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my 7 year old son has just been diagnosed with ADHD
My son has just been diagnosed with adhd, he is 7 years old and i have been asked to consider medication. I really do not know what to do for the best and would appreciate any help anyone can offer. i also do not know if or how i should tell him about the condition.
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i feel sorry 4 u my son is 12 he only got diagnosed this year in feb .but had a lot off problems with him from about 2 years old thought as he got older things would get better but no .when he started a new school last year they where very good helped me do forms and stuff .not like hes old school he was at .i so so do wish he had been diagnosed years a go i have had so much stress with him its been really hard work .a lot of people dont understand adhd just think sort ur kid out . i felt really bad i must be a really bad parent .i have a older son of 15 i never had any trouble with him .thank god .i was so worried about him being on tablets with all the side affects it has .but its the only way we can cope with him just hope as he gets older things get better .he is a lot better now even when hes not had a tablet . so just hope it gets better that he dont need tablets in next few years. he has 2 and a half tablets a day which is a lot really .som kids only need 1 tablet . they start u off on low dose and c how he goes .sorry if this is long and boring i asked on here last week did any i have a kid with adhd .u can put in 4 money 4 him cares money and some other stuff
My son was also diagnosed with ADHD and went on medication for a while.
He was on a very low dose of Ritalin for a while and then went onto Concerta.
Concerta did get a bad reputation for depression and my son had quite a marked response to it. The first time he took it he complained of a sudden inexplicable "saddness" so we took him off.
As it happens his ADHD had been reducing for some time, there was little or no hyperactivity but concentration was and still is an issue.
He doesn't use medication any more and generally copes quite well.
7 is quite young for an accurate diagnosis of ADHD I know that it took about a year of seeing various specialists before our diagnosis.
It'd be rather hard to involve him in the decision whether or not to use medication at that age.
It depends on how bad the situation is, my instinct would be to try to hold off for a year or so if possible but if it's becoming a problem that needs action then by all means try medication but do have a discussion with your GP about the pros and cons of Ritalin and Concerta - they are trying to steer people down the Concerta route because it's longer lasting and there are some issues about classification of ritalin as a class B controlled drug .
You'll probably get a load of tut-tutting and uninformed comment about "how drugs are handed out like smarties" and how you only need to give proper nutrition.
Ignore it - it's almost always source from newspapers and ignores the fact that ADHD is commonly found to run in families and is more common in boys than girls.
Note sleepyj has one affected boy and one unaffected - nutrition? I think not!
He was on a very low dose of Ritalin for a while and then went onto Concerta.
Concerta did get a bad reputation for depression and my son had quite a marked response to it. The first time he took it he complained of a sudden inexplicable "saddness" so we took him off.
As it happens his ADHD had been reducing for some time, there was little or no hyperactivity but concentration was and still is an issue.
He doesn't use medication any more and generally copes quite well.
7 is quite young for an accurate diagnosis of ADHD I know that it took about a year of seeing various specialists before our diagnosis.
It'd be rather hard to involve him in the decision whether or not to use medication at that age.
It depends on how bad the situation is, my instinct would be to try to hold off for a year or so if possible but if it's becoming a problem that needs action then by all means try medication but do have a discussion with your GP about the pros and cons of Ritalin and Concerta - they are trying to steer people down the Concerta route because it's longer lasting and there are some issues about classification of ritalin as a class B controlled drug .
You'll probably get a load of tut-tutting and uninformed comment about "how drugs are handed out like smarties" and how you only need to give proper nutrition.
Ignore it - it's almost always source from newspapers and ignores the fact that ADHD is commonly found to run in families and is more common in boys than girls.
Note sleepyj has one affected boy and one unaffected - nutrition? I think not!
Hi there! I have a son who is nearly 9 and was diagnsed 3 years ago with ADHD, mild dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Asperger's! Like most parents,I was worried about medication. I gave it a lot of thought and decided to give it a go! The difference it has made is unbelievable! (although what works for some doesn't work for others!) He started on 2x5mg of Equasym a day and this was increased to 2x10mg. He now has a one-a-day 20mg slow release which is better for him. You should tell him about his condition. My son asked what was wrong with him so I explained that there is nothing"wrong"with him. I told him that every single person is different and sometimes some people need medicine to help them to do things. My mum has diabetes so he knows that her medicine helps her. The other thing which has helped loads is cutting ALL E numbers out of his diet! Not just the colourings! (Bit of a nightmare to begin with but well worth it)He also has Omega 3 fish oil capsules evry morning! Ask your GP for an ADHD support group in your area. This is a fairly daunting time for you and him and it really helps to talk to others in the same situation! Sorry for the long answer!
I was obviously typing when jake posted! He is quite right that if you can hold off a wee while before giving medication it might be better!Discuss your options with his doctor/consultant. I also have an 11 year old girl who has no problems at all! Don't listen to negative comments! It's help and support you both need, not criticism!!
I am sure AHHD is an illness and I understand your reluctance to give your son medication, for a fortnight or so try removing all Es, all artificial sweeteners ie Aspartame or Saccharin and any other chemical ingredients. This is extremely hard, go and look at the foods in the kitchen!.
Some makes of the same food made have different ingredients, even check the basics like bread etc.
If you don't know what anything is look it up on the net.
I was advised not to eat or drink anything with Aspartame at a NHS meeting I went to, at the time my husband was having a lot of probems the only source of Aspartame was in the tonic water he had with a gin and tonic some nights, not all, he swopped the tonic water for orange and virtually all his symptoms disappeared within 2 weeks. Now if he does have Aspartame by mistake he has an immediate flare up of his symptoms
Do give him the fish oil and evening primrose oil again if your son is going to change you will notice the difference in 2 weeks.
If you try both of the above and notice no difference in his behaviour you can be sure that medication is needed. I am sure you do feed your son a healthy diet it is just possible he reacts badly to a very minute dose of a chemical.
Some makes of the same food made have different ingredients, even check the basics like bread etc.
If you don't know what anything is look it up on the net.
I was advised not to eat or drink anything with Aspartame at a NHS meeting I went to, at the time my husband was having a lot of probems the only source of Aspartame was in the tonic water he had with a gin and tonic some nights, not all, he swopped the tonic water for orange and virtually all his symptoms disappeared within 2 weeks. Now if he does have Aspartame by mistake he has an immediate flare up of his symptoms
Do give him the fish oil and evening primrose oil again if your son is going to change you will notice the difference in 2 weeks.
If you try both of the above and notice no difference in his behaviour you can be sure that medication is needed. I am sure you do feed your son a healthy diet it is just possible he reacts badly to a very minute dose of a chemical.
my son does take ritalinsorry never said what it was .itry not 2 let my son eat sweets or drink coke and all that other rubbish .i know kids dont have adhd just coz what they eat but having a lot of junk food will make adhd worse .do any off u others feel bad like ur a bad parent i do some times when some one is moaning coz hes done something naughty . very stressfull
thanks for your answers, sorry i never gave a lot of info on my first question, i wasnt sure anyone would answer. My brother has ADHD, he was diagnosed at 5 and was on ritalin from the age of 5 untill he was 16, the ritalin did help him and made the adhd a lot more manageable, my mum was always assured that it was non addictive but he had a bad time coming off it and has suffered from paranoia since, the docs have always denied this was because of the ritalin. he is 21 now and has a full time job which he copes with very well and has surprised everybody by holding down , so i do know and understand that there is light at the end of the tunnell but i was also very young when he went through this (i am 4 years older) and had no idea of what my parents went through,everybody seems to think that because the family have dealt with it before then we know what is ahead and i should not be worried but i know that all children are different and also feel that i should have been more prepared for this as i did know that it can be hereditory.sorry for going on a bit but this is something i am finding difficult to discuss face to face with people so it is a bit of a release knowing that there are people out there willing to listen and not judge!
My youngest has been diagnosed since he was 6 and he has been on meds (ritalin) for that long too.
It is a hard decision to make.
There is a site called adders where you will find out information about ADHD, medication and be able to talk to other parents in the same boat.
www.adders.org
As you have said adhd is genetic and hereditary.
My eldest is 13 and has just been dx as adhd and he also is taking a trial of meds at the moment.
Go to adders and havae a look at the info there and hopefully it will help you make up your mind.
My youngest is fine on meds and although it isnt a cure it does help with alot of the symptoms.
It is a hard decision to make.
There is a site called adders where you will find out information about ADHD, medication and be able to talk to other parents in the same boat.
www.adders.org
As you have said adhd is genetic and hereditary.
My eldest is 13 and has just been dx as adhd and he also is taking a trial of meds at the moment.
Go to adders and havae a look at the info there and hopefully it will help you make up your mind.
My youngest is fine on meds and although it isnt a cure it does help with alot of the symptoms.
i was told 2 put in 4 it thought no i wont bother i wont get any thing .was going 2 put forms in bin coz some off stuff on form my son could do like eat get dressed hes self etc .i did fill form out really raugh gave school teachers name and sent forms 4 when he was diagnosed from doc .he does have adhd bad thats why he has 2 and a half tablets a day .4 weeks later i got it was a real shock think they go on with what school and doc say more than just parents coz parents can make it sound worse than it is .ring and ask 4 forms now .i took my son 2 doc in nov last year and he was not diagnosed till feb this year .coz u have 2 wait 2 see adhd doc .it does say u have 2 have had illness for 3 months .get forms now coz it can take 12 weeks 4 them 2 sort it out if u can get money .people wont think that u have pussed 4 a diagnos just 2 get money adhd doc can tell what child has it and what ones dont .is he bad at school coz if he is that will help a lot with hes claim .i will be happy 2 talk 2 u on msn if u have it leave u add help u as much as i can
The Disability Living Allowance is either lower rate, middle rate or higher rate. If you are awarded the higher rate you will be eligible for Carer's Allowance also!
Disability Living Allowance-phone no: 08457 123456
www.direct.gov.uk/disability
Carer's Allowance- phone no: 01772 899153
www.direct.gov.uk/carers
Disability Living Allowance-phone no: 08457 123456
www.direct.gov.uk/disability
Carer's Allowance- phone no: 01772 899153
www.direct.gov.uk/carers
I get it for mine at the highest rate-�65 and carers at �40 per week.I didn't know i was entitled to any thing until another mum told me to apply anyway. She was refused the first time but appealed and got it! It's worth a try. There are conditions on though, like you can't work or study full time while receiving it.
A few questions....
1-Who diagnosed your son. Often the diagnoses of ADHD is done as an easy way out. There are neurological tests which sould be done prior to any medication.
2-have you looked at other resorces, often ( in mild cases) you can alter diet, exercise level, and even work on handwritting skills to improve the symptoms.
3-medication is not all the same, you can get herbal and homeopathic medications, you can get Rx medications, I have even heard of a case where the treatment is an antihystamine.
As for telling him, I would suggest that you just let him be part of the conversation. Talk to your pediatrician and let him be in the room, ask his imput, let him ask some questions. the more involved he is in the treatment process the more likely he is to follow it. (BTW Ritlan kills hoseplants, and kids who dont wantthere meds DO manage to spit it out no matter how carful you think you are) His co-operation is going to be a must, so get him onboard as early as you can so he feels that it was His decision and that he Wants to.
1-Who diagnosed your son. Often the diagnoses of ADHD is done as an easy way out. There are neurological tests which sould be done prior to any medication.
2-have you looked at other resorces, often ( in mild cases) you can alter diet, exercise level, and even work on handwritting skills to improve the symptoms.
3-medication is not all the same, you can get herbal and homeopathic medications, you can get Rx medications, I have even heard of a case where the treatment is an antihystamine.
As for telling him, I would suggest that you just let him be part of the conversation. Talk to your pediatrician and let him be in the room, ask his imput, let him ask some questions. the more involved he is in the treatment process the more likely he is to follow it. (BTW Ritlan kills hoseplants, and kids who dont wantthere meds DO manage to spit it out no matter how carful you think you are) His co-operation is going to be a must, so get him onboard as early as you can so he feels that it was His decision and that he Wants to.
thanks for your reply marri-jayne , he was referred to the adhd clinic at our health centre by our gp, he was seen there and initially assessed and i had to fill out a questionairre, his school teachers for the last 3 years also had to do questionaires and the adhd liason nurse spent a full day sitting in the class watching him . they then did more tests and assessments and called me down to say that he has got adhd.He has to go back in 3 months and i have to make the decision by then if i want meds or not.
Where can i find out about natural remedies?
Where can i find out about natural remedies?
Saturdays Daily Mail has an article about Ritalin and how much more it is being prescribed and what are said to be side effects.
It also says there has been a recent study, but it doesn't say who by, that 6 capsules of fish oil a day vastly improves childrens behaviour.
It is too late to buy a copy but you may find it on the website or give them a ring. I must admit 6 capsules seems a lot
It also says there has been a recent study, but it doesn't say who by, that 6 capsules of fish oil a day vastly improves childrens behaviour.
It is too late to buy a copy but you may find it on the website or give them a ring. I must admit 6 capsules seems a lot
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