Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

I don't know what Harry is on, but I know our son has been on several different meds and it has been so hard on our whole family. However, I do have to say, as reluctant as my husband was to trying him on ADHD meds, he still says, "How did we ever deal with things before he was on meds?" Discipline is VERY challenging when his meds haven't kicked in like in the a.m. His self-esteem is low because we used to have him sit on the time out mat when he made a not so good choice. Much of his choices I believe would have been different if he was on a med to control his impulses. We just didn't know what the best thing was at the time. My husband was VERY much against the "black box medications" for a LONG time. Now he has learned to accept that this is the best treatment option for our son.. Anyway, I feel for you! Hang in there....

Thank you so much for replying Faith. Harry is currently on 10mg of Ritalin. Since he has been on it, he has been tearful and more aggitated. Whilst it hasnt affected his appetite, it has thrown his sleeping out and he now cant sleep until much later in the evening. The reports from school are much the same re the tearful and aggitated so this tells me that its not for Harry. I have agreed to leave him on them for a further week with a view to taking him off them next week if things are still the same and then I guess we try another medication.
Im so glad that I found this site, it really is very helpful to know that people understand and have been through/are going through same things.

I know exactly what you are going through! My son Luke is 7 and has been diagnosed at the tender age of 3 with ADHD and a mood disorder. The first psychiatrist we took him to tried him on all kinds of meds. I had finally had enough! I felt like the doctor was using him as a guinea pig. I then took him to another doctor who put him on Risperdal and Clonidine. Those worked for him all last year but I started noticing some strange things that Luke was doing. He started getting this twitch in his right arm, he wet the bed every night, he would wake up every night at 2 or 3 and be wide awake. He would then wake right back up a 5 or so and be rearing to go! I decided to do research on the side effects of the meds and I was floored! I could not believe I was so naive and stupid! I guess I should have done research on the meds before putting him on them but I was sure that the doctor was right and I trusted him. Luke was being treated with meds and going to therapy but none of the doctors told me about the major side effects of the meds. Risperdal is an anti-psychotic and is given to adults who have schizophrenia! It has been linked to 29 different cases where kids have had strokes! So needless to say, I weaned Luke off the meds and I am now trying the natural way. I am getting ready to go to the health food store to get foods that are good for him and I am going to go to GNC and see what kinds of vitamins I can give to him. I have ordered a book called "3 Steps to Conquering ADD/ADHD". You can google it. I think that it may help you. I also starting giving Luke a vitamin called "Neu-beCalme'd. I am hoping that it works. I mean I am at his school so much I feel that I should back my bags and live there! I do have an appointment with a psychologist on the 18th. So if this herbal method and changing his diet does not work, I guess I will have to put him back on meds. I just feel like everyone is against me because the school is pushing me to put him back on the meds. What they don't understand is when he is on the meds, his personality goes out the window and this little pod person takes his place. So I know what you are going through and it is so very hard to stay positive! I am so glad that I found this website because it is already helping me out! I am like you, I feel horrible for putting my child on drugs and I am willing to try everything else before I do put him back on meds. I don't like the side effects but on the other hand, I don't want to deprive him of an education either. So I am stuck! But "Harrysmum" try to stay positive and remember to breathe. I will try and take my own advice but it is very challenging and hard! I will keep you updated on whether or not the herbal and changing his diet around works. Because if it does work, maybe you can try it. I hope you have a good day and remember to stay positive! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! And remember to laugh because your love and your childs love is unconditional! If you ever need to talk, I WILL BE HERE FOR YOU!!!!!

Thank you soooo much for the positive words and information Jodi :-)