ADHD Diagnosis

[mandy918]

My 6 Year old son has been diagnosed by a therapist and a psychologist both saying he has ADHD  he was on medication for about a year and I hated him being on the pills they caused him to have tourette's syndrome and then they had to put him on another medication to control the tics that the first medication was causeing, not to mention the fact that he quit eating it seemed like he  was living on air the entire time he was on the medication. I am totally aginst putting back on the medication everyone else seems to think he needs it but all the Dr.'s are going on are seeing him for 30 mins no testing was done and I talk to his teacher on a regular basis and she ensures me that he is a good typical 5 year old in class, but when he gets home he is completely out of control he hits his syblings and he father and I he threaten harm on hiself and others and also cusses like crazy every word not every other word but if his father and were not around he acts fine with his grandparents and others so I guess i was hoping I could get some insite as to why he is like this with us at home, And if there is anything other than medication to treat his problem anything I can do any diets or other non invasive tests to help him without all the harmful medications. I can't out him back on them

[Sandman2]

What meds is he on and have the meds been changed during the course of the year?

[mandy918]

They started him on Ritalin over a year ago, He didnt do well with that his heart started to race and he acted funny so I called the Dr. and took him off of it imediatly  then they put him on adderal and he didnt have the problems with his heart but after about 3 or 4 months he started developing tics and so he was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome and  then given Chlonidine and when given the Chlonidine  he slept all day and night of course again the Dr. says oh thats normal he needs to get used to it but I couldnt let him take it anymore so I  only gave it to him at bedtime and the Dr. had a fit and said he needed it during the day but I did not give it to him I feel the meds are to dangerous for children and so I found another Dr.  I took him off all his meds and for 3 weeks he has been a crazy and out of control so the new Dr. wants to put him back on the meds I am totally against it and I am alone in this everyone else wants him on them... I guess I was hoping someone could offer me some suggestions on another method  I was thinking Chiropractic care or seeing a natualist.. for the DNA profile and vitamins and things..
               Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
                                       Thank You

[Sandman2]

    A change in diet is always worth trying.  However, you said that when they took him off all his meds "he has been a crazy and out of control."  That would seem to suggest that the meds were working.  It sounds like he has been overmedicated though.  He should not have slept all day and night.  I also don't think you suddenly develop Tourettes syndrome in the space of 3 or 4 months (could be wrong here).  I think you need to find a doctor that you can work with to find a dosage of meds that will work with your son.  If you read through the forums below, you will find a lot of success stories and a lot of people that said they had to try several meds or dosages till they found the one just right for their child.
     From your first letter you said that "I talk to his teacher on a regular basis and she ensures me that he is a good typical 5 year old in class, but when he gets home he is completely out of control".  This would indicate his meds are wearing off and that is an expected response.  I would really take a look at something like concerta which is a time release med and is gentler to the system.  It may well be that since he was so young that he was overmedicated.  And finally, I personally don't think you will find much help by going the chiropractic or naturalist route.  Of course, having a healthy  diet is always important.