Newbie Here

[Jenn0835]

Hello! I'm new here. My 8yr old son was recently diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression. My head is spinning as I consider treatment options. I was wondering if anyone had experience with sleep apnea/sleep disordered breathing being a factor. My pediatrician advised that kiddos are often diagnosed with ADHD when they actually have some form of sleep apnea.

I don't love the idea of meds but it seems like that's where we will eventually end up. Has anyone had success with natural supplements?

Thanks in advance! I'm excited to talk to other parents in similar situations

[Sfarinaccio1]

You should absolutely follow up with a sleep study

[Gxcccc]

Both my kids had sleep apnea and, more recently, diagnosed with ADHD. The surgery works wonders. In terms of natural supplements, We have tired Equazen which is a high EPA fish oil product. On a scale of 0 to 10 it was about a 3. Ritalin is a 10. Check the Equazen website for details of the clinical studies. The results you obtain may be different. I should mention, one of my kids had anxiety. Once we commenced treatment for ADHD the anxiety disappeared. He seemed to be anxious about observing other kids doing things he didn’t think he could do. One medication he can now do all those things. Good luck.

[nnej3]

My fraternal twin 8 year old boys are on Equazen but natural supplements weren’t enough. They have different types of ADHD but Ritalin made a big difference for both of them (different doses). Only one of them struggles with anxiety but that has slowly improved with time as he’s rebuilt his self image and confidence.

[StellarMom]

I recommend the book Finally Focused from an integrative psychiatrist who has great recommendations about supplements. The big ones are magnesium & fish oil.

[SurvivorFan]

My almost 6 year old son has ADHD and recently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. We were really suprised with the apnea finding. He does not snore or have any issues with sore throat/colds or loud breathing. I actually had him checked because he grinds his teeth quite a bit at night. I work in a clinic that does sleep studies so I originally just did a quick home sleep test on him and dr found apnea events. This then led to a formal in clinic study which determined moderate sleep apnea and we were told recommended tonsil and adenoid removal. We will be having that done first week of May. From everything I hear the most positive thing to come from it will just be a better overall daily mood since he will be getting quality sleep! My son has attention issues along with hyperactivity and impulsivity. We placed him on Ritalin in August and it has made a really big difference in his and the whole families life. If your little guy is having troubles at school and home with any of these things I wouldnt hesitate to help him with medicine. I know some people can be so judgemental about this topic but seriously...until they can walk in your and your childs shoes they can keep their judgements. My kiddos teacher put it to me this way back in August when I was really struggling with what to do. Would you keep an inhaler from him if he had asthma? Insulin from him if he were diabetic? If no then why feel guilty for helping him his adhd? He cannot control it anymore then those things.

I have also been wondering if my guy is having some anxiety. He has been having some odd fears and seems anxious at times. He has always been very cautious kid and a bit fearful but seems worse lately. How did you know your son has anxiety?