Got an official diagnosis,
His Psych prescribed Concerta and some other med.I am not giving him the other meds.The possible side effects scare the heck out of me.I wonder if the doctor made too quick of a decision.He only knew my son like 20 minutes.He had been to a therapist a couple times too.But still it seems so quick.
There are surprisingly not many boards on the internet that offer support.I am surprised beause it seems so common.
Anyways I just thought I would introduce myself.
I also have a 7 year old daughter non ADHD.
Married and live in michigan.But he doesnt help too much.Not with this. ↓
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| Name: Sarah | Date: Dec 10th, 2005 12:02 AM |
This is a difficult response, but as a teacher I know that it can be very "easy" to diagnose ADHD children with ODD. Often the impulsiveness and poor listening skills associated with ADHD can appear to be defiance. I think with a child who is only 4 years old, I wouldn't concentrate on the ODD diagnosis until the ADHD is more under control.
With regards to the medication, I can't really advise. Previously I was a teacher who advised parents left right and centre to administer Ritalin or Concerta, and I still believe it is the right thing to do. However I now have a foster son who obviously has ADHD (I do not as yet have a diagnosis and had he been my own son I am not sure I would be pushing so hard) and I am very concerned about administering medication. So to cut a long story short, I would not, and do not know what exactly to do! ↑ |
| Name: Nathalie | Date: Dec 12th, 2005 2:38 AM |
Hi there, I'm from Canada and my son has adhd and odd too, it's not easy at all, I don't blame you being scared with all theses meds, Alex has tried so many different ones, we are now on the Concerta as well, we started with 36 mg and today up to 54 mg, but he had such a hard time falling asleep tonight. My doctor suggested giving me a clonidine before bed, it helped when he was one the 36 mg but now I might have to up the clonidine, I don't like giving him too much meds. May I ask what the second medication your doc prescribed was ??
Thanks ! ↑ |
| Name: Laurie | Date: Jan 6th, 2006 1:01 AM |
| Name: jj | Date: Jan 6th, 2006 1:20 AM |
| I am looking for help with my six year old who has been diagnosed with adhd with a behvioral disorder and I am not sure what to do to convince my husband that he does need medication, and I am on the verge of loosing my mind!! It is literally impossible for me to deal with my son at this point. Please Help!!! ↑ |
| Name: Cheryl | Date: Jan 22nd, 2006 2:00 PM |
| I sympethize with you. I have a daughter who is 4 1/2 and she was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 2. We've tried alternative things such as seeing a behavioral specialist and an occupational therapist. We thought it worked until recently she has been out of control and we are leaning toward medicating. Our pediatrician told me that if the diagonsis wrong thier behavior will actually get worse from the meds, an indicator that maybe they don't have ADHD. I've also been doing research on Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and haven't seen a whole lot on treatment for that. She will be seeing a psychologist in a couple of weeks for re-evaluation. ↑ |
| Name: Laurels | Date: Jan 22nd, 2006 4:31 PM |
My son has ADD. He was on ridlin and now is on concerta.
We like Concerta because it is a slow releasing medication that also wakes up the part of the brain that is asleep. The child doesn't notice any difference in his behavior, but you do as the teacher or the parent.
I have worked with many children and these medicines didn't control the child. It wakes up the part of the brain that is alseep. As the child grows the dosage has to be changed.
With our son, it helps him function properly and make better choices without knowing that he is doing it.
Good luck with your endeavors, the children are worth our love and patience as they learn how to deal with these issues that will be there for life. My husband had ADD ADHD and ODD. He doesn't need meds but you still have work with them even at his age :). GOOD LUCK !! ↑ |
| Name: miranda | Date: Jan 23rd, 2006 7:57 PM |
I have a few suggestions.
First , read up on ODD and ADD - I think it would be almost impossible to diagnose a 4 year old with ODD. 4 year olds can be very oppositional all on their own without any disorders - it's a developmental thing.
It sounds like you are feeling unsure about this doctor and his diagnosis, and it sounds to me like he has not done all the necessary testing, and as you say, he doesnt know your son well enough. If you feel this way, get another opinion.Talk to a doctor who does know your son first. I have been in your situation with my daughter when a psychologist who has talked to my daughter twice(briefly), decided she was suffering from aspergers and ODD.I disagreed, and I was right. She does have ADHD though.
As for Concerta, I tried this drug with my daughter, and it worked brilliantly for a few weeks then stopped woking and made her worse. I have found she's better on Ritalin LA (long acting, so she only has one dose per day. This helps her at school, but wears off by evening so she can sleep)
I know it is very hard to find support on the net , or anywhere else, so hang in there. ↑ |
| Name: Therese | Date: Jan 23rd, 2006 10:43 PM |
| My 4-yr old has been sent home from day care for bad behavior and I'm now getting calls from his pre-k teacher because he is the only child in class refusing to do as he's told, talking back to the teachers and antagonizing the other children. So, no, I don't think it would be impossible to diagnose a 4-yr old. I plan on taking my son for diagnosis ASAP. His father has had behavioral problems his whole life, and spent ages 18-23 in prison. Maybe diagnosis now will avoid jail later. His older brother (different father) had no behavioral problems and I know that my son is not acting like a typically "oppositional 4-yr old." ↑ |
| Name: juan carlos santos | Date: Jan 24th, 2006 2:53 AM |
| Name: Allyson | Date: Feb 4th, 2006 1:17 AM |
| Evette, I understand your situation. My child had issues from the time he was two. I tried everyting from social skills classes to private therapy. Nothiing worked. This year I finally consented to medication since we tried every other avenue. I did not give him the medicine until I got several opinions and did my research. It has helped somewhat. However, the medicine isn't the answer. You need to also get your son some other kind of help (eg. therapy in conjunction with the medicine). Also, one 20 minute visit with a doctor is not enough of a basis to medicate your son. Get other opinions and reach out to your public school system. Public schools have early intervention programs with children who have difficulties. You can call your public school and ask them to evaluate your son. Hope this information helps ↑ |
| Name: Jenie | Date: Feb 6th, 2006 3:54 PM |
| In the last year my son has been exhibiting signs of ODD (have been getting calls from pre-k teachers, defiance toward my husband and I, and other relatives), so my husband and I have been researching. A couple of things, get a good child psychologist who has a particular interest in ADHD and ODD. If it is ADHD, medications may help. However, for ODD, everything I've read indicates that it is behavioral and not treatable with medication. Some major things are: to not react with strong emotion; that is probably the best tip. They still need to be disciplined but watch the tone. Give them time to transition from different activities. Whenever possible give them choices so they feel more in control. Positive reactions for the good things they choose to do. After they have calmed down, give them techniques for dealing with their anger, i.e. counting to ten and deep breathing. It is somewhat easier to deal with this if you realize that it's a disorder and not personal against you. Hopefully that helps somewhat. ↑ |
| Name: hot chick | Date: Feb 20th, 2006 8:56 PM |
| Name: Tina | Date: Feb 21st, 2006 6:42 PM |
| I was searching and searching for answers as i feel my son had been mis dianosed the dr. says adhd and i say he has Odd no one wants to listen to a parent and i am refuseing him the adderall , he lost 7 pounds in two days with it and alot of side affects , sorry i do feel for you as i read what you wrote , i am to looking for some one to talk with . I am wishing everyday for help. Thanks for your responce .. Tina ↑ |
| Name: Ann | Date: Mar 6th, 2006 10:04 PM |
Im sorry but a diagnosis of ADHD in a child only 4 yrs old is way too early, usually they dont fit the criteria for a diagnostic on ADHD until over 6 at least that is what 5 different psychologists have told me. I have a 4 yr old with ODD hits almost all criteria, and I am having a hard time getting a diagnosis, however my son receives behavioral therapy and has a Behavioral Intervention Plan that is directed through the CPSE board at his School district through the early intervention plan, he will go to Kindergarten in the fall, and so far will just be in counseling, well I will be in counseling you need to relearn your parenting skills in order to be successful in creating the positive behavioral mod plan that is the proven technique to working with ODD... Search in Yahoo for ODD or behavior in the parenting section there are a few good groups there
PS I wouldnt use meds for my son until I have worked with the behavioral mods for a good amount of time, unless his behavior was dangerous. Meds are just scary to me and pushed way too often for my taste.
Good Luck ↑ |
| Name: MATTHEW YERXA | Date: Mar 17th, 2006 1:07 PM |
| I'M A 13 YEAR OLD WITH adhd and ODD and I need a lot of info. for a speech I'm doing it on. Can you help? ↑ |
| Name: Crystal | Date: Mar 29th, 2006 1:51 AM |
| I also have an 8 year old son who was diagnosed with O.D.D, and A.D.H.D. I knew years ago when my son was just 2 that somthing was wrong. I brought him into his ped. doctor and was told that it was normal behavior for a 2 year old. I also have an older son, so I knew that wasn't so. With in the past 6 years I have done everything to avoid meds. I was totally against meds and it was my last option. My husband and I did parenting classes and went to counseling for parents who have children with this disorder. Had a counsler come to the home for almost 2 years to talk with our son and try to teach him different was to express his anger and frustration. I am very active with his schooling and try to be as supportive as I can. And yes, it is hard at times more so when you as a parent don't know what to do to help your child. I break down alot because I worry about him all the time. I could go on and on. I know how you feel.. ↑ |
| Name: Sara | Date: Apr 3rd, 2006 1:55 PM |
| I have a 7 yr old girl who has been diagonsed with ADHD, ODD AND Bi-polar. she was having so many problems at school and daycare, that I had to quit my job just to be availabe to go and pick her up from school, on a DAILY basis, as she was beating everyone up, running around, throwing fits...the list goes on and on. We took her to theropy, and eventually had an assesment done, which led to the diagnoses. We did start her on Ritilan this past friday, but we tried 6 months of alternatives first...we tried to understand where she was coming from, talking to her, different "reward" systems for different situations, made changes to her diet....etc. but nothing was working, not even a little. She has been having so many problems, that she cant even control, it has been having a HUGE effect on her self esteem, which is making things so much worse, because now it seems to her that she has been labled a "BAD" kid. It breaks my heart to see her struggle with herself to have a "good" day. every morning she says "today Im going to have a good day, mom..I promise" and then when I pick her up from daycare, she is so defeated beacuse she just couldnt get through the day. Im hopeing that Ritilan will help her.....and does anyone have any "sucsess" stories of the drig??? I feel SOO sad and bad for her..she knows whats going on with herself, but just cant help herself, and its tearing her apart. When she is having a "good" day, all she does is try to please everyone around her...to make up for the "bad" days, it seems..... ↑ |
| Name: Alice | Date: Apr 3rd, 2006 8:33 PM |
| Reply to Sara & her 7 yr old daughter: Sara, your story sounds exactly like mine except that I have a 7 yr old boy. We had been having behavior issues with him since the age of 2 and tried every alternative under the sun. He began Early Intervention at the age of 3 and began receiving special services. We saw several psychiatrists & psychologists who said he had ADHD & Severe Emotional Behavior Disorder. We also tried several meds which never seemed to really help. The school was constantly suspending him from kindergarten for fighting students & staff. But finally about 4 months ago we saw a new doctor who increased his concerta dosage to 54mgs and added Risperdal (for the short term). It's a miracle! For the first time in his life he is actually functioning successfully at school and he his self esteem has shot up dramatically! He is doing wonderfully and getting tons of praise from everyone that knows him. We have seen no negative side effects other than his appetite decreasing during the daytime. However I feed him a good breakfast before he takes his concerta, he eats a good dinner and then grazes until bedtime. We tried to avoid the meds as long as possible but our son was getting further and further behind in school & he felt like a failure because he was so out of control. In our case the meds were a neccessary means to help our son. ↑ |
| Name: Tammy | Date: Apr 19th, 2006 3:04 AM |
| Reply to Sara and her mom: Way to go! We have lived with your type of situation. We were misdiagnosed until age of 5 1/2. Self esteem plummeted. We are now on concerta and in a special private school for children with ADHD. My daughter is thriving. I hate having my daugher on meds but it helps her show her true colors and amazing self. ↑ |
| Name: wanda | Date: Apr 22nd, 2006 1:25 AM |
| my son is now 8 years old and he has had adhd and odd and bipolar and let me tell you that is not easy.sometimes it get worst than better my som takes 13 and half pills aday and it is not easy rembering to give the meds ↑ |
| Name: Patty | Date: Apr 25th, 2006 3:58 AM |
| My son is 4 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD and maybe bipolar. We took him to "play therapy" from 3 to 3 1/2 and all along suggested meds, but we just couldn't bring ourself to do it...so 6 months ago we decided we had to do it... Three drs. agreed on his diagnosisl.He is on a form of ritalin that is fast acting, risperdal and also clonodine to help him sleep at night. I feel like most days we spend our time just trying to get him to listen to us... it is tough. I have been researching this and found a website for Anthony Kane MD... he has online training classes for parents like us... has anyone ever tried it? I am hoping we can swap experiences and techniques on what works and what doesn't... My son seems to be doing best when we are playing with him... right now he is an only child, we adopted him as a newborn and are getting ready to adopt another newborn this summer through a national respectable agency that we used for our 4 year old son... Are we crazy for adding more stress... maybe! ha ha P.S. For those of you considering the fast acting ritalin for younger kids, it makes them lose their appetite a bit, but if they are also on risperdal in the evening the eat a ton after they take that... fyi... ↑ |
| Name: Tiffany | Date: May 7th, 2006 10:46 PM |
| My son just turned 7and was diagnosed ADHD and ODD at age 4. that is because I faught for son answers from his pediatrition. I was sent to a psych who only asked "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?". my husband and i spent 21/2 years with this man, til the day he told us "WHY ARE YOU GIVING HIM THAT MEDICATION? I NEVER PRESCRIBED IT." That was the last straw for me. We never went back to him. We recently started seeing another doctor who i'm still unsure of, she now says that my son is shoing signs of bi-polor. I have yet to start his new meds because of the side effects. My son has taken concerta, ritalin, seraquel, adderall, iminpermine. Currently he is on ritalin la and the dr wants me to put him on abilify. ↑ |
| Name: nikki | Date: May 12th, 2006 1:18 AM |
| medication for adhd to me they give out like candy. Is your child hyper or impulsive? Here's some meds. This is just the beginning. Maybe to give him and everyone around him a little slow down break. He could put him on more med or change but they seem to always think they need more. The trick is to really pay attention to his body and document it so you can tell your dr the reactions specifically to adjust his dose. You'll need lots of time and patience with the meds. I plan to try for over the summer. ↑ |
| Name: lisa | Date: Jun 7th, 2006 2:15 AM |
| i have a son that will be 5 in june that is also adhd odd and distructiveness. he is on ritilan and i dont agree with it at all he is sometimes worse on the medicine then he was before the meds.. he doesnt listen to anything that is said to him and treats me and his father like we are the worst people in the world but yet loves being with my parents.. any suggestions? ↑ |
| Name: Ellen | Date: Jun 18th, 2006 5:33 PM |
| I have a four year old son who will be five in august. The pediatrition has suggested that he has odd and is showing signs of adhd. He is not presently on any medications except phenergan to help with his allergies and help get him to sleep at night. He has been seeing a psych since November and has trouble in his pre k class. It takes a lot of manipulation to get him to do what you want. Even the simplest request he refuses. He loses his temper consistently. I have three other kids and I know that Austin is beyond a typical childs defiance level. I want to get him help and I am now at the point I think that he needs medicine but I am unsure to of which meds are better and how much. I have been a little reluctant to start any but I think kindergarten is only going to be harder in Sept. if we don't get him under control now. ↑ |
| Name: Mom about Max | Date: Feb 6th, 2008 6:54 AM |
This is so frustrating. I cannot believe that there are this many "bad parents"! I say that with much sarcasm as a parent experiencing all the above and now I'm down to searching for parenting classes.
The list:
A) Pediatrician: He's just being a boy. Age 3 -recommended by an extraordinary daycare provider because "something's up". We all knew it.
B) Psychologist: He's ADHD, possibly PDD, let me read up on Aspergers...Done with that one.
C) Occupational Therapist: Sensory Integration Disfunction - seeks deep pressure contact i.e. hitting, tackling, punching, etc. Resistant to many textures in mouth. No concept of safety. Plus some... We still use her services gladly.
D) EIP Program with School District: Eval ended up focusing on social interaction problems more than anything else. They're just starting to get the "Real Deal" 4 months in.
E) Neurologist-Specializing in the Autism Spectrum: Possible High Functioning Aspergers and ADHD - Tried Meds.: Anti-hypertensive (no good), now trying Vyvanse (Stimulant) - 4th day.
I have almost burned through another daycare. He is violent when he gets upset. Last summer just before he turned 4, it seemed we had beaten the problems and he was doing so well. Then in September he started preschool again and things have escalated to a far worse state than ever. He is quick and strong and has laid a punch on you long before you even thought of it coming. 4 1/2 years old and he makes me feel like an abused woman at times. I'm not weak by any means. But my daughter, age 6, is not as strong as me and I can't always get to her soon enough to protect her from his temporary wrath. He's not always this way. And when he knows he's hurt me, he cries and tries to make it better with a kiss and a hug. I just can't stop his action before it reaches his limbs and goes ballistic. However, he has become extremely mouthy now too. I read a profile on ODD (http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_st
ore/your_child_oppositional_defiant_disorder
) and wow did I find half my son's personality there. The other half remains with ADHD and a few characteristics of H.F. Aspergers. I am at my wits end and feeling like I've exhausted all the ideas!
It just floors me how many blogs I read such as this and how there are so many frustrated parents out there experiencing the same thing. Somebody has to know something!!!!! We are not all "bad parents" with "bad children"! These are our babies and they have hearts as big and as bright as the sun.
My next step: Food allergy testing and naturopathic approach. Never stop! He's worth it.
Good luck to everyone! My heart goes out to you. ↑ |
| Name: erin | Date: Feb 22nd, 2008 11:01 PM |
my son is five and he has been put on ritalin 10 i was just looking to see if it is as bad as what i heard really confuse about giving him the meds or not
please?? ↑ |
| Name: Lynn | Date: Mar 5th, 2008 3:30 PM |
| I have 3 boyz 17,12,9 my youngest with adhd and odd at 4 dr put him on tons of meds.After three yrs of telling the dr he was not growing,we took him to an endocrinologist,who said get him off the meds now, .We did,and we also switchd dr and he is growing now and getting bigger,but his attitude is terrible,he has already been kicked out of school,now in a different school,with other kids like him but its still a struggle,so I understand what your talking about.I want him on something,but the side effects out way the attitude(I think) ↑ |
| Name: Lina Marie | Date: Mar 20th, 2008 7:44 PM |
Thank you for this forum...I have been a single mother to a 7 year old boy who has never have gotten out of the terrible 2 stage....since preschool/daycare...I receive calls 2 or 3 times a week, DEFIANCE! is all I hear, spanking, taking TV, Playstation, trips, toys away..everything anything does not work! NOTHING works..Im at my wits end, It gets scary sometimes. He just started a new school in a better area..9 days into school 3 referals and 2 fights...I am going to go crazy, with these daily calls from the teacher. The pediatrician says he is so smart no way is he Autistic, ADHD...I was convinced he had some sort of ADHD....I mean how bad of a parent could I be? I have a 15 year old son...never ever had these problems, different fathers...I was told it was in the blood...I never believed it until now...
Completely out of my mind, fearing the phone calls and the discpline..finally trying to find someone to help me..he has now been diagnosed with ODD...never heard of it before....now I read everything on it! How is everything my son? with the exception of the being harmful to animals....it is unbelievable that I am not alone...we need a good forum...his therapist is POSITIVE that he can be "cured" with therapy only and no medication...I was so worried....we will see, please pray for us...he will be starting therapy next week.... ↑ |
| Name: sara | Date: Apr 10th, 2008 10:58 AM |
| my son also has adhd and asd i find it so hard to cope with him. when were out people look at me like i am abad mum but they dont understand. adhd needs looking into alot more as so many kids today have i ↑ |
| Name: Sean | Date: Apr 26th, 2008 1:12 AM |
| I am a 12 year old boy who has ADD,ODD,ADHD,and a mild case of OCD. I am on medicine and it works pretty good. you have to experiment with different medicine. I was on this one medicine and it made me suacidle. Even though im on medicine I still fell like an out cast even though alot of people like me . some times it seems hope less. like theres no poit to live. if your kid gets like that the best thing 4 him might be to let him deal with it himself. it works 4 me. ↑ |
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