Introductions/New Members

[firestar]

Hello everyone,
I am excited to be here and have the opportunity to relate to you my experiences and hopefully be as helpful to others as you ladies have already been to me.

My son is 13. I am going to try to say all of this with the fewest amount of words as possible or you ladies would want to throw me out of here on the first day.

I'll just stick to basic stuff and I am sure as time goes by you will know everything about me, including my mother's maiden name....*s*

First of all, I was hoping that woman from the other site would come to this board. I wanted to commend her...and anyone, I've seen a few, who have been brave enough to take the stand against your own doubts and fears and especially to be able to stand up to a spouse who has decided "THere's nothing wrong with my child" or "there is NO way I will let them put MY child on drugs" which only prove how ignorant they are...oh, ok....maybe misinformed would be a nicer word. I was not able to get my husband to even concider there was a problem. Eventually I just took him in and took care of it myself.


It wasn't a classic case for my son. Some teachers during the first handful of grades suggested the he be evaluated for ADHD...other teachers during the same time frame believed it as a learning deficiency because, "I have children who are ADHD and Jared does not bounce off the walls like they do" The evaluation we had to do at home answered honestly proved what we knew to be true. We didn't bave any problems with him at home. He was very bright, could read really well from an early age.....didn't jump around in the car...and actually what my husband always used to disprove the adhd theory and has since now been explained, is that he always had no trouble at all watching movies or playing video games....some times for hours at a time.

So we started this pattern that lasted until just this year. He loved school. Practically never missed a day.
The teachers loved him. He didn't cause trouble, and I think his 4th grade teacher liked him so much that it positively affected his grade. Then Middle school....grades based on actual work completed and tests. Yikes. I would call the school to try to figure out what the problem was. The only thing that I could find out was that he didn't do the assignments....and scored poorly on tests. I wanted to know what he was doing in class if he wasn't doing his work. Well...he wasn't causing trouble....he had to go to summer school that year. That was fine with him. He loved it. Really, I didn't freak out about the situation because my son is an extremely bright boy....but when things got worse in the 7th grade I began to worry.

In I knew I had to figure out what the problem was before he got to HighSchool.
I met a lady who's friend had written a book about children with ADHD...only this time I was introduced to something new...ADD. I read the symptoms and knew instantly exactly what the problem was. The book also explained why he was able to focus on fast action things such as TV...movies and video games. I went to stay with him for the month of January this year. When I saw his back pack there was no doubt in my mind. It was full of the work he hadn't been turning in. Most of it was at least 85 percent finished...some seemed to be only lacking one answer. Oh Boy...His grades stayed the same as they were the year before. D's and F's but..I was surprised at the end of the year when they told me that Summer school for him was not mandatory but suggested. They felt that he had really matured alot by the end of the year and he had been working in the cafeteria and was doing a good job.

I knew I wouldn't be able to keep this short.
I'm sorry ladies. I just haven't been able to tell anyone about this and I am excited.

So...this summer He did summer school again, but this year he did it here with me...over the internet. I got to be his teacher. I got to experience first hand exactly what the problem was. They even had him doing remedial work during 7th grade...6th grade math...It didn't specify the grade level of the things he had to complete over the summer but they were adult basic english books, which I had to relearn, and the math program was one that allowed him to advance to different levels. He had NO problem at all coming up with answers in seconds flat. It was obvious that the stuff was very eaxy for me. Keeping his mind from wandering allowing him to stay focused long enough to do anything was actually something that was not going to happen. So...he gave me the answers, I wrote them down, and because typing is something that he is good at and stimulates him, he sent the work in.

So, without taking the time to make it an issue with his father....I took him, got him Adderall. He started taking it the first day of school. This weekend I recieved his grades for this quarter.

He is in all 8th grade level classes, some of his teachers this year are the same teachers he had last year. I actually knew what to expect because I had been hearing all about it from his teachers, councellor...and the most excited and happiest of all. Jared himself.
He has a A in math. He has had F's in math in 6 and 7th grade. The lowest grade he had is a 79.5....in History.

Looking closer, I saw that this was because among all of the A's...he had a 0 for something he had not turned in.


This medication has worked wonders.
He actually was chubby. I cut back his sugar consumption and as the doctor predicted, the medication has also helped him to slim back down to a normal weight.

I feel better for typing this but now I am sorta embarressed to post it.
Ah...I'll just not come back until I've been forgotten

have a great weekend.

[Mayleng]

Welcome firestar, thanks for sharing. My 8 yr old was also dx ADD/Inattentive, no behavior problems but was failing in school. Medication has been a godsend for him and now he is reading and doing really well. So I understand where you are coming from.
Also when you said:
Quote: " I was hoping that woman from the other site would come to this board" Unquote

Who are you referring to?

Mayleng

[firestar]

Thank you, Mayleng. I love your name, by the way it sounds beautiful.
I think her name was...I can't remeber, but she had decided to take her child, who was 6 in and didn't let her husband not wanting her to stop her.

If I would have known earlier about ADD....I would have done what I needed to do. And it wasn't because I didn't ask...or try to find out. At one point he answered a local ad for a college study that paid him 50 bucks to participate.

They told me that although he seemed to definitely have some trouble with ADHD, (still was not told there was a difference) but that his intelligence tests were above normal so he was retaining material and they would suggest counceling, but probably not medication.

I know what the problem was with this sort of evaluation for Jared's specific problem. They asked him questions, he responded verbally. His problem is being able to stay focused long enough to write things down.
More aggravating than anything for Jared because since he's avoided having to write whenever possible, his writing is bad, and he has always had a huge problem spelling. Really seemed odd for a child to read better than any child in the class, but not be able to spell the words he read constantly.

Now..he's a changed child. He actually calls me so we can study tests together.
He used to want to hang up as soon as I asked about school.

So...it's the Med's, or it's a miracle.
Either way, I am extremely happy.

[Mayleng]

Well Firestar, we are glad you are here. Thank you for the compliment about my name. It is my Chinese Name.
I am glad you were able to help your son, that is all that matters, it is never too late.

[Mayleng]

Great story Firestar. And a great idea, if you don't mind lets save this thread for Just intros and personal stories and histories. I can make it a sticky at the top of the board. That way we can all find people of commonality. This is so nice because some of our kids seem so different it almost seems they don't even have the same disorders.

Like you and Mayleng my son is PIT (predominenetly inattentive) And pays perfect attention to things he wants to when he's damn good and ready to for as long as he feels like it!!! My son also has more enthusiam then any other kid I have ever met. He loves tests, he loves psych evaluations, he loves being sent to his room, he loves going to the dentist, he loves loosing he loves winning. If everyone in the world was like him, we'd be in heaven.

We repeated Kindergarten right after his evaluation. It was an alternative to choosing medication. Lets give him another year to mature, as his evaluation had him psychologicall, over a year younger than his chronological age. He gained some more control over himself but was still helpless with daydreaming and tagential thinking. He was keeping up academically but his evaluation hinted at superior intellegence and he's never live up to his potential with his brain working against him all the time.

I am lucky that my son's ADD symptoms aren't very disturbing to our Q or life, but they are a detrement to his education. On his evaluation, he scored above average and superior on all cognitive and intellegnce areas, but could never have done this without constant supervision and redirection to stay on the tasks of the tests. Still, his scores reflect a solid capable boy with strong skills he should be able to depend on for learning.

Without his meds, he thinks in a very associationally and tangentially distorted way. His thoughts are highly intellegent and inventive but go NOWHERE! For him, keeping a stream of thought was like trying to sing one song while listening to 12 other songs at the same time. The disoganization in his head was overwhelming. Starting from his teachers words, when listening to a lesson, it was irresistable for him to begin thinking about his own thoughts and then his thoughts about his thoughts... and so on. Very quickly, he was "off and running" in the wrong direction and moving rapidly outward from there. He had fantastic ideas but could not stay thinking of them long enough to make use of them, without A LOT of external structuring.


On his current treatment he is doing well; Strattera. He is training in boxing and wresting 4 days a week (shoot me!). He plays a team sport every season; Basketball, Baseball, soccor and swimming. He goes to Sunday school and LOVES studying the bible. He is begging to join the church choir. He is in the chess club at school and is also a wolf scout. Too Much for a second grader? You betcha, but he'd join a lot more things if I allowed him. He is turning into a pretty well rounded boy; Religious/jock/geek/cool kid. Despite the amount of time I have to spend managing his life and academics, and reminding him and calling him and asking him and checking on him, I'm pretty pleased with how he's turning out. Now if I could just get some SLEEP!

[sarah64]

Hey guys, thanks Millermom, great job as always.
For those of you who don't know me I have 2 children, my son is 13 and is on Strattera (still not sure what to make of it) and has ADHHHHHHHD. He is an extremely bright boy who seems to be doing well grade wise and in class but is impulsive, immature and hyperactive still in the less structured subjects like Gym and the lunchroom.
He's a great kid and has been on loads of different stims over the years, all with some success except Adderal which made him really suicidal.

This looks like it'll pick up quickly and we'll all get to know each other and feel right at home.
Bye for now

Sarah

Sarah

[Mayleng]

Ok, now I don't have to describe my son now because Millermom just described him to the tee, including the grade, the superior IQ, the way he thinks, being on Strattera, the only difference is he takes Tae Kwon Do, not boxing, he he he! I think Millermom and I have interchangeable boys.

[vickilyn32]

Well, I am glad I finally found out how to get here. I dont think I ever introduced myself, so I will do it now. I am mom to DS 13 and in 7th grade with ADHD inatentive/impulsive, and DD 10 5th grade gifted. DS is on strattera and seems to be going well. At least the problems we are having seem to be the same as other 13 year olds. DH drives truck, so I am alone with the kids most of the time. DS plays football, basketball and track. DD is in dance (ballot and jazz) and gymnastics. I spend most of my time outside of work driving them around. Millermom thanks for starting this site. I will be here almost every day.

[Mayleng]

welcome Vicky,
Being the wife of a truck driver must be hard. My husband works long hours but sleeps home, still I feel like I'm a single mom some times.

Glad you found the site and I hope. How is Strattera working for your son? It has made my son much like other 2nd graders, Still some kinks to work out, but not too shabby!

vickilyn32 said:

Well, I am glad I finally found out how to get here. I dont think I ever introduced myself, so I will do it now. I am mom to DS 13 and in 7th grade with ADHD inatentive/impulsive, and DD 10 5th grade gifted. DS is on strattera and seems to be going well. At least the problems we are having seem to be the same as other 13 year olds. DH drives truck, so I am alone with the kids most of the time. DS plays football, basketball and track. DD is in dance (ballot and jazz) and gymnastics. I spend most of my time outside of work driving them around. Millermom thanks for starting this site. I will be here almost every day.

[jachkldavis]

Hi Ladies,
I am Christine (jachkldavis). I am the mother of two wonderful boys. The oldest is going to be 5 on the 12th. He has always been a handful but it seemed that after the baby came he was worse (to be expected) HE is impulsive, inattentive, and hyperactive. It was starting to affect the quality of life in our house and his own self esteem. We were always on him and he was more impulsive. He was diagnosed with ADHD a few days ago. Putting him in meds was a big decision (I am sure for all of us that have kids on meds) I just want to do the right thing for him. We decided on the meds and started 3 days ago. We are waiting to see how it goes. He is really hyper...go go go all the time. We are hopingg to have his meds figured out before he goes to school. He is a fast learner and is smart when he can pay attention. My youngest is 4 months old. I found these boards the day he was diagnosed and am grateful for them. This is such a great resource.
Nice to "meet" you all!
Christine

[Mayleng]

Christine, Welcome. We are glad you joined us. Hopefully, we will be able to help you. Good luck with the meds.

[ashelton]

Hi everyone,
I was a lurker on the old ADHD site but will try to be more involved here since it is very friendly and I feel like we are a coffee clatch. I am a middle school teacher with one son, ADD, who we recently put on Strattera (in June). My husband is a fire fighter and works shifts so I am dealing with my son alone (and why is it that he always acts up when his father is at work? My son is an only child who was a late talker and rec'd early intervention services through our public school system. We held him back from kindergarten one year and that was a good move as he is now one (but not the only) of the oldest, more mature, and a leader. I would recommend this for anyone; it is the gift of time! My son's biggest problem with ADD was the daydreaming, off task behavior in school. At home, we had to repeat over and over for him to complete tasks, but if it was interesting to him - no problem - 100% focusing. He is now in third grade and doing well - except for math which is harder for him due to visual-spatial issues. He receives tutoring in Wilson reading and vision therapy - both which have helped him tremendously. He loves science, animals (we have a zillion pets), reading, and movies. Anyway, that is a brief snapshot of us and howdy to everyone!

Anna

[NJMOM]

Hi Everyone,

It is nice to find out a little more about people on the site! I am a mother of 3 children. A 5 year old girl, an 8 year old boy, and my ADHD son who is 9. My husband is a conractor and after working for AT&T for 17 years...I left 2 years ago to be a full-time MOM! I find this site a wonderful source of support. In the real world it is difficult to discuss a lot of the stresses we go through with a child that is so difficult. I think most people don't understand unless they have had a child that has ADHD. Although people try to give you all sorts of advice ...they just don't realize that it take a lot more than your "normal" parenting...to work with our children. SO I guess that really makes all of us "specially-skilled" parents.....thats why all of your advice is sooooo much better...you've all been there and know what works and what doesn't! Thats why I am so happy to be on this board!
Kathy

[mattandchris]

Hi! I have 2 sons-hence the name. My 13 year old was dx as ADHD-inaatentive type last May. He is extremely bright. An elementary school teacher had seen much of her own son in mine and warned that although he could do great in elementary school, she feared he would fall apart in middle school. We had him tested by our school, but they were certain that he was not ADHD- of course the test was done on a computer which is my son's love. We limped through 6th grade, but in 7th everything unraveled. His behavior was fine-I got tired of hearing how polite he was as that was not the case at home. He kept forgetting to turn in homework, even if he had it when he walked into the class. He began getting Ds & Fs, even though he was capable of As & Bs. I demanded more testing on him. The school psychologist finally did more and recommended we see a child psychologist for the evaluation. (this was needed for insurance) It didn't take long from there. He was prescribed Straterra and has done very well on it.
When we first started talking about all of this, My husband thought it was just laziness. As my son got older and completing any of his chores was difficult he began seeing that there was something going on. My son raises rabbits and sometimes it would take him an hour to feed and water them because he would forget what he was sent out to do. My husband was the first to notice the changes in my son after the Straterra was started.
My son also has a problem controlling his temper. This has improved a great deal. As we talked most of our fight began over homework issues. This year has begun extremely well and since we don't need to fight over homework our household is much more calm. I still need to put a lot of time into him because I keep thinking that things will fall apart- hopefully they won't.

[augustnyne]

TEXTTEXTHello everyone, my name is Karen. I used to go to ADHD.com board a long time ago, but just recently went back there to find that they are shutting down. I really appreciate Millermom setting up this site!
I have 2 children, Rebekah is 16, and to my knowledge doesn't have ADD, and my son is 11 and does have ADHD. He was diagnosed at 5 in kindergarden, but has never been officially tested. (that is a whole other issue that I have with his elementary school, probably to be addressed on another area) But, nevertheless he has been treated medically with adderall and ritilan, reg, and XR, and has been on a variety of Antidep/anxiety meds,(he is now starting on Strattera, and still takes Effexor XR and clonadine). He did pretty well until about the second half of 3 rd grade, then I was starting to notice some more problems in school and with his grades. Of course, I have been told over the last few years that he was "just fine", by the teachers, and made to feel like I was making a bigger deal out of things. (oops here I go, didn't mean to go into that in this area<<LOL>>)
Anyway, he has been having more problems with anger, aggression, rage etc...and has had a horrible time since starting 6th grade in August. So, with all this horribe stuff going on it got me looking again on the internet for support. (too bad we don't think about it before, when things are just fine). I'm very glad to have found this site, because I have already learned a great deal here, and it feels better to know I am not alone, many of your stories sound similar to ours!! I look forwand to sharing our Journey with you all, and hearing about yours!!

~Karen TEXTTEXT

[vickilyn32]

millermom, Dan started strattera the first time in april and it was terrible. He had been on adderall since 2nd grade and it seemd to stop working when he hit puberty. We tried concerta but it made him angry and depressed. Over the summer we took him off everything and started strat in the middle of july. School starts here in the middle of august. The first few weeks were ok but not great. Now that he is on his correct dose, 80mg he weighs about 109lbs, he is doing loads better. I also think that starting football this year has helped. He knows he can not get into trouble or fail any of his classes because then he can not play. Dan also has asthma, but none of his meds interfer with his asthma inhaler.

[nevergiveup]

I'm new to this board, but not new to the heartache of having good days and bad, hoping that the ringing telephone is not the school and searching for the right meds for my son Michael who is 12 years old and in the 7th grade. He was diagnosed at the age of 4 and at age 6 started on Dexidrene, cylert and ritilin, all mind altering for him. (once we were both sitting in the closet crying) Adderall seemed to work the best, and spent (no lie) years trying to find the right doseage. He was taking 30 mg xr and and extra 10mg at school. We had to take him out of public school and is now in private school with only 10 kids in his class. Still talking way to much and disrupting class and will have to leave if he can't control himself. We started Strattera 8 days ago and our goal is to be completely off stimulants. I found this site by pure accident. Or was it....peace

[tailspin59]

I just found the "other site" about a week before the announcement that it was closing down, so I followed you all over here!

My name is Riva and I am the mother of 2 boys. Dave is 7 and was diagnosed with adhd and mood disorder nos just as kindergarten was winding down. Kindergarten was a nightmare. About once a week we would end up picking up Dave at school (generally when we arrived at school he was on the floor being restrained by the teacher, principal, school psych or sw). Dave was generally spitting at whoever was restraining him and calling them "names".

We started Dave on Adderal XR that summer. By the time school started he was a different kid. He was put into a special education class due to his "kindergarten issues". 6 kids, 1 teacher, 2 paraprofessionals. He was the star of the class. Reading above grade level, good math skills, etc. He only had one half day suspension (dad forgot to give him his adderal-oops!).

Dave is in second grade now and he is still doing well. To maintain sanity at home we have banned him from the computer for a while (once on it is ugly trying to get him off).

Brief family history: We adopted Dave from Guatemala. He was 5.5 months old when we brought him home. By the time we left for Guatemala to pick up Dave I was 11 weeks pregnant with Jason. So now I am blessed with two beautiful boys, and I wouldn't trade either one of them for ANYTHING!

Ahh, I can go on about my boys!
Riva

[eaccae]

Hey all! I am from Connecticut. I have an almost 8 year-old son who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 at the end of Kindergarten. He is currently being evaluated for dysgraphia and executive dysfunction and a possible other LD regarding processing and organizing thoughts and putting them via written/typing communication. He has a high IQ and is doing well in all other subjects especially reading and spelling. He has been on ritalin since 1st grade and we just started metadate CD which is working out really well!

He had a hellish Kindergarten year. A fantastic 1st and 2nd grade experience - and jury is still out for this year. But we are in the process of setting up an IEP so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I also have a little girl who will be 4 in two weeks.

[d]

Hi all. I've never felt this comfortable on a board to tell anything about myself and family.

I have two girls, one 8 (neurotypical) the other 10 (ADHD'er with remediated learning differences). My girls are b/w or night & day which offers interesting family dynamics. One breezes thru life, the other works her tail off.

I'm dx'd ADHD too. Hubby while not diagnosed sure exhibits many many signs. Whether he has it or not, it seems our older dd got 'the best of both of us'. My youngest seems to save us all from ourselves sometimes, so I watch her closely - a mother can find almost anything to have guilt about - and this one certainly qualifies. So, collectively we have very interesting family dynamics.

As for my older, I feel like a veteran but we still have years to go to get her to happy healthy adulthood. She was dx'd 4 years ago at age 6. I feel like I've been thru hell and back advocating for her at the school, securing private tutoring, etc. The school and I have since come to terms and although I remain vigilant, they deserve a lot of credit in her success today. She is doing fabulous -better than I could have dared to dream when she and our whole family were a mess back when she was in Kind./1st. She still stumbles - gotta keep two steps ahead of them - but she's happy and doing well. Most importantly in any of this is her self esteem is rebuilt. I remain involved and continue to keep learning about it.

I recognize some names here from another board (not adhd.com) - which is where I got this link.

I'm also going to post more when I have time. I'm already getting sick with worry about facing middle school next year with a whole new cast of characters. Right now, I'm having questions about testing mods which I'll post seperately.

Anyway, that me and my family in a nutshell. We live in NY, somewhere around millermom.

[tomsmum]

Thought I would add to the list and tell you a little about us........

We're from the UK, have Tom aged 6, moved to the US 2 years ago, near Princeton, NJ.

No help whatsoever in the UK, he was labelled as a problem child in Nursery Class (UK equivalent of Kindergarten) had his hours cut as they couldn't cope with him.

Came here, some attention trouble at Pre-School but once he started Kindergarten the help flooded in and his teacher was such a support.

Diagnosed ADHD and started Strattera in May. Started off great, had some problems swallowing it. Began by opening capsules in chocolate pudding - once we got to 40mg this didn't taste too good. Hid it in ravioli (his own idea) until August when he decided he was going to swallow it whatever!!

Now having some difficulties (see other posts) hoping to resolve them but all in all life has been so much, much better for him and us since we started down this road. His 1st grade teacher is wonderful and is so tolerant and kind - we've had a couple of issues to deal with but he is doing well, getting playdates and the girls all fight over him!

This site has been a like joining a new club, I feel so heartened knowing that there are others out there who want to share their experiences and advice, and that if you need someone to talk to, there's always someone there.

Thank you!

[andyl]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading the ADHD forums for awhile but I hadn't registered. I think this is super and decided not only to register but to introduce myself. I am the mother of an 8 yr old son who so far has been diagnosed with ADHD. We will be going for more psych. testing in December. He can be very sweet but also very moody. I read the article on anger overload and thought it fit my son very well! I will share it with the school and counselor. I have felt very guilty over the years thinking that I am the worst mother in the world for this child! I can't wait to get to know all of you! Thanks for being here!

[Mayleng]

andyl said:

Hello everyone,
I have been reading the ADHD forums for awhile but I hadn't registered. I think this is super and decided not only to register but to introduce myself. I am the mother of an 8 yr old son who so far has been diagnosed with ADHD. We will be going for more psych. testing in December. He can be very sweet but also very moody. I read the article on anger overload and thought it fit my son very well! I will share it with the school and counselor. I have felt very guilty over the years thinking that I am the worst mother in the world for this child! I can't wait to get to know all of you! Thanks for being here!

Andyl, welcome! We are glad you decided to come join us. And you are not the worst mother in the world. We have all been there. Hopefully, we can help each other on this journey.

[Mayleng]

Hi Andy,

Lots of 8 year olds here! Lots of moody/angry 8 year olds! Great that you are looking further into things. Some times moods are more than ADD and if that isn't recognized, treating and helping our kids will be futile. Sometimes, just due to personality tendencies, our kids are moody, But I think too many parents get the ADHD diagnosis and drop it. They say between 30%-50% of all ADD children have some other neuro disorder. I suspect that is why so many of us have trouble finding a treatment that doesn't negatively effect another part of their brain.

Good luck and again, welcome to the boards!

[ksera]

Hello from New Jersey! I was a rather frequent visitor over at the adhd site and moved over with everyone else. I have a 7 yr old son in 1st grade dx'd at age 4 with adhd (very H). We have been on meds since 5-1/2 and are struggling to find the right mix. We started on adderall xr and were good for six weeks and had to discontinue due to emotions, crying, anger etc. We then switched to Concert 18 and were on that all of Kindergarten til we received a phone call in October from his 1st grade teacher. He is having trouble staying still, not focusing, disruptive, etc. Our doctor has just prescribed Strattera and we just picked up the script today. Very nervous starting something new again, but hoping we can figure out what this little, humorous guy needs. That's it for now. Im sure I'll be posting in the coming days. Thank you all for your insight , knowledge, and past experience.

Ksera, sera, whatever will be, will be.........

[Tammy]

Hello,my son Austin is six and has be dx with adhd,odd and ocd he is currently taking concerta54mg.,zyprexia.5mg,and tenex 1mg.I certainly have my hands full.However I now know that I am not alone.It truely breaks my heart when our children cannot understand why they are different.I have just recently started a support group here in Eufaula al. Again,I think that this website is going to be great for all of us.

[motherof5]

Hello everyone! I am new to the site but am looking for some support and some adivce. I have a 12 year old daughter diagonsed with ADHD when she was in first grade. She is know in 7th grade and it has been a battle from the beginning with the schools, my ex, and just the whole situation with an ADHD. We have big problems with her behavior, she is very argumentative, it doesn't matter what it is about she will argue. She doesn't have many friends because of how she acts, she doesn't get along with her sibilings very well, she is constantly taking things that don't belong to her. She has been on ritalin, concerta, stratta and adderall, she is now on the adderall extended release which helps, but home life is just a mess because of all this. Anyone with any advice please let me know. Just the support to listen to me helps too. Thanks

[Mayleng]

Have things always been this bad even when under treatment? If it's only been lately, perhaps it is puberty. A lot of teens have trouble with thier treatment during these years. Often they fair better on antidepressents during this time period. Why did she stop Strattera? there are a lot of parents here with teens. Why not start a separate thread about your situation, there might be another parent going through the same thing.

motherof5 said:

Hello everyone! I am new to the site but am looking for some support and some adivce. I have a 12 year old daughter diagonsed with ADHD when she was in first grade. She is know in 7th grade and it has been a battle from the beginning with the schools, my ex, and just the whole situation with an ADHD. We have big problems with her behavior, she is very argumentative, it doesn't matter what it is about she will argue. She doesn't have many friends because of how she acts, she doesn't get along with her sibilings very well, she is constantly taking things that don't belong to her. She has been on ritalin, concerta, stratta and adderall, she is now on the adderall extended release which helps, but home life is just a mess because of all this. Anyone with any advice please let me know. Just the support to listen to me helps too. Thanks

[Mayleng]

Hi tammy,
Sounds like your plate is full! Why continue the stimulants if he has OCDs? Aren't they worsened by them? Stimulants are usually contra indicated when this disorder is alsopresent.

Tammy said:

Hello,my son Austin is six and has be dx with adhd,odd and ocd he is currently taking concerta54mg.,zyprexia.5mg,and tenex 1mg.I certainly have my hands full.However I now know that I am not alone.It truely breaks my heart when our children cannot understand why they are different.I have just recently started a support group here in Eufaula al. Again,I think that this website is going to be great for all of us.

[motherof5]

Millermom,

Yes, things have been like this from day one, I mean they have gotten worse as she has gotten older. I just feel at such a loss on what to do. We have been to 3 different couselors/psycologists. Nothing works, she will talk for a bit then get this attitude her life is no ones business. So I just don't know where to turn to.