The meds would make him an emotional train wreak and it has been very distressing to us. What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids. I prefer the nordic naturals because they are flavored and pure. We also have a simple token program at home that we do; certain behaviors earn a token and once he has earned a specific amount that is a challenge for him (ie, he has to be doing really good) he gets to "buy" a toy out of a grab bag with those tokens. We just went to the dollar store and got a bunch of toys. This has been so motivating for him that he has even started vacuuming and doing other chores to earn tokens. The zinc seems to have made a big difference too, I feel that it has improved his impulsiveness and focus. We started it over the holiday break and have not given him his meds since. His teacher has not sent a single note home this week, compared to daily before the break. His ability to do his homework has also improved, I used to have to fight him to get it done and now if he's starting to melt, I just encourage him to earn his token. He doesn't always earn it, but he gets his homework done with out fighting and being obnoxious. I hope some of this helps as I know how heart breaking it is to be trying everything you can to help your child and feel like you're getting no where.

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Thank you Bonnie,

It's nice to know that others have the same problems we do and we're not alone. It feels so impossible to find something to help our son. We want others to know how great he is and not just focus on all his problems. Thanks for your insight-every little bit helps.

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My daughter will be 6 the end of Feb. and we have had her on and off meds, trying to the find the right one, since just before she turned 4. We have found out that she CANNOT take stimulant ADHD meds (like Concerta, Daytrana, Vavanyse (sp)). When she started kindergarten this school year we had a lot of problems, mainly because her teacher was not willing to work with her. I had to go all the way to the school board to get her teacher changed. Thank God for that! Her new teacher has a son who is 14 and ADHD -- so at least she is more in tune with her needs and some of things she just can't help. The only medicine that works for her is Straterra but that only worked for a week because she developed anxiety about taking the pill and we would fight for 3 hours at night for her to take it (she had to swallow this pill). So we just send her off to school everyday and talk to her about being on Green and not touching others, being kind to others, listening to the teacher but that doesn't always work. She was on read 3 days in a row last week! We are seeing a psychologist to work on a routine a home and behavior modification but you know how that is -- they are impulsive and do what they want. Does anyone have any suggestions for us? Thanks

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...but my 11-year-old son took matters into his own hands. We discovered yesterday that he'd been flushing his meds for the last three months. Somehow, God only knows how, he's managed to control his distractability enough to function at school and keep us snowed. I knew that he'd been eating a lot more and his mood was considerably better, but I figured he'd finally adapted to the Concerta. We talked to his psychiatrist and decided it's really good news. He made all As and 1 B unmedicated the last quarter, he's a much nicer kid to be around (he was impossible on the meds), and while his behavior has been really impulsive outside of school and we have definite homework completion issues, it's worth it to have our sweet son back. We just have to find another way to help him. I'll never put him on another stimulant. What it did to his personality...

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I have a friend who didn't want to use prescription medications with her son, and instead gave him mega-doses of omega fish oils at each meal. The treatment is discussed in a book by Jean Carper, called "Miracle Cures". She started her son on 15 1,000 mg capsules per day (5 per meal) and then worked down gradually to 6 capsules per day (2 per meal) over a period of 4 weeks. He was 8 years old at the time and this has worked now for 11 years and counting. My friend told me that after only a few weeks of this treatment, teachers began commenting that they were amazed at the improvement in her son's concentration and behavior. I personally have not tested this program, as my adult child has had success with Adderall; but I have recommended to her that she try the fish oil to see if that approach might help her to lower the dose of medications that she is currently on.

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bonnie said: What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids.

Zinc and Fish Oils are something I've always wanted to pursue, but never do (because my bipolar / ADD son is pretty stable right now). Attention is his prevailing problem these days, so I don't think these would hurt to try.

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No, meds don't always work! I've got two teenagers, both ADD, neither was diagnosed until they were teenagers. We went through the whole med trial protocol with both of them. The meds helped for a while for both of them, but eventually the long term emotional effects made the negatives outweigh the positive benefit of better focus. The MD's do not buy into the holistic approach so I was on my own to research and network to find alternatives. Because, in Alberta, the days are so short in winter, there is a depression component for part of the year, as well. (Seasonal Affected Disorder). We discontinued meds last summer and started them both on Omega 3 as well as Vitamin B, D, and high quality multi-vitamins. We still have issues with handing in assignments, hyperfocus and lack of focus on not-so-interesting subjects, but both are doing so much better, and for the first time since Grade 7, both are on the Honor Roll. Part of the answer for us has been coming to terms with having two wonderful, witty, smart (albeit moody and irritable) teenagers who just don't behave the same way as other "normal" kids. When I stopped wanting them to conform to "normal", my expectations changed and so did their behavior. If I'm positive, the chances are better that they will be, too! If meds work for your child, that's great, but for those of us for whom meds do not work, the alternatives are worth a try, maybe even before meds!

My encouragement to you is that, because your children have been diagnosed at an earlier age, you have time to instill habits and methods to help them cope with ADD before they get to be teenagers (when, as parents, we lose our credibility for a few years). When they get to high school and the marks are more critical, they've maybe already learned how to cope with the disadvantages of high-speed minds and become confident in the advantages. It occurred to me the other day to wonder why we are expected to medicate our children to conformity to a less than perfect world. Wouldn't it be great if the school was not a static environment, squashing creativity and confidence, but a wonderland of learning potential and creative outlet where the overly-endowed minds of our beautiful children could flourish! God doesn't make junk!

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One of the things many people miss is the diet. Your child's diet should be full of fresh foods likes fruits, vegetables, and meats. Avoid processed foods, artificial ingredients and colors. Fresh foods meaning those in the produce area (not canned or frozen), and those in the meat department. If you can, get organic foods. You want those that are free of chemicals like pesticides and herbicides and also meats free of hormones and antibiotics.

In my own experince, ingredients and processed foods make me hyperactive and make my head spin. This also includes foods that contain gluten, fructose and fructose corn syrup, milk products, sugar, and these kinds of things. I have done my own research and found that the combination of diet change, and adding a natural liquid vitamin and mineral supplement has dramatically changed my life.

Any time I go back to the foods i shouldn't eat, I feel it really quick. when I don't take my supplement, I struggle all day. I have been off of medication for about 2 years and I am functioning well with very little symptoms.

TJ Chambers

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I have two grandsons who are ADHD - ages 4 and 6 - would it be safe to maybe start the zinc and fish oil along with their ritalin-concerta or stratera?

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I feel the best medication out there is Focalin XR (extended release) ... Focalin is a purer form of Ritalin, and the dosage is less ... I've taken it myself, but the side effects (even at 5 MG x 2 a Day) wasn't worth the benefits to Me (as an Adult)...let's face it, ALL these meds are is "SPEED" (ever taken Speed?) ... they simply raise the RPMs ... every ONE causes a Spike, and then a Valley ... Every One reduces Apetite, and most cause Sleep Problems ...Focalin covers 6 hours, split the Dosage in 2; and administer 5 hours into the 1st dose...2nd Dose 6-8 hours before Bed...

Try Protein BEFORE administering the Meds ... Eggs in the AM, Nuts & Granola for a Snack, Fish/Chicken/Meat for Dinner ... Peanut Butter is alright once in a While ... Protein Bars are also good Fillers ...

Fish Oil is KEY ... as is a good multi-vitamin with Zinc ... try to find a Good Store, not the local GNC ... the pimpled faced cashier won't be able to help you much ...

Behavior Modification is also Mandatory ... it's a Key Piece of the Puzzle ... Reward Systems, Tokens, etc... be Positive; and don't try to Drive a Square Peg into a Round Hole ... your ADD child is not like a Non-Add Child ... They are BETTER ...

I instill DRIVE into my Son by pumping him up ... telling him that he's my Hero (he's also Dyslexic), that ADD is an Advantage (not a Crutch), he even wears an "Ant" necklace (remember the Rubber Tree Plant?)...

My Son is also involved in the Sports that HE Chooses ... Baseball, Football, Wrestling ... he's tried them All ...but the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR for his Success thus far is TAE KWON DO ... he'll be a Black Belt in 3-4 Months, about the same time that he'll turn NINE ... Discipline, Self Control, Respect, Meditation, it's All Mandatory ... and it's good for self confidence, self esteem, and for tormenting bullies ...

Hang in there ...

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bonnie said: The meds would make him an emotional train wreak and it has been very distressing to us. What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids. I prefer the nordic naturals because they are flavored and pure.

I agree!!! My 6 yr old loves the Nordic naturals. I have seen a huge change in his behavior since he started. I also see that while on straterra during the week the fish oil helps him with his appettite and helps him stay in a good n happy mood throughout the day. On the weekends he only takes the fish oil n sometimes we don't notice he is home.

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Last edited by KARLA GONZALEZ : 6 Feb 2008 @ 9:33 PM. Reason:

how are you deciding the levels of zinc and fidh oil to be given to your child? our son can not take any of the adhd meds for his inattentive type and I would love to start trying him on supplements and diet changes but the amount information out there is enormous and often contradictory. how did those of you using these methods know where to start?

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bonnie said: The meds would make him an emotional train wreak and it has been very distressing to us. What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids.

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Last edited by rascalwrangler : 7 Feb 2008 @ 1:30 PM. Reason:

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bonnie said: The meds would make him an emotional train wreak and it has been very distressing to us. What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids.

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Last edited by rascalwrangler : 7 Feb 2008 @ 1:31 PM. Reason: delete - duplicate posting

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bonnie said: The meds would make him an emotional train wreak and it has been very distressing to us. What seems to be working is a combination of zinc supplements (not the vitamin c & eccinechea, but the actual supplement) and nordic naturals DHA fish oils for kids. I prefer the nordic naturals because they are flavored and pure. We also have a simple token program at home that we do; certain behaviors earn a token and once he has earned a specific amount that is a challenge for him (ie, he has to be doing really good) he gets to "buy" a toy out of a grab bag with those tokens. We just went to the dollar store and got a bunch of toys. This has been so motivating for him that he has even started vacuuming and doing other chores to earn tokens. The zinc seems to have made a big difference too, I feel that it has improved his impulsiveness and focus. We started it over the holiday break and have not given him his meds since. His teacher has not sent a single note home this week, compared to daily before the break. His ability to do his homework has also improved, I used to have to fight him to get it done and now if he's starting to melt, I just encourage him to earn his token. He doesn't always earn it, but he gets his homework done with out fighting and being obnoxious. I hope some of this helps as I know how heart breaking it is to be trying everything you can to help your child and feel like you're getting no where.

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I was just wondering about the omega 3 and the zinc. Can anyone tell me the brand I shoud use? I am never sure about the fish oil. Where do I go to get it for my 11 year old son and how much?

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how are you deciding the levels of zinc and fidh oil to be given to your child? our son can not take any of the adhd meds for his inattentive type and I would love to start trying him on supplements and diet changes but the amount information out there is enormous and often contradictory. how did those of you using these methods know where to start?

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My grandson ,who I am raising, had night terrors, bad mood swings. now he is affraid to take any pills, even an asprin. He is also a very picky eater. He is 12 now and we have struggled since he was six. we went to a phsyscolist, and she just kept asking why he was affraid to go to sleep at night. the night terrors scare him. he does not have them very often now and they are not as bad when he does. he has developed an anxiety because of the meds. he started having a lot of problems when he went into ;middle school so we tried the patches one more time and after four days he started the night terrors again. I'm just wondering if any body else has experienced any thing like this. The doctors keep saying the medicine isn't the problem.

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My son takes Concerta, and it works well for him. I'm looking at the Omega 3 supplements with keen interest, not necessarily to get him off meds completely, but instead to possibly reduce the dosage or help him on Med Holidays.

I was reading an earlier post where someone claimed a friend was giving her kid 15 X 1000mg Omega 3 caps per day (that's 15g) and worked down to 6 per day. In my recent search for info on Omega 3 and Zinc supplements I found some info that says the recommended maximum daily intake of Omega 3 is 3g per day. I found one page that I think said kids 10 and under should be limited to something like 650mg, but I can't seem to find it again, and another says 300mg.

An interesting thing I came across, which might help parents with kids having problems with things like depression, is the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. Do a search for Omega 6 and you'll probably find something about it. I think I read it in a few places including Wikipedia pages for Omega 3 and Omega 6.

I also found info that zinc supplements shouldn't necessarily be part of a daily schedule. At some level it helps the immune system, but at higher levels it seems to damage it. I discovered this when looking into why my kids' Flintstones Vitamins (at least in Canada) don't have Zinc in them. The best looking charts for Zinc intake I found so far are at http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html If you are thinking of giving your kids Zinc, take a look at it, and look for other info about effects of too much zinc (and other supplements for that matter).

I just started my son on Omega 3 supplements, and I'm following the dosage recommended on the bottle. It took a bit of looking through the shelves at my drug store to find some that even listed a children's dosage. I finally settled on a brand I've used for other supplements in the past, which offered Child packaging. The capsule is no bigger than his current Concerta pill, and he only has to take 1 cap, 4 times a day (total dosage 600mg). We'll see how that goes before mixing in other stuff.

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How do you know what combination of zinc supplements to use and how much? We're using fish oil right now. The same one you do.

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kathiesmith said: How do you know what combination of zinc supplements to use and how much? We're using fish oil right now. The same one you do.

I'm not sure if you were asking me this question, but I'll answer anyway.

We have not tried any Zinc supplements yet. We want to see how the Omega 3 does before we toss in any more changes to my son's routine. He's got a few days off school this week, so we're going to try a med holiday with the supplement and see how he does. So he isn't so much a guine pig, I'm taking the recommended adult dosage of the same Omega 3 supplements to see how they make me feel.

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I found some great advice in the book "Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons that medicine cannot teach". It reccommneds using not only fish oil but magnesium, iron, and zinc. I found a combination of magnesium and zinc supplements pretty cheap at the local megawalmart and after about a month of using it dosage suggested in the book we found that my daughters Daytrana patches suddenly seemed to be way too strong. I love those patches because it is so easy to alter the dosage by cutting them up, so I gradually started cutting off a bit at a time and she was able to get down to almost half of what she started out the school year on. We went from 20 mgs to 11-12 depending on my cutting skills on any given morning. The lower dosage means the return of her appetite which we welcomed gleefully. hope this helps you.

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this is a headline from an article in the ADDitude mag. "Fish Oil to the Rescue Research suggests a daily fish oil capsule can help curb the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD)." If you go up to the "search" square and type in Omega 3, there are several articles available with real research behind them. (of course, they all contradict) The family medical doctors do not have anything useful to contribute as they are VERY drug driven in their training. This mag does have a lot of good stuff...read on!

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