Add and adhd meds

[HeBeaverandSheBeaver]

Please can you tell me your experience.

Dd is 16 and so scatty. She cant organise her time. She gets behind on work constantly. She is always late to the point It's affecting the family.

She has had an assessment and has add. No H

Is it worth looking at meds? Thanks

Definitely, both dh and dd are adhd, meds are amazing. They focus you for the main part of the day, until about 4ish. It’s not a complete solution tho. Also if she doesn’t already have sleep issues she may well start

Meds have completely transformed my DS with ADHD. The bidders thing he notices is he can focus - he says it makes his mind quieter. So although he definitely has the ‘H’ it’s the focus that they help him with most.

As previous pp they aren’t a miracle though - he also need to use various strategies to stay on track.

Absolutely. If I’d been Dx and medicated as a teen, maybe my life would have been easier and my self esteem wouldn’t have been non existent.

I take Elvanse, 70mg at 7am. Wears off anywhere between 1pm (if I’m on my period - for whatever reason it doesn’t last as long) and 4pm. I have Instant Release 10mg top ups that I can take if needed.

2 children with adhd, meds work for DD who’s a adult but DS who is also ASC as well as other diagnoses it doesn’t work makes his anxiety worse, which effects the little sleep he already gets, makes his autism so much worse. We will try again in a year or so if it’s what is best for him. Just remember their not a instant cure, the body takes time to adjust and medication can take a while to find the right one/dose

@Ohdearnotagain76 - apologies if you already have but have you tried both types of ADHD meds? I only ask as my DS couldn’t be on one type as it increases his anxiety and didn’t have a huge effect. He switched to the other L dexamfetamine and has been fine

Apparently for 50% either type of meds work, but for the other roughly 25% one type only is effective and the other 25% the other. Or that’s what I was told anyway!

Discuss with the doctor yes, it's probably worth a trial run where they work out dosage, brand etc
I did a trial of several different types and I ended up not taking anymore as they had quite a negative effect on me.

My son has ADHD and started on methamphenidate (concerta) in the spring. Total game changer for him. It’s made an enormous difference to his ability to focus and concentrate at school. As pp have said, it’s not a cure and you do need other strategies but for my son it’s been brilliant. Best of luck!

I have been medicated for 18 months. While it has been hugely positive in many ways, I have reservations about stimulant medication. They are not a perfect fix, and the downsides are huge. I get a consistent 8 hours of being a functioning human, but the rest of my day is a write off. What’s more, I now can’t imagine a life without them even though I do wonder whether I would be better off without them.

My youngest DC was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD (ADD) about 6 months ago and started taking Elvanse regularly about 8 weeks ago. They're on a low dose of 20mg per day at the moment but on their next review we'll suggest an increase to 30mg because 20mg isn't quite doing the job so to speak.
DC finds it very helpful settling their thoughts and increases concentration so they find it very helpful. They also do not take meds every day and generally keeps to college days. I still have to administer the meds as they forget!
With regards to side effects, DC had increased anxiety and went off eating but this could've been part of their complex anxiety issues and Type 1 Diabetes so we stopped the meds for a few months in order to stabilise the diabetes (and the anxiety issues related to it) and then restarted them properly at the beginning of September. They've had very few further issues other than the sleeping issues that nearly always occur with ADHD meds. We have a supply of melatonin tablets which help with this and the anxiety.

Thanks for the input.

I've not broached dd about it plus her dad would be very resistant to meds.

I will certainly do some research tho.

Yes absolutely. My was was diagnosed with what was ADD, but I believe is now classified as ADHD subtype inattentive. He takes quite a high dose of Elvanse and it has quite literally changed his life.

Full offence to her Dad meant, but he has zero say in how a 16 year old chooses to medicate a very debilitating condition. He doesn’t need to consent.

My dc was diagnosed at 17 and meds have been life changing. He honestly doesn't believe he wouldn't have passed his A levels without it and he certainly couldn't have coped with university. His self esteem has gone way up, he has less anxiety and he loves simply being able to function.

ADHD/ADD is a disability and meds are a disability aid.

I've got combined type ADHD, meds have been life changing. The constant chatter has stopped, and over thinking.

This means my anxiety had reduced, as I'm not constantly thinking and bogged down by brain noise.

I am sleeping better, as I'm not laying awake thinking about all the things I haven't done. Because I can now do the things I need to do, instead of spending hours procrastinating.

I'm more in top of things at work, can focus and am not talking non stop and interrupting people. And then ruminating and feeling shit about it.

And I feel like I'm more in control of my life, and not out of control, constantly playing catch up. And feeling like there's something wrong as I can't adult was soul destroying.

Shouldn't the diagnosing doctor be able to advise whether medication is a good fit in her circumstances? I don't think this is a question for the internet (experiences are all well and good but it is so individual, it's a bit like saying "Which are the best shoes?" Well - the ones which fit your foot shape and lifestyle.)

Not comparable at all.

3 types of meds, 2 types will work almost immediately, there’s no weaning off period if they need to be changed. It’s actually some of the most basic medication available.

A more appropriate example is this.

My niece has a form of muscular dystrophy. So she uses lifts to get to the next floor. In theory, technically, she could use the stairs.

If she made it to the top, it would have taken her around 30 mins, caused physical pain and mental distress.

The most likely scenario is that she falls, and a fall almost certainly results in a nasty break of one of her leg/foot bones, and numerous other injuries.

So, does my brother say “Use the stairs, because in theory, you can, even though it’s harder” or does he say “Don’t be daft, of course you use the lift.” ?

Don’t make a child’s life harder when there’s no good reason to. Don’t fuck with their physical or mental well-being, their sense of self, their future.

The prevalence of severe MH issues in women with undiagnosed untreated ADHD is well documented. This child has a Dx and therefore should be trying medications under medical supervision.

This child has a Dx and therefore should be trying medications under medical supervision.

That's exactly what I said Why are you attacking me?

OP wasn’t asking us to write a script, she was asking for lived experience with the medications. Which is what most people do when it comes to their children and controlled drugs.

All very useful info. I may contact the guy who diagnosed her. It was a private assessment and get his opinion.

Thank you all that gave their experience.

27 year old ds decided to go the meds route whilst doing his masters. He described it as ‘having glasses for his brain. Feels strongly that it’s been a bonus for him.

@HeBeaverandSheBeaver

As your daughter is 16 I would suggest contacting your GP and asking for an NHS assessment via adult mental health services immediately. CAMHS will not help because the waiting list will be so long your DD will reach 18 before she gets anywhere near the top and then she'll be removed and you'll be told to contact adult services to start the process again. In most areas adult MH services can be accessed from age 16. We had a GP appointment when our DC was 17 and they were referred directly to adult services. We then waited 18 months for an online assessment because an in person one would have taken 3+years. I believe that ADHD meds are only supplied on NHS prescription if you have had an NHS assessment and diagnosis - a private one isn't accepted for NHS purposes. Private ADHD meds are very expensive but if you can afford it then try it. Also submit a copy of your DD's private assessment to your GP surgery to back up your case.

It's worth having a chat with your DD to see how much ADHD bothers her. If she finds it frustrating and depressing then suggest meds. I am also ADD and suffered greatly through my adult life which lead to depression.
You should also give her school/college a copy as she may need exam considerations such as a quiet separate room or extra time. It's also worth bearing in mind that things like CBT can help mild ADD.

As for your DH I would say that it's not his life being effected. If your DD had diabetes or epilepsy would he deny her medication? Obviously not but ADD/ADHD is a often considered to be an excuse for poor behaviour/laziness and a failure to thrive but bizarrely seen as made up or not a real illness. My own DP wouldn't consider ADHD as real until DC had a proper diagnosis and then accepted it although I think that he still thinks that she's lazy 😔
If your DH won't get on board then manage it between you and your DD and support her decisions. If you're worried about his reaction then you need to put yourself in the role of defender/supporter and accept that your dealing with it on your own.

I hope this helps

@MothralovesGojira
Thank you for such a thoughtful and insightful message.

I will have a chat and see how she feels.

She does have exam consideration and they massively helped her with her GCSEs and she has cbt for anxiety and a phobia that was getting debilitating. She is now doing A levels and seems ok but still leave's EVERYTHING to the last minute and her time keeping affects her brother as he is made late for school and get upset as he is getting punished for something out of his control.

I have contacted his form teacher and she is no longer going to issue detentions for lateness to him.

It's tricky as I do think it's mild in her case so would the side effects out way the benefit.