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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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 Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:41 am Post subject: |
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Hi Rebecca, well I for one would be worrying if they wish to RAISE the dose!
Research has shown that Ritalin is NOT as effective if used on its own. There have to be interventions put into place as well. The research points to Ritalin ONLY being effective for max 3yrs and it is during this window of opportunity that interventions work best. Check out the MTA studies, all the ADHD experts ( except Russell Barkley!!, maybe he is sponsored by a drug company!) insist that Ritalin is NOT effective when used on its own.
Also MUCH closer monitoring is needed as when interventions are used the Ritalin dose REDUCES. So in my opinion if they are having to raise the dose I would want to ask WHY! They should acutally be monitoring the dose monthly and REDUCING it wherever possible.
Try Phosphatidyl Serine, it is INSTANT, safe, gentle and FABULOUS. Works far better than RITALIN IN MY OPINION!
Good luck, check out the MTA studies  |
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Rebecca_L
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:50 am Post subject: |
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The school has been fabulous. They worked out several strategies to help him too. He has earmuffs that he can wear if class is too noisy. He has permission to go work in the hallway if he's overstimulated. He also has permission to use an mp3 player in the lunch room because the noise level in there was keeping him from eating. His seating was also adjusted to minimize stimulation.
No, it's just the doctor recommending it, and that was after I said we were perfectly happy with his progress. The little bit he takes now gives him the edge he needs to make better choices and focus. The doctor said, in essence, that we should up the dose until we don't see any more benefit from it. It sounded a lot like, well if a little does some good a lot will do more good. But I could be wrong. I will look into the stuff you're mentioning too. I know my daughter would prefer not to give him medication if she can come up with a natural substance. |
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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: |
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Great news that the school is being so helpful, you are lucky!! Not many schools have the sense yours is showing!!
Interventions are all important, these children are so responsive to postive behaviour management. I have read empirical research by the bucket load ( studying for Masters in autism!) where the CHILDREN are actually shouting what they need and researchers are writing the papers BUT noone is reading them! Grrrrrrr! If only the papers were read and ACTED on then we wouldn't be in this mess!
Talking to children using analogy is a brill way of communicating and also keeping in CONSTANT touch with the school is mega important. Our ethos is that the parents are INCLUDED all the way and NEVER left out. So many make the mistakes of arranging meetings and then not inviting or allowing the parents to participate.
There are loads of interventions your daughter may like to use, all free and very effective to ease the load a bit. Good luck and do look into Phosphatidyl Serine, I have been going on and on about it on this board for ages. It works, HONESTLY and I have never known anyone yet that has not seen a benefit WITHIN 30MINUTES!!
Here is a link for information, a small but very friendly group that know a lot about PS! Ooooh and yes it is perfectly SAFE! 3000 academic papers on the subject. Click into Dr Kyl Smith, Phosphatidyl Serine YOUTUBE. GOOD LUCK!
http://www.phpbbcity.com/forum/index.php?mforum=psforadhd
Interventions
www.jelibean.com/ |
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misaG
Butterfly
Joined: Oct 08, 2008
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:39 am Post subject: My son is on Concerta..... |
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| Rebecca_L wrote: | My daughter is ADHD but watching her diet and getting her plenty of exercise worked quite well. I did also work hard to teach her how to work effectively even with her impulsive behavior and short attention span. She tried working in an office once, as an adult, but she still can't do anything sedentary. (I'm very well aware that I was lucky in her case. Please don't think I'm saying diet, exercise and behavior modification work for all children.)
Her son, however, had to start taking Concerta last year to function in school. He's on a very low dose and only takes it right before school, not on weekends or during the summer. Taking it upped his reading comprehension from 4 to 14 in a one week period and pretty much eliminated his violent outbursts, so it's clear it makes a big difference. The down side is that he hates it. He doesn't want to take it, I guess because it makes him feel a bit foggy. I was also a bit surprised during his med check appointment before school when the doctor encouraged us to consider giving it to him in higher doses and more often. Has anyone else encountered this? This doctor was my children's pediatrician when they were kids and we've always really liked and respected him, but now I'm a little nervous. Is there really a philosophy that if a little is good more is better among DOCTORS? I've always believed you should go with the minimal amount of medication that gets the job done. |
My son has been on Concerta now for his 2nd month. His Dr (Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Dr) has just doubled his dose. He HATES taking it too, but mainly b/c the pill doubled in size too! We take it with chocolate pudding. I've not noticed a big difference in his behavior, but it has made a little difference. I am going to see what this month of double dose does. The dr wants us to try it, as it is a 'mild' medication and has a good success rate. He still has had some outbursts though while on the medication - a 'rebound effect' of the medication, the Dr says. We may have to try something else!! |
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Rebecca_L
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: |
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We've decided to leave his dose as it is. My daughter was pretty devastated to have to put him on anything at all. She felt like she should be able to do for him what I did with her. The fact is, her hyperactivity did not cause the same type of outbursts his do. (I wonder if that's a girl versus boy thing?) But she definitely doesn't want to increase his dose. This dose has made a huge difference and we're all a bit nervous about medication, particularly over long periods of time. I think, myself, that keeping the dose low and not giving him doses over the weekend or summer, will help him keep from developing a tolerance to it and keep it working longer. Plus, I'm always worried about possible damage to him.  |
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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:12 am Post subject: |
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Rebecca, PLEASE at least try or suggest Phosphatidyl Serine! My son was on Concerta, Resperidal not to mention whatever else they were ABOUT to suggest UNTIL I found PS!
Don't dismiss it till ya try it! HONEST it is a miracle!! XX ( IN MY OPINION!) |
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Rebecca_L
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| Jeli, we'll look into the PS solution this summer. We don't want to try something at the same time that he's taking the Concerta because there could be an interaction. If it makes a difference during the summer, though, we'll certainly use it next year instead of putting him back on Concerta. We don't want to risk his education, though, because last year was a rough year for him. |
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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:24 am Post subject: |
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Great news Rebecca!! Promise you you won't look back. If you cannot wait until Summer try it at the weekend or when he is not HAVING to concentrate soooo much. The difference is MASSIVE. Honest, SEEING IS BELIEVING.
Concerta kicks out of the system in about 12hrs, I tried it during weekends and DID NOT give him Concerta at the weekends. One weekend is all it took, he has never looked back and never taken Concerta since!!
GOOD LUCK |
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Rebecca_L
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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| That's a good idea. I'll wait for the next three day weekend and get his mom to try it on the last two days, just to be careful. Can't be to careful where the little ones are concerned. |
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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Rebecca_L wrote: | | That's a good idea. I'll wait for the next three day weekend and get his mom to try it on the last two days, just to be careful. Can't be to careful where the little ones are concerned. |
Absolutely right Rebecca, they are sooo precious. That is why I love PS, it is sooo gentle unlike the stimulants! Good luck and let us know how you get along |
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DylansMom
Butterfly
Joined: Jul 30, 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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| Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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Ritalin certainly has it's place and it does work but now that I have switched my son (age 7.5) from Ritalin to Straterra after 2 years I am just SO HAPPY with the results.
I was extremely against Ritalin and we tried everything else before resorting to it. I am glad that we did medicate as you can see how Ritalin helps your child in all aspects. The only downside to it is - insomnia, appetite loss and anxiety. Dylan also has a naturally higher heart rate and when on Ritalin it would spike up 130+ which is far too high for such a small body.
Since going off Ritalin my son is asleep by 9pm (used to be 10.30/11pm), has put on almost 3 kgs as he is eating again and is doing so well. He seems to comprehend and understand things so much better, he is socialising better and is just wonderful.
My only advice to anyone is talk to your doctor if you are not happy with anything that you see in your child - don't leave it alone, you are giving your child schedule 7 drugs, which is major stuff. Well that says it all doesn't it - schedule 7 drugs that are kept under lock and key and monitored on a register and we feed it to our kids !!!
Anyway just my point of view on Ritalin ... |
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Ruth
Emu Egg
Joined: Nov 09, 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Israel
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| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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Hi all ADD/ADHD experts,
I'm completely new her, both in the area of ADD as well as on this forum. Just started to look around for information about how to get diagnosed (i'm sure both my daughter/9years and myself are ADD) officially, how to get to the right treatment and how to get a non sensitive teacher involved helping my daughter.
It is interesting for me to hear about PS but (sorry jellybean) it sounds too good to be true. how do i know you are 'selling' it for the right reasons? (by the way, do i really just have to let them do a bloodcheck to find out is she is deficient in Serine?). You sound like you are producing it yourself. Really, don't take it personal, i am just extremely suspisous for it is about my precious daughter, i'm sure you understand. Ofcourse i also get already ritalin recommended by almost everybody i spoke with about ADD, but i'm very carefull and worried about this kind of medication. On the other hand i just want to help my daughter today. She is very talented and highly intelligent (passing test at school). And i also look for myself to get organized.
ADD in girls is harder to get diagnosed and support for. ADHD children (besides all they have to cope with themselves) are difficult for their surrounding. ADD children, especially girls, can look very quiet and do not necasarily cause trouble for others around them.
I see her difficulty sitting still, doing activities/study as she plans, concentrating, focussing, organizing.... I notice the complications socially. I see on the way to her room starting homework she will find 20 things to do on the way, not having a clue what she intented to do by the time she arrives in her room. She can not concentrate at school while sitting next to someone else. She is oversensitive for noices around her.... and more.
My husband doesn't see a problem. He is very busy at work. Her teacher is happy with her study results that are higher than her average kids in the class and my daughter doesn't bother her class. She is not sensitive for the signals that i see clearly (i guess also since i recognize 90% in myself too).
where do i start? I got a recommendation for a good neurologist where i can go for a TOVA or BRC test, but others say these tests don't make a lot of sense. From the center where we go for help with motorical problems (like holding pen well while writing as well as nife and fork) they also treat ADD/ADHD kids. When i spoke with them about my concerns they say they recognize what i say, but told me to think if i will be willing to give her ritalin after the diagnoses (as the manager there told me: why to diagnose if you are not willing to give her the medication that will help her).
You see i'm a 'little' confused , starting entering a world that all of you know much better than me. Full of website, opinions, treatments?
Anybody tell me where to start! |
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annie2
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 18, 2007
Posts: 345
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: |
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| Ruth wrote: |
I see her difficulty sitting still, doing activities/study as she plans, concentrating, focussing, organizing.... I notice the complications socially. I see on the way to her room starting homework she will find 20 things to do on the way, not having a clue what she intented to do by the time she arrives in her room. She can not concentrate at school while sitting next to someone else. She is oversensitive for noices around her.... and more.
My husband doesn't see a problem. He is very busy at work. Her teacher is happy with her study results that are higher than her average kids in the class and my daughter doesn't bother her class. She is not sensitive for the signals that i see clearly (i guess also since i recognize 90% in myself too).
where do i start? I got a recommendation for a good neurologist where i can go for a TOVA or BRC test, but others say these tests don't make a lot of sense. From the center where we go for help with motorical problems (like holding pen well while writing as well as nife and fork) they also treat ADD/ADHD kids. When i spoke with them about my concerns they say they recognize what i say, but told me to think if i will be willing to give her ritalin after the diagnoses (as the manager there told me: why to diagnose if you are not willing to give her the medication that will help her).! |
Well for a start, a lot of what you describe sounds more specific to Aspergers eg. social issues, noise sensitivity, high IQ, motor problems. I have read a lot lately about Aspergers being misdiagnosed a ADHD, so I'd be careful that that doesn't happen in your case. My son has Aspergers, and he has a lot of concentration issues that I put down to executive dysfunction issues which have similar symptoms to ADHD. Some people would probably say it is both Aspergers and ADHD.
As for people who say that you shouldn't go for a diagnosis unless you're willing to medicate . . . how ridiculous! You get a diagnosis so that you are more certain of what you are dealing with, and then you weigh up the pros and cons of the interventions that are offered and decide what is best for your child - whether natural, environment changes or medication. A diagnosis also (hopefully) helps with schooling, as then the teachers have some idea of what they are dealing with and what modifications they need to make to your child's programme.
As for Jelibean-the-PS-crusader . . . she is just enthusiastic about the successes she and her family have had with using PS, and from what I can see, is very genuine about the potential of PS to help a lot of others. She is reasonably clued up, with her own website, and has done a lot of research. As a result of her comments and others on the "PSforADHDforum", I have been using PS with my son for the last few months. I have seen improvements using a local brand, but I am about to switch to a more highly recommended brand to see if I get more significant results. IMO it is worth giving it a go, before going down the medication track. |
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jelibean
Sea Gull
Joined: Mar 24, 2008
Posts: 219
Location: Jellybean World! United Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:31 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Annie, I guess I do sound like a PS guru don't I!! Actually that is not what I want to become!! I just happened to stumble upon PS on my travels. Yes you should have bloods done first BUT to be honest not many do bother. I don't sell it or get commission............more is the pity!! But all I can say is that IT WORKS!! And not just for us!
Do explore our website for what we are really about!!
www.jelibean.com/
And we are looking for amazing jelibeans!! Link in and check out GIANT JELIBEANS, let's get our amazing kids and their talents up for the world to see??
Click on musical jelis!!
http://www.jelibean.com/ladder/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=11&Itemid=59 |
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Rebecca_L
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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Ruth, I understand your reservations completely. I think they're great and show that you are a concerned parent. My daughter called me in tears when she finally decided to put Kaleb on Concerta (which is a delayed release form of Ritalin). She felt like a total failure as a mother.
Like I said before, for my daughter diet, exercise and working with her on how to schedule her time made a big difference for her. I taught her how to make lists to prioritize and to keep track of what she had to get done each day. We also used chore charts and stickers to help with her managing her own daily routine. Sugar was a huge trigger for her so I taught her basically to save sugar for just before she was going to be, or able to be, very physically active. (I also usually combined sugar with a protein food so she could digest it more slowly. I don't know if that's medically sound but even if it was just a placebo effect it seemed to help her energy level.) So those are all the non-medical techniques that I can suggest for your daughter. I still haven't tried PS, so I don't know how that might work. (I only have Kaleb for limited periods of time. I think I'd like to try it over either the Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday breaks, though. I should have him for a sizeable chunk of time then.)
Please be aware, though, that I've worked in special education classrooms and I KNOW there children who benefit greatly from medical intervention. I am very cautious about using medication for children but I am not rabidly against it.
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The question is this: given that God is infinite and that the universe is also infinite, would you like a toasted tea-cake? Talkie the Toaster (Red Dwarf) |
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