Ritalin for ADHD 7 yr old

[karinav3]

I took my 7 yr old to the Dr's and he was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed 5 mg of RITALIN.. I keep reading the side affects and it's really scarying me.  His behavior is something that can' be controlled or handled.  I've tried everything.  The Dr. said that this will cure his illness. He said he wont be a walking sombie or else he would never prescribe something like that to him.   I  have to try it for a week... I'm nervous, but I do want my son to have a normal childhood... He doesn't seem to realize that his actions can hurt someone, his brain doesn't seem to understand the concequenses of his behavior.  I'm going to give it a try, but if I see any type of major non positive changes I will take him off.

Does anyone have their children on Ritalin? you feed back will truly help.

Thanks

[hsmom86]

my son was diagnosed with ADD when he was 7. in the second grade he was on a kindergartner reading level and was pulled out of public school to be home schooled. we changed his diet, offered him plenty of activity, and didn't dwell on one school subject for more than 15 mins at a time, but nothing seemed to help. one day at the dinner table he asked his father and i if he could take medication to help him ''not be so stupid" , completely broke my heart. my son can listen to your car and tell you everything about it, if you need a oil change, the type of engine it has, and if it needs something replaced. he can take lego's and build something that looks like you would see in a art gallery. he may have been different but not stupid.  how could i even consider medication? would he think that i thought he was "stupid"? would he grow up in life thinking he had to be medicated to achieve anything in life?  i spent the next moth focusing on his talents, we went to a army base and looked at all the military trucks, helped design a home with HUD housing and he even built a lego space ship that the public library to this day still has on display, but yet he still wanted to try the medication. i thought if my son is this smart and creative the maybe i should trust in him, so i did.
    Ritalin, that was a scary word, the first time he put it on his tong the waves of nausea set me hurling over the toilet.  i had heard and read so many bad things about it and i knew it was going to make him sick and i would lose my son. Ironically, as time passed something amazing happened! my son wasn't sick and i hadn't lost him to the zombie Apocalypse. It was not a instant cur, there is no cure, however it really did help him right when he needed it. when my son returned to public school he was 2 grades ahead of his class mates. looking back im glad i let him take the medication. side effects? yes sure it has side effect, but for us, the side effect were far less in severity than the add symptoms itself. If your child has asthma would you refuse medication because of the side effects? would you refuse chemo? allergy medication? of coarse not! because you love them. if your child need medication (not all do) then do whats best for them and stop listening to bi est reports and opinions on the internet.    follow your heart and listen to your child.  

[Sandman2]

A beautiful Holiday message!  Thank you for posting!!

[karinav3]

Oh no, you don't need to apologize.. I think we all are looking for answers and help for our kids =)  

Have you taken your son to the Dr? why don't you try the OMEGA 3 Fish Oli Pills, try giving him 1 in the morning and 1 at night.  It as help some kids, but not mine =(  Let me know what you decide to do... I'm always up for new ideas...

[nikki827]

I wasn't saying take him off of meds completely. I apologize. My son is showing signs of ADHD but retalin will not be my choice. Again i apologize.

[karinav3]

Actually I meant it will help him.. not cure him.. sorry... I just wrote and didn't read back.  Well today is my son's first day on Ritalin and I did call his teacher today and she said he was doing great... finished all his work with no problems.  And she asked him how he felt and his response was "Real Good" I understand what kind of medication this is and once I notice something weird I will take him off.

nikki827: I understand completely how you might feel about the meds, but what else can I do in order for him to have a normal life? it's heart breaking knowing the fact that kids at school call him a "bad kid" and everyone doesnt' seem to want him around.  I cant' really put down the medication if I haven't really noticed that it as affected him in a negative way... once I do.. he's off.... His teacher's son use to be on Ritalin for a yr and half.. she said that he really didn't show any bad side affects when he wa son it.  So in these couple of days I will monitor him...

Thank you so much though for the informations... I need to look into Strattera...

[peskysmom]

You said that "The Dr. said that this will cure his illness"

The one thing that you have to understand it this is NOT an illness and can NOT be cured!

[peskysmom]

When my oldest was given Ritalin it was 5 mg in the morning.  From day 1 he was violent with his siblings and to me as well, had no energy, and had NO appitite.  

With the Strattera it was 10mg in the morning and it took about a week to fully get in to his system.  It did not affect his appitite and when my 5 year old looked at me and said "Momma my white pills help me remember."  Hearing that broke my heart.  At age 9 he is on the student council and is in the gifted and talented program at his school.  I'm not saying that this is the right meds for him but it's worth a shot.


Now my 7 year old we have just recrntly found out that all of the things that have been going on might be side effects from the Strattera. i'm still waiting for the jury to come back on that one.

[nikki827]

Please take your son off of that medicine there are plenty of others. Retalin will only make him worse in the long run.

[karinav3]

Thank you so  much for the information.. I keep reading about that medication. We have to go back on Wednesday and I will bring it up......

What sign did your sons' show the first day? and how much were they taking?? my son is taking 5mg once a day and after 3 days I have to give him 2 pills in the A.M.  

[peskysmom]

I understand your delema, I truly do!  Both my boys,9 and 7, have been diganosed ADHD and are taking Strattera.  My oldest was on Ritalin for 3 days before I took him off.  He wouldn't move off the couch and refused to eat.  When he would get up to move he ended up walking into walls and door frames.  He was the classic "walking zombie" that everyone talks about and was very violent.  I put him on Strattera at the age of 5 and the only side effect that he has had has been constipation.  My 7 yearold on the other hand is haveing all sorts of side effects from the Strattera (i.e. migraines, "sleepy legs" as he calls it [legs being asleep] easily aggitated, Tourette's like symptoms, and a few more).  I'm taking him to a nurologist next week for an exam and more than likely an allergist as well.  Each child is diffrent, but you might want to try some thing that is not so extreme first.  See if there is an allergy or a chemical imbalance or even putting him on what is caled a non stimulant like Strattera.  I'm not saying it's with out it's draw backs but it might be worth the try

[karinav3]

Hello Liparob,

Thanks for the info... I've had problems with my son since he was 2 yrs old and he will be turning 8 in Dec. and it as not changed... He as gone to therapy and as been put on behavior charts... I have a week to try it and I told him if he feels weird or sick to let me know asap... I know this medication works different for every child.... I wil keep you posted and tell you  how he does... I have to try it first before I give up on it...

[Lirparob]

DON"T PUT YOUR SON ON RITALIN!!!  I can not express this enough....My oldest son at age 5 was put on Ritalin and yes he did walk around like a zombie and he began having accidents in his pants.  It broke my heart because he would wet and dirty his pants and not even know it was happening.  I took him off the Ridalin after 3 days and yeah he was a little overactive but HELLO he is a little boy.  He is 8 now and hasn't had problems since kindergarten.  Sometimes I think certain teachers really push for kids to be on meds.  Trust your heart doctors don't always know best but a mother's instict is always right...Good Luck with whatever you decide!!