"ADHD is a ficticous disease"

[cold1]

My youngest son (5yo) has been diagnosed with ADHD. I was totally against giving him meds. I had been pressured from family both close and distant. I am/was convinced that he had a disipline problem and that could be corrected. He was diagnosed in May, from May to August I had been real hard on the disipline and it was working. He had been in kindergarden for about 3 weeks. Kindergarden isnt what it was 35 years ago, they have homework and goals now. Every night we did homework. Every night it was difficult. He had a hard time with everything we did and you could see the frustration in his eyes. On one particularly difficult night, i asked what was wrong. He broke down and told me that he "felt dumb". I figured that I could not disipline "smarts" into him. So I called the Dr the next day and set up an appointment.

The Dr. put my most of my fears to rest and luckily he is a great Dr with a philosophy of "the least amount needed". We started our son the following weekend on Concerta. We also had a meeting with his teacher to let her know whats going on and help us monitor him. He was a different child, in a good way, after the meds. He has made great strides since he has been on it. The meds have not changed him, only toned him down a notch or so. He is consitantly bringing home great grades and home work is done in afew minutes compared to hours before. He has come out of his shell in class and participates now. He is more confident with every aspect of learning now.

I would call it a sucess story except for one thing. In all my research and reading I cannot find anybody that is actively teaching the children a coping mechanism to deal with the ADHD and how to get off the meds. The concensus is to keep the kids on meds until they are adults. I dont like this. It seems that the kids and parents see the meds as a one step program that makes them smarter and do better in school. So the kids want to stay on the meds and there is a black market for the meds in most schools and universities. Luckily I have access to the PhD that helped diagnose my child and we have discussed this. Her children were put on meds too and every year she would let them try to go without the meds. SHe did not actively try to teach them coping mechanisms. I want to teach my child how to deal with his problem and instill some "mental disipline" so that he doesnt have to rely on the meds to "make him smart". Of course at 5yo thats not going to happen. I do plan on trying later, like 7 or 8, and see what can be done. I believe that it can be done but the child has to have the ability to reason, which only comes with time. For now I will begrudingly keep him on the minumum possible dose.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by cold1

In all my research and reading I cannot find anybody that is actively teaching the children a coping mechanism to deal with the ADHD and how to get off the meds..

Sure they are, they are teaching our kids that to cope with the problem they need to pop pills and ask for less requirements.


What I have heard from several other parents of ADHD kids is that a regimented lifestyle is one means of staying away from the meds. In addition if you can find an activity they can throw themselves into, that also can be a major benefit.

[alelks]

There is no doubt in my mind that I have ADHD. Since High School I haven't read 2 books. Books can't keep my attention as my mind is ALWAYS wondering. I would be reading and then have to go back and re-read what I just read as I was reading but I wasn't paying attention to what I was reading.

Articles or magazines I have no problem with or something that I'm VERY interested in.

Mentioned it to a couple of docs over the last 5 years but none of them took me seriously just like they didn't take my memory concerns seriously.

Oh, well!

[Lan]

Originally Posted by alelks

There is no doubt in my mind that I have ADHD. Since High School I haven't read 2 books. Books can't keep my attention as my mind is ALWAYS wondering. I would be reading and then have to go back and re-read what I just read as I was reading but I wasn't paying attention to what I was reading.

Articles or magazines I have no problem with or something that I'm VERY interested in.

Mentioned it to a couple of docs over the last 5 years but none of them took me seriously just like they didn't take my memory concerns seriously.

Oh, well!

I have to highlight books to reference them because I forget things so easily and I can't convey messages well verbally so I don't talk much.

Docs want me to try ADHD medicine but I haven't filled the prescription yet. I believe it's misdiagnosed generally, but I might try it because I do believe it's a legitimate disorder.

[Guymullins]

If it works for you, it will be immediately apparent. If not, well, back and forth to the drawing board.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Lan

Docs want me to try ADHD medicine but I haven't filled the prescription yet.

The first question that always comes to mind when the Doc's want someone to try some medication is there really a problem, or is the Doc pressing a product to earn Rewards Points from the Pharmaceutical Company.

[Lan]

Originally Posted by Guymullins

If it works for you, it will be immediately apparent. If not, well, back and forth to the drawing board.

Agreed. What you're saying is exactly what I've read, and heard from other people who've taken it.

Originally Posted by Paslode

The first question that always comes to mind when the Doc's want someone to try some medication is there really a problem, or is the Doc pressing a product to earn Rewards Points from the Pharmaceutical Company.

Agreed. This is part of the reason why I haven't tried it, but I have to trust my own judgement. There's a stigma about marijuana in our society, so I can't use it without being ostracized even though I had more mental clarity when I used it. Popping pills isn't bad though! Pharmaceuticals have their place, but there are a lot of natural alternatives out there.

Originally Posted by Lan

Agreed. What you're saying is exactly what I've read, and heard from other people who've taken it.



Agreed. This is part of the reason why I haven't tried it, but I have to trust my own judgement. There's a stigma about marijuana in our society, so I can't use it without being ostracized even though I had more mental clarity when I used it. Popping pills isn't bad though! Pharmaceuticals have their place, but there are a lot of natural alternatives out there.

"Group Conclusion

After doing research to determine whether or not marijuana affects cognitive processes, we conclude that in fact marijuana does have detrimental affects on the brain and cognitive functioning. Specifically it affects short-term memory, long-term memory, and the ability to learn. Studies have helped to provide evidence that chronic use of marijuana can permanently damage regions of the brain, especially the hippocampus and cerebellum."

http://www.unc.edu/~jdumas/projects/marijuana1.htm


" Consequences of Marijuana Abuse
Acute (present during intoxication)

Impairs short-term memory
Impairs attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions
Impairs coordination and balance
Increases heart rate
Psychotic episodes

Persistent (lasting longer than intoxication, but may not be permanent)

Impairs memory and learning skills
Sleep impairment"

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publication...our-brain-body


Not exactly conducive to learning!! Perhaps your problem pot induced AD, rather than ADHD,

[Lan]

I can't argue with a case study but it doesn't make me believe marijuana doesn't have benefits. A local news station did a report about a man whose son had epilepsy. Marijuana had reduced his sons seizures more than any prescription med had.

As far as ADHD is concerned, I can only speak from my own experience. I don't use marijuana anymore and I didn't start using until I was 28 so speaking about how its use would have affected my academic learning ability is not possible.

Originally Posted by Lan

I can't argue with a case study but it doesn't make me believe marijuana doesn't have benefits. A local news station did a report about a man whose son had epilepsy. Marijuana had reduced his sons seizures more than any prescription med had.

My ADD must be making it difficult for to see how that has anything to do with memory, or learning disabilities.

[Surf n Turf]

Originally Posted by Paslode

The first question that always comes to mind when the Doc's want someone to try some medication is there really a problem, or is the Doc pressing a product to earn Rewards Points from the Pharmaceutical Company.

OH no ----, another reason for not using ADHD meds. Long is good --- painful is bad
SnT

ADHD Medicine Can Cause Long and Painful Erections
The Food and Drug Administration released a safety announcement yesterday warning that methylphenidate products, one type of stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may in rare instances cause priapism: a persistent and usually painful erection lasting more than four hours and occuring without sexual stimulation. Methylphenidate can be found in treatments such as Ritalin, Concerta and Daytrana.

The FDA has updated drug labels and patient Medication Guides to include information about priapism

Patients who take methylphenidate and develop erections lasting longer than four hours should seek immediate medical treatment to prevent long-term problems with the penis. If not treated right away, priapism can lead to permanent damage to the penis.
According to the FDA review, the median age of patients who experienced priapism was twelve and a half.

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2...nful-Erections

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Surf n Turf

OH no ----, another reason for not using ADHD meds. Long is good --- painful is bad
SnT

ADHD Medicine Can Cause Long and Painful Erections
The Food and Drug Administration released a safety announcement yesterday warning that methylphenidate products, one type of stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may in rare instances cause priapism: a persistent and usually painful erection lasting more than four hours and occuring without sexual stimulation. Methylphenidate can be found in treatments such as Ritalin, Concerta and Daytrana.

The FDA has updated drug labels and patient Medication Guides to include information about priapism

Patients who take methylphenidate and develop erections lasting longer than four hours should seek immediate medical treatment to prevent long-term problems with the penis. If not treated right away, priapism can lead to permanent damage to the penis.
According to the FDA review, the median age of patients who experienced priapism was twelve and a half.

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2...nful-Erections

I wonder if methylphenidate is cheaper than viagra and cialis?

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen

How often is it that ADHD is a school-related problem?
Human beings have a wide variance of temperaments.

Some might not fit well into a generic system.
Round peg, square hole.

Rather than trying to change the kid, why not put them in a different environment?
Various adults prefer different places to live and different occupations; various kids probably do as well.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...ing-homeschool

That brings up a good point.

I wonder if ADHD kids are typically 'Hands on' rather than book smart?

[Paslode]

More food for thought on the subject of ADHD from another Doctor..

“ADHD makes a great excuse,” Saul notes. “The diagnosis can be an easy-to-reach-for crutch. Moreover, there’s an attractive element to an ADHD diagnosis, especially in adults — it can be exciting to think of oneself as involved in many things at once, rather than stuck in a boring rut.”

http://nypost.com/2014/01/04/adhd-does-not-exist/

[JHD]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Sure they are, they are teaching our kids that to cope with the problem they need to pop pills and ask for less requirements.


What I have heard from several other parents of ADHD kids is that a regimented lifestyle is one means of staying away from the meds. In addition if you can find an activity they can throw themselves into, that also can be a major benefit.

My son is 8yo and was diagnosed with ADHD. No meds recommended right now. We are working with his diet, consistent routine, consistent bedtime with adequate sleep, and one ongoing sport per season. His teacher also makes sure he gets a snack I send to school in the PM to help low blood sugar, and has him sit on a exercise ball in class. He isn't the only one, and he likes sitting on it. She also lets him be the errand runner when anything needs to go to the office, just to let him get up and move when he needs to. Rather than handwriting assignments, anything over a paragraph he types in on a computer. Lots of patience (on my part) with homework needed, but with plenty of time and directed focus, he gets it done. Consistent punishment and follow through when he misbehaves is crucial, but that is the case with any child.