Starting Meds Monday, need some positive stories!

[lrt1]

My 15 year old was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and mild/moderate ADHD this past January. He had always been a great student in high level courses, but high school got the better of him and that is how we found all this out. He did not want meds at first (I think he needed to digest this new version of himself and to prove he could get his grades up on his own - which he achieved in some classes) and has finally decided to try the meds. We did the genetic screen to ID the best drug for him and naturally had no "use as directed" options. His doctor (who is amazing and has a son with ADHD) is starting him on 20 mg Vyvanse on Monday. I know logically it will be fine, but I admit I am so very very nervous. He is a serious and excellent athlete with a super fun, sweet personality and I do not want those amazing qualities to change. Anyone have any reassurance about Vyvanse and/or meds in general to help me feel more confident?

Just want to thank all you amazing people in advance for your kindness and support!

[Frustratedmom]

Not gonna lie, most kids don’t like the medications. My son is going to be a sophomore in college. We’ve struggled with the medication issue for years! He went off once in high school and his grades plummeted til he finally approached us and said he wanted to go back on the meds. Same thing happened in College as he basically flunked out without us knowing due to privacy issues. Fortunately we worked with great people at the school and he again recognized that he needs the medication to be successful. He’s at summer school right now as I write this!

[Onthemove1971]

My son is a competitive athlete in 2 sports and has has taken medications for a number of years he takes one medication for impulse control and one for focus. Really had a good experience with this combo of drugs ( your son might not need this) and it did not change his sweet nature personality.

The great news is if you try it and it really doesn't work then you stop.

The question is are you getting him the support in school he needs for his Learning Disability? It sounds like he is a great kid and with the proper support he will do well. Audiobooks, extra time on written assignments, extra breaks if needed, computer for test and if he needs oral answers.. just to begin.. oh yeah, state testing- make sure everything is set for him. It might seem like alot now, but if he wants to go college he will need this.

Hope this helps.. I am sure I am forgetting something.

Please dont be nervous, then he will see you and also be nervous.

[lrt1 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you for the kind words, they do definitely soothe the nerves! I know all will be well, but it is so nice to hear it from others who have been there. And yes on the support. He has a 504 in place (he is gifted also so doesn't need an IEP) and access to audiobooks (he is still not really into them but we keep kindly reminding him of their value, but since he pulled his grades way back up on his own, we are letting him control this issue) as well as about to do the Cogmed for working memory. And we are still researching other helpful things. It's been a wild six months!! Thank you again!

[Kellypeters]

My son, me and my daughter all take medication and it has helped us all enormously! It takes awhile to process the idea of having ADHD so make sure you talk to him or have someone he can talk to. Take your time to trial different dosages and to find the right med for him. Don’t rush the process and try something else if it doesn’t seem right. It doesn’t have to change him but it could change his life.

[lrt1 in reply to Kellypeters]

Thank you so much! You are spot on with taking care of him emotionally during all this. We let the meds be his decision completely. He didn't want them at first, which we respected. I think he just wanted to prove he could do it without drugs (which he did get his grades back up to his usually as and bs.) But we kept gently encouraging him to consider them to make it easier, just reminding him that if he were diabetic he would be fine taking insulin and that this is no different. We took him to our trusted pediatrician where we all asked questions and she talked directly to him about what they di etc... so he feels as though he is in control and is now ready to try it. I know it is all fine, but for some reason I am nervous and your kind words definitely helped!! Thank you!