Hi lowen22, I understand exactly what you are feeling. My son generally ALWAYS had us all worked up and arguing and miserable. We would even get to the point of begging him to see how his behavior was effecting everyone else. When they get like that, it can be very miserable. I can say without a doubt that the natural supplements we have been giving my son lately have really helped a lot. I don't know why or how, but they do. That's not to say that he doesn't get us upset because he always still gets really bored. When that happens, he wants us to do something for him immediately.

I noticed now that summers out and I no longer am homeschooling him, he tends to fight more with his sister home now too. So I'm wondering if the peacefulness that we've had these past two months is going to go wayside. I sure hope not. The real test without the medication will be this summer with his sister and then when he gets back into a regular school environment. Even if you continue to give him the medication, you might also try the On Task vitamins/minerals along with some liquid Omega 3. I do know that the meds tend to make them angrier especially as they wear off. Or maybe you can lower his dosage of prescription and give him the above mentioned. Its a tough call, but to have so much havoc in the house takes a ton of endurance and wears everyone out. I know my daughter gets really frustrated and unhappy having to cater to my son when he's arguing and fighting.

Another lady on the other ADHD board gives her 10 year old a low dosage of Intuniv, Omega 3, vitamin D, magnesium (similar to On Task), B vitamins. Her name is LifeDefeated on the boards. She's been working with a naturopath, but uses both the prescription Intuniv and the natural supplements. You might check her posts because she always lists what she uses with the meds. It seems to help a lot. She seems happy with having been able to lower her son's dosage of meds with combining natural supplements.

It's a tough call, but to have to fight these kiddos non-stop can be tough and you have to be really prepared that life does not have any other curves coming at you when taking on an argumentative ADHD child. Siblings almost always have to make sacrifices for their ADHD brother or sister and they do grow to resent that especially if it causes so much havoc in the house. You'll know what to do. If you do decide to lower his dosage and go with natural supplements as well, be patient and give him time to adjust to all the changes. Usually the supplements take a few weeks to really notice a difference. Hang in there. Its a tough balance, but you'll what works for you and your family.

"but you'll **know** what works for you and your family."

I ask a docter once about taking my daughter off her med over the summer. He told me it is hard on their bodies to do that plus they still need to be able to focus in the summer.

my son is on vyvanse. you can take him off it on weekends if you want. it doesnt work like that
im finding the herbal route interesting though,, i may look into that a little.. thanks for the advise

ADHD doesn't just disappear on weekends or breaks. In our son's case, he has extreme ADHD and it's insanity if we take him off the medication (we tried a couple times for different reasons and it was a total disaster). He stays on his Concerta year-round. I've never felt guilty about it ... it's necessary for him to lead a normal life.

My son's pediatrician told me, and I confirmed it with the pharmacist, that it is fine to take weekends and holidays off. The pharmacist suggested tapering down by using it every other day and then less until none. Also to restart that way as well. We usually take the weekend off, at least 1 day, so that he can eat more. So far, it is working but we'll see about summer as this is the first year he is on it. He is on concerta 54 mg. Yes, he is a lot easier to be around when he is on meds, so we will use it as needed for camps or classes over the summer. Good luck.

I agree it is a hard choice, I just had to make that decision with my daughter too. What made my decision for me is that she was begging me to let her take the "pill" that made her sit still. My child wanted to be back to her old self and being put on the meds was what made her feel that way. We are still working on getting the right dose and haven't been on them long but she, although still very challenging, is much happier on the meds. Good luck on your decision, it really does depend on each child and their families. Involve your child in the decision, he may have some insight for you.

My 13 year old is just a happier kid when he is on the meds. He uses the patch and we are continuing thru summer. We are working on behavior modifications/new habits and it's easier for him to focus on these changes with the meds.