Pediatricians dealing with ADHD?

[lilmshollywood]

What our world would look like today if they medicated Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, or Abraham Lincoln? How about maybe "fixing" Leonardo DaVinci or Earnest Hemingway?

Every single one of these individuals had ADHD characteristics. Thomas Edison was told by his teachers that he was too stupid to learn, as was Albert Einstein. I'd hate to think of where we'd be if they had all been "normalized".

Attached are a couple good reads for anyone looking for different options or just a better understanding.

Amazon.com: The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child: Thom Hartmann,Lucy Jo Palladino: Books

Amazon.com: The Edison Trait: Saving the Spirit of Your Free-Thinking Child in a Conforming World: Lucy Jo Palladino: Books

I get what you are saying...but back in the day, education wasnt stressed! People went to school til 14 years and then went to work. A formal education was for the rich. Today everyone needs a good education.

 

[lilmshollywood]

from a friend!

I am the originator of this post. As I sit here in my computer room seething I will try to calmly respond.

I have read this forum for several years. I do not often post as I have been horrified too many times by responses from folks who have no intent but to stir the pot and push their uneducated views. I figured posting in the parenting section would possibly alleviate that problem as I thought the people who are here are parents, trying their best to raise their kids-as am I.

To those who bash me in my decision let me justify this to you-although you really do not deserve it. I will attempt to educate YOU while I accept your obvious ignorance.

My son was DIAGNOSED by a prominent child psychologist in Greenbelt. In fact, she counsels the children that were in the Pentagon on 911. I think her results are to be taken as seriously as her credentials. This test was not entered into lightly. I observed him, took notes and spoke frequently with his preschool teachers about what I was seeing for two full years before I paid-out of pocket-for the rather extensive testing involved.

After I received the diagnosis (YES-he has the diagnosis) I waited another half a year (first grade ) praying he would respond to behavioral interventions and teacher attempts to focus him before we tried medications. My son does not have problems getting in trouble. He has many friends. But in first grade his education was suffering. He was simply not able to pay attention enough to keep up with classmates. He was constantly making little noises he was unaware of and he was a distraction to other children.

The nature of ADHD has made my son's more demanding type of personality and activity level affect my entire family. You do not know what type of home he comes from so do not be so quick to judge it. He has three younger siblings and they too have suffered.

After many weeks of thinking, researching, watching his learning suffer when I know he is bright, and crying over this decision, we tried the first medication. The first day I cried-hard. I went to school every day for lunch the whole first week to check on him. I did not enter this lightly. Four more times we tried different medications until finally a year ago we found one that works really well for him-and at the lowest possible dose! His teacher sent me handwriting samples of before and after. She told me she could not believe he responded so well. He went from below grade level in reading to amost above grade level in several months. I do not attibute this successs solely to the meds. I worked with him-a lot. His teacher was wonderful. HE was wonderful! It was a team effort and the meds were a part of that team.

My son was not a controlled, drugged zombie on the medication. He was still the same curious, spirited little boy. Only now he was able to get what he heard. He was internalizing. It was working.

So now as I am about to renew a prescription I would like to cease the visits to the useless psychiatrist and maybe seek out a pediatrician. Really, asking him how school is and how he gets along with friends and then sending us home with another 30 day supply is such a waste. I would rather just use my ped for this service. Of course I want him monitored, but I feel his pediatrician could do this.

This gut wrenching decision was among the hardest of my life to make. I question myself frequently and I am in constant contact with his teacher. But you know what? I made the right decision for my son. He is not medicated on weekend or holidays. But when he is in school he is focused and ready to learn.

And just for fun-a little background on me. I have a degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education as well. Do you think I am qualified to make this decision for my child?

So now that you know I am not some nutjob who jumped into this decision merely for my convenience I would appreciate it if you would please simply answer my question or leave this post alone.

To those of you who jumped my case or questioned my jugdement and do NOT have children-I hope you never have to deal with this. To those of you who do have children who are not ADHD-lucky you. To those of you who have ADHD kids and choose not to medicate-it is your choice. I hope it works for you.

And to the few who took the time to answer my plea --thank you very much!

BTW- I fully intend to forward this thread to a few friends and even my childs teacher. I am sure they will get quite a kick out of the ignorance of some people. Mostly though, those that know me and how I am with my kids will recall the agony I experienced over this decision. They do not judge.

I am so glad you kept your cool lady!! I was this childs preK teacher and I loved teaching him. When KRB asked if he was ADHD, I said he maybe, but it is so hard to know at his age (which was 4) I told her to wait til Kindergarten. I also didnt have much of diffculty teaching him....maybe because I am also ADD!!! It was a kindred spirit!! The one thing I want to stress is, This child is very smart, very curious, quite the explorer and I predict he will be some sort of Marine Biologist. KRB is a super mom and one day we will be in-laws, our 3 & 4 year olds are quite the item!! But back on subject.....KRB never took this lightly, she looked into everything and still struggled when the discission had to be made. But he now focuses so much better in school and during homework time. Mom and son would struggle for hours about homework and now it is much easier, not perfect, but easier! Sometimes you HAVE to resort to meds for the good of the child.

And yes I totally agree with those of you that said you need to try other things first, I know that was done in this situation. I wish I could say that about everyone I know. Putting a child on any long term meds should be thought out, researched and even get a second opinion. Again, I know that KRB did all of these things before turning to meds.

Good luck looking for your new Dr! Wish I could help with that. Ask our director, she may know.

 

[Christy]

I get what you are saying...but back in the day, education wasnt stressed! People went to school til 14 years and then went to work. A formal education was for the rich. Today everyone needs a good education.

I would wager that the education received "back in the day" was far more comprehensive than it is today. I also don't quite grasp the point of your statement.

Also, the public school system in the United States has been around since the mid 1800's, actually earlier than that but it was community funded vs government funded.

Oh, another point I feel I should bring up, although a bit off topic. My son had good grades while in school. If I didn't take it upon myself to determine what he was truly learning and what he truly knew, rather than just accepting what was stated on his report card, I'd have been none the wiser. Kids in public school these days are not being taught the basics.

 

[Bann]

Are there any St. Mary's pediatricians who will prescribe meds for ADHD? I see Dr. Miller, who will not. The child psychiatrists in the area have been--let's just say NOT SO GREAT.

I hear maybe Sheth or Dillon. Cannot find Dillon in my phonebook though-is he still around?

Thanks!

Dr. Trevor Valentine, Medical Director, The Center for Pediatric and Developmental Medicine.

I sincerely hope you are looking into having your child evaluated and not just requesting a pediatrician prescribe meds without one.

Since we moved here, my son has seen Dr. Valentine (for his various developmental issues) and IMO - Dr. V is excellent. We're lucky to have him nearby.

 

[Bann]

Does your child snore? Does he have sleep apnea? Maybe both?

Do you know the long term side effects of the medication that you have your son on?

Did you ever think that maybe you should have him evaluated for a learning disability instead of opting for the "easy way out" and put him on what is equivilant to Cocaine in adults?

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. There may be reasons not to choose to medicate a child for ADHD, but that is not a factual statement. Parents need to have reliable sources to make informed decisions.

Here's a good source for anyone interested:

Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids

More on the author:
Timothy Wilens, M.D.
http://www.massgeneral.org/pediatricpsych/staff/wilens.html

For anyone interested in learning more about this doctor and his entire department - there is a vast wealth of information here:
About Our Department

Mass General is world renowned for their work in the field of pediatric psychopharmacology.

Clinical and Research Programs in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD at Massachusetts General Hospital

 

[Bann]

I am the originator of this post. As I sit here in my computer room seething I will try to calmly respond.

I"m glad you posted this, as the first post didn't include the background that you've already been through.

I highly recommend Dr. Valentine if Calvert isn't too far, but he's only there on Wed. & Fridays.

 

[poster]

Go to Dr. Hawit in Pr. Fred.
He will not prescribe if he doesn't agree with diagnosis.
He takes the time to ask the same questions your mention.
How is school, how are doing with friends, etc.

I understand both sides of the fence on this. A year ago I would have said no way to medication and I still believe that there are many who get it and shouldn't because they truely don't need it. My husband and I struggled over whether to medicate our daughter and finally decided to give it a try and it has helped. I cried for days over this and still do. It's not needed during long breaks or over the summer. The problems are all about attention and had nothing to due with hyperness. She's not a space cadet (on or off the meds) but during class EVERYTHING goes in one ear and out the other. She has learned to look busy and engaged but isn't.

I believe alot of our decision was based on the teacher, in 1st and 2nd grade if she wasn't "with" the teacher both were able to notice and get her back with them, however she did still struggle with grades. Her 3rd grade teacher doesn't seem to be able or willing to give that effort - it was this teacher that suggested her focusing was a problem. When she begins 4th it'll be without medication. If she's still having this problem and the teacher can't draw her in then I'll have her reevaluated before meds again. There are no behavior issues, no lack of wanting to learn, no reasonable explanation except she can't focus.

Even after coming to this decision I am still trying to find out if it's the right one. She pays attention in class and her grades have slightly improved. Math is wonderful and everything else is average, which I am happy with, but Reading/Language is still a struggle. Because of this we're looking into a learning disability vs. ADD. Unfortunately until then meds have been the best solution so far.

Now on the other hand, I have a nephew who's mother wouldn't/couldn't ever tell him no or correct him. Now that he's school age and uncontrollable she's been able (at request, "because she had another on meds and she knows he needs it") to have him put on meds. I've never had any problems with him, he came to our house for weekends and we'd battle for about 2hrs., after he was fine till she came to pick him up. Granted he is high energy but I find something for him to do to burn it off and no soda or candy at our house - simple but works. His situation is absolutely a parent unwilling to dicipline and structure their child and he shouldn't be on meds. We do not see the same pediatrician and never will.

 

[momof4boyz]

I am the originator of this post. As I sit here in my computer room seething I will try to calmly respond.

I am shocked and appalled at the nastiness of some of the replies that this post garnered. This woman was asking a question on a forum that is supposed to be a support and a help. Some of you must post replies just to hear your keyboard keys click.
This will make me think twice before asking for information or assistance.

Judge not lest you be judged.