ADHD Meds - experiences please

[towicymru]

DS2 was assessed yesterday for ADHD and we were told that they will probably prescribe Meds at his next appointment.

Can you please share your stories & experiences to help me understand what benefits/downsides there are.

Thanks x

Our DS1 has been on meds for the past month. I was really very nervous and torn about giving them to him, due to the potential side effects and just general negative-ness around it but it's been fine.

He mainly takes them for his attention and focus in school so we don't see very much of it at home (other than he gets his shoes on when asked first time!) but his teacher and TAs have all been saying how he's so much more tuned in. He's been able to get on with work, been more self-guided, and he reckons it's helping too, especially with his maths.

He's only on a low dose and there don't really seem to have been side effects, possibly dropping off to sleep slightly later, though that may be due to lighter evenings, but no loss of appetite.

I did alot of reading round, esp on American forums, plus asking on here, and the main thing I found useful to remember is that if the meds don't suit him, we can simply stop and try something different when we and he are ready.

Thanks Two. DS2 has such a lovely personality that I'm worried we might lose on Meds. As much as we/he needs help, I don't want to turn hi into a zombie!

Hi. My youngest is on equasym xl 30mg daily and it hasnt zombified him at all - that was a huge worry for me too! I didnt want to lose him.
but it reached the point where he was so affected that we had lost him, iyswim. The meds have allowed him to climb a bit out, if that makes sense. He is still him, but a slightly calmer, more focused him.
now, it hasnt eliminated the challenging behaviour! We are currently in crisis due to violent outbursts at school, but that is the ONLY environment with these issues so it is about unmet needs and staff skils gap, imo.
without the meds, he didnt talk to us and wouldnt work. Now he can focus enough to get some tasks done and he can sustain small interactions.
it hasnt been a magic cure, but I have no doubt that it has helped him.

Thanks Hectate. We've had one of those relatively rare days where DS2 has been a bit more focused. There were times we had to work to stop him going but all in all a great day. It's days like these I think he doesn't need meds but tomorrow might (and probably will) be a whole different story!

It's reassuring to know they don't just turn kids into zombies and like Two said, we can always stop them!

We have a daily record / communication book. We and the school both write a small description of his behaviour each day. It helps to be able to look back over time and see patterns. It can identify triggers, you can see if perhaps there is a particular person that seems to struggle with him, etc. Is there any way to implement something similar with your son's school? If not, just do it yourself at home, to build up a record?

That sounds like a great idea Hectate. I know his teacher this year will support that but not sure who he will get next year.

Just hope our next appointment is sooner rather than later!

Yep, definitely no zombiefication here. Someone wise told me if it's affetcing their personality, they're not on the right meds for them.

We had focused days and all over the place days while we were considering it all, which really didn't help with the emotional wrench of it all, but I'm really glad we've tried.

DH pointed out, when I was having a bit of a wobble before we started them, that it could potentially be the best thing we do for him. Academically he wasn't getting anywhere, even with a fantastic teacher, so it was right for us to try him on them.

How does your DS feel about it all, have you chatted with him about it?

I think your DH is right Two - it could be the best thing we can do for him. Had a bouncing off the wall day yesterday which put things into focus.

We chatted to DS before we saw the psych team and explained that they were going to work with us to help him the same way they helped his brother with his balance (DS1 is dyspraxic).

Don't think we will have an issue getting him to take Meds - he loves taking his vitamins & often reminds me that he hasn't had them for a few days!

Just wish I could hurry the appointment up now I have made the decision but typically it is half term so school wont have even had the Connors questionnaire let alone completed it!

Should have said - DS2 has only just turned 6 so we are having age appropriate conversations without making him feel 'special' if you know what I mean!