I am wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with different medications with their children who have ADHD. My 11 year old son was just diagnosed and the doctor wants to put him on Concentra, I am hesitant espeically because the doctor did not ask about family history of mental disorders such as dipression and bipolar. What I am finding is that this medication can have adverse effects if taken in people who have a family or personal history of these problems (my family has a history of depression with my siblings and both parents and his father's family bipolar and ADHD). I live in Salt Lake and my son will be with his father and step mom in Virginia for another year so I have not had direct conversations with the doctor, hence the disconnect there. Has anyone used this medication or had good, positive results with something else they would suggest?
I understand the medication can be important, my biggest concern is side effects. I am actually diagnosed ADD and took medication for a while until my side effects were unbearable. I was diagnosed as an adult and no doubt would have benefitted from a childhood diagnosis. As an adult I have found ways to deal with my symptoms without medication and my health is better for it.
I just got this information today from his stepmom and so the doctor will be called tomorrow. His stepmom told me all that happened is how i know it wasn't addressed. We actually have a great line of open communication.
My biggest concern is the warnings on this drug about the possible side effects from bipolar or depression personally or family history.
Thank you guys so, so much. I was actually only diagnosed 6 years ago when I was 24, I wanted to go back to college and every time I had before I struggled so much staying focused and on task. I took Strattera and it killed my appetite and I can not afford to lose weight. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and that helps me with medications. I actually work with medical professionals however seems like anymore you have to see a specialist for most things, for they are the true professionals. He was seen by a pediatrician I believe, I am still waiting for the doctor's information so I can do all my follow ups tomorrow. I have been pushing them for a year to get him in to be looked at because I recognized so many of my symptoms in him and becoming a problem with school and his interactions. A child that truly has any of these problems deserves to get help and treatment as soon as possible so that we as parents can supply them with all the tools they need for their own success later in life. Thank you all again so much for all of your sharing.
Thank you! Yes the drugs because of the possibility of other influences is my worry. He is going to be seeing a counselor as well a d follow ups with the doctor. I am diagnosed and suffer ADD so recognize sometimes medication is needed, unfortunately natural does not always do the trick. I have been looking into diet changed but haven't seen that they have found a correlation there. I will call and talk with the doctor and make sure everything is covered. Thank you everyone.
My stepdaughter is taking Concerta for her ADHD and Lexapro for her anxiety/depression and hasn't had any issues. In fact, it was what was prescribed by the doctor who oversaw her inpatient care while she was at an in-patient psyc. ward. If I remember correctly, it was the first drug he recommended. I hope that alleviates some fears.
wait, what?
Your son is living with your ex husband and his wife. Am I understanding that correctly?
Your son went with them to the doctor and has been diagnosed, but you were not there, correct?
So how do you know that these questions were not asked? How do you know what happened in the doctor's office?
I am assuming that since you are his mother that you would be able to call the doctor and question them and give them a family history if you are worried, right?
If I were you I would have a direct conversation with the doctor, why haven't you?
L.
Calll the doctor yourself and let her/him know your family history..
Also please, allow your son to try the medication. My husband is 52 and has ADHD.. His parents would not allow him to take medication and it has left him feeling like something is wrong with him all of these years.
You do know, they do not grow out of this? It is forever and I have noticed it gets worse as they get older.
Your son deserves to be able to try to get this under control. My husband has tried it and he loved it, but feels like there is a stigma attached to it.
What doctor, pediatrician, or psychologist?
Make sure he's properly diagnosed with a FULL work up by a mental health specialist before making ANY decisions. A pediatrician is in no way qualified to make this diagnosis.
These tests generally cost a few thousand dollars and aren't always covered by insurance. Have they done that?
If this was my son I would INSIST.
I don't know where that information came from about Concerta not being compatible with people with depression. Our son does beautifully on Concerta and also takes Celexa for his depression and OCD. I've been at this seven years now and have never heard anything about ADHD meds being a problem with people with depression. If anything, starting medication can help alleviate depression brought on my all of the negativity surrounding ADHD symptoms. I know our son's outlook improved a whole lot when he first started ADHD medication.
I really wouldn't read much about ADHD medication online. You really want to get your information straight from the medical specialists overseeing treatment and from the pharmacist. I found there's a whole lot of garbage online about ADHD and its treatment. You can scare yourself silly with this garbage. Talk to the experts. Also join CHADD and subscribe to ADDitude magazine.
That's bizarre that the doctor wouldn't have asked about family history of mental illnesses. He should have had a thorough analysis by a trained specialist like a child psychiatrist. If a pediatrician handled things, get a second opinion with a specialist. I just can't see a specialist not asking about family history. That came up very early on in the long road to a diagnosis for our son. We saw multiple specialists.
Medication can make a tremendous difference, but it's not a cure-all, so make sure your son also gets seen by a behavioral specialist, too. Medication and therapy combined have the best track record in helping with ADHD. Don't let your experiences with medication cloud things. Medication for this condition is constantly evolving and those administering it are so much more skilled at it than they were years ago.
You cannot be bi polar and ADHD. It is always one or the other.
Yes most ADHD meds have negative effects if you are bi polar but with a proper diagnosis you are fine. If they doctor diagnosed him properly as ADHD then you are good.
Why didn't you tell him your family history? You don't need to wait to be asked...
You need to be working with a neurologist who actually sees your child SEVERAL times before making the diagnosis. You need him or her to recommend a child psychologist who will work in tandem with the neurologist. Your son, at 11, needs behavioral therapy, not just meds. I'm sure that you have a ton of symptoms that are causing trouble in your lives, to be searching for help. Don't just rely on medication.
And yes, you and your doctor need to delve into this to make sure the diagnosis is correct. It opens up another "dimension" of differential diagnoses for the doctor to actually know the family history.
Ummm flaming turnip I'm not sure where you got that you can't be bipolar and ADHD, because my son is BOTH. And yes that's be diagnosed by several psychiatrists. He can't take stimulants because of the bipolar, so he takes low doses or clonidine throughout the day to control the hyperactivity. I agree with the other posters about its not just medicines he needs behavioral therapy as well.
