[paula]

Hi!

Elise was recently diagnosed with ADHD (she is 5). Have just got the appointment through to decide on whether or not to give her medication. In a real quandry as most of me says no - Elise is Elise and don't want to tamper with her just so she will fit into society and conform. On the other hand, she is blinkin' hard work and there are times when I think that medication would be the only way to keep us sane and to calm her down. The doctor is talking about Strattera, not Ritalin. Has anyone got any thoughts that might help us to make our minds up please?!

Thanks

Paula x

[Speeds]

These are my thoughts for you.  They are based on my godson who has ADHD.

S went on Ritalin and I can tell you he was a different child - for the better.  But give him too much and he was like a limp rag and not enough or forget and he was a terror - just couldn't help it.

What it helped my friend with was the fact that she could enjoy her son better while o medication because he was easier to be with, he enjoyed doing things and the battles lessened.  He was able to work better at school and therefore concentrating better has meant that he learnt more than he probably would have done without the treatment.

Whatever you chose will be right for you.  She can stop taking the medication if she does not respond well to it - it is not a critical drug.  If you never try then you will never know but no one can make the choice but you.

xx

[paula]

Thanks Speeds - that was quick!

I am coming more to the conclusion that perhaps we should at least give it a go and see. Elise has a very low self esteem due to her adoption and associated experiences. It does worry me that on some bad days, despite our good intentions, all we seem to do is be on her case which can't be good. Everything we do, especially when we are out, seems to get spoilt or end up as a stress and no one, least of all Elise, is benefitting. It just scares me when you read the list of side effects and I suppose it seems more scarey when you are tinkering with the brain. Too much responsibility!!!!!

Paula

[Speeds]

Well I just happened to be there

All drugs have side effects but forewarned is forearmed so at least you can look out for them.  The good thing about giving a drug to a child is that they really do not understand the side effects and also, at Elise's age you are still in control (as in Mummy is helping with most things) of her in all she does.  Therefore although you have ot be vigilant and hope she will tell you if something is not right, she will not get the "oh it says I might get XXXXX symptoms so I have" which is what you can get with adults taking a drug as we tend to think about it more.

Sorry - rambling!!!!!

Anyway, your doctor should be able to advise you and at least if she has it you will have tried.

One last thing about Side Effects.  By law a drug company has to tell you of all side effects that have been experiencec by people who took the drug on the trials and any others that have been reported.  In some trials the side effect could have been reported by just one person but they have to tell you.

If you are still concerned then do call the Pharmaceutical company and speak to their advice line.  They will be able to speak to you further.  If you want my help then please ask and I will do what I can.

xxxx

[Julie]

Hi Paula

Know where you are coming from!  Jamie doesn't take anything for his ADHD (which now he is 8 has improved a bit), but he does take an anti-depressant (Fluoxetine) for his anxiety to do with his Aspergers.  I had the medicine for about 2 months before I had the courage to give it to him because like you I read all the side effects (suicidal thoughts being one of them!)  I would not be without that medicine now for him, as it has helped him so much.

Another parent explained to me that his son was on Ritalin and the biggest difference was that it gave his son piece of mind, and he could go through the day on an even keel not being told off all the time.  Like Speeds mentioned, he was able to concentrate and the Ritalin helped him to do this.  It had an enormous effect on the whole family too.  Some children only take it for a while, so it might not be a permanent thing.

If you do decide to go for it, don't feel guilty.  It might be the best thing that you can do for Elise aswell as your whole family.