Anyone have a child with A.D.H.D and on meds?

[crazy_devil]

You can tell me that I am wrong, but you don't know what is best for my child. God has given us the children that we have for a reason, and we as mothers know what is best for our children. I know what is best for my daughter, and I have seen tremendous improvement in her. I don't need anyone to tell me what I am doing right, because I know what I'm doing is right.

As Christy stated, what may work for one kid may not work for the other. Christy has her kids and knows whats best for them.

All I wanted and all I asked for was to physically know another mother who is going threw the same to similar situations as I am. I know that I'm not alone, however it would be nice to find someone physically.

Did you know if you suffer from Chronic depression, and you don't get it treated, depression will lead to suicide? I did a 26 mile walk last August for the American foundation for Suicide prevention, "Out of the Darkness" It started in Fairfax, VA, ended at the monument in Washington, DC. The walk was from 7pm-7am. On that walk I learned alot, and seen how young a child ends there life, because they couldn't cope with life, and other kids were temidated by them and there problems. A 10 year old child shot himself, because he wanted to get a's and b's on his report card like his buddies, but could only get d's, do you know what his father said, "if only I listened to the doctors, and put my child on meds 3 years ago, he probably would still be here today!"

 

[pixiegirl]

Originally posted by crazy_devil

Did you know if you suffer from Chronic depression, and you don't get it treated, depression will lead to suicide? I did a 26 mile walk last August for the American foundation for Suicide prevention, "Out of the Darkness" It started in Fairfax, VA, ended at the monument in Washington, DC. The walk was from 7pm-7am. On that walk I learned alot, and seen how young a child ends there life, because they couldn't cope with life, and other kids were temidated by them and there problems. A 10 year old child shot himself, because he wanted to get a's and b's on his report card like his buddies, but could only get d's, do you know what his father said, "if only I listened to the doctors, and put my child on meds 3 years ago, he probably would still be here today!"

I feel you're pain and I'm not trying to harp on you or anything but saying that depression "will" lead to suicide is stretching it a little.

 

[crazy_devil]

It's a medical proven fact that people who suffer from depression, really bad and other mental disorders like bi-polar, etc...not getting it treated medically, it leads to suicide or attempt of suicide and fail.

 

[pixiegirl]

Originally posted by crazy_devil
It's a medical proven fact that people who suffer from depression, really bad and other mental disorders like bi-polar, etc...not getting it treated medically, it leads to suicide or attempt of suicide and fail.

It's still a blanket statement you're making. Not ALL people who suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder will commit or attempt suside. A lot maybe but not all.

I said I wasn't harping on you. I just prefer if you're going to make such a powerful statement that you make a correct one.

 

[Christy]

Originally posted by crazy_devil
It's a medical proven fact that people who suffer from depression, really bad and other mental disorders like bi-polar, etc...not getting it treated medically, it leads to suicide or attempt of suicide and fail.

I disagree somewhat. I believe that the "treatment" of depression (psychiatrists, meds etc..) add fuel to the fire, since it pretty much becomes your childs world. They're so highly focused on "their problem" they can't see the light thru the trees and they spend their entire lives believing they're abnormal. EVERYONE is abnormal in one sense or another. I feel the depression comes directly from believing that they have some major problem.

My kid knows that he's always going to have a more difficult time with reading and writing (he's dyslexic), but he also knows that he's much more creative and bright in other areas. He kicks butt when it comes to solving complex problems. We've discovered that he's a "three dimensional thinker" and does extremely well when it comes to logic problems, science etc.. He's also found his niche at football. I guess I'm trying to say, I've made a concerted effort to focus more on the positive aspects of a childs personality which has proven successful in minimizing the negative aspects.

 

[crazy_devil]

Christy,

You are so right about focusing on the positive things that the child can do. As I do that myself, in addition, when your child is developmentally behind, due to her/his problems, and you have done everything you could to help them w/o b4 meds, and no improvement. Then you see improvement with the meds in the learning department. What can I say. My child is repeating kindergarten this year. What can I say, when your child can't read, write her name, nor, read numbers, or can't remember the alphabet, and i can go on and on, at 6 and half years old, there's a problem. What I do for my child is what I think is best! As I have mentioned earlier in the posts, I have done everything I possibly could w/o medications. Even a special diet, etc. Anyways as I have told kain99, I have even leaned into the church for guidance and help. Every child is different and needs different things to help them in life!

 

[DaMadman]

Originally posted by crazy_devil
thanks for the input, it's obvious you don't have a child with these issues, so it's easier said than done. My daughter has been seeing a psychiatrist for the past 3 years at Children's Hospital. In addition, developmentally she is a year behind, so Therefore, she is having to repeat kindergarten, improvement in her learning came when they put her on medication, but by that point she was too far behind to catch up. Yes I do agree it can be overly diagnosed. But at the same time, there are kids that really have it and need medication to control it, if not they will struggle through school and not able to learn, and comprehend what they need to. That's like being a diabetic and need insulin to control it but don't take it! Having chronic depression and not treating this with the right meds and therapy. will lead to suicide and amongst other things!

You mean to tell me that you have a kid that is 6 years old that has been going to a Head Doctor since he/she was 3.

I really mean no disrespect but for a three year old to be seeing a shrink???

Never mind I am sorry I even started. I hope that yo get help for your kid, it's tough enough raising them when the do not have such alleged problems, But I really hope that you take the advice I seen in a couple replies and get the poor child off those meds, I don't care what research you found, taking a bunch of medications at such an early age is NOT a good thing for thehuman body.

Good Luck and God Bless

 

[Christy]

Originally posted by crazy_devil
Christy,

My child is repeating kindergarten this year. What can I say, when your child can't read, write her name, nor, read numbers, or can't remember the alphabet, and i can go on and on, at 6 and half years old, there's a problem.

Might I suggest the school is the one with the problem? My kid did the whole repeat of kindergarten, did the whole special reading program, was seen numerous times by the school shrinks (unbeknownst to me). He still couldn't read in third grade (well very little). I finally got fed up and yanked him out and home schooled (while working full time) for several months, then we put him in a Montessori school down in California. He was supposed to be in 5th grade last year and tested out at a 3rd grade level. This year he's supposed to be in 6th grade and is at about mid 5th grade level. I'd say that's pretty amazing results wouldn't you? He managed to progress two and a half grade levels in a single year. I'd highly recommend checking them out. They teach each child at their own level with no pressure.

The public school system was devastating to my son, and I could kick myself for not pulling him out sooner. We're not wealthy by any means, but I looked at it as an investment in my kids future. We just manage to scrape by, but the way I look at it now, we can't afford not to have him there.

 

[crazy_devil]

DaMadam,

My daughter starting seeing a "psychiatrist" at 3 years old because she has PICA (eating non food substances, abundance and excessively, like sand, dirt, tree bark, flowers, etc...) She would eat so much sand at daycare she would pass it for 2-3 days. Being PICA is a mental disorder, and not an eating disorder, that is why she had to see the doctor at childrens. She developed it due to a bone marrow virus, she got when she was 18 months old, that landed her in the hospital, at Childrens for 2 months. She was seeing a hemaotologist/oncologist specialist, because they thought she had cancer. Her body went so long with a vitamin deficiency that her body started to crave other things that aren't related to food. Pregnant woman get it, if there iron is very low, not all, but some pregnant woman. Soon as they deliver it goes away sometimes.

A bone marrow virus, is when your body supresses your red blood cells (mature) which is called your hemoglobin. Your bone marrow will stop the process of the production of mature red blood cells, therefore cause a vitamin deficiency. Mind you this isn't anemia. In addition, your body puts off too many baby red blood cells, called your retic count. When your body puts out too many baby red blood cells, can be a sign of internal bleeding, in the brain, enlarged spleen, pass blood through stool, and or urine. Because the body can't handle it and it has to go somewhere. It took her 2 months to recover from that virus. My end result was PICA. So going threw therapy, paying at the start $356 a week, to see a shrink, then it dropped down to $193, mind you all out of pocket expense. The first year from November 2000-May 2001, I was going every week up to Childrens for behavorial therapy, and I payed $356 every week! $193 for the doctor and $163 for the family therapist. Basically we payed over $1,400. a month to take her up there. After May the payment dropped, to $193. Out patient psychiatry didn't at that time take my health insurance. I have sacraficed alot. I worked for the Internal Revenue Service, for 8 years, between me and husband we made well over a 6 figure income. I resigned from my job, on January 8, 2003. Now we pay $736 a month for health insurance when I was paying $177 through IRS. I did this to stay home with my daughter because I new she needed me the most! I have done nothing but put my child first. I would have resigned sooner, but I was the health insurance provider, and we all know we need health insurance!

 

[Christy]

I dunno Crazy, I ate TONS of "non food substances" as a child. I crapped it out I suppose and it didn't really have much effect from it. I guess back in the old days, psychiatry wasn't really an option for my parents (no cashola) . Their synopsis was pretty much "well that's just gross, but she'll eventually grow out of it." and I did.

I think we're programmed so heavily in this day and age to have the "perfect" child, we as parents over react, because all we really want are happy healthy children. Sometimes in that process we can go way overboard and in the long run do more damage than good.

So what if your kid eats sand, it's not toxic, might make her behind hurt, which is a good thing, that's how they eventually learn that eating "non food substances" isn't such a bright idea.

My kids baffle me on a daily basis due to their lack of common sense. My youngest, who just so happens to be a "gifted child" (aka brighter than most) has a bad habit of shoving objects up her nose or in her ears. Every few months we're at the hospital getting that crap removed. She'll eventually grow out of it and be done with it, no need for a shrink or meds, just patience (which sometimes, especially late at night, objects up the nose, tries my patience). No need for drastic measures. Kids will never fit into a perfect mold and will never be "normal", they are, just what they are. Stupid kids who do stupid things.

I can guarantee you that if I took my kids to a psychiatrist today, they'd absolutely positively find some "disorder" in them. That's their bread and butter. They can't get paid if the sign them off as normal.

Maybe I'm a bad mother, but I try to teach my kids to "suck it up" "life ain't fair and it never will be so you may as well learn how to live in it without coddling". As a mother, it's my responsibility to make certain that my children can function as adults. Sending them to a shrink and medicating them will only serve to make them dependent upon someone else to get them through life.

Okay off my soapbox.

 

[TripleJ]

Originally posted by Christy
I dunno Crazy, I ate TONS of "non food substances" as a child. I crapped it out I suppose and it didn't really have much effect from it. I guess back in the old days, psychiatry wasn't really an option for my parents (no cashola) . Their synopsis was pretty much "well that's just gross, but she'll eventually grow out of it." and I did.

I think we're programmed so heavily in this day and age to have the "perfect" child, we as parents over react, because all we really want are happy healthy children. Sometimes in that process we can go way overboard and in the long run do more damage than good.

So what if your kid eats sand, it's not toxic, might make her behind hurt, which is a good thing, that's how they eventually learn that eating "non food substances" isn't such a bright idea.

My kids baffle me on a daily basis due to their lack of common sense. My youngest, who just so happens to be a "gifted child" (aka brighter than most) has a bad habit of shoving objects up her nose or in her ears. Every few months we're at the hospital getting that crap removed. She'll eventually grow out of it and be done with it, no need for a shrink or meds, just patience (which sometimes, especially late at night, objects up the nose, tries my patience). No need for drastic measures. Kids will never fit into a perfect mold and will never be "normal", they are, just what they are. Stupid kids who do stupid things.

I can guarantee you that if I took my kids to a psychiatrist today, they'd absolutely positively find some "disorder" in them. That's their bread and butter. They can't get paid if the sign them off as normal.

Maybe I'm a bad mother, but I try to teach my kids to "suck it up" "life ain't fair and it never will be so you may as well learn how to live in it without coddling". As a mother, it's my responsibility to make certain that my children can function as adults. Sending them to a shrink and medicating them will only serve to make them dependent upon someone else to get them through life.

Okay off my soapbox.

 

[crazy_devil]

Your missing the point PICA is very dangerous, in fact at time deadly. They will eat anything they can get their hands on, if it's soap, laundry detergent, and yes sand is and can be very dangerous, did you know that if you eat sand and/or dirt every day, that it tears your internal organs up. If you child ate a dozen crayons every day, and you new she honestly couldn't help it. What if you caught your child eating windex, or even yet mud puddy for walls, how about this one, poisness flowers, which she has had her stomach pumped numerous times. Yes they can out grow it but sometimes they do not. Did you know some mentally retarded/challenged kids and adults have it? Why? because as they were growing in the womb, all the cells in the brain didn't form, like being born with one ear, it's a defect, at the same time cells didn't form. With my daughter the PICA got worse the older she got. It's not like a child is a nose picker and they eat their boogers, oh its no big deal they will grow out of it. Ask any pediatrician, and go to Johns Hopkins Website they have an article on it. PICA is and can be a very serious condition. Most young girls chew on there hair. Did you know that if they do it all the time, that it can block your intestine and you have to have it surgically remove (hair ball)

 

[Kain99]

Hey Crazy... I see what's happening here. For your own well being try to remember that no one on this forum, *with the exception of me* knows the whole story.

You are being self protective and rightfully so. Christy's advice is sound. She's really trying to help you with the limited info that she has. Don't feel defensive or hurt k?

If you're any good at reading between the lines I think you'll be able to see that several people here are reaching out to you.

You logged on because you desperately need support. It's here, even if you disagree with some of the points that are being made.

You already know that the school is not helping! Look how hard you had to fight last year just to get her help.

I know you are scared. Just remember how hard it must be for people to understand the depth of the issue.

Try to soak up some of the advice in. Ya never know, we could actually be on to something.

 

[crazy_devil]

kain99

I can read between the lines. first and foremost, I enjoyed our conversation the other day. Your right only you know the story, full story, and the others don't, however, because they don't know the whole story, they are judging me as a person and as a parent. Meds are bad, take kid of meds. Well maybe that worked for joe blow down the street. Take kid out of public school. Would if I could afford it. Would homeschool if I new how and the money. I have read between the lines, some of the folks think I'm crazy, and they can't believe that my child at 3 needed to see a shrink. They quickly judged me (which is fine), and not taking a chance to know me, make time, and honestly here my story as you did kain99. I really do appreciate that! You seem to be a very cool person! I'm not here for sympathy. I know what is right, and I know what I'm doing is wright, and that is her being on medication! Having these problems as my daughter does, is a problem and needs help medically! As I told you kain99, if your child suffered from chronic ear infections the doctor sent you to an ENT for opinion about ear tubes, ENT says, yes the baby/child needs ear tubes. What would you do? Medically the child has a problem, for needing ear tubes, and medically they have to be treated by a professional, and medically they have to be put in or you take the chance of the child going deaf or loosing part of his/her hearing!

I do appreciate Kain99, you taking time out the other day to hear me out! Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Kizzy]

What would you do? Medically the child has a problem, for needing ear tubes, and medically they have to be treated by a professional, and medically they have to be put in or you take the chance of the child going deaf or loosing part of his/her hearing!

I have been in this situation, and I got another opinion. I was taking off work left and right for chronic ear infections and one doctor said tubes and another said wait it out. I waited it out after doing much research and he grew out of it within a year. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one and everyone’s is different.

Most young girls chew on there hair. Did you know that if they do it all the time, that it can block your intestine and you have to have it surgically remove (hair ball)

My mom cut my hair so short when I was younger so it would reach anymore.

I don't know Crazy, your paying so much money in doctor fees that I feel very bad for you. I can only wonder if putting her in a different school may help and for what your paying in doctor fees, it will be less than that. You seem frustrated and if all the trips to the doctors are not working then try something different. I've heard many success stories with children like Christy's son, and the success of the type of school he attends. I do taxes for several older/retired teachers in Maryland who highly recommend this teaching environment. She may feel like she fits in, and I'm sure at her young age she already knows she is different. My sister is physically handicapped. She has 2 fingers on each hand and because of her physical handicap the world treated her as if she was severely mentally handicapped too. I can explain things to her and she catches on right away after weeks of the school trying to ponder the same information into her. Now, she has a problem with understanding the consequences of her actions, meaning if I spend all the money I have in my pocket I cannot pay other things. She doesn’t plan ahead very well, but what do you expect? She has been treated as if she is mentally incapable of making decisions for herself and she had the public school treat her as if she was a totally useless individual in life. The doctors convinced all of us she had mental problems, etc., but I have always thought otherwise. If you talk to her, she comes across very intelligent and she has an extensive vocabulary. But when she feels something is too tough she falls back on what the doctors and teachers have said and blames it on the “mental” issues that those around her have been quick with the tongue to say she has. She is suffering for that now. My parents took your approach, and I was largely involved in this decision growing up, and it didn’t work.

Now, I am 14 years older than my other younger sister and I suspected she had dyslexia and was ticked off that she was in the 3rd grade and unable to read, write or remember things. I thought of how this was an instant reply of what I went thru. My mother was angry that I even suspected Pam had a learning disability, She said “come on not 3 children, it couldn’t be possible, not all 3 of you.” In the 5th grade, it was learned that she was almost 3 years behind and had dyslexia. She was moved to a private learning environment, and it helped but in no way did it make up for the missed years. She works tens times harder in college now than any other student to get by, so do not wait to take action. If the doctor’s visits are not making much progress, you and her need to try something else.

Just my opinion.

 

[crazy_devil]

IM4CHANGE,

Thanks for the post. I can't complain about the doctors she sees at childrens hospital. Their has been significant changes in her by going their for therapy. But see, the doctor's didn't diagnose my child, I did, they were the ones that gave me the name of the problem. I always new that something wasn't right, and that what she does or eats isn't normal I questioned it myself for a whole year, from age 2-3. When there wasn't signs of improvement, only getting worse, I new their was a problem. I sought help for her. The doctors weren't happy about putting her on medication because of her age at that time. But all the money I was putting out, soon as we got 10 steps ahead in therapy, we would have 9 steps back. It would work temporily. I was the one that demanded them to do more, more testing more what ever, I just knew something was wrong and this behavior isn't normal. I told them just like I have told the school, I'm your boss, I pay you the money, you are going to do what I say, and get the help she needs!! I have fought the school tooth and nail. to the point I went to the board of education, and got extra help for my daughter in the class, just as I did for this coming school year. What the school fails to realize at times, is that public schools are ran by state money, and county money, so therefore if you work, you pay them their salary. The school is only going to give you what they feel is necessary, but when you remind them that you help pay their salary, and what's allocated in the public schools budget. I told them they will give to my child, your going to give my child what she needs under the section 504, In addition, what I feel she needs, If you have a problem with this then we will fight this, as I did. I went to higher authority! I have been pleased with her progress, even though she struggles, which the meds aren't a fix to the problem, it's only to help with the problem and dealing with it. I had a conference with the school in May 2003, for this school year. I told them what I want for my daughter, and what I expect out of the school. I have in writing from the school what is planned for her and who is going to work with her, and on what, every detail you can imagine. Some kids need meds and some don't. My daughter is the kid that needs meds, to function and learn. Until she gets old enough, to understand her situation, and to be able to control it with out medication.

Now I have new insurance which outpatient psychiatry takes, only $25 co-pay... I pay a fortune for it, but its worth it.

 

[Christy]

Re: kain99

Originally posted by crazy_devil
I can read between the lines. first and foremost, I enjoyed our conversation the other day. Your right only you know the story, full story, and the others don't, however, because they don't know the whole story, they are judging me as a person and as a parent. Meds are bad, take kid of meds. Well maybe that worked for joe blow down the street. Take kid out of public school. Would if I could afford it. Would homeschool if I new how and the money. I have read between the lines, some of the folks think I'm crazy, and they can't believe that my child at 3 needed to see a shrink. They quickly judged me (which is fine), and not taking a chance to know me, make time, and honestly here my story as you did kain99.

Crazy, that was not my intent at all. I was simply sharing my experiences, as it seems that the route you're taking isn't completely working. I was merely offering up alternative options to seek out.

I DO feel that meds are horrible for children, I've done extensive research on all the variants of drugs they prescribe for ADHD, as well as being exposed to numerous children on those drugs, at different stages of their lives. They are not harmless and have some serious side effects in adolescence. I've had a friend who's 12 year old daughter would prefer to slash her wrists (and has tried) rather than continue to take the medication prescribed for ADHD. In her words the drugs made her feel "dead and non-existent, just sort of barely there". I'm sorry if that offends you. My opinion comes from research and life experience. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who have had positive effects in their lives in the long run due to these types of medication. I've just personally not met a single one.

I also feel (thru first hand experience) that the public school system is not the way to go when you have a child that isn't the perfect little stepford child that goes with the flow. I fought with the public school system for three long years, and all it got me was a child who was way behind his peers. And by the way, I'm not sure if I mentioned that my kid wasn't failing in any of his classes, he actually never received a grade lower than a C. On the surface it looked like their special little programs worked like a charm. In reality the boy couldn't read and had zero concept of basic grammar rules.

I wish you well in your future endeavors, you will need them. I fully understand the difficulties ahead of you.

 

[Dymphna]

I saw this article and thought I'd post it here. Another thing for all you parents of ADHD kids to watch and worry about.

ADHD Children Prone to Addictions
WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are more at risk for additive behavior in adolescence.

According to a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, children diagnosed as ADHD are linked to earlier first use of cigarettes, earlier progression to daily smoking, earlier use of illicit drugs and having problems with alcohol.

The study said those children with the most severe attention problems in childhood were most at risk for alcohol and marijuana problems and cigarette smoking by their teens.

"Childhood ADHD symptoms, particularly the inattention dimension of ADHD, predicted later substance use to a greater degree than childhood antisocial behaviors," study author, Brooke S. G. Molina, said in a statement.

This suggests that the severity of ADHD is a leading factor for the early emergence of substance use behavior, said Molina.

 

[Christy]

Some interesting negative aspects of medication prescribed for ADHD.

http://www.breggin.com/appendtableI.html

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/tardive_doc.htm

 

[crazy_devil]

pretty interesting to read how ADHD meds can lead to drugs, etc...but one thing it failed to mention is with out meds, it can lead to drugs, depression, suicide, etc...Because they know they are different, and they can;'t cope with daily life, so therefore they turn to illegal substance to find the normal part of them. I can't complain about the meds my daughter has been on, they have been great no side effects, an no worries for long term issues. I have the best of doctors on my side. As I have done extensive research about the meds my self. Have you ever thought there are some kids out there that actually are so bad with ADHD that they actually need meds. I see kids now, in my own family, that should be on meds, but don't wanna be. Anyways I am not here to argue, I just want to make the point acrosse I am having no probs with my girl, the meds are doing wonders, and I couldn't have asked for it to do better. Her learning curvature has improved dramatically in a matter of a few months since she has been on meds. Some kids need it some kids don't, some meds may work for one kid where another type may be suit another kid. Just like an antibiotic. Amoxcillin may work wonders for me, on any infectiong where it may not work for you at all. It's called trial an error. If you were a diabetic, would you give your self insulin, or would you suffer the ill feeling of being a diabetic w/o meds. As I am a diabetic, and I couldn't have functioned with out my medication. In addition a strict diet, with cheating involved every so often...lol so anyways, i know what I have done is helping, and I wont change what I have done and the decisions I have made for my child. the meds have been the god sin/miracle to her life and the family. There are soooo many people even teachers, who can't believe how well she is doing now with being on meds. She now for the first time, being on meds is normal!!!