Concerta-Adderral-10 year old???

[lodzpol]

My 10 year son has been on Adderall for a little over 2 months now.  He was moody, distant, and very emotional.  The doctor is now switching him to Concerta. Any thought son this medication?  I am new at trying to deal with ADHA, my son is diagnosed with the concentration protion of ADHA. He can not focus for the life of him!  It is so confusing to try and help him when I know

[cbrown71]

And doing well on it.So far that is the only one we have gone with.Still new at it.You do have to play with the dosage though,like other meds.There were some side effects at the begginning like insomnia(for 4 days),lack of appetite,but that was about it.Now it's all back to normal and my son is doing great so far.He's 7.
Good luck
Chantal

[Jennifer375]

I am , as a parent of two beautiful wonderful little girls,, HORRIFIED to see any parents talking about 'fiddling' with chemicals that alter the chemistry of their childs brains... these arent just irritating little animals that you have to figure out a medical means to tolerate.... these are SMALL PEOPLE,, these are the future people of the world.

Youve been lied too if your told you kid needs these chemicals,, they only APPEAR to help, infact they are hurting your child. Ask your doctor what amphetamines do to the brains of lab animals. Amphetamines control is temporary, but its damage will be felt for years to come, especially in the babies. They are not safe, and to deny knowing that is to live in a hole in the ground. :*(

[Jennifer375]

The brain damage caused by amphetamine use is still noticeable years later, say experts.
In fact, users undergo similar brain chemical changes to patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, stroke or brain tumours.

Methamphetamine, also known as "speed" is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system and quickens the heartbeat.

Users report increased confidence, sociability and energy levels. The effects usually last for several hours with the user feeling particularly hyperactive, and very awake.

However, there can also be feelings of nervousness or irritability and depression as the effects of the drug wear off.

Neuron damage

But there is significant evidence that the drug can cause damage to the brain's neurons - the cells which are used for thinking.

Methamphetamine users have reduced concentrations of a chemical called N-acetyl-aspartate, which is a byproduct of the way neurons work.

Research carried out in Torrance, California, and reported in the journal "Neurology", compared the brains of 26 previous methamphetamine users with 24 non-users.

They found at least 5% lower concentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate in two key areas of the brain, the basal ganglia and frontal white matter.

Dr Thomas Ernst, who led the project, said: "Many brain diseases associated with brain cell or neuronal damage or loss, such as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, stroke and HIV brain diseases, consistently have shown decreased N-acetyl-aspartate.

"This, in the drug users' brains, suggests neuronal loss or damage as a result of long-term methamphetamine use."

Amphetamines work by releasing large quantities of the brain stimulating chemical dopamine.

Animal studies have shown brain abnormalities persisting four years after amphetamine use stops.

Groups such as the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence say that amphetamine use is actually falling, despite its association with the club scene.

Amphetamine users can become dependant on the drug, and withdrawal symptoms can cause depression and lethargy.

Heavy, regular use can cause hallucinations, delusions and feelings of paranoia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/692642.stm

[Jennifer375]

Amphetamines are amphetamines, whether they have the 'meth' in front of them or not, they are SIBLINGS,, not cousins, not distant relatives,,, there is almost zero difference between the two outside of dosing to achive desired results... given over time either of these will destroy the brain and its delicate chemical balance permanently. A child is only a child for 20 years,,,, 'playing' with their brain chemistry while its in early development is playing God.

[Captain_Rit]

I am my sisters sibling.  But i am male.    we are biologically VERY VERY DIFFERENT.     the same thing goes for medicines.    Ever seen anyone with no teeth because they took ritalin?    Even the way they get the two different chemicals is different, meth comes from sudafed where as ritalin (methylphenedate) is impossible to even indirectly extract from such medicine.    and yes they are talking about tweeking their childs brain chemicals.   but you would not look at us in disgust if we tweeked the childs chemo therapy.    all it is doing is finding the right dosage.    are you against medicating kids with biopolar disorder? or other diseases of the mind? what about epolepsy?    are you against giving a kid a vitamin, they add chemicals to the brain?



ps sorry for the miss spellings

[Jennifer375]

okay,,, tell yourself whatever makes you feel better,, but heres a FACT... the pharmacudical companies are promoting their amphetamines and SSRI's to children younger and younger. And here is anouther fact... EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL SHOOTING has been by a child who was ON these very pharmacudicals. I dont think thats a coincidence... and that effects EVERYONE and everyonelses kids. I hope the drug reps who push this garbage down doctors throats who then in turn push it down parents throats , are the parents who grieve,, because only then will the truth come out and this insanity stopped.

Many of these links are from 2000,, its now 2008... this information is not new,, its just being ignored by the powers that be in the name of the almighty dollar. Normally I dont get bent out of shape about things like this... but this is our kids we are talking about. It doesnt just affect the child takiing the pills, it effects everyone they go to school with and everyone in their community.

The Journal of the American Medical Association: Trends in Prescribing Phsychotropic Medications to Preschoolers http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v283n8/full/joc91250.html  

Town needs grace to recover from shooting, pastor says http://gbgm-umc.org/programs/antihate/shooting.stm  From The United Methodist News Service -- http://umns.umc.org/dailynews.html

Sightings and Insight Magazine http://www.sightings.com/health3/doping.htm  

Talking Back to Prozac by Peter R. Breggin, M.D. and Ginger Ross Breggin. http://www.breggin.com/luvox.html  

The Australian Early Intervention Network for Mental Health in Young People http://129.96.218.17/clearing/depression/gpdepr09.html  

Pediatric News http://pharmacotherapy.medscape.com/IMNG/PediatricNews/public/journal.PediatricNews.html  

Boise Weekly http://www.boiseweekly.com/archive/v7i42/cope/cope_col.html  

The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/april99/antisocial04299.htm  

The Washington Times http://www.drugawareness.org/washtimes.html  

Arkansas Online  http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/jonesboro/brygolden24.html  

Arianna Huffington "Arianna On-Line":  

Guns,Drugs, and Kids, What's Wrong with This Picture? http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/070998.html  

The Dangers of the White House Mental Health Conference http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/061099.html    

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/05/17/ritalin.ap/index.html

[Jennifer375]

Here are the last major school shooters and the link under each name is a reputable news source that connects them all with SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Prozac, Ritalin, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, and others:  

1) May 20 1999: T.J. Solomon, a 15-year-old wounds six at Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga.. http://add.about.com/health/add/library/weekly/aa052599.htm CNN Reports That T.J. Solomon was on Ritalin.  

2) April 16 1999: Shawn Cooper, a 15-year-old sophomore wounds one at Notus Junior-Senior High School in Notus, Idaho. http://www.boiseweekly.com/archive/v7i42/cope/cope_col.html Reports that Cooper was abused and medicated.  

3) April 20 1999: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold kill thirteen and wound twenty three at Columbine High School. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/april99/antisocial04299.htm Eric Harris, The apparent leader of the attack had been on Luvox.  

4) May 21, 1998: Kip Kinkel, a 15-year-old kills four and wounds twenty three at Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore.. http://www.drugawareness.org/washtimes.html  Kinkle Had been taking Prozac.  

5) March 24, 1998: Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, opened fire on their classmates and killed five and wounded eleven at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark..  

Arkansas Online  http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/jonesboro/brygolden24.html Andrew Golden's Medical Records released to Courts but not open to the public!  

From Jon Rappaport of the Truthseeker foundation: http://www.nfgcc.org/schoolviolence.htm A Doctor from Georgetown University commented on Network television that one of the boys had previously been treated for violent behavior. (Treated with what?)  

AND According to Arianna Huffington the following events are linked to Anti-Depressants as well:  

6) Julie Marie Meade from Maryland who was shot to death by the police when they found her waving a gun at them. http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/070998.html  

7) Ben Garris, a 16-year-old in Baltimore who stabbed his counselor to death.  http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/070998.html  

8) Kristina Fetters, a 14-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, who stabbed her favorite great aunt in a rage that landed her a life sentence. http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/070998.html    

9) Pfizer, The Manufacturer of Zoloft is being sued by a Kansas family for the Suicide of their 14 year old son on Zoloft. http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/061099.html  

10) The estate of Brynn Hartman, Wife of the Saturday Night Live Comedian, Phil Hartman, is also suing Pfizer, since Mrs. Hartman had been on Zoloft when she killed her husband and herself! http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/061099.html  

These drugs cause side effects like insomnia, anxiety, and agitation. (From The New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center), and sometimes suicidal tendencies especially with fluoxetine (Prozac). These results have been found in adults and some young people, but the best course for prescribing SSRI's to the young seems to be extreme caution.  

[Captain_Rit]

you do realize that tylenol kills more kids PERCENTAGE WISE than all amphetamines combined.    including meth.    and its not a coincidence that all of those "high school shooter" kids were taking meds like this.   but its not the meds its self.   its the disease that they had that was the issue.   ADHD is linked with most psychiatric disorders, therefore if you have a psychiatric disorder chances are very good you have ADHD as well, especially if you are schizophrenic (which is what most high school shooters are).     so let me ask you PTA mom can i take tylenol?  

[Sandman2]

Hey, Capt.  some old posts popped up and I remembered how much I liked your input.  Just wondered how things where going with you?

[Captain_Rit]

and if i remember correctly cho seung-hu did not take amphetemines and he was the biggest school shooter of them all.    

[Jennifer375]

cap,,, I hate to tell you this,,, but your talking to a chemo surviror. So yes, I do realize that all medicines can kill,, even the meds we typically trust.

The fact of the matter is,, thats exactly whats scared me so much about medicine... Iv BEEN there and I know what it can do. Medicine can heal,, but only in the right hands... in the wrong hands it kills and if you cant see how greed is playing a huge roll in the whole mess,,, then its you that will have to live with the consiquences of your choices.

I have had doctors who there was no doubt in my mind wanted nothing more than for me to feel better... and whether people believe it or not, there are doctors out there who have thier own agendas and they will dismiss your life for their own dinner plans one evening faster than you can imagine. We have become FAR to trusting of this profession and this will become more apparent... it should be already ...but most of us choose to ignore it.

[Captain_Rit]

i hate to tell you this.   but i have severe adhd, and those "amphetamines" as you call it are the only reason I can function.   Iv BEEN there and i know what it can do.    is it over prescribed yes.   are there doctors out there who want your money alone yea, but they dont make a penny from prescribing you drugs thats drug reps.    so dont give me the doctors over prescribing for their own money **** cause it almost never happens IN THE CASE OF ADHD PRESCRIPTION medicine.      so tell me why my "amphetemines" are a bad thing for me?      should we stop giving morphine because it is a "sibling" heroin and a natural chemical in our own brain?     should we stop watching tv because it lets out more radiation than a nuclear reactor?    you hear amphetamine and you FREAK.    they are a good thing for people with adhd period.      

[Jennifer375]

ah, I get it now... thats called an addiction captain, now I understand why your so defensive and protective.  Some pretty famouse people have been addicted to small dose amphetamines,,, the most infamouse of them was Hitler, look it up.

[Jennifer375]

Btw,, I wanted to say I dont think YOU are an awful person for taking this medicine yourself Captain. By the manner in which you write I assume your atleast a teen if not older, and you have every right to make the choice yourself to take whatever helps you feel in control and sucessful in life.

You should however be aware that stimulants as well as most chemicals when put into the body over extended periouds of time supress the immune system and can put you at a higher risk of diseases of all sorts. Everything from connective tissue issues to cancer....... and this is in part why I object so strongly to making a choice like this for ones child without being 100% aware the damage it can do in the long term.

Children depend on their parents to make healthy choices for them though... so in this instance I feel its the most imporant thing in the world to know what your giving your kids. We are forever hearing on the news though about how this group is suing that company or this one because their products hurt the buyers.... this isnt personal responsibility in many instances though because the information is available if only people would care enough to research it. Not doing this for yourself is a trajety,, failing to do so for anouther human beings life should be a crime.

[shelly405]

Hey Girl,

I understand why you are so passionate about this, but they don't.
Why don't you tell them?
They think you are talking out your ***...
Shelly

[Jennifer375]

quote,'Hey Girl,

I understand why you are so passionate about this, but they don't.
Why don't you tell them?
They think you are talking out your ***...
Shelly "end quote"

Im not sure what you mean Shelly, but Ill be glad to respond if you can help me understand?

*with respect and apprication*     Jennifer

[tbowe1]

I have 2 beautiful adopted children. they are 8 and 7. My daughter was 6 when we adopted her. Both of my kids have ADHD. Without their medication they cannot function and learn. My daughter was on Adderral when we first got her as a foster child. She was on Adderral because as a child in the foster care system her health care was provided by Medicaid. Adderral was cheaper than Straterra which worked well for her. Adderral just about drove this child insane. Since the switch to Concerta she is an honor roll student, captain of her dance team, and a very loving and wonderful little girl.
     You have do what is best for your child. My advice would be to try the Concerta and ignore the criticism of people who have never walked in your shoes. Your pediatrician and you are the best judge of what your child needs to thrive.

Anthony Bowen
Knoxville, Tennessee

[Jennifer375]

I dont see children committing murders and suicide as simply 'criticism' . These are facts and as the number of deaths and murders grow the pharm corporations are working very dilligently to hide the information. The makers of paxil went out of their way to aquire the parents sworn statements regarding their child being on that medication for the purpouse of  destroying and burying it according to news reports. Furthermore, it is not criticism when a child ends up in a psych ward because the seritonin levels in his/her brain are maxed out and the 'lsd' effect kicks in.

Your children are doing well because they are in a loving stable home now, which you deserve all the credit for,,,, not some drug that will at some point quit working and leave her needing to find something to replace it with most likely. (atleast by the looks of the depression/anxiety boards here on medhelp)

You are blessed, and your children doubly blessed to be 'saved' by good people who clearly have her best interest at heart and are willing to do anything to help her live the life she deserves. She didnt have that before... but I wouldnt blame it on a lack of drugs.

*With respect and apprication*           Jennifer

[shelly405]

My son has ADHD and after a  long hit and miss process we both decided that he would NOT take drugs. He had enough clarity of mind to tell me what the were doing to him (Side effects) and he didn't want them. Does he have learning problems? Sure.
Is it hard for him to pay attention? Of course.
But you know what?
I learned how to help him. Without drugs.
We are both still learning tricks - To achieve the same results as the drugs without the drugs. How many adults have you talked with that were drugged as children? There are many, and they have horror stories about what the drugs did to them. The worst thing the drugs do is ALIENATE them from their parents. The parents think the drugs are a magic bullet,

If the drugs don't work, just get more. If they work sometimes but not others, then there is something wrong with the child. We drug the children because we dont like them, nor do we want to take THE TIME to figure out how to help our children because WE ARE TO DAMN BUSY. I am not against you drugging the shyt out of your children if that's what it takes to get you through the day.

But there are alternatives. There are natural compounds that work just as well. I know because we use them. Vitimins, Herbal Supplements, Patience and lots of love. I am not knocking the drugs, nor am I against holistic treatments. Drugs are not the only way to go. I know, because I have an ADHHHHD Child, and his case is extreme. But I do not drug him. And he is doing pretty darn good, thank you very mush.
Shelly

[Jennifer375]

your right, they are totally different drugs and have completely different action in the brain,,, but if you read the anxiety and depression boards,, many of those who are started on one drug with one type of action are then later put on SSRI's even though the action of these drugs is totally different from the action of benzopines... it rarely works and often makes the patient much worse off in the long run PLUS adding the problem of their bodies being dependant on the new ssri as well as the benzopine.

What it all boils down to is CONTROL,, we as parents are being pushed to medically control our kids instead of being parents and doing whatever it takes to help our kids naturally with attention, love and giving of our time. Our time is to preciouse now to even focus on our kids because everyones to busy slaving away at jobs to pay their bills. The amphetamines are just as harmful as the ssri's because although the damage is not so immediatly apparent, MRI's verify without a doubt that these medications are causing irreversible long term damage to the developing minds of smaller and younger children every year.

Worse yet, if our country had ANY clue how much of our tax money is going to pay for these same brain altering chemicals they would be OUTRAGED. The groups being hit hardest and most obviousely are

1. children under the age of 10 (medicade) in part because these kids are less likely to act violently or atleast not enough to make news headlines.

2. younge women ages 19-30 the pills of choice that doctors are putting them on and forever refilling scripts for are from what Iv seen a. antidepresasnts b. benzopines c. pain pills that are highly addictive. All of these meds are easily prescribed and very very difficult to quit.

3. women , usually single who are dependant on disability/medicade , this age group is getting the most expensive new class of drugs and widely being diagnosed as depressed or bi-polar. Dont believe me, go look at the boards yourself please.

You'll believe what you wish anyways..... Im just pointing out some facts. Some people wont like what some of us agree they are seeing and will refuse to admit there may be an issue, but thats not helping the kids and families these pills are hurting.

*With respect and apprication*

[shelly405]

My son is 14 and in the 9th/10th grade. His school has a different system, he just finished the 9th in 1 semester (4 clases per, 1.5hrs each day - 2 actual days of class for each day) This schedule was actually easier for him because he was in each class for 2.5hrs and he was able to get his bearings. He did OK - 3 C's and 1 B. I am proud of him just the same. It is hard for him, but since he is AWARE of his disability, he knows what he needs to work on throughout the day.

I think many children have no idea why they are being medicated. When I was a child I had a wondering eye, eventuallt led to surgery to correct the problem. I saw double, and this was comfortable for me. I was in therapy for 5 years for the double vision. I was never once told that the goal of therapy was to have my vision singe. If they would have just told me taht, I could have corrected my vision myself - The double vision was more comfoortable, but I could control it. Eventually my eye muscles got so weak from being lazy that I had to have the surgery. I think ADD is like that. If the kids KNOW why and what is going on, they can correct a lot of it themselves.
Shelly

[Jennifer375]

Well, your only asking for my 'opinion' so I will do my best to offer what I can.... but I must warn you its something of a 'tangent' at times......

First I think we need to be offering the biggest support and help we can do the schooling system of this country. There have been 'issues' in the past with the typical 'one size fits all' type of teaching that our educators have been complaining about for years,,, but the problem went from 'rough' to insurmountable with Bush's 'no child left behind' bill.

One size does NOT fit all and SO little of our tax dollars actually go to researchering education and how children learn not to mention funding programs that try different methods for children who seem to be falling behind in the typical classroom setting. This is a seriouse problem IMO as a parent because right now I personally have a daughter who is failing 4th grade. This however is not based on her grades at all, but rather on her lack of ability to remeber to bring back papers and turn them in on time. Theres nothing we can do about this.... its totally on her because we cant be there all the time but its also a focus/concentration and memory issue. I frankly think she spends so much time trying to memorize dates and facts that when it comes to everythingelse she just flakes out. My husband does something similiar in that if I remind him repeatedly (stress him with the pressure) he will forget whatever Im asking him to remeber within moments. Example,, I can ask him to stop by a certain store as we approach it and he will. But if I ask him more than once he will drive past every single time.

The killer part? She tests very well, above average particularly in math and science. However she comes home typically with four hours of homework a night, has NO time for play or imagination and thats not even taking into account that 'art' and 'music' are now every OTHER week 45 minute class's like some sort of after thought. Further this school she is now in is a little better on recess, but typically in my state it seems the 'norm' is 1-45 minute recess a day and 1-45 minute gym class per week as well.

Children are no longer being allowed to just be kids, to explore their creativity. They are packed into rooms and pressed to memorize and recite perioud. Some children simply do NOT do well this way,, Einstien did very poorly in school for those we were unaware.

Our country needs to follow the lead of some of the UK schools in experimenting with different hands on methods of teaching. I have seen a few schools that help ingrain whats been taught by bringing younger children into the rooms with slightly older children, and letting the older kids help 'teach' the younger ones different things or read stories to them. This is a WONDERFUL idea and my kids absolutely loved it when the school they went to did this. (we have since changed schools due to having to move for work) It gave them a sense of empowerment and mastery over what they had learned, they felt important ,,, definatly an effective tool in teaching.

Quite frankly I think alot of the problem is also on the work related issues most families face in these days and times as well though. Mothers only being allowed a couple of weeks off after giving birth for fear of loosing their employment unless they can figure out how to make money at home, nevermind loosing insurance benefits! Fathers also get far to little time to spend with their families. I know my husband works a job that allows him to take off a significant amount of schedualed leave time every year, but this is very unusual, particularly the lower in income level you go, which is often the very people who need it most! If it wasnt for my husband haivng a union to back him up though, more than once he would have been at risk during my chemo treatments for loosing his job. What a horrible trajety that would have been with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills we had on the line!

I think alot more focus needs to be on offering community support to at risk families. These could be set up as not for profit though because god knows the government doesnt seem to be in the business of 'helping' those in need anymore. Example,, katrina, 911, the fires in california,, need I go on?

Want to see what I mean when I say these big corporations have a strangle hold on our government,, look up dental floridosis,, particlarly if you know youve done your best to care for your kids teeth but they seem to get white spots and or alot of cavities irregardless.

My point with that is,, WE, like the ancient romans who were poisoned by lead in mass... are also now being exposed to very high levels of poisons,,, and its beginning to show in our mental health and our childrens over all health. ABC recently did piece about cancer and without offering any reasons as to what the cause might be,, mentioned in passing briefly that 1 out of every 2 men in I believe it was West Virginia will develop cancer of one form or anouther and 1 out of every 3 women in that state will as well.

This IS new.. this ISNT normal.... and we all need to figure out what is causing this insain loss of life and livelyhood... and its not all just diet and lack of excersize.

*With much respect and apprication to any who made it to the bottom of this 'tangent'* and I do hope to hear feedback on this thread for a long time to come as people find it and do some searching... I am definatly listening and I hope others are too because we ALL need to do what we can to try and bring balance back to our lives.

Jennifer

[lodzpol]

Well to all of you. First, Anthony, I am very happy to hear that the medicine is helping.  My son just has been switched to Concerta and I hope that he will do much better than on the Adderall.  And second, to Jennifer375, you obviously have children without ADHD and have not struggled to have them do well and succeed. Our children suffer from something you CAN NOT understand, and to be honest with you I have had numerous conversations with my son's doctor and physiologist and they both state that when his medication is used PROPERLY there are no long term affects.  So believe me that I will listen to them and not you. Further, my son can actually listen and pay attention in school. He may actually pass, and to be honest with you that is a great feeling. So as you see I asked about Adderall and switching to Concerta, not you input on how they affect people.  

[Jennifer375]

Thats a shame,, but the choice is clearly yours and no onelse's and you will have to live with the outcome of those choices for the rest of your natural life as will you child.

*Blessings to you and your family*

[lodzpol]

Yes I will and so far so good, MUCH better than prior to the medication.  I have spent too many years frustrated with my son. I will not waste more valuable time with him when I can clearly help him.