ADHD or simething else??

[mommarty]

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 5. He went on meds immediatly after that and has been since current age of 10. Meds are always a problem to get doseing right,80mgs ritilin, adderall (adderrall) don't remember dose, now doseing changed to concerta 36mgs (2)(76mgs) in the morning.With all the different doseing i have tried, the meds seem to stop working in 2-4 weeks.  72mgs of concerta daily seems to work but what if there is something else wrong??  What if there is something physical, like brain disorder. He has such problems in sentence comprehension, spelling word,forgetting info almost immediatly,angry feelings, frustration to the point of clenching fists and refusing to participate with the class room. I have worked daily with him, with math, i have told him over and over and over 6+6=12 and he still uses his fingers. I know with ADHD repeating things over and over is usually the key but it's almost as if he really can't retrieve the info in his brain,like something is stopping it. So thats my question, could it NOT be ADHD but something else and what could it be ,if so ,What kinds of Dr. do i see, and also What about all this meds?? Can it someday hurt him, the strongness of mgs?? Prozac, cloudidine, zyprexa,were also added to help him. But none of seems to work. He is so anxious without meds, i have tried to not give him any meds but he is so hyper. pls help!!  What should i do?? I want him to do well in school and in life.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It could well be that your son displays a learning disorder in addition to the ADHD and any other emotional condition. I'm assuming that the diagnosis hasn't been confined only to ADHD, since he has also been prescribed medications that are really not employed to treat ADHD. Your son has been on unusually high doses of stimulant medication - both the Concerta dose and the Ritalin dose are unusual for a child so young. You might arrange a second opinion consult re: his pharmacology plan, and it would also be prudent to have him tested (probably through the school system under the provisions of Chapter 766) for possible learning disability.

[kidcare]

You did not say who dx your son with ADHD..was it family doctor or psychiatrists.  A child psychiatrists would be the best choice and if you have been to one already, go for a 2nd opinion.  My son has been on the meds gamet and he takes a larger amt of meds to get him regulated.  Is there a possibility your son may be bipolar?  There are alot of kids dx as ADHD who are really bipolar.  A psychiatrists would help you sort this out..if there are family members who are bipolar the doctor needs to know.  Go to www.bpkids and read some of their info.  Good luck and I know what you are going through..it's a roller coaster ride but it really is worse on the child.

[virtualmom]

Suggestion to further examine the behaviors and explore the memory issues. What we thought was ADD with my daughter has turned out to be a visual spatial learning issue. Though she will be further looked out for ADD, this is her primary issue. Her problems lie in sequenntial/spatial ordering, and working/short term memory. Our family psych suggested an evaluation by done by the school (because it is free).

I just bought the book "A Mind At A Time", Mel Levine M.D., which really gives a great layman description of the learning process and quirks that may affect it. I found my daughter's issues well stated in chapters 3,4, & 6. He has addition books for the children and parents to find coping strategies for success.

Good luck! I encourage you to keep looking if you are not confident in the ADHD diagnosis. You know your child better than any doctor, educator or other third-party. Your instincts are likely right on! Keep up your great efforts to better assist your son.

[sweetchops]

Hi, I too have a son that was diagnosed with adhd. It turned out his brother was also diagnosed with adhd, although the difference being my older son didn't actually have adhd, it turned out he had ASD ( autism spectrum disorder (aspergers))although both these have similar characteristics they are two very different disorders. It took me 4 years and numerous arguements with doctors before I finally got an accurate diagnosis. Since then life in our household has become more calm.
Both my boys are on dexamphetamine which has proved to work, although has taken a lot of trial and error with dosage. I would be asking your gp or paedatrition to further investigate. Dont know how much help this has been, but dont take one drs word for things.......