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Post by amcfanny on May 13, 2005 16:56:39 GMT -5
Well there's a week and three days left of school so I decided to do it - go med free. I'm bent on trying out the natural route and know he will be going to third grade. Probably shouldn't have done it on a test day - he didn't quite finish his reading book test and got an "I" on his citizenship report. Personally, I thought the teacher would cut him some slack - grrr. He's having that hyper-rebound appetite rage thing going. He walked in the door and devoured the grapes and watermelon I bought today and had a plate of chicken and zuchinni bread. Thank goodness I got a mega-bouncer a few days ago. He spent some time in there going crazy then jumped in the pool. I do so love to see him eating, joking around, talking, and active. Normally on the meds he's alot more serious and quiet and doesn't do anything remotely active. For the summer we are definately med free...don't know what third grade holds for us. The good thing (I hope) is the teacher he is supposed to be assigned to has ADD. Couldn't believe how nervous I was this morning about it. I think I'm kinda psychologically addicted to him taking it. He's looking forward to trying out this natural way.
Wish us luck!!!
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Post by finnmom on May 15, 2005 2:57:05 GMT -5
Amcfanny, GOOD LUCK  I´am sorry I cant remember what is he on, but if you want to test this, then this sound´s like the best time to be med-free, although I would have waited after school id off... My ds is on concerta 36mg, only for schoolday´s, never on holiday´s, weekend´s etc... it has worked well for us. I havent seen that kind of a difference between his "med- and no med-charachter", just a little bit louder, more impulsive, more eager to tease other´s... but his dosage is just enought to help him at shcool, not to change his behaviour so much otherwise. Anyway; LOT`S OF GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR TRIAL  |
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Anna
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Post by Anna on May 15, 2005 9:53:35 GMT -5
Good luck!!!!!!!! I can't even imagine taking Conner off of his meds for a day - let alone the summer!!!! He's so SUPER hyper (Doctor's say they've never seen such an extreme case of adhd, and that they feel he'll probably be diagnosed with another disorder as he gets older - he's only 5 now.) His XR meds wear off after 4 hours and he CAN'T STOP TALKING, can't stop moving, can't stop yelling, can't stop fighting with his siblings, and can't control his impulses! Anna |
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Post by amcfanny on May 15, 2005 12:35:26 GMT -5
I had him down to 36mg of Concerta. This fall I won't be surprised if he needs it. I'll try and get away with 18mg. I just want what he needs to complete his tests - I'm not going to worry about the class work. During the tests the classroom is quiet - so he can focus better - so he doesn't need a whole lot of help. Just maybe this natural stuff will give him that boost. I'm already having big problems with the swallowing though. All I have is the magnesium tablets which I have to cut up. Even then he's having problems cuz of the pointy edges.
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Post by Amsmom on May 15, 2005 12:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by amcfanny on May 16, 2005 19:28:12 GMT -5
although I would have waited after school id off... I think you're right. I'm ready to throw in the towel after just two schools days.  Today she sent home his work for me to sign and wrote down the time it took for him to do it and of course the frowny face. Getting him to do the incomplete work and homework was just way too much fun for me - not. Just seven more days of school. So maybe I should give it to him the rest of this week. I doubt very seriously that they will be doing anything much the last three days next week. |
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mothercat
Member Emeritus
With a little luck and a lot of Gods help anything is possible!
Posts: 1,468
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Post by mothercat on May 16, 2005 20:01:12 GMT -5
Jared has to be off meds on weekends and all summer as he has weight issues..needs to gain..and it also gives his body time for the growth spurts. Weekends arent usually alot of fun with him (although here lately he has been behaving better) I cant wait till summer gets here.. I stick with meds during the school year for his educational sake. He is on 36 concerta and a 5 or 10 homework kicker of ritalin if needed. I dont like medicating (none of us do) but I know what you are going thru. Not all teachers cut slack..some even take it personal if they know you are cutting meds back (like you are punishing them) .. and some just dont care..they want the work done period. I also wouldn't count on the ADD teacher getting along just because of the add.
I hope the natural route works..I myself would wait till summer break . I tend to let Jared sow his wild oats in the summer..he gets it out of his system fairly quickly and settles into a more normal routine with in the first two or three weeks. (still hyper but more of an orderly hyper..instead of the zing hyper)
I wish I could go natural with Jared. Good luck.
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Post by Linda on May 16, 2005 20:31:24 GMT -5
quote by mothercat: I also wouldn't count on the ADD teacher getting along just because of the add. Got that right...Paul has an ADHD teacher who has turned out to be his worst nightmare  He has had so much work from this teacher that I am about ready to scream!!!! Essay after Essay and Research papers |
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Post by amcfanny on May 17, 2005 10:06:43 GMT -5
Thanks for that heads up on the teacher. I was thinking it would be easier on him but I won't count on it.
I did go ahead and give him his medicine this morning. He just can't operate school wise w/o it right now. Normally he can just look at the list of spelling words for the week for a minute and be able to spell any of them. Last night he just couldn't spell at all. He's got a big problem with sloppy writing. With the medicine he's able to concentrate and get it neat. His homework last night looked like a preschool child wrote it out. This little test without medicine has helped me to see how much the medicine is doing for him. Because he was still having alot of incomplete work, I was thinking the medicine wasn't helping at all school wise. To me the side effects weren't worth it if wasn't doing anything for him.
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mothercat
Member Emeritus
With a little luck and a lot of Gods help anything is possible!
Posts: 1,468
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Post by mothercat on May 17, 2005 18:45:00 GMT -5
With Jared I dont see the med working ..it wears off before he comes home..but they do work..his education is just too important to mess with his meds.( I couldnt take the fall out from it ) |
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Post by mom2tj on May 17, 2005 20:00:08 GMT -5
its so funy how every kid is different my son is on concerta 56mg a day 7 days when he stips a day he gets so hyper that he gets sick... yesterday I forgot to give it to him he had the wrose day of the year got a note from the teacher I mush admit she usualy doesnt sent notes unless she really has to she is very patient with ds but yesterday he was out of control. he eat all day wich was good but was so hyper last night it all when down the toilet (not to get to graphic lol) I cant skip that is a lesson learned everytime I forget a day I get reminded.... I will try to stop this summer in hopes he gain a few pounds.... God I sure wish I had that problem needing to gain a few ponds  |
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Post by mskris on May 18, 2005 9:59:32 GMT -5
 Reading these messages makes me wish I could take Taylor off the meds (strattera) for the summer. However, he has to go to daycamp, which is quite structured, so he has to follow directions, etc. Also, he is more popular with the other kids when he's on the meds. I have skipped them a few times unintentionally on weekends. I find two things happen: 1) he fights with his sister and all of us more because he's super emotional, and 2) he doesn't listen and can't follow through on anything, which usually ends up with us arguing and him getting punished. So, all in all, having the meds works best for him. Things go more smoothly, including relations with friends, and we're all happier in the long run. That said, he does complain about having to take them. He doesn't have any trouble taking them physically, he just doesn't like the thought that he needs them. I've tried to explain that life is easier for him with the meds, and I think he knows that deep down, but just wishes he didn't have the problem, KWIM? Of course, don't we all wish that! One thing that is cool is that two of his closest friends also take meds for ADHD, and I have my suspicions about another friend, too. So I can at least let him know he's not alone, or weird, or anything like that. Interestingly, one of the school personnel (at our very first meeting with them when we moved here 2 yrs ago) told me Taylor must be very severely ADHD = which is BS!! He is definitely classic ADHD, but on the mild/moderate end. When I read all your postings, I know that we're not alone, and we're NOT severe! Thanks to all of you, I'm comforted.  Kris
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Post by amcfanny on May 18, 2005 11:22:42 GMT -5
One thing that is cool is that two of his closest friends also take meds for ADHD, and I have my suspicions about another friend, too. So I can at least let him know he's not alone, or weird, or anything like that. That's great he has friends like that. Do they naturally find each other. My DS best friend at school has ADHD too and they both know the other is taking meds. There's one other boy in the class that is also. I know what you mean about the kids wishing they didn't have the problem. I believe that's very natural. Sometimes we talk about things that could be worse to have to see how lucky we are to have just what we do have. |
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Post by Linda on May 18, 2005 12:49:17 GMT -5
OMG ;D Do they ever find each other? ;DIt is like they are drawn to one another ;D ;D I see it at school every day the way they pair up....some get along and some do not. If they are just ADHD without any co-morbids thet are buddies...If it is the other way ...WATCH OUT ;D ;D
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