[Lylac]

I gave L her fist dose this morning and happily sent her on her way to school. With a note telling the teacher to watch L closely for any changes.

Well a lil over 2 hours later, the phone rings. L's teacher called to tell me, that L wouldn't eat, nor drink anything, and that she's acting like she's on speed. She was pulling her dress over her head, pulling her hair, flinging her arms, couldn't stop raising her legs. And that her heart was racing 90 to nothing. So her teacher said that she was gonna go back and try to get L to eat something, and she'd call me back.

I didn't give her time to call back, I rushed to school and visited L's class, watching her, and sure nuff she was acting like the teacher had described. So I decided to bring her home.

But before I left the teacher offered L some chips, to which she refused I've NEVER seen her refuse chips, cept when she took Adderall that week.

So I stopped by the Sonice and got us some lunch, which she did eat most of, plus 2 huge pickles and ton's of liquids.

So she's happily bounching off her own bedroom walls now.

I've decided, NO more meds, all that the doc has tried has had terrible reverse affects, and she's really not that badly in need of the meds anyways.

I just feel awful that I put my baby girl through this. Why is it, when your trying to be the best possible parent, you have to do the worst possible things?

[zebramom]

If she is having this reaction to the meds, she does not have ADHD. That's the reaction that people get when they take speed, and that's exactly what she's taking. Adderall and Concerta are amphetamines, but they work for kids who truly have ADHD.

Sorry you had a rough morning. Hugs.

[aspenhall]

sorry to hear that!

Perhaps it's supposed to take a while to even out?

[bromanchik]

I agree with Zebramom. If she is having this reaction she does not have ADHD. Trauma reactions, depression and anxiety in children can all mimic ADHD. Sounds like she needs to re-evaluated.

[lucyjoy]

Not ADHD with that reaction and those meds kill the kids appetites, though over time, that adjusts.

Were they for focus or hyperactivity? Maybe some of the nutritional supplements or biomedical diet stuff would help her. I am too lazy to use it but there are some people on this list who have tried some of these things with success. I do avoid giving S red dye as it effects him like speed.(do you know how many kids cough syrups contain red dye?)

[Lylac]

The meds were for focusing. It's not that L jumps around etc.. she can sit still, but her mind is going so fast that she can't concentrate on one thing very long...unless of course it's tv.

She's also started the G&D stuttering again this week. Her teacher told me today that L has an amazing vocabulary for her age. And while the teacher was reading she'd stop and ask questions, L would answer them before anyone else could. Out of the 7 kids in her class only 4 can talk.

I felt so bad for one lil boy, he couldn't speak, and he just cried. It broke my heart.

[ranoutofnames]

My A1 takes Concerta and I was told before it was prescribed that if she truly has ADHD it would work like a charm but if she doesn't have ADHD she would bounce off the walls.

My co-worker once mixed up his daughter's ADHD med (Fosamax?) with his meds. He said he was jittery and full of energy for hours. He said he has never taken illegal drugs but would imagine that's what speed would feel like.

Good luck with your daughter! I understand what you mean about trying to do the best for them and yet it almost feels like you hurt them more than helped.

[waited2long]

Oh shecks Lylac... Try not to feel so bad. You were following medical advice, not tossing things down her throat willy nilly!

I think if one bad day gave you the final answer about the possibility of ADHD, it was worth it to know for sure.

L will forgive you, now, forgive yourself.

[JewelMarie]

My youngest was misdiagnosed and on heavy meds for almost 3 years while in care. I brought her home almost 5 months ago and the doctor started lowering the dose; all of a sudden she started to talk better and she ate better and started to grow. She grew 4 inches in 4 months and has put on healthy weight too.

She is almost off the meds now; she has had some withdrawal symtoms like an additive person but she is doing better each day.

We are in the last stretch and pretty soon she will be off the meds completedly.

Not everyone needs meds! We have to train our children in how to stay focus on a task. This is a learned skill, not a drug induced skill. I also teach young children and will only support drugs when it is needed. Even so, I teach the skill of focus.

JewelMarie

[rsbg]

Bless your heart! And bless hers too! But you didn't do anything wrong, that is the tough thing about these meds.... you have to try it to know if it works, it is all trial and error.

I don't know what all you've tried, but I know there are lots of vitamin supplements that help with focus (calm child, sea buddies, etc.)... we tried those with my son for a year, they worked good for a while. But he truly has adhd and is taking meds now and doing great. Just a thought.....

[mrsred]

I am glad you are the kind of mom to quicky see that a med is not working and getting her off it. But at least nowyou know that you are definately NOT dealing with adhd.
Maybe it has more to do with processing?

[mommacass]

Originally Posted by JewelMarie

Even so, I teach the skill of focus.

JewelMarie

How do you teach the skill of focus? My 9yr old is ADD and we do not have him on meds right now. He still makes A's and B's but he has a hard time staying focused any length of time. Homework time is a killer.

MommaCass

[joelynn]

My ds was prescribed both Adderall and Concerta...he reacted badly to both like your child did. We took him off completely. He has ADD not ADHD. So when he started school our new pediatrician suggested what was the new drug at that time, Strattera. He has been on it for 5 years now and is doing beautifully on it. It isn't a stimulant like the others. We took him off this summer to see how he did without it...we put him back on it before school started. It works so well you don't even know he is on it. His teacher last year told me that if she didn't see it written on his file she would never have known!!!
Strattera doesn't work for everyone but it has been our answer.

[Lylac]

She was prescribed Strattera between the Adderall & Concerta. Her ins wouldn't pay for it, so thats why her doc moved on to Concerta.

[SAHmom]

Awww, hugs!