decision time re:medication, any advice ?

[ediebee]

Have been to see the childrens' psychiatrist and have been offered/recommended that we try our son on meds. Ritalin was mentioned in the form of a slow release capsule called concerta XL. We were given some leaflets, all produced by the drug company that manufactures the medication. The main problem our son is having is controlling his temper predominantely in school. He has a statement and 20 hours 1-1 support per week, but at times he becomes aggressive. School have targeted his behaviour in his recently written IEP, but as you can imagine we're not sure what to do for the best. Any info. would be great from yourselves, we're not looking for advice as such, just how things have gone for others on meds. or when you've said "No thanks". We've been told that he has ASD and ADHD, and I must admit it seems to be that the ADHD side seems to result in the most problems for him at the moment. Thanks.

[carrieq]

Hi Ediebee,

My ds aged 6 was dx ADHD last August and ASD acouple of weeks ago. We went through the will we won't we with regards med and decided to give it ago if it helped then good and if it didn't we could stop them. He had terrible problems with behaviour and concentrating so we went for it. He was initially on Ritalin but it seemed to make his autistic tendencies much worse. Since Jan he has been on Straterra and Ritalin and has only this week come off Ritalin. He changed to Straterra as it is a bit of a mood lifter and at the beginning of the year he was very low.

It is a very personal choice whether to try medication but we were told that as Ritalin wears off we could try medicating come off and it would have no effect chopping and changing. Ds has been able to concentrate better at school and as a result has made progress. It has also given him a window of opportunity to make friends which is still a stumbling block but not due to meds rather his asd.

Not an easy choice, I hope you find the best answer!!

Carrie

[jen]

There is an alternative to trying medications. Using enzymes to help break down the food can reduce behaviour. There have been studies undertaken in America and books available.

 

Every one is an individual and you have to make a choice. Alternative natural substance, no substances or give medication.

 

There can be severe side effects from medication but there can also be severe side effects from paracetamol.

 

 

Good luck in what ever you decide and I hope it works.

 

Jen

[ediebee]

Thanks Carrie and Jen, we've been looking at all sorts of different websites for info. and ideas, it seems to be a bit of a minefield, understatement of the night !! We're going to have a really good look at as much info. as we can over the next week or so and hopefully decide which course of action, if any to take. We feel stuck between a rock and a hard place at the minute. It feels as though if we say no to meds. then we've refused help and will seem as though we're in denial of his difficulties, but if we go the meds. route then what about all the possible side effects. It's so hard to do the right thing for your child sometimes, but thanks so much for replying, it does help knowing others are faced with the same dilemmas. (That sounds terrible, we don't wish dilemmas on anyone !!)