I've been a nurse for 14 years. I have two sons, both with ADHD and let me tell you that for those of you who are tearing out your hair and feeling helpless, there is help! Until I had my own children I thought no child should be on medication but then I realized that if my child had diabetes and needed insulin, then I would give insulin. My boys have ADHD and I treat them... Everyone has the right to not treat their child, I chose to treat them for their medical condition.

My oldest son began Kindergarten and within a month I was in the teacher's room because he could not sit still and would distract other children. He had trouble concentrating long enough to write letters and color. The pediatrician that both my children went to smiled when I took him in. "It's time isn't it?" . Dr. Mackey had always seen the signs although I just assumed they were overactive boys.

Jackson was started on Concerta 18mg. Literally within an hour he was concentrating on pictures and letters. He would spend hours sitting with me writing and coloring. It was a wonderful feeling and I can say with pride that Jackson (now in 3rd grade) reads at the 6th grade level.

My youngest son Jake was started on Concerta in kindergarten as well. He is in first grade and scored in the 95th percentile on his tests. He reads at the 3rd grade level and does multiplication and division.

Concerta helps my boys to concentrate without causing them to be drowsy or irritable. They are successful and very few people know they have ADHD.

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I used concerta for around a year. I started using it in the summer and was thrilled to have gained the ability to read! I could sit and accomplish my summer reading and be happy. I did have to stop taking concerta however. While I was on it I was not as calm and I was a lot more prone to freaking out. I easily stressed out. I also put a lot of physical stress on my body as a dancer. A combination of all these things probably is what caused me to start losing weight, something I couldn't really afford. I couldn't take a smaller dosage because I was on the 18 I guess. So, I had to say goodbye to my good friend concerta.

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My son often misses school because of headaches, has trouble sleeping and waking up, is only 16, but his cholesterol is extremely high since he was 14, and now he has high blood pressure. To me, it's difficult to just decide to take him off meds because it's almost impossible for me to go through the first couple of hours of being with him as he won't stop talking, and making abrupt movements and sounds. I may be too sensitive, but also other people at school reports how he can be very disruptive to others. For now, I am just helping him learn how to manage his cholesterol and blood pressure through a healthy diet and physical activity. I hope that helps.

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