adhd?

[deaver1234]

15 yr old daughter was diag with adhd 2nd grade - although was family "joke" adhd long before.  1st on adderall with explosive behavior - had to try before could take straterra, insurance.  Strattera was fine for sev yrs - although only limited imp - just enough to tolerate her.  Problems with social interaction and her mouth - she's constantly argumentative and I believe ODD.  After menstruation began, strattera appeared worthless.  She began  nobody liked her, spells of crying uncontrollably, etc.  I took her off Strattera and was on no meds temporarily...I couldn't take it and she was having problems at school with authority, friends, etc.  Went to a psychiatrist for new testing and counseling and prescribed concerta.  Concerta was great!...for awhile.  Last year at 14 had gall bladder removed.  Had adverse reactions to anesthesia (the couldn't get her asleep) after surgery was up for days with no sleep whatsoever.  After that paranoid episodes - couldn't sleep, hear sounds, thought people outside.  Doctor reduced dosage which DID NOT help episodes and seemed unconcerned.  I took her off concerta and made appt psychologist.  Again tested and diagnosed with ADHD recommended try straterra again.  This time wanted to sleep all the time.  Day and night.  Couldn't function.  Then back to adderall.  Adderall has made life semi tolerable but constant "bickering" between us - so not really working.  Over the last several years she has had significant weight gain not loss.  It does not seem possible that it is a misdiagnosis three times...but it is questionable to me why none of the medications work for her and none of the medications cause a loss of appetite, she actually seems to always to be hungry.  I do not know where else to go...two psyhiatrists, one psychologist, and out family doctor...  Now we have to make a change of some kind she has elevated liver enzyme and increased heart rate so family doctor wants to take her off her adderall. Any thoughts???

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Yes, this can be quite a good choice when there are mood issues and ADHD.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Yes, perhaps it's time to try clonidine, s mall dose two or three times daily. You might talk with her psychiatrist about this, since it would help other aspects of her behavior as well.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

No, one is not better than the other - they are very different medications but each can be helpful for children who have not responded well to stimulant medications.

[ohfailthful]

Not a doctor but know that ADHD can be treated with whole foods and higher fat diets of olive oil, fish oil, and other good oils.  Honestly, it could be something that the child is allergic to that she is eating unbeknownst to all of you....  I had a friend who recently tried an elimination diet and slowly added foods back that she eats regularly, she found out that she was allergic to wheat, rhy, some flour products, sweeteners, etc. that were causing the ADHD symptoms...  She has since started eating whole foods and good fats and her symptoms have vastly improved...  It could be something as little as the dyes in foods, or sweeteners, etc...  

Honestly, the drugs are just going to slow down her system more and make her fat causing more issues...  I know it would be much harder with a 15 year old trying to get them to eat real food, but this is her health!

P.S.  My friend recently said she ate a couple of slices of pizza and instantly experienced severe ADHD symptoms afterwards...probably the wheat, etc., in the crust!

Best Wishes!

[deaver1234]

thanks for your reply.  not really mood issues, just the constant argumentative issues with i think odd.  do you think one would be better med than the other?  Only other issue is weight gain.  Going to the doctor today.  Thanks again

[deaver1234]

dr suggested wellbutrin.  what are your thoughts on this?  never heard of clonidine. want to be informed before next doctor's visit.