Adhd - Florissant, MO

My daugther has ADHD and has been on medication for 8 years. I have tried OTC supplements and nothing has worked for her. I tried them for myself and had the same results.

Have you tried Daytrana? It's a patch. It has less side affects and because it's a patch, you do not have to worry about stomach irritation. I liked it so much, I use it for myself, too.

My son has ADHD and does take a prescription medication. He is on Adderall XR and it is wonderful. It doesn't make him a "zombie" and he can go for a few days without it. Just wanted you to have an opinion from someone who has seen the Prescription side.

My middle son has ADD. After too many years of teachers complaining about his lack of attention and attitude, I finally gave in and got him on some medicine. I am so amazed at the change in him. He went from making Ds & Fs in school to making As & Bs! His attitude at home changed also. Now when I ask him to do something, he does it. He is much easier to get along with and I can't say enough about how well he is doing now.
About the side effects: There are many different medicines out there. Every medicine is not right for every child. Your doctor will be able to decide which is best. There may be side effects. If they are more moderate, then you should let your doctor know and he can switch meds until he finds the right one for your child. It is a very frustrating and scary time because you want the best for your child. In the long run however, when they do find the right medication(and hopefully it will be the first one like it was with my son) you will be amazed at the difference it makes. Your child will be much better off both in school, in social settings, with friends and at home with family!

My youngest son is now showing signs of ADD also and I will not hesitate to put him on medication if and when the time comes.

I hope this helps. I wish you patience and good luck!
L.

I'm not sure about St. John's Wort although GNC did have it listed when I went looking for the medication I used last year. We only bought it once, the other ingredients in it were too much iron so we couldn't use it and shipped it off to someone else.

After changes in diet, those pills and lots of tests, we finally started the real medication.

Good luck,

There is a good place up in Kansas City (I'm sorry I can't remember the name right off the top of my head). They spoke at a homeschool conference a couple of years ago. They treat ADD/ADHD kids without prescriptions. They tell parents of various exercises and other adjustments in their classroom/homework setting that can really improve your child's behavior and performance in school. I wish I could remember the name, sorry.

I too agree about taking the medication I think some medication do some harm. Dr. seem more pron nowadays to more and more children on ridalin or other such med. I think more natural there are products of Mannatech all the products are all natural and have seen for myself that it has cured cancer, my Aunt was dianosed with parkenzons she had to quit work she shook so bad and couldn't put on her lipstick, several months later after being on the product the Dr. couldn't detech she had it. I have read up on stories how it has helped children with ADD and ADHD you can research about all the natural mannatech products on the internet. I could tell you many stories about other people and how it has helped them, but we'd be here all nite just check it out and if your enterested in finding out more and what it can do to help I can put you in touch with one of the associates of Mannatech.I read some of the other responses and thats what I'm talking about Herbal natural products Flax ceed oil and other natural product there is alot more natural products that help alot more than people realize.

I also have had this question on my mind. My son just turned 10 and is having alot of problems in school. I dont want to put him on the mediction as well. Anything would be helpful. Thanks

Hi Latresa, My daughter has ADD. I was just like you when she was little I did not want to put her on ridalyn. My ex husband ws on Ridalyn when he was little and the side affects for that are horrendous. I waited until they came out with better meds. I finally put her on Adderol. It is so much better than the Ridalyn. There is Stratera and some other meds out there too. Talk to his pediatrician and find what works best for your son. You will be surprised how much better his behavior, attitude, school work and relationships with others will be.

Hello Latresa. I understand your concern and I sympathize with your situation. I know this may seem strange, but have you considered upper cervical chiropractic care? There has been some fabulous success with ADD/ADHD children. Check this article out:
http://www.erinelster.com/Articles/add_article_6_00.html

We are located in Belleville, IL. I'm not sure where you are, but you could email me if you need me to find you someone in your area. There is help and there is hope! You are doing a fantastic job!
J.

The Natural Approach

Rather than prescribing strong and sometimes addictive psychiatric drugs, (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall) naturopathic approaches to the treatment of ADHD and ADD take a more holistic look at the individual and take into account diet, lifestyle, personality type, surroundings and emotional factors.

Natural remedies are used to gently and effectively treat the symptoms, while at the same time helping the person to heal and to reach a state of balance and health.

The natural approach is less harmful and more thorough and has a greater chance of curing the problem altogether, instead of keeping the individual on psychiatric drugs for many years.

This is very important, especially in the case of children, because of the frequent side effects of prescription drugs and the risk of addiction.

Confirming the Hazards of Stimulant Drug Treatment
By Peter R. Breggin, M.D.

Until recently, no studies have systematically examined the rate of psychotic symptoms caused by routine treatment with stimulant drugs such as Concerta, methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall). Doctors who prescribe stimulant drugs often seem oblivious to the fact that they can cause psychoses, including manic-like and schizophrenic-like disorders. Without providing a scientific basis, the literature often cites rates of 1% or less for stimulant-induced psychoses (reviewed in Breggin, 1998, 1999). Recently on television I debated a well-known expert in child psychiatry who took the position that prescribed stimulants "never" cause psychoses in children.

The rate of psychotic symptoms that first appear during stimulant treatment has recently been investigated in a 5-year retrospectives study of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Cherland and Fitzpatrick,1999). Among 192 children diagnosed with ADHD at the Canadian clinic, 98 had been placed on stimulant drugs, mostly methylphenidate. Psychotic symptoms developed in more than 9% of the children treated with methylphenidate. According to Cherland and Fitzpatrick, "The symptoms ceased as soon as the medication was removed" (p. 812). No psychotic symptoms were reported among the children with ADHD who did not receive stimulants. The psychotic symptoms caused by methylphenidate included hallucinations and paranoia. The authors conclude that, due to poor reporting, the rate of stimulant-induced psychosis and psychotic symptoms was probably much higher.

In my practice of psychiatry, I am frequently consulted about children who are taking three, four, and sometimes five psychiatric drugs, including medications that are FDA-approved only for the treatment of psychotic adults. The drug treatment typically began when the children developed conflicts with adults at home or at school. In retrospect, the conflicts could easily have been resolved by interventions such as family counseling or individualized educational approaches. Usually under pressure from a school, the parents instead acquiesced to put their child on stimulants prescribed by psychiatrists, family physicians, or pediatricians.

When these children developed depression, delusions, hallucinations, paranoid fears and other drug-induced reactions while taking stimulants, their physicians mistakenly concluded that the children suffered from "clinical depression," "schizophrenia" or "bipolar disorder" that has been "unmasked" by the medications. Instead of removing the child from the stimulants, these doctors mistakenly prescribed additional drugs, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and neuroleptics. Children who were put on stimulants for "inattention" or "hyperactivity" ended up taking multiple adult psychiatric drugs that caused severe adverse effects, including psychoses and tardive dyskinesia.

It is time to recognize that the supposedly increasing rates of "schizophrenia," "depression," and "bipolar disorder" in children in North America are often the direct result of treatment with psychiatric drugs. They should be classified as adverse drug reactions, not as primary psychiatric disorders. Doctors need to become more expert at identifying these adverse drug reactions in children and more aware of how and why to taper children from psychiatric medications (Breggin and Cohen, 1999).

When parents are willing to take a fresh approach to disciplining and caring for their children, or when the children's school situation can be improved, it is usually possible to taper them off of all psychiatric medications. The parents are then relieved and gratified to see their children increasingly improve with the removal of each drug.

What's the answer to this widespread, unwarranted use of medication in the treatment of children? As long as we respond to the signals of conflict and distress in our children by subduing them with drugs, we will not address their genuine needs. As parents, teachers, therapists, and physicians we need to retake responsibility for our children (Breggin, 2000). We must reclaim them from the drug companies and their advocates in the medical profession. At the same time, we must address the needs of our children on an individual and societal level. On the individual level, children need more of our time and energy. Nothing can replace the personal relationships that children have with us as their parents, teachers, counselors, or doctors. On a societal level, our children need improved family life, better schools, and more caring communities.

VISIT THIS SITE:
http://www.nativeremedies.com/hbx-searchscript.php?query=...
TO READ MORE ABOUT:
Focus ADHD - Natural ADHD Medicine for Children and Adults With No Side Effects.

How old is your child?

**And the only reason Herbs arent regulated by the FDA is because the FDA makes too much MONEY off of all the medicines they put out there that people "rely on" **If people knew they could grow their own medicines the FDA would lose all their precious MONEY. Natural is the way to go.

Latresa,

I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was in College - so I thought I'd give you some advice from someone who had experienced school both ways (with and without medication). Growing up (when I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD yet) I would always sit in class and wonder what was the "secret" my classmates had that I didn't. I never understood why I wasn't excelling in school like the other children - even though it seemed that I had worked twice as hard as them. My Junior year of college I recieved the diagnosis and was put on Adyderol (sp?) and that's when I found out what everyone's secret was - an attention span. I had never experienced having one before and it made a huge difference in school. I went from a strugging C student to an A student with half the effort. I was finally able to hear the whole lecture without missing things from inattention. My studying took half the time because I wasn't constantly being distracted every 5 seconds - I was able to pay attention to what I was doing.

Unfortunately schools are not designed for children with ADD - they aren't designed to help them use the ADD as a strenth (which it can be) instead of a deterrent. I know you don't want to put your child on medication - and I completely understand why, but it may help enhance his schooling. The important thing is to work closely with his doctor which ever way you choose. Hope this helps!

I'm about to give you the shortest advice you'll probably see all day:

Buy the book "Ritalin is NOT the Answer" (David B. Stein). Buy the companion to it as well.

It will save yourself and your son a lot of headache and wasted time.

I also suggest that you enroll your child in Karate. Look for a Dojo whose belt promotion system is based upon ability, focus, school (grades), and home attitude.

Both of my VERY active boys (one IAHM-the CORRECT term for ADHd- and one not) have flourished with the techniques in the book and being in Karate.

If you need further guidance, contact me any time.

Hi Latresa,

I have heard that Fish Oil... EPA/DHA (DHA is for the cognitive function) works really well. In fact, there is a study I heard where third graders improved their reading level by one grade in like three months. I would recommend Carlson's, you can find it at Whole Foods... it is in a brown bottle with a blue'ish label. Taste like lemon oil, so you can put it in a smoothie, or on salad, or even ifn you child's orange juice... they wont even know they are taking it.

Good Luck... there are natural remedies! Good for you for even searching!!!

Here is one of the site's I found with some Testimony's.

http://www.fishoilblog.com/benefits/calling-all-parents-h...

My daughter who is 10 was just recently diagnosed with ADD. I was always against medicating for this. It took me a while before I had the Dr. prescribe medication. Let me tell you is the best thing I could have done for her. The Dr. asked me not to tell the teachers until right before the follow up appointment which was 2 weeks later and see if they noticed a difference. They all said she had raised her hand more in that week and a half than the whole rest of the year added together. I asked my daughter about it and she said I can actually listen the whole time they are talking. We started the meds the end of the grading period. Just having received her midterms we are so pleasantly surprised! Her grades are noticably better. Short of having headaches the first 2-3 days of starting the meds she is having no noticable side affects. We don't give it to her on days there is no school so on long weekends she does get a headache the first day back to school but we had the Dr. send a note saying she can take a pain reliever for the headaches and she has been fine.
There are studies showing Leaving a child untreated for ADD or ADHD leaves the child more apt to becoming addicted to drugs, or alcohol or in trouble with the law, especially with ADHD.
I hope this helps you, maybe you could try the meds and see if they help. You can always stop them if you seem to notice things you don't like.
K. S.

Hello Latresa-
I feel your pain. I have a son that is now 12 years old and when he was 4 he was diagnosed ADHD. I went ahead and gave him the medication for a little while but he just wasnt himself. I researched it for quite some time and found a few alternatives. First, caff can cause an opp effect for kids with ADHD so a cup of coffee or small cup of soda was not a bad thing. Second, some of the foods that contained artificicial colors could cause more problems and third, there are natural supp that you can give to your child to help with these issues. I went to our local natural food store and they had a book on alternatives to medication, I looked up ADHD and it suggested a chewable wafer "focus child" (ginger root- main ingred) I believe and it worked great. My son was 5 at the time and hated to take them so we talked and I told him that if he could calm himself down and pay attention then he wouldnt have to take them. He is now 12 years old, in 6th grade and is an honor student. He still has a lot of energy though!! Good luck and let me know how it goes.
T.
____@____.com

I have two ADHD kids. Twins to be exact. I don't like them to have medications but they sure are a different child while on it. School grades did a 180 as well. There is a medication that is a non-narcotic. Strattera. You may want to look in to that. It has minimal side effects compared to some of the other medications that are narcotic/controlled-meds.

Latresa:

Herbs are not regulated by the FDA so unless you know what to look for, I would not go down that road. You can alter his diet (reduce processed food, sugar, gluten...) and see if it makes a difference. Many of the meds today have very little or no side effects, if on a low dose (such as Addrell)

A. L

My 8 yr. old daughter has ADHD, anxiety, Obessive Compulsive Disorder, and is autistic. I'm not sure of any over the counter meds, but I too was leery of putting my child on medication. My daughter started her meds 2 years ago and honestly the pros FAR out-weigh the cons. We've experienced NO side effects that many of the meds speak of. Please talk to your doctors. If you want some of the most honest information that is where you are going to get it. I have heard that changing your home to a chemical free environment by using products such as Melaluca will help, but not 'cure' the symptoms. I hope this has been helpful and if you want to talk just let me know.

Hello Latresa,

I'm sure St. John Wort would be okay, but wouldn't be my first choice. Getting your child on a Omega 3-6-9 supplement is highly recommended.

According to Dr. Atkins:

"If there is a single condition that is purely diet related and not recognized as such, it would be hyperactivity and decreased attention span in children. This problem has been so widespread that sales of the drug Ritalin, supposedly the cure for this disorder, seem to double every three or four years.

The diet connection is usually found in the child's inability to keep blood sugar levels stable after consuming sweets, a dietary staple of too many of our children. Other sources include allergies to specific foods (often milk or grains) and yeast overgrowth, often the consequence of too many thoughtless antibiotic treatments for recurrent ear infections."

Besides taking the above mentioned into account, putting your child on Omega 3-6-9 supplements and adding Mona Vie (ask me about it) are highly recommended. Changing the diet to include less carbs and more fruits/veggies is necessary also.

Suggestions to get you started:

I give my girls a fruit shake in the morning for breakfast, sometimes with a whole grain cereal or oatmeal, but most times just by itself. I use frozen fruit/berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or mixed fruit blends along with fresh bananas (be sure your child isn't allergic to strawberries or other fruit).

I add the fruit to a blender with goat's milk (known for being easy on those with milk allergies or are lactose intolerant), a unflavored or vanilla flavored protein powder, fiber such as Benefiber, and probiotics such as lactobaccillus for intestinal health. I also add a couple spoonfuls of frozen 100% orange juice or orange pineapple juice. No need to add ice.

My girls LOVE it and ask for it every morning. Even my hubby likes it! And I know they are getting a healthy breakfast. I have found increased energy since drinking this fruit smoothie every morning and I'm not so hungry or "up and down" on my appetite.

Hope this information helps.

P.S. Also try introducing V8. It's an easy way to increase his veggie consumption. My oldest loves it but my youngest won't touch it. I try to get the low sodium variety.

My kids don't have it thank goodness, but I have ADD. I am going to try this new med called Synaptol™ it consists of all-natural ingredients that are "essential" in making it safe and effective. It contains no chemically generated compounds, fillers, or artificial additives and unlike pharmaceutical drugs, does not require a prescription and has zero negative side effects. You can go to this website for more info: http://www.micronutra.com/synaptol.html#buy. I really hope this stuff works.

Try caffeine....like caffeinated beverages...It seems to calm kids with ADHD.....a can of Mt Dew? People with ADHD are affected the opposite by stimulants. Ritalin is a stimulant....I have narcolepsy....( uncontrollable sleeping...just dropping off to sleep...and I am treated for this with Ritalin.....because it is a stimulant)....The caffeine in coffee, tea, soda....it does the same thing.....in people with ADHD....it calms them. A friend used nothing but Mt dew and stuff for her son....I think she may have even used diet soda as long as it was caffeinated if you dont want to give the sugar. Cant hurt to try it with your son.

Latresa,I have 2 sons one with ADD and one with ADHD.They both were on Addrell we switched to a herbal medication called Pedi Calm which helped one of our sons.We had to put our other son back on Addrell.The pedi calm seems to be working pretty well,if you don't want to put your chid on prescription meds.try this first and see if it may help you can get it at any health store,they even say flax oil works.Hope this helps.

J.

My 8 year old nephew has ADHD, and while I can't speak for the effects on any other child but him, his behavior is more out of control when he takes his medications. He is a total nightmare. Personally speaking, I would do as much research on anything prescribed for your child and ask the doctor a ton of questions. Ask about alternatives for the prescription. I am not suggesting that you disregard the notion of putting him on a prescription, but definately be as informed about it as you possibly can. If his doctor is unwilling to discuss any other alternatives, if that is what you are looking for, find a different doctor. I have personally seen too many of them that want to throw out a quick fix and don't want to take the time to discuss personal concerns. I'm sorry I can't offer any more help than that, but I wish you lick with all of it!