ADHD medication

[adhdmeds]

Hi all - looking for some friendly advice. My 7 year old son has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and possible ASD and the clinical psychiatrist we saw has recommended that we trial him on Methylphenidate.

I'm really unsure about this - we collected the prescription in anticipation of starting and then I read the info leaflet. The magnitude of side effects and how common they are has got me really scared.

He is struggling a bit at school - with the social side not the academic side and school are finding it hard to manage his impulsive behaviours during play times.

Does anyone who has trialled this medication have any advice? Is it worth the risks?

The biggest part of me thinks it's not but my husband is concerned about our sons self esteem/social interactions/ability to make friends and thinks that if we don't do something now, he may develop mental health concerns (increased anxiety, depression etc) as he gets older and finds social situations increasingly difficult. We are also both concerned about his vulnerability as his lack of friends and unawareness of social situations has made him a target for bullying which we think will only get worse as he gets older.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

My son is 9 and takes equasym xl for the last 18 months, he had some headaches and stomachaches the first couple of weeks. He takes a low dose, just enough to take the edge off but still be himself. He doesn't eat very much during the day at school, but by 5pm he is ravenous and makes up for it. We only medicate for school, and to be honest its been the best thing for him.

My son is at a special school so i know a lot of kids with adhd (a LOT) and have read so many threads like this on mumsnet.

My only advice is this: every child is different and responds differently to these meds. My son reacted badly to one drug that then one of his mates (same age, height and diagnosis) has experienced as life changing. The drug he’s now stable and thriving on others have had horrid side effects on where my son has none.

You can’t know unless you try. We had to go through 7 meds to get to the right one but it’s so worth it now.

If you do trial just keep an open dialogue with your son about how the meds make him feel. Some increase anxiety for some kids x