Budsmommy
New Member
Everything Happens for a Reason
Posts: 16
|
Post by Budsmommy on Jun 29, 2005 7:51:27 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I haven't posted here in quite a while. My son is 7 (almost 8) he was on Adderall XR last year during school. His teacher says she could see a great improvement and he was an excellant student she was very pround of him. Before he began the medication he use to complain about being anxious all the time and was very angry. I have a hard time getting him to take the medicine (because he doesn't take medicine that well). He has admitted that he does better in school when he is taking the medicine even though he complains sometimes and says he will do better in school if I don't make him take the medicine. Anyway I have taken him off the medicine for the summer and I have noticed that he is very silly when he is not taking it. His day care has asked that I give it to him on certain occasions depending on where they are going for a field trip. They say that he seems to listen better when on the meds. However I do notice he gets a little more aggitated on the meds. So here is my problem. Long term side effects. I still wonder everyday if I'm doing the right thing. My husband strongly disagrees with the meds. There has been some recent news about some meds causing longterm psychologicall problems and possible suicidal thoughts. When I hear and read things like this it makes me second guess what I should do. I don't want to cause my son any harm I just want him to enjoy his life. Does anyone else go through this and how do you deal with it?  |
|
sportsmom
Member Emeritus
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Posts: 1,171
|
Post by sportsmom on Jun 29, 2005 8:03:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jun 29, 2005 9:16:38 GMT -5
I too would ask the doctor about this...there are other meds out there....
Paul is now 17 and he is not taking meds anymore...but until age 6-16 he did...some kids have to be on meds for a long period of time...others not. Paul said he didn't need them anymore and I trusted his decision.
Now for the teachers comments....I think she may have a point for asking you to give your son meds on special occasions. He might be able to focus better and in your words...not be so silly.
I am not seeing any long term problems with Paul. What I am seeing is a very nice kid with a head on his shoulders.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kaiti on Jun 30, 2005 9:38:13 GMT -5
Along with the others, I would talk to the doctor.
I don't medicate Mikey, but with the kids that I have worked with I could definately tell when they didn't get the meds. Not a bad thing, just needed to divert attention and the "silliness" before it got out of control and something happened.
As for the long term side effects, every medicine reacts differently to each individual. If there is that much of a concern, look up the meds on the internet. Now this isn't to say go to the docs and say "I WANT THIS......FOR MY CHILD" But it can help you educate yourself and your husband as well.
You can print some stuff out and take it to the docs and ask his/her opinion of it.
Take care
Kaiti
|
|
|
|
Post by kstquilter on Jun 30, 2005 12:24:53 GMT -5
i can understand why they want him on meds during a field trip. i've been a parent many times on those field trips and there are alot of kids to keep track of and keep safe.
i would think the meds would help keep him more focused which helps everyone to keep him safe.
i haven't worried so much about the long term effects. my understanding is that ritalin has been around long enough that we'd already know about them. we didn't have any luck at all with adderall so i can't speak for that.
but i'd talk to your dr. let them explain and help ease your mind. i guess i look at it that ritalin, even the extended release, is in and out of your body so fast that i can't see it being a long term problem. we all take our kids off whenever we can as a rule so they aren't on it 24/7/365 for years.
i guess i'm not too much of a worrier as whole and trust my dr's. to do the best we all know how to do. on meds, she's a much more pleasant, successful, focused person to be around.
good luck.
karen
|
|
|
|
Post by milesofsmiles on Jun 30, 2005 12:45:48 GMT -5
When my son is not on meds he has some peculiar behaviors. Like said above, they are not bad, just require some more supervision. When he was younger, he was not able to articulate the difference he felt on and off medication. Now, he as told me that he has friends, they play with him, he likes to read, and he has been increasing his self esteem with the educational accomplishments. This summer we gave him the option of taking them or not taking them. He chose to take them so he can "concentrate on being a good friend". We are working on impulse control with him. The meds give him just enough gap to think of a solution rather than acting from the gut. Miles  |
|
|
|
Post by Kaiti on Jun 30, 2005 13:51:21 GMT -5
Miles, that's great that your little boy can articulate that to you. You've always been so supportive of him, give yourself a pat on the back. I think that I found my calling when I started working with kids. Especially the little hyper explosive ones. ;DHMMMMM maybe I can relate and get inside those little creative brains. ;D Like I said before I don't know how my mom didn't kill me  |
|
|
|
Post by kstquilter on Jun 30, 2005 15:56:19 GMT -5
miles,
what a bright kid you have!
that's exactly what we've been trying to tell brittany for years!
maybe he can come teach brittany how to be a better friend!
karen
|
|
