possible treatment.  Thus having a doctor that you trust and more importantly (perhaps) has the time to communicate with you too, is really important.
   Now, from my own experience on this forum.  For 7 years now I have constantly asked any parent (through thousands of posts) who has had any success with homeopathic medicine to let me know about it.  I have had zero, zip, nada, response.  You would think that any parent who had success via the homeopathic route would have been spreading the word.  And I think that the reason that I have had no response is that I am not aware of any legitimate study that has shown any homeopathic medicine will work (other then to take your money).   Yes, there are some dietary changes that can help.  Yes, getting a good nights sleep will help.  Yes, eliminating some of the toxins in your home could help.  But I know of no homeopathic medicine that will help him where he needs the help.
   I am not sure where you have read that prescription drugs will get a kid hooked on them (perhaps a homeopathic site?).  The opposite is actually true.  Studies have shown that kids who were not medicated were most likely to self medicate.  "Providing the medication is taken as prescribed, there is not a risk for addiction.  Dosages prescribed are low and not anywhere near the amount reaquired to develop a dependency."    This quote is taken from, "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley.  She has a whole chapter on medication that really covers most aspects.  I think that it would be worth your time to get the book as it also covers everything from discipline to succeeding in school.  Its about $12 on Amazon.
   But more importantly, it is important to know that medication alone is only half the answer.  "Importantly, Fabiano et al (2007) demonstrated that when medication was used alone, 4 times as much medication was required in order to achieve the same outcomes when compared to children who received a low dosage of stimulant medication in combination
with behavior modification. In light of concerns about the short and long term effects of stimulant medication including weight loss, stunted growth, and appetite suppression, these findings have real-world clinical significance in the life of a child."   http://www2.aap.org/sections/dbpeds/pdf/SODBPNewsletterSpring2011.pdf      ...  Adjuncts to Medication Treatment of ADHD page 11.
    Oh, I should also mention that Ashleys book has a great section on 504 plans for school which would also be helpful for your son.
    I hope this helps.  I have a lot of resources I have gathered over the years.  If you have any questions or any specific questions about changing a particular behavior or how to help him - I probably can help.  Best wishes.
  

[MarkLakewood3367]

I don't think anyone in the forum could give you any further insight than the one who diagnosed your son with ADHD.  If you don't feel comfortable with the one who diagnosed your son or you feel that the diagnosis is wrong, it is your prerogative to get a second opinion.