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Post by StaceyK on Apr 5, 2004 18:49:02 GMT -5
Hi! I am new to this site, but am so glad to have found a place to share the problems and joys of being a parent of kids with ADD / ADHD. I have three children. 9-year-old girl/boy twins, and a 6 1/2-year-old daughter. My son (9) was diagnosed with ADHD at age 2 1/2. My daughter (6) always seemed fine, but a little moody. Then this year she began falling behind in 1st grade. After a lot of testing, they think she has ADD and a learning disorder (a processing disorder). My daughter is on Concerta, and my son is currently on concerta with clonidine, and strattera. (We have tried just about everything with him over the years, and this seems to be the best combo.) My son has some habits that I am wondering if any of you have seen. I don't know whether they are just typical 9-year-old habits, or whether they are part of the ADHD, or maybe even medication side effects. Anyway, he bites his nails down to the quick! he also goes to the bathroom constantly. It started about 9 months ago. I took him to the doctor and they said he doesn't have any type of urinary tract infection, but he can't even sleep at night sometimes because he is going to the bathroom so frequently. Also, he has real sleep ISSUES! For one, he ends up at the foot of our bed most nights. Two, he has trouble falling asleep at night, and if (HEAVEN FORBID) I forget his strattera, he can't go to sleep at all. Then he also has frequent nightmares. He is also terrified of certain things: being left alone, being forgotten (like at the store), bees, other animals, etc. I know this is a LONG post, but have any of you had similar problems?  |
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Post by Dad2Brooke on Apr 5, 2004 20:31:00 GMT -5
StaceyK, hi and welcome to the board. We are glad you found us! ;D
I do know that when Brooke was on Concerta and Ritalin (in the evenings), she had a a similar problem with going to the bathroom a lot. We went to a pediatric urologist and it was determine that she didn't have a urinary tract infection. When we mentioned what meds she was on, the doctor right away told us that was what was causing the problem. She said that it wasn't a big deal as long as her going to the bathroom alot didn't bother us.
When we did stop that combo a couple of weeks later, the problem went away.
I would ask your doctor if maybe the meds combo might be causing it.
Brooke is now on Strattera, Concerta, and Guanfacine. She is doing well and has never had any sleep problems. So I can't offer any suggestions there. Nor is she frightened of anything. Not sure which is worse, being too frightened or not at all.
Brooke recently got her IEP (first grade) and in the testing they said the same thing. She is extremely slow at processing info. She will be starting with an LD teacher after spring break.
I would ask your school to evaluate her for an IEP, as soon as possible. We started Brookes in November and finall got it on April Fool's Day. They take quite a while, but are worth it. It doesn't sound like she would have a hard time getting one.
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Post by Mayleng on Apr 5, 2004 20:55:35 GMT -5
Hi! I am new to this site, but am so glad to have found a place to share the problems and joys of being a parent of kids with ADD / ADHD. I have three children. 9-year-old girl/boy twins, and a 6 1/2-year-old daughter. My son (9) was diagnosed with ADHD at age 2 1/2. My daughter (6) always seemed fine, but a little moody. Then this year she began falling behind in 1st grade. After a lot of testing, they think she has ADD and a learning disorder (a processing disorder). My daughter is on Concerta, and my son is currently on concerta with clonidine, and strattera. (We have tried just about everything with him over the years, and this seems to be the best combo.) My son has some habits that I am wondering if any of you have seen. I don't know whether they are just typical 9-year-old habits, or whether they are part of the ADHD, or maybe even medication side effects. Anyway, he bites his nails down to the quick! he also goes to the bathroom constantly. It started about 9 months ago. I took him to the doctor and they said he doesn't have any type of urinary tract infection, but he can't even sleep at night sometimes because he is going to the bathroom so frequently. Also, he has real sleep ISSUES! For one, he ends up at the foot of our bed most nights. Two, he has trouble falling asleep at night, and if (HEAVEN FORBID) I forget his strattera, he can't go to sleep at all. Then he also has frequent nightmares. He is also terrified of certain things: being left alone, being forgotten (like at the store), bees, other animals, etc. I know this is a LONG post, but have any of you had similar problems? The side effects of concerta could be what is causing the difficulty falling asleep, the nail biting and maybe even the urinary problems. Strattera if taken too late in the evening can cause nightmares and vivid dreams. So try giving it earlier no later than 4.00pm. What is the clonidine for? If it is not helping him to sleep, then is this med really needed? |
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Post by mommy007 on Apr 6, 2004 5:22:12 GMT -5
It sounds like OCD. Has your son ever had his titer counts checked?
My 11 year old tried many drug combinations, he is also a frequent bathroom user. Does your son use the bathroom at the same times during the day? Before dinner, homework etc?
My son was diagnosed with Pandas (pediatric autoimmune disorder associated with strep). The side effects of pandas is VERY similiar to ADHD. But the bathroom thing is included, also my son started having night terrors.
I would suggest to eliminate the possibility having a ASO titer and AntiDNase B titer count.
Just a possibility, I wish we had tested much earlier.
Good luck to you.
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Post by gina1kid on Apr 7, 2004 14:14:31 GMT -5
Stacey K,
My heart goes out to you. I know what you are experiencing, because I have been there, done that.
My DS (8) has ADHD and was diagnosed at 5 yrs old. He is on Concerta, but does not have any sleep issues. Although, I do give him calcium and magnesium at night and maybe that is one of the reasons he sleeps well. You might want to try giving him some calcium and mag at night before bedtime.
As far as urinating frequently, I remember a time that my DS was doing that during the day, not at night. It was for a short period of time. I thought he had a urinary tract infection as well, we did tests, but they all came out negative. The doctor then asked me if he had experienced any stress at home or school. I started thinking back as to when the frequent urination started. I realized that the frequent urination began the day that I had to go to the emergency because I was having trouble breathing. My husband called the emergency and they sent an ambulence to come get me. Well all this time my DS was seeing this happening to me, not being able to breath and them having to take me to the hospital. I am sure this scared him tremendously This was the stressful moment he experienced that caused the urination. His doctor said that sometimes the urinating frequently condition occurs in boys between 4 an 8 years because they have experienced a stressful situation, especially if the situation occurs right before they have to urinate. I can't remember what the condition is called, but there is a name for it. If I remember, I will get back with you. Anyway, he came out of it after a couple of weeks. This is something that you might want to ask your doctor about.
My DS is also fightened of bees and dogs without a leash. I'm not sure if its because he was bit by a bee when he was 18 months and snapped by a dog at 5 years. I am thinking that it is part of the ADHD and some anxiety.
Lately, I have noticed that he doesn't seem as afraid of bees and dogs as before. He used to scream with fright, but lately has been pretty good about keeping his cool.
Also, my DS used to come to our bed in the middle of the night, everynight. Just this past month I have gotten him to stay in his bed all night by bribing him. I told him if he stayed in his bed the whole week, that I would reward him with something. It seemed to work..he is staying in his bed all night so far. Hope this keeps up. You might want to try the reward system, it's pretty powerful with kids.
Gina
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