ADHD Meds?

[pumpkingirl71]

I know this is a long shot, but I am wondering is anyone has any experience with taking an adopted child off ADHD drugs. My daughter has been taking them for a year and a half. Right around the time she turned four, we had a new baby and her impulisivity got dangerous for our whole family. The meds have been an absolute life saver for everyone. Getting a handle on the impulsivity has really helped her find a better place in our family.

But, being the person that I am, I would really like it if she could get off of them as soon as is good for her. I don't think we are there yet, but there are so no models for this. Her doctor specializes in trauma and drug exposure and really "gets" the situation, but only on some levels. For example, she keeps talking about changing the dose when my daughter gets older and has homework to do. But really, J is an academic superstar, it is impulsivity in the family that she needs help with.

[Mylie]

Check out the Feingold Program

Works for alot of kids with ADHD


www.feingold.org

[JBaxter]

Originally Posted by Mylie

Works for alot of kids with ADHD


www.feingold.org

Yes start with trying the feingold diet it does work on alot of children but your really need to follow it to a T we have my bio 6 yr old on it since he was 3.

[sbrinton]

Another book to check out is Dr. Sears NDD Book. I totally think medication is appropriate in some circumstances, but addressing nutrition is a good idea whether or not she'll stay on ADHD mds.

[pumpkingirl71]

Originally Posted by Mylie

Works for alot of kids with ADHD


www.feingold.org

I am familiar with this program, but I think my daughter's issues are more complex due to trauma and other issues.

[SpottedFoxx]

Pumpkin, if the meds are working. Your DD is being impacted in a positive fashion, why stop them? The thing with ADHD meds is the only work for people who actually need them. If she didn't have a need, they wouldn't have a positive impact on her.

If you really want to take her off of them, I'd ask her pediatrician for their imput and assistance.

[Momily]

Pumpkin, are you referring to stimulant meds such as ritalin, adderal etc . . . ? All of those are short acting meds meaning that they're gone from your bloodstream the same day to take them. Doing a trial off meds should be much easier than something like an antidepressant that requires weaning off, and monitoring blood levels etc . . .

I'd pick a day when you're with her all day, and skip the dose. In my experience you'll know in a few hours whether it was a good idea.

[RedOakMomma]

You might get some good input on this in the Special Needs forum, if you haven't asked there already.

[junipermoon]

I took my later-aged adopted son off an atypical antipsychotic when he was 9. He took it for about a year--we did try stimulant type ADHD meds first but those stimulated mania in him.

The meds acted like a personality glue for a while when otherwise he might not have been safe in a home or school environment.

Weaning him off was quite successful and he hasn't been on meds for 4/5 years. this does not mean he has no problems, but, he is not medicated. we did a slow wean down to a placebo that I gave for a few weeks. kept him on omega 3-6-9 and a few other vitamins, but no more risperdal. i had to switch psychiatrists at the time though cause our psychiatrist wasn't behind the pull off. even though my boy was developing tardive dyskinesia.

stimulants should also not be stopped cold. they are amphetamines, basically, and the body needs time to adjust to life without them. always wean slowly unless specifically directed otherwise, i think.

so, yes, I think you can be successful with weaning. but it depends of course on what exactly the meds are altering in your daughter. ie, if the meds are still the only thing putting space between her impulses and her actions, or something like that, it might not be time to wean yet...then again, only you, through reflection, trial and error, etc, can really decide such a thing, being that she is so young. she can't really tell you yet exactly how the meds make her feel and how she feels without them, etc.

good luck hon.