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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask about non stimulant ADHD medication?

29 replies

Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 11:26

My son is really struggling in secondary school however can’t take ADHD medication of the stimulus kind because of heart problems in the family without tests and now I’m panicking even with the tests that maybe it’s too dangerous.
The doctor was quite dismissive when I mentioned non stimulant medication and said they carry the same risks but I thought they didn’t?
anyone been here? Thanks

OP posts:
Puffed · 23/09/2023 11:38

atmoxetine is an option and is less harsh on the heart but still does raise the heart rate a little so still needs monitoring.

Is the non medication route of adhd coaching and looking into lifestyle changes an option. Although it’s not a fix, better strategies and changing diet and exercise can have a huge impact on adhd symptoms.

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 12:12

We have been doing all the above really but maybe now he’s a bit older, he could benefit from more coaching,
thanks

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 23/09/2023 12:30

Nothing can coach a child out of ADHD, it can help them cope however.

OP the other option here is a medication that is just daily as in he wouldn't have to take it at weekend or on school holidays.

My DD14 takes Elvanse which is just on school days. It's made a massive difference to her.

This is about reasonable risk taking and a balance of outcomes.

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 13:23

Is elvanse a non stimulant?

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 23/09/2023 13:31

No it's a stimulant. But one that he won't be taking all the time.

Honestly OP you need to get the heart issue concerns resolved because basically you are gambling right now pitting a possibility (heart) against a known (adhd)

TryitMaywork · 23/09/2023 15:21

https://www.neurosigma.com/ We used it for our son during secondary school. Seems to have calmed him down and improved attention. He has had problems since 2yrs old. Now in Uni and still continues with it.

Only problem is availability in UK. We get the equipment and patches from US with US prescription. They would not ship to UK. Maybe available in Europe.

Device is called Monarch eTNS System.

DsTTy · 23/09/2023 15:25

I have a referral to see a cardiology team as heart disease runs in my family and I show the signs of having angina. I didn’t know this when I started taking ADHD meds. Stimulants did make my angina symptoms worse. Amotoxine doesn’t and I haven’t been advised to stop taking it whilst I wait to see the heart team. Ask for a second opinion.

LetMeEnfoldYou · 23/09/2023 15:32

My child is on Guanfacine which is a non-stimulant; the stimulant affected her very badly almost immediately.

She has been fine on it, and has only had the odd day where she's very tired or feels a bit queasy.

GG1986 · 23/09/2023 15:46

Look up equazen. You can buy it in boots.

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 16:57

ECG was clear and the doctor said that would normally be enough for him to advise medication can start BUT then he mentioned I could have an echo done ( lots more money than the ecg and 200 miles away ) if I wanted to so now I’m feeling very confused and conflicted about what I should be doing 😢

OP posts:
IslaWinds · 23/09/2023 17:11

As the ECG was clear, I’d start lowest dose medication. I’d consider the echo if it looked like my child needed a higher than average dose of medication.

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 17:16

This is what the doctor initially said today.
Can I ask why the echo would be needed if a higher dose but not for a starting dose? Thank you

OP posts:
IslaWinds · 23/09/2023 17:46

Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 17:16

This is what the doctor initially said today.
Can I ask why the echo would be needed if a higher dose but not for a starting dose? Thank you

Well I’m going by what the doctor had said to you that a clear ECG is good to start medication. So I interpreted that as meaning the low dose is going to be low risk as ECG is showing heart is in good shape.

With most medications the risk goes up as the dose goes up, so if the low starting dose isn’t enough to help your DS and it’s thought a higher dose might be needed, then as a higher dose is higher risk to his heart…at that point then I would want the echo done beforehand so doctors can properly assess that extra risk and advise you.

Of course, you can pay for an echo now, but it might be a waste as the lowest dose could be enough to sort out his ADHD.

Can they offer a wearable ecg that he wears when he starts the medication? I wonder if that would be a good way to ensure that his heart is tolerating it. It would track his heart and then the readings can be looked at by a doctor sort of every week or so? Many smart watches can do this as well. It’s just a thought.

YerAWizardHarry · 23/09/2023 17:49

I take Elvanse following a pulmonary embolism that cause significant heart strain and my heart isn’t 100%. Yes a risk but the risk of my committing suicide to the negative effect that ADHD was having on my life was much higher..

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 23/09/2023 20:51

Thank you - too many options sometimes isn’t a good thing as i now feel I should be doing every test possible just in case or if something terrible happens it will be my fault

OP posts:
PickAChew · 23/09/2023 20:55

Ds1 takes atomoxetine and has to have regular monitoring, blood pressure,, heart rate and since becoming an adult, ecg.

FFSWhatToDoNow · 23/09/2023 20:56

the non-stimulants are still stimulants, as I understand it. They just have a longer half life.

PickAChew · 23/09/2023 21:01

Atomoxetine (rare as rocking horse shit right now) and guanfacine are not stimulants at all. Adderall is an amphetamine but is rarely prescribed in the uk.

Offcom · 23/09/2023 21:13

Thankfully now diagnosed and medicated, but I now struggled so much with schoolwork, and now know there are lots of hacks which would have helped me so much. So while you get medication sorted maybe there are some study/organisation tools that other students with ADHD have found useful which he could try?

Good luck finding the help he needs

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 24/09/2023 09:27

Thank you it’s all so stressful making the right call

OP posts:
FFSWhatToDoNow · 24/09/2023 13:42

Meds are a trial, not a sentence. If he doesn’t get on with them, he can stop.

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 24/09/2023 13:57

Thank you - it was the heart stuff sending me into a frenzy

OP posts:
Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 24/09/2023 20:20

’

OP posts:
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 24/09/2023 20:25

Why is the echo 200 miles away?

My son is on atomoxetine and apart from the (hopefully temporary) problems with supply has no problems. He does have a fast heart rate but always has, ecg and echo all clear (echo done for other reasons not the adhd meds).

Original poster
Neurotic1000 · 24/09/2023 20:28

The cardiologist who did the ECG at a local ( ish ) clinic only has the echo monitor set up in another private clinic he works in which is 200 miles away.
He said we will have to pay for the room cost as well as the echo - it’s so hard to know what to do as had I not asked any questions and just had the ECG done and left I would be feeling reassured but because I kept asking what else we could do to be doubly safe, he mentioned this and now I feel I’m doing DS a disservice if I don’t do it all but realistically he just wants the medication asap so I’m delaying it by insisting on further tests 😢

OP posts:
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