Comments on: The following may break your heart:

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:00:06 +0000

Oh, Suz. I’m sorry. This has to be difficult. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.

I don’t know what this is like, but there is a boy in my husband’s family - a 12 year old - that was put on medication for ADD when he was 7. It started out with some Straterra. He is now a boy who takes Zoloft, Geodon, and Concerta. He’s also been on Respiridol, Ritalin, and Trileptal. I’ve seen him go through different cycles of medication - one made him like a zombie, another made him lose weight, another made him gain (20 pounds in four months), one gave him heart palpitations. It has been a real struggle for him and his family. I’m not there every day, so there is a lot I don’t know. From his list of medicines, it seems that he must have some other issues, but it sure seemed like once he started one medication, when difficulties arose, the answer was another medication.

Medicine is certainly a solution that can work for many people. I think the important thing, in addition to weighing out the side effects versus the benefits, is to think about where this will end up later on. Is this medicine something to help him through a difficult period while he learns other ways to focus? Is it going to be something he’ll rely on the rest of his life? What role is it meant to play?

You have every reason to be hesistant about the medication. I’m not sure what I’d do if I were facing the same thing. My heart goes out to you. You’re a good mom, though. And no one knows and loves your son like you and your husband. You’ll find what’s right for him, even though it isn’t easy.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:06:48 +0000

I just re-read my comment. I hope I didn’t sound all freaky and scary. I didn’t mean to. This topic just strikes a little close to home with me.

What I really want to say to you is YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE OF A MOTHER. You realy, really aren’t. No matter what you do with that prescription. You’re a good mom. You love your son. You’re acting out of love and in his best interest. You’re a good mom!

By: kerri

kerri — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:52:08 +0000

Suz, I don’t really know you it’s true, but you seem like smart, affectionate, attentive, all around fab Mom! Just the fact that all this stuff concerns you, including your son’s feelings about this, means you are.
My Grandma is a retired kindergarten teacher and has been a champion for ADD and ADHD kids. She advocates medication for children who truly are in need (some parents in her experience use medication in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons). She has seen it improve not only a child’s behavior in the classroom, it can improve a child’s ability to learn and even improve self-esteem. My cousin suffered from severe depression as a child that had to do with his ADD. He could not focus and felt like he was stupid because he couldn’t accomplish what his classmates did. It probably affected more of his life than we even know. Meds did help him.
Now, I am of course not a doctor or a Mom, and I’m more of a natural solution if possible person, but you know what you’re doing. Talk to Jachin and his doctor, keep an eye on things and meds might just help everyone.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:49:10 +0000

Have you heard about the brain scans? They can pinpoint areas of concern if there even are any. I would go this route if it was my child (and probably will be Ethan). From the scans the doctors can better prescribe medications if that is the way you decide to go. I think that’s the best way to diagnose ADD so you don’t treat him for something he may not have, or go through medications that will have various side-effects. You know and love Jachin more than anyone else and if you’re not feeling comfortable with it than maybe that’s your answer. If you find out and explore more treatment opptions than maybe you will find one that works for you both. I love you, hope this helps.