Not knowing your situation, my advice may miss the mark, but if you haven't already done so, I would have your son's diagnosis confirmed and also have him evaluated for any possible comorbid conditions, by someone who has experience in this area. If you browse this site and www.CHADD.org you will find lots of information (and excellent books) on other conditions that are sometimes misdiagosed as AD/HD, or present along with AD/HD. Some conditions are worsened by stimulants so you should find out from your present doctor if you can take your son off the meds while pursuing a second opinion.

If there is a CHADD chapter near you, they have support groups for parents and children (and adults) where you can hear other parents' experiences -what has and hasn't worked for them - and get the name of ADD professionals in your area. You might also start researching non-medical support options (in case you find that your son does indeed have AD/HD but is intolerant of medication) and check to see what your school system has to offer. Many now have special programs where students with learning disabilities (which covers AD/HD) are provided extra support in the classroom.

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Hi! Hang in there! Have you considered a non-stimulant med? My son did not react well to the stimulant meds- made him more aggressive and he started chewing his hands. He recently started taking Tenex and it seems to be helping. If you are not happy with your current doctor, try to find another. It is so important to get a support team that respects your child and you so keep looking for the right combination of players.

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I agree with the post above. Their are many meds that can be used for ADD/ADHD and they are not stimulants. Some people just can't tolerate the stimulants. Don't give up.

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The stimulant meds didn't work for my son either - it ranged from new tics appearing to hallucinations. Tenex worked OK, but not "perfect". Currently, he's taking Clonidine 3x day (in the Tenex family) along with Prozac (for anxiety / OCD issues). We tried Zoloft with the Clonidine but it made him too hyper. The Clonidine does make him sleepy at times but we try to combat that by making sure he eats (VERY picky eater), adding protein powder to his food when possible and not missing a dose. Hang in there!! You know your child best - if something doesn't seem to be working, talk to the Dr. and have him recommend something else.

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My daughter is 71/2yr old and she is a very smart , vibrant little girl that feels the need to always make everyone happy. Her teachers tells us that she is very intelligent for her age and has the ability to do great, but due to her uncontrolable ability to keep focus and pay attention, it is trickling down to everything she is capable of doing. Because of that she has been retained in 1st grade. We seemed to try everything under the sun, therapist, counseling, incentives and so forth. We have had over 30 meetings with her teachers in the school, now they feel that we should try medication , due to the fact that they feel that she hasnt shown any changes, and although she cant be retained again in 1st grade we do not want her to be unprepared in second grade and we may just loose her for good. We took he r to her doctor that perscribe 30mg Vyvanse, bbut her father and i are hesitant to give it to her. This is a control substance i will be giving to my little girl. I have heard so my crazy side effects , and i dont want to start my child on any drug that he may possible form an addiction to later on in life. But at the same time my child need help or i see her having a very stressfull time in life along with huge problems facing in her future i school if we dont do something now.Please can some one give us some of your xperiences. Quote:

MasonsMom said: My 7yr old has been on every Stimulant med over the past year. He is emotional, angry, sad and not spirited. I am looking for a new dr. I have taken him off his meds but he is not focusing in school. Anyone else with this problem. He is so much happier off stimulants, but I know he needs something. Thanks!

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Kayla's Mom said: My daughter is 71/2yr old and she is a very smart , vibrant little girl that feels the need to always make everyone happy. Her teachers tells us that she is very intelligent for her age and has the ability to do great, but due to her uncontrolable ability to keep focus and pay attention, it is trickling down to everything she is capable of doing. Because of that she has been retained in 1st grade. We seemed to try everything under the sun, therapist, counseling, incentives and so forth. We have had over 30 meetings with her teachers in the school, now they feel that we should try medication , due to the fact that they feel that she hasnt shown any changes, and although she cant be retained again in 1st grade we do not want her to be unprepared in second grade and we may just loose her for good. We took he r to her doctor that perscribe 30mg Vyvanse, bbut her father and i are hesitant to give it to her. This is a control substance i will be giving to my little girl. I have heard so my crazy side effects , and i dont want to start my child on any drug that he may possible form an addiction to later on in life. But at the same time my child need help or i see her having a very stressfull time in life along with huge problems facing in her future i school if we dont do something now.Please can some one give us some of your xperiences. Quote:

MasonsMom said: My 7yr old has been on every Stimulant med over the past year. He is emotional, angry, sad and not spirited. I am looking for a new dr. I have taken him off his meds but he is not focusing in school. Anyone else with this problem. He is so much happier off stimulants, but I know he needs something. Thanks!

Peanut's mom My 7yr old son has been diagnoised with ADHD.They wanted me to start him on meds in kindergarten but I was like so many other moms that didn't want that. So my son had a TSS with him in class to kind of guide him and it seemed like it really worked. His teacher still thought otherwise she knew from personal experience about ADHD.So we stopped the TSS in class and he was behaving a little better. I thought it was just normal behavior for a little boy.Everyone still thought he needed med.But I wanted to start him in first grade without meds or a TSS and at first he was very good on the distinguished honer roll,but as the year progressed his attitude changed he has mood swings when you tell him to do something so I took him and got him checked and he's been taking Concerta now for 3 weeks and I nor his teacher see a difference so I'm thinking about switching meds is that the right descion or should I wait a little longer?What to do need some advice

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