amkmom,

Hi and welcome! It can be so confusing with all of the conflicting information and comments out there about ADHD. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about ADHD and medication that still abound. One thing I would recommend is that you try to get your information from reliable, knowledgeable sources. www.chadd.org is a good organization that advocates for children and adults with ADHD and provide sound and scientifically researched information on ADHD.

Research studies have shown that those who are properly treated with medication at the appropriate dosage are less likely to abuse drugs or their medication. Untreated or undertreated individuals with ADHD are at the greatest risk for drug abuse.

My son was diagnosed at 10 and he is now 16. He has been on medication during that time and he is fine. there are different medications and dosages and individuals metabolize medications differently and what may work for one individual may not be what works for another. Generally speaking, the right medication has many positive benefits and few side effects. Sometimes other issues can complicate the treatment such as the presence of another disorder like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. If any of those are present, they also need to be treated for the treatment to work best.

The proper dosage of medication should not make your child a "zombie". If so, the dosage may be too high. But if your child is hyperactive, they may become calmer. And if your child has inattentive ADHD, it may give him more energy.

I am also on meds for inattentive ADHD and I have only seen positive benefits in myself. My working memory and reading comprehension have improved dramatically. I am more organized and better able to prioritize. I am more awake (I have some of the sluggish, cognitive tempo symptoms that cause me to have less energy and be underaroused and shy) on the medication and I feel smarter and much more confident. I am able to "get" what others say much more quickly so I don't feel confused and stupid anymore.

My son has noticed that he is less frustrated when he is on the medication and gets angry less often. My son loves baseball and pitching and when he is on the field playing baseball (he always takes his medication when he's playing baseball and pitching), he shines.

My 26 year old daughter and my husband also take medication for their ADHD. We have all been helped tremendously by medication and education about ADHD. I don't see it as anything to be ashamed about. I have a thyroid condition that requires me to take medication, my husband takes medication for his heart. Just as we are not ashamed that we have those conditions, we don't believe having ADHD is something to be ashamed about.

As for when to get started, my answer is now. It's not just about school. It can affect so many aspects of your life, including your self esteem. Home life, job responsibilities, driving when he's older, relationships, etc. As with most diseases or disorders, the sooner the treatment, the better the outcome.

Good luck, Elaine

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Hi, You wouldn't be changing your son to how you wanted him to be, you would be helping him to get an education and not get in trouble for something he can't control. Slow release only lasts for 8 hours so would ony cover his school day. It can make you a bit more controlled but doesn't take your personality away. Trying it would not hurt, you can come off it quite easily. Its personal choice but I wish I'd had the option at school! Take care Lisa

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Please help has anyone else had trouble with their child after they drank the new energy drinks "monster" red bull there are many different ones out there.

If my son drinks the large size I might as well plannto stay totally away from him because he becomes a raging bull and very hateful.

Has any one else experienced this.

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I know what you're going through. We waited several years before trying medication with our son. Our first attempt at medication was a failure. He tends to be a bit anxious, so by adding a stimulant medication he became frightened of everything and began having nighttime panic attacks. After switching to a non-stimulant medication the panic attacks ended and we began seeing incredible improvements in his day to day behavior. The way I see it is that medication doesn't change who my son is, it allows him to function to his full capability. He's still every bit the adventurous, curious, inventive child he was before...he's just able to harness it and use it more effectively now. Hope that helps.

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The energy drinks may be causing such a personality change in your son because depending on the type of ADD/ADHD he has stimulants may make the symptoms worse which it sounds like it does. I have been reading Dr. Amen books and figured out somethings I need to do about my type of ADHD I have. Keep him away from red bull, monster and many of the high energy because they load them up with caffeine, and sugar which cause rise, crash, burn cycle. I would advise any parent who is considering ADD meds to have your child tested by an expert in the field not a peditrician so the right combination would be use or disaters will occur. Educate yourself and be honest about the child and their symptoms because the right meds will enhance their lives allowing them to focus, finish and make it easier to socialize etc.

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