children and ritolin
By elemental69
@elemental69 (1561)
Ireland
November 4, 2007 6:01pm CST
A lot of people dont agree with giving children with A.D.H ritolin to keep them under control. I was one of them. But I feel that I must share with you why I changed my mind!!!
My best friend had her first son 3 weeks after I had my first son. We went through our pregnancies together. I had a harder pregnancy than she did, but she was the one that had the premature baby. Now our two sons are both 8 years old. When her son was only 18 months old he started climbing on everything, wouldnt sleep through the night, she would still be up with him at the early hours of the morning. He never seemed to tire out.... He was wearing her out that much that she brought him to her doctor. He was refered to a specialist and after 2 years was finally diagnosed with A.D.H. He was put on ritolin medication to help calm him down. During the day he seems a very normal 8 year old.
So 2 nights ago he wanted to stay over with my son, it was the first time he did. Well, the evening started off great they were playing their games and them decided that they wanted to sleep in the living room. Well thats when the night turned into a nightmare!!!! He wouldnt settle down. he had gotten very hyper!!! It was after 1am when he finally went to sleep, and he was awake at 6am. I couldnt wait till 8.30am so that I could give him his ritolin!!! Within 20 mins he was a totally different child. I dont know how my friend does it, but I had to pat her on the back.
So anyone out there who is toally against children and ritolin, put yourselves in the mothers shoes. They are the ones who have to put up with this day in day out without a break!!!! :-)
3 people like this
5 responses
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
6 Nov 07
I was on ritolin for my Adult Add for awhile. It does help the person and makes them feel more normal.
@Dee351972 (743)
•
5 Nov 07
Hi , i was one to. I have a son with that to. He had to be put on stuff to. He has to take something at night to help him sleep and calm him down. We j ust have him on enough so he can learn in school and stuff. At home we deal with more but he still needs to be on something or even he couldnt stand h imself. And of course for his saftey to
1 person likes this
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
6 Nov 07
I think that dosages can be controlled so to avoid the child being 'doped up' so to speak. This little boy is learning a lot better in school too and his teachers have noticed a great improvement in his work. My friend put off having another baby for seven years because she was afraid for her safety as he would kick and punch his mother in public, and she couldnt bring him anywhere for fear of his tantrums. Now she is more at ease and has a little 10 month old little girl.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Of course, some kids need to take it. No one is disbuting that (or no one sane anyway). I just think it's over perscribed by people (doctors and parents) who don't want to deal with kids being kids.
@melissacus (441)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I'm not a mother, I don't have children, so in a way I really don't know what it's like to have a child so wound up you can't calm him down. But one of my good friends was put on ritolin as a young child, it calmed him down, but it got to the point that when he didn't take it it affected him very negatively. He became violent and aggresive towards both parents to the point of pulling a knife on them. I don't think popping a pill into a kid's mouth because he's hyper is anyway to deal with the "problem". This friend of mine after discontinuing his medication was just fine and "normal". You have to work at it. I don't believe A.D.H is something that's mentally wrong with you. Kids will be kids and kids will be running around, staying up till the wee hours of the night and having fun because they're kids. I just don't like the idea of anyone or anything becoming dependant on a substance. I won't judge those who give their kids medication, I just don't think I will once I become a parent myself.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
5 Nov 07
I am so sorry, but that kid would have either got his Ritolin then or his mother would have been coming to get him. I have to get my sleep. Do you mean that he has A.D.H.D? I believe that it is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. I take psych meds myself, so I have no problem with a kid taking it if they need it and it is all that helps.
I haven't done much steady on the side effects of Ritolin, but I know that all meds have them. They have a disclaimer on Webmd, saying something to the affect that the doctor has prescribe this medication to you because the benefits far outweigh the risk.
When I first started taking these meds, it was hard to find one that suited me. My system is very sensitive, so I would get a lot of the side effects and had to keep changing. The thing about any med is that the doctor will not tell you all of the side effects. You have to be willing to research for yourself. I don't take anything until I know all there is to know.
1 person likes this
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
6 Nov 07
Oh Rozie I hear you!! His mother wasnt happy with the first dosage that he was given so they changed him to a stronger one, but it was a 24 hour slow release that would last him all day. He still has his moments, but is a lot better than he used to be. Usually they would come to visit during the day and when our two sons get together then yes boys will be boys and get a bit hyper and get up to mischief, but he no longer kicks and punches his mother in temper anymore because of his meds.
