Med or not to med?

[HotMessMom]

Hello! I am new to this. My 8 yr old son was diagnosed with adhd last year. I've done a lot of research on it so I can better understand it to better help my son. But every year school is becoming more and more challenging for him. It seems impossible for him to stay focused. Every tiny spec around him is a distraction. He is starting to fall behind and usually is unable to complete ANY classwork. I have been avoiding medication due to possible side effects (we know several other kids on meds and the struugle they have with its side effects). I am curious if anyone has been successful with coping with adhd without the use of meds. Or is medication the way to go????

[Shaysmom]

We did for a long time. But when we finally budged and did meds her grades went up and we realized we were depriving her of a useful tool

[KKMom]

It is hard to determine to start medication. My son is 10 now but he was diagnosed at 5. We tried for a whole year but finally tried as that this is a tool they need to be successful. Once you find the medication that works it allows for them to feel more successful and positive. While we have seen the no appetite during the day, we are able to make up for it in the evening and on weekend breaks. Our psychiatrist says kids will grow out of this sometime in their teens but is slower than typical.

[MomOfAMermaid]

HI HotMessMom! My daughter (6) had extreme difficulties at age 4 when she began a pre-K program. I was SHOCKED at the challenges she had. Academically at age 4 she was testing like age 6 - she was able to show what she knows when she had an adult there to keep her focused and on task. As soon as her external support left her side - so did her focus - then she was diagnosed with sensory and ADHD. For over a year we did EVERYTHING but medication (supplements, Brain Balance, occupational therapy, therapy, diet, etc.). I was so sad and exhausted because she was unable to show her brilliance. Our marriage was on the rocks because of the stress. Her school assessments showed her behind which I knew was not right! After numerous school plans for support, we were told they needed another tool or we would need to find another school (she is in a montessori school setting). All the while her self esteem was being crushed and the other kids were beginning to call her hurtful names because of her impulsive behavior. We decided to try meds and had instant results. We also had a genetic test done on her (it is a simple mouth swab that is sent to a lab) and the test results tell you what medications are best for her due to her genetic make-up. This testing can help reduce the painful trial and error methods which can cause kids to HATE their meds. I cannot begin to tell you how much her life has changed - she takes both supplements and medication. In 1st grade this is our first time ever to do activities after school (in the past we had to go home because she was emotionally DONE). She is now shining like the bright light she is, she is in a play this fall and she also participates in weekly faith activities. This was a hard decision for us because I am a soul coach, reiki master and an intuitive. I believe in the non-medication world, however I also have learned that answers from Spirit (God) come from any direction and for her to be her best and experience the bright light that she is, she not only needed meds, she deserved the support they give her. If she needed a wheel chair or a hearing aid we would never question getting these tools for her - but for me personally I had to experience the hard life before I realized that medication can be a blessing in disguise. She does have the side effects of sleep interruption so she takes melatonin (a supplement) and she was already thin - so we work to supplement her food intake with a soy-based, organic protein drink for lunch. BLESSINGS TO YOU!

[ScatteredMom]

Remember, the decision to use medications isn't permanent. You can try something, and if it's not helping or the side effects are too bothersome, you can switch to a different drug, or just quit.

You can also use it for, say, one school year, and then see how the child does without it.