Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group
This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.
Has anyone ever taken their child completely off meds after a long period of time? My son is now 16 and has been on various meds since he was 5. He went away for 6 months for treatment and came back with a "suitcase" full of meds. And after all of these years, I am of the opinion it's all a waste! They "up" this, change that. 11 years and I seriously don't think he is any better today than he was at age 5, 6, 7, etc.
Maybe he is worse as he is SO angry and is smashing things all of the time and is SO explosive. I just wonder what I am doing to this kid with all of these meds. This one for ADHD, that one for mood and depression, this one for sleep.....
I am wondering if I should just start weening him off all of it. I trust these psychiatrists. We have been through many. We have been through at least 12 or 13 counselors. 3 mentors. Several schools. He is still failing.
Maybe he is worse as he is SO angry and is smashing things all of the time and is SO explosive. I just wonder what I am doing to this kid with all of these meds. This one for ADHD, that one for mood and depression, this one for sleep.....
I am wondering if I should just start weening him off all of it. I trust these psychiatrists. We have been through many. We have been through at least 12 or 13 counselors. 3 mentors. Several schools. He is still failing.
lowen22
i think you are on to something. i think you need to do this and go with your instinct. the problem with all of the meds is the side effects of one can be causing the issues with the other. i think you need to actually see what you are dealing with. in order to do that, you need to take him off everything for at least a little over a month. you may want to wait until summer. i know with school it is stressful. not sure how you feel about that. my son is on vyvanse for adhd. why i love it is you only take it when you go to school. so he doesnt take it on weekends, or if he is off. or for the summer. it gives us time to try to work on his skills. plus i see where he is with his adhd. i want him off the meds in the worst way. but i see he needs it, and he knows he needs it. at 13, i dont think he would even go off if i asked him to. i also would try a neurologist. i really think they are aware of more with the specifics of each cause. i know you are already going to a ton of drs. but the neurolgist is one you should definitely see good luck to you
Faithfully77
Kahlua: you might want to contact neurogistics.com to have them test his neurotransmitter levels to see where he is at. Even if he remains on the medications until summer (to avoid too much rebound) at least you will know what medication needs to be balanced for the remainder of the school year. Then by summertime, he can go off the medications and start supplementing naturally: i.e., gaba, l-dopa, glutamine, l-theanine in professional strength levels. There are two phases to their natural professional strength supplements. The first phase lasts from 6-8 weeks and then they retest his neurotransmitter levels for the second phase. The object is to get his body to respond naturally to the much needed levels; then decrease the need for them. With the medications, one medication will alter the other neurotransmitters with the then need for a new medication to address the newly imbalanced neurotransmitter. They will also help you determine if the problem is acquired ADHD or genetic ADHD. There's a ton that they can do to help to rebalance your son's neurotransmitters naturally. The summer would be perfect for that. As lowen said, an appointment with a specialist during the school year would be very helpful as well. Take care. My best to you, Faithfully
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