Re: ADD/ADHD and RSS

[Guest guest]

Annette May,

My son is only four and we have been researching a possible ADHD

diagnosis. Last week at his neurologist we discussed putting him on

medication as she felt he is in the " grey " area of being ADHD. My

concern with ADHD medication is the side effects of growth issues and

losing his appetite. Since he is on periactin to stimulate appetite

and on gh to help him grow, I don't want to put him on an additional

med for a " possible " diagnosis. We decided to wait and see. I will

keep a close eye on him in the next couple of years and make a

decision then.

I know this isn't exactly answering your question, but I know there

has been some discussion about RSS/ADHD lately.

Alison (Jake, 4, RSS, gh, periactin, zantac)

> I apologize if this is a recent question. I've just recently got

> back in this support group, and so have missed a year's worth of

> questions and answers.

>

> My question is related to RSS kids also diagnosed wit ADD. Do any

> of you have your children on ADD medication, specifically,

> Concerrta? If so, have you had any problems with it? I'm extremely

> nervous to put my daughter on it due to all of the possible side-

> effects. Has anybody found an natural remedy to help ADD?

>

> Thanks, Annette May (mom to Allie, 11.5 years old, RSS and ADD)

[Guest guest]

Alison,

Many people have tried Straterra and have had success with that

med. It does not affect appetite and Dr. H. always recommends it as

a first med for ADD/ADHD. Since Jake is so young, you may have good

results with it. For older kids, I don't think it is as effective

and many need a " boost " with smaller doses of Ritalin, Concerta or

other things. Max, on the other hand, could not tolerate any of

those and we tried Wellbutrin. It's not in the first or even second

list of meds to try, but he had other issues to address, too, so I

think it helps him.

I know that you don't want to use meds unless really necessary, but

I do want to point one thing out. Jake is 4, a really important

time for being available to learn so many things. If his

inattentiveness is affecting the learning, then he will not be able

to take in as much as a child who does not have that issue. Please

keep an eye on how he is doing and if you even think the attention

is an issue, then please reconsider medication. So many people are

afraid of using meds when they can really make a big difference.

By the way, I am not a proponent of using these meds only while the

child is in school - not on weekends or holidays or the summer. I

think that the kids need the consistency of having that control no

matter where they are. Many kids get confused and don't know how

to behave when they lose that support during non-school times.

There is a higher incidence of success when the meds are consistent.

Jodi

[Guest guest]

Alison and others -

Jodi truly is an expert in this area. Thanks to her efforts and

those of a few other parents, we are having our first ever

presentation at the convention on this topic -- ADD/ADHD. Dr.

Phelan will be presenting, and after he presents, several

endos (including Harbison) are going to answer questions with

regards to medical intervention; medicines that can help but not

impact appetite, etc. This presentation will be on Saturday morning.

e

> Alison,

>

> Many people have tried Straterra and have had success with that

> med. It does not affect appetite and Dr. H. always recommends it

as

> a first med for ADD/ADHD. Since Jake is so young, you may have

good

> results with it. For older kids, I don't think it is as effective

> and many need a " boost " with smaller doses of Ritalin, Concerta or

> other things. Max, on the other hand, could not tolerate any of

> those and we tried Wellbutrin. It's not in the first or even

second

> list of meds to try, but he had other issues to address, too, so

I

> think it helps him.

>

> I know that you don't want to use meds unless really necessary,

but

> I do want to point one thing out. Jake is 4, a really important

> time for being available to learn so many things. If his

> inattentiveness is affecting the learning, then he will not be

able

> to take in as much as a child who does not have that issue.

Please

> keep an eye on how he is doing and if you even think the attention

> is an issue, then please reconsider medication. So many people

are

> afraid of using meds when they can really make a big difference.

>

> By the way, I am not a proponent of using these meds only while

the

> child is in school - not on weekends or holidays or the summer. I

> think that the kids need the consistency of having that control no

> matter where they are. Many kids get confused and don't know how

> to behave when they lose that support during non-school times.

> There is a higher incidence of success when the meds are

consistent.

>

> Jodi

[Guest guest]

Hi Annette,

My name is Kathy. I have a son, Willie , 3 1/2, who was diagnosed by Dr

Harbison w/ Rss last December. We live in Carmichael and see Dr Prakasam. The

doctor called you and asked whether it would be okay for us to get in touch

w/you

but then I never did. I was glad to see your post this morning. My email is

ras11kes@...

Glad to meet you!

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hey Jen,

I was interested in hearing Dr Phelan talk, but I really need to go to the

eating seminar, too! DRATS!!! Decisions, decisions. LOL I borrowed his

" 1-2-3 Magic " book from the library right after Jodi mentioned it, and I

have to say it's done wonders for Aidan's behavior! If everyone follows the

regimen, it can really turn things around.

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 28 months, 20# 9oz, 30.1 " , Prevacid, Singulair,

GT)

[Guest guest]

hi annette!!

my son christopher is 3 and is believed to be ADHD (too young to

offically DX and test) but myself, his ped, and school believe he

is. right not he is not medicated, instead he is in a very structure

preschool program at our elementry school and receiving some OT.

this has seemed to do wonders for him. at home i try to keep him on

a routine as well. good luck.

jodie

(nicholas-6 nonrss, christopher-3 rss 23lbs 8.5oz 33 " ADHD

(possible), periactin, GHT (on hold until july), johnathon-11m

nonrss (and running all over!!!)

- In RSS-Support , " Annette " wrote:

> I apologize if this is a recent question. I've just recently got

> back in this support group, and so have missed a year's worth of

> questions and answers.

>

> My question is related to RSS kids also diagnosed wit ADD. Do any

> of you have your children on ADD medication, specifically,

> Concerrta? If so, have you had any problems with it? I'm

extremely

> nervous to put my daughter on it due to all of the possible side-

> effects. Has anybody found an natural remedy to help ADD?

>

> Thanks, Annette May (mom to Allie, 11.5 years old, RSS and ADD)