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Post by Mommysalami on Nov 10, 2003 9:54:44 GMT -5
This is to Mother of 5
When was her last evaluation? Sounds like you have approached this from every angle as well as given many meds a chance. I would worry there might be more than ADD present. Sometimes if there is another disorder, treatments don't work or seem to make some parts of their life worse. Depression? Maybe anxiety? ODD? If this was the case, she might need a combination of meds.
I'm not saying it's easy to find a treatment, but when it's extra difficult, thats a sign that they wight have missed something.
Also, Have you read Dr. Amens book Healing ADD? He describes a type of ADD called "Ring of Fire". There is a whole chapter dedicated to this type. Very difficult children, very hard to treat, hard to raise. He recommends a combo of ADD meds, mood meds, diet and therapy.
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Post by motherof5 on Nov 10, 2003 10:07:55 GMT -5
Mommysalami,
No I have not read that book. Where can I find tha at? What do you mean by evaluation? She goes to the doctor for a med checkup every couple months. The doctor knows how she is, I am not sure if she thinks there are other issues in play here or not as far as using other medications. I hate to have her on a lot of meds. I want her to be able to function, but I see how she is now and think she is going to make it on her own once she turns 18. She is very agressive/argumentative, I don't know where that comes from, she also lies alot and I really can't believe her alot now because of that. Also with her taking things even from her own siblings, I feel I have to lock up important things, and I hate feeling this way.
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 10, 2003 10:57:09 GMT -5
I was just recommending the same book to Blaynesmomma last week, I am so glad people are reading this. It is the best book I have read on ADD and I have a book case full. I'll copy the information here;
Daniel G. Amen, M.D., is a clinical neuroscientist, a psychiatrist, and the medical director of The Amen Clinics. He is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of the brain, behavior and attention deficit disorders. Dr. Amen has pioneered the use of brain imaging in clinical psychiatric practice. His clinics have the world’s largest database of functional brain scans for neuropsychiatry.
He has done some of the most extensive and incredible work with ADD. He uses Brain scans with state of the art equipment and can actually "see" the ADD and separate them by the images, into 6 different types. Children with PIT (predom inattentive type) will have a certain brain difference, children with hyper activity will have another significant differences, there is al so a type calledd Fire-type whose brainscans light up light a christmas tree. This isn't a bogus procedure. This is real stuff and he is recognized as doing the most groundbreaking research ever on ADHD. If you can get to the library, get his newest book "Healing ADD" and go right to the chapter "Ring of Fire" You won't leave that library without the book.
He has also found relationships between what meds and suppliments and diet and behavior therapies work best by relating it to the Brain scan/type of ADD. I could write for another 4 pages but if you got your hands on the book, you'll be better off. The scans are very very expensive and not covered by even the best insurances usually. But reading the book alone helped me see that my sons diet was all wrong...too much carbs not enough protein.
For her evaluation you should see a psychologist or a neuropsychologist. It takes a few weeks of testing but they will do a thorough psychological evaluation. Pretty much get inside her head, pick it apart and give you a report and diagnosis. Did she have this done in first grade when you first realized she had ADD?
I'm not in any postion to diagnose, nor do I have the training, but I can give you a few things to look into. She could be suffering from plain old depression, very common in ADD. Is there more than the lying? Is she sexually active? Stealing? Betraying people? Displaying obsessive behaviors? Does she have lack of remorse when she hurts sometone? Is she close to anyone?
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Kymn
Member
Posts: 4
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Post by Kymn on Nov 11, 2003 17:35:13 GMT -5
Hi my name is Kymn to state the obvious I am a stay home mom of 2 wonderful kids.My ADHD son Derek is 7 and in Grade 2 and I have an 18month old daughter Tenille not showing any signs yet keeping fingers crossed lol.My husband runs a real canadian superstore.When I read about millermoms boy I couldnt believe how very similiar my son was to that.Great attitude loves the dentist too lol and the doctor and being sent to his room makes disipline tricky Derek has always been "different" I always new that I just wasnt sure why and at first even though he was quite emotional he was always wanting to please and had the biggest smile on his face he just lit up still does a room.So I was ok with him being a bit different I mean God creates us all different I felt mine was a true blessing as busy as he kept me.Then preschool came along.Well seems not everyone appreiciates the differences the way I did lol.He cried alot was always taking things the wrong way couldnt sit in his seat or circel time you all know the drill but noone really suggested anything to me.Kindergarten came and went with basically the same complaints.He is a sweet boy but.....and then the list would go on.In Grade 1 finally someone mentioned to me about ADHD and we had a full testing done on him.He too scored superior for intelligence even though he wasnt able to sit still long enough to show it.By the end of grade 1 we started ritalin and have seen remarkable results.This year in Grade 2 they have been tested so far on 100 spelling words and he hasnt gotten one wrong yet.I am soooo amazed.He is just able to pay attention now.Of course socially he is still a bit immature but is defenetly improving.It is not as noticable as in the previous years because he can usually control his feelings now.Anyhow I adore him and I am so glad to have these sites to share and learn along with other moms and dads have a great day all Kymn
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Post by Kimberly on Nov 11, 2003 21:19:21 GMT -5
Hi my name is Kimberly. I am a SAHM to 3. 5 yo daughter a 71/2 yo son and my ADHD son who just turned 10 last week. I feel a sense of relief finding this site. My son was diagnosed in kindergarten with moderate level ADHD and is now in 4th grade. We started ritalin mid kindergarten and switched to concerta by 1st grade. It has been smooth sailing ever since until this year. We have had some real struggles going in for the past 6 months. we are currently trying to ween him onto straterra and things are not going too well. My husband works 4 10 hour days and with the commute he does that means he is gone 5 am until 7-7:30 pm. So long days for me as well. I look forward to this site and am sure I will be here often.
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Post by ikisskittiesonlips on Nov 11, 2003 23:32:21 GMT -5
Hi, my name is Dulcey, I'm from WV. I have two children -- my daughter, 16 (no problems) and my son, 10 -- ADHD and ODD, just diagnosed this summer. I'm a SAHM, been married 18 yrs. My husband works out of state, only home on weekends, so I really feel like a single parent. We're still on the medication merry-go-round, but right now my son is on 36mg. of Concerta. I've posted several times already in this forum and I've found everyone helpful and informative. Hope to get to know you all better in the future.
Dulcey ^..^
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Post by tracey27 on Nov 12, 2003 12:53:46 GMT -5
My name is Tracey and I am mom to Nathan (9 years) Noah (7 years ADHD) and Sydney 20 months. Noah is in the second grade this year and had made the A/B Honor roll for the second semester. We are very excited for him. He had behaviour problems starting in kindergarten which escalated into 1st grade with him nearly failing. I was getting several calls everyday from his teacher. We had him evaluated last March and started him on Strattera last April. He gets a split dose of 30 mg in the morning and 10mg in the afternoon.
The last week or so he's been very moody and angry though. We have an appt Monday to start back with his therapist because last night in a fit of anger he said " I wish I would just die". It was very upsetting. He tends to be overdramatic about everything anyway, but has never said something like this before, hopefully we can get down to whats bothering him. He thinks he's treated unfairly, doesn't understand why his older brother gets more priveleges then he gets etc and gets frustrated by that. I guess there is a lot of competition there.
On another note, he's wonderful with his little sister. I wondered how her joining our family would affect him and was suprised and proud to see this tender side of him emerge. With her he is a patient prince, he is never to busy to give her a hug, or to brush her hair or tie her shoe. She is on breathing treatments for bronchial problems and every night he sits and rocks her while she takes her treatments.
Thats a little about us. I really enjoy reading everyones posts and getting inspiration and support. Tracey
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 12, 2003 15:01:03 GMT -5
We had him evaluated last March and started him on Strattera last April. He gets a split dose of 30 mg in the morning and 10mg in the afternoon. The last week or so he's been very moody and angry though. We have an appt Monday to start back with his therapist because last night in a fit of anger he said " I wish I would just die". It was very upsetting. He tends to be overdramatic about everything anyway, but has never said something like this before, hopefully we can get down to whats bothering him. . Tracey Tracey, you might want to check his weight and make sure he has not lost or put on which might make his dose either too high or too low. Tell us his weight and we can calculate his target dose for you. When a child does well on Strattera and suddenly gets mood issues, it means a dose adjustment in most cases. Start a separate thread so that we won't miss it.
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Post by swarmJAG on Nov 12, 2003 21:42:19 GMT -5
Hi everyone! I also am new to this site. I have 4 children, the oldest of which has ADHD: hyperactive, inattentive, impulsive. You name it, it seems like he's got it. He currently takes Adderall, Zyprexa, and we are trying Straterra. He is almost 9. My second son, who is almost 8, is having trouble at school now and we are in the process of having him diagnosed. He is much milder than my oldest though. I'm not sure yet about my other two, although my youngest, 2 1/2, shows plenty of signs. Was I crazy to have 4? Apparently! I am very excited about this site. it has been very helpful already. TC, my oldest, is also very bright, but very busy. He does pretty well in school with the meds, but still needs a lot of prodding from his teacher. He also has alot of social problems. I look forward to getting to know all of you better.
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