ADHD Is a Real Disease

[Jeana (DP)]

Ladies, the claws need to be retracted or the thread will be moved and the posters timed out.

 

[eleven]

There's just so much more out there to prove my point re: the above. There is a book written by a former FDA physician, who spilled the beans on the FDA's safety and ethical/research practices. For the life of me, I just cannot remember the name of either this physician, or the book she wrote, but I'll find it, and when I do, I'll post the link here.

This information ALL ties in with what I am trying to say.

IF most of you could find help for your child/ren, that included a true and thorough physical examination (lab work, allergy testing, toxicities in bloodwork, etc.) and then perhaps found a medical protocol which would enable your child to thus eliminate the underlying biochemical mechanisms which MAY be causing a manifestation of so-called psychiatric/social issues, W/O THE USE OF DRUGS, wouldn't you have to state this would be the optimum vs. simply going to a Psychiatrist and then, ultimately, ending up with perhaps a false diagnosis and a Schedule II prescription drug to use, to boot?

Generation Rescue is a website that wasn't even up and running when we had our issues with Ryan. JB Handley appeared out here on varying news/TV spots, and spoke about his son's ADHD/autistic issues.

I have written and/or spoken with John Breeding, JB Handley, Dr. Fred Baughman, and many others, regarding this topic. I really tried to weigh in on both sides of the argument (pro vs. con/drug usage) and hands down, I came up with the fact that too many kids are on these drugs and quite probably, most of these kids have underlying biomedical issues which haven't even been diagnosed yet.

.

I agree with you. Generally speaking, the use of drugs to address attention and behavioral disorders is used waaaaay to much these days. I am not speaking towards any posters here who's kids are on these drugs because I do not live your lives and I don't know what others have or havent done, but GENERALLY speaking, far too often these drugs are prescribed WITHOUT labwork, allergy testing, environmental testing and toxicities. In my line of work, I have seen it time and time again. The script gets written after an hour long interview and questionairre.

I am sure there are docs who only prescribe these drugs after a full workup and whatnot, but there are far more who prescribe it recklessly. Just look at the statistics--the amount of ADHD scripts written have been steadily increasing dramatically each and every year since the early 90's. Again, I am not faulting anyone here who gives their kids these meds because I don't and haven't walked in your shoes.

I am lucky in that I don't have this problem with my 3 kids. Although there have been times I have thought of medicating them, LOL...just kidding.

What I want to know is why isn't Ritalin FDA approved for children with ADHD? Anyone know?

 

[OneLostGrl]

Eleven-
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/UPDATEAPP=false&DSECTION=7
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru787.html

It is approved to treat children.

I'm backing outta this thread. I don't want to get timed out or kickd out.

 

[pedinurse]

Eleven-
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/UPDATEAPP=false&DSECTION=7
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru787.html

It is approved to treat children.

I'm backing outta this thread. I don't want to get timed out or kickd out.

Ritalin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD... I think the kids are supposed to be 6 years of age or older... all uses younger than that are "off label". At least, that is what I think I remember?

Now... some docs will put kids on some other drugs which are NOT actually approved... commonly anti-hypertensives. That is a very common "off-label" use. Some kids do need that... and it is generally a safe use of the drug. But. It can be dangerous and those kids require monitoring (and good parents who won't over medicate them because it can be VERY dangerous!). Let me bring up an old thread which may actually support the opposing viewpoint (from mine) in this thread.... whoever diagnosed this child at 2 1/2 years old with ADHD and bipolar was a total quackjob. Child was OD'd by parents on her meds. Very sad. Here is the thread.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47952&page=3&highlight=adhd

 

[sherri79]

one and pedi thank you so much for clearing that up. my son got his first dose today and every thing i had read said it was safe. i started to panic for a minute when i read that post.

 

[OneLostGrl]

one and pedi thank you so much for clearing that up. my son got his first dose today and every thing i had read said it was safe. i started to panic for a minute when i read that post.

Good luck- I hope your son will get the desired results!!

 

[pedinurse]

one and pedi thank you so much for clearing that up. my son got his first dose today and every thing i had read said it was safe. i started to panic for a minute when i read that post.

I hope he does well too. No panicing allowed!

 

[Taximom]

one and pedi thank you so much for clearing that up. my son got his first dose today and every thing i had read said it was safe. i started to panic for a minute when i read that post.

How did it go, sherri? I hope it all works out for him.

 

[sherri79]

How did it go, sherri? I hope it all works out for him.

it is day 1 so we will see. he was on adderall for a few weeks at the end of last school year. before that we tried Strattera for a few weeks. he finished all the test in the middle of last school year.

we took him off the meds for the summer. when i started him back last week on adderall he started having Tourette's type tics. his doctor hopes ritalin will help. today was tic free so i am keeping my fingers crossed. i just want to hold him and make all his problems go away. he does not seem keen on that idea at the moment.

 

[Taximom]

it is day 1 so we will see. he was on adderall for a few weeks at the end of last school year. before that we tried Strattera for a few weeks. he finished all the test in the middle of last school year.

we took him off the meds for the summer. when i started him back last week on adderall he started having Tourette's type tics. his doctor hopes ritalin will help. today was tic free so i am keeping my fingers crossed. i just want to hold him and make all his problems go away. he does not seem keen on that idea at the moment.

How old is he? Mine is 11 1/2 yrs and he's getting to that stage where hugging is ok at home, but not out in public! Don't you wish it was as easy as a big hug?

I'm crossing my fingers with you.

 

[sherri79]

How old is he? Mine is 11 1/2 yrs and he's getting to that stage where hugging is ok at home, but not out in public! Don't you wish it was as easy as a big hug?

I'm crossing my fingers with you.

he will be 9 next month. he still loves to hug me but it only last a few seconds and he is rushing off. being a mom sucks. raise your kid like a bum and they never leave. raise them right and they leave you. we will start worrying about dosage next week. today i am just happy to see his face relax.

 

[Boyzmomee]

Ritalin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD... I think the kids are supposed to be 6 years of age or older... all uses younger than that are "off label". At least, that is what I think I remember?

Now... some docs will put kids on some other drugs which are NOT actually approved... commonly anti-hypertensives. That is a very common "off-label" use. Some kids do need that... and it is generally a safe use of the drug. But. It can be dangerous and those kids require monitoring (and good parents who won't over medicate them because it can be VERY dangerous!).
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47952&page=3&highlight=adhd

Clonidine?

I know it's used for some ADHD kids and autistic kids for sleep.

 

[Boyzmomee]

IF most of you could find help for your child/ren, that included a true and thorough physical examination (lab work, allergy testing, toxicities in bloodwork, etc.) and then perhaps found a medical protocol which would enable your child to thus eliminate the underlying biochemical mechanisms which MAY be causing a manifestation of so-called psychiatric/social issues, W/O THE USE OF DRUGS, wouldn't you have to state this would be the optimum vs. simply going to a Psychiatrist and then, ultimately, ending up with perhaps a false diagnosis and a Schedule II prescription drug to use, to boot?

I've worked in mental health for over 18 years. I have never, repeat, never, seen a psychiatrist (who is a physician), prescribe medication (unless in an emergency situation) without first ruling out physical causes for mental/behavioral symptoms.

It's just like a family doctor who suggests further testing to r/o more serious causes for headaches prior to diagnosing migraines.

 

[Boyzmomee]

it is day 1 so we will see. he was on adderall for a few weeks at the end of last school year. before that we tried Strattera for a few weeks. he finished all the test in the middle of last school year.

we took him off the meds for the summer. when i started him back last week on adderall he started having Tourette's type tics. his doctor hopes ritalin will help. today was tic free so i am keeping my fingers crossed. i just want to hold him and make all his problems go away. he does not seem keen on that idea at the moment.

My son started on Adderall 5 mg. I observed him in school and he looked drugged for a couple of hours and then no more symtom control. I went back to the pediatric neurologist and he then prescribed Adderall 10mg XR. It has worked beautifully. You'll find what works. Usually there is some trial and error.

 

[pedinurse]

Clonidine?

I know it's used for some ADHD kids and autistic kids for sleep.

Yup. That's the one I was thinking of...

 

[Boyzmomee]

Yup. That's the one I was thinking of...

I took it after a mild TIA. They gave it to me in the ER. Lol... I just felt totally relaxed..... I asked to get off of it and try something else after a week....can't be in a relaxation state 24/7. I was on a low dose too.

 

[OneLostGrl]

"Scientists have found that the brain development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is delayed but otherwise typical, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Comparing brain scans of children aged 6 to 16 who had the common psychiatric disorder with scans of those who did not, researchers found that some areas in the ADHD brain — particularly those involved in thinking, attention and planning — matured an average of three years later than "healthy" brains, but otherwise followed normal patterns of development...."

More at link-

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1683069,00.html?xid=feed-rss-netzero