Best medication for inattentive type? - CHADD's ADHD Pare...

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Best medication for inattentive type?

RSpurple profile image
6 Replies

Hi and thanks in advance!

I know that every med works differently but my inattentive type 7 yo daughter is totally not her bubbly self on the two stimulants we have tried, and they did not help her focus at school! She becomes a sedate, flat affect, zombie child! Both meds were started at very low doses and doubling the doses only made those symptoms worse, and still little focus. I am wondering if anyone else had this problem and found the right combination or medication??

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RSpurple profile image
RSpurple
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6 Replies
Aspen797 profile image
Aspen797

Many parents have gone through multiple rounds of medication trials to find the right one. Some use genesight testing to help narrow the choices. Often the reason for switching is bad side effects (vs not helping focus). On that note, is it possible that other things may be contributing to your child’s inattentiveness? Sensory issues, auditory processing, anxiety, etc can all result in inattentive behaviors that are not addressed by stimulants. Just a thought. If alternative issues have been ruled out, maybe a child psychiatrist could advise. They typically have more expertise in medication management compared to a pediatrician. Good luck! It’s a challenge getting things started.

MyDogAteMyRitalin profile image
MyDogAteMyRitalin in reply to Aspen797

Hi, we also tried stimulants for inattentive ADHD. They helped only marginally and because of the side effects on appetite recently took him off. He says he can’t really tell a difference and actually thinks it is easier to interact with other kids off the meds. So, now he is on no meds. We might try non-stimulants but the doctor says they only work for 60% of patients and also can have side affects. No meds is working out ok for now. We just plan a lot of extra time to get ready or switch activities. I would be interested to learn if anyone has actually seen a big improvement on inattentive ADHD with nonstimulants???

Aspen797 profile image
Aspen797 in reply to MyDogAteMyRitalin

My son has mentioned that he thinks the stimulant might inhibit his interactions with other kids too. I was curious about this! He still feels that he needs the stimulant to focus during school days though. As he matures it may be worth trying a day without to see which benefit is better…

Edited to add that he does take a non stimulant—guanfacine. It helps more with impulsivity and emotional regulation in my opinion though.

Mamamichl profile image
Mamamichl

usually these side effects happen when doses are too high, but they could just not be the right fit. You may want to try a gene sight test to find out which meds have adverse side effects.

RSpurple profile image
RSpurple

Thanks everyone! I just got an appt with a child psychiatrist. I realize it will be lots of trial and error and probably need to relax a bit. I have never heard of gene sight testing...will definitely look into that.

ThierryVugler profile image
ThierryVugler

It sounds like you're facing a challenging situation with your daughter's medication. It's not uncommon for individuals to react differently to various medications, especially when it comes to treating ADHD. It's essential to work closely with your daughter's healthcare provider to find the right medication and dosage that works best for her.

Sometimes, stimulant medications may not be the best fit for everyone, and there are alternative medications and therapies that can be explored. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera topsup24.com/buy-strattera-... or guanfacine (Intuniv) might be worth considering, as they work differently from stimulants and may have different side effects.

Additionally, behavioral therapies and interventions can also be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms. It's essential to discuss all options with your daughter's healthcare provider to find the best approach for her individual needs.

Remember, finding the right treatment plan may take some trial and error, but with patience and persistence, you can find a solution that works for your daughter.

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