Medication Trial and Error Advice?

[Amelia212]

We’re in month 3 of trials with meds. I understand from reading other posts that taking quite a bit of time to find the right meds and dose can be very typical.

Given that so many of you have been down this road, is there any hindsight advice that someone might share? Something they wish they had known at the beginning of the medication trial process that was only discovered months in? I’m just looking around a dark room for a small light. : ) Thank you!!

[Onthemove1971]

I wish someone had told me to work with a pediatric psychiatrist first and not spend time with someone who is not skilled at managing medication for children with ADHD. There is so much to think about ( dose, time giving, side effects and how much you will put up with and the interaction with a number of drugs).

Also what I wish someone had told me is that my child should act like a normal child, but the symptoms (impulsivity and lack of focus) should get better or the medication is not right for him. In the past I wondered if Medication was even right for us and now I am convinced we can not live without it becuase it makes him "normal", until it wears off I see all of the ADHD side effects come back and it is hard to manage again...

I don't want to scare you with the list of what didn't work but I want to keep you focused of the dream of the right combo. (or for you single) medication that will work.

I also want to applaud you for giving him a chance to try medications hoping it will work. Please also know that each medication helps each symptom, so if they recommend more than one be ol with that.

Hope this helps... Let us know how it goes.

[Amelia212 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you VERY much!!

[jennifer425]

Be careful with those medications I wish I knew some of them will make them gain so much weight is not even funny my son gained like 20-30 pounds be careful

[turtle45 in reply to jennifer425]

It takes time, but there are good medications out there. Every child is different. It truly does make a difference.

[Lloydxx]

I was very lucky as the first meds my son tried worked from day one

Good luck in finding the right one