My son has ADHD I think he needs meds. for it and his father does not.

Thank you for the answers but it illustrates my point. You ask the child questions, ask the parents and teacher questions, then conclude a chemical imbalance is the culprit. I don't understand that. Then you prescribe a med. That one doesn't quite work so another is prescribed. Then up the dose. Then try another. Then maybe you get it right. I know this works sometimes. I'm sure many people here will testify that it worked perfectly the first time for them. People will testify to any thing if it promotes what they believe. If I get sick, the doctor talks to me then runs some tests. If he told me I had cancer after just talking to me should I start the Chemo? If he gives me an atibiotic without first looking for an infection should I trust him? Again, I'm not bashing, I just don't understand how it can be determined that there is a chemical imballance without first determining the relative chemical levels. Force

It is a chemical imbalance of the brain. The best way I can explane is if you where reading a sentence and all the verds where gone. It is hard to understand what they are talking about. I do take him to the doctor every month to get him checked out for weight gain, blood presure, and how he is doing in school. You have alot of paper work to fill out and you have paper work to take to his teacher to fill out. They ask about how he does is work. If he is looking around the room or tapping on the desk. If he can sit still for any leght of time and so on. Theor os no blood test for ADHD or for learning problems.

I think it is low dopamine (brain chemical) that causes ADHD. As of now they don't have a way to test this through blood. They do have brain imaging they can do but it is very costly.

Thanks, I will tell him to do that. Let him see how he gets off his meds.

I did not know about the two week adjustment. That is intresting to know. Thanks for sharing that.

My sons doctor tried to tell me it was a food thing also.Thats a buch of B.S. ADHD is hereditary.It is real and you can eliminate all the sugars and the red dye #40 and they will still have ADHD.Ive tried many medications.My oldest child who is now 20 was diagnosed also at tye age of 5.He is off medication now,but for my 10 year old he still needs his.My son is on Ritalin LA 20 mg.Everyday and he sdoing so well.We tried other medications that are not controlled substances like ADDERALL and it didnt work for us.We also spent a lot of time trying to figure out the right dosages for him and his body.This is an ongoing process.Whe I first took my son to his " family" doctor at 5 years old I knew already he had ADHD but his doctor was the type that believed children didnt belong on medication.I switched doctors!Check around get more than one opinion!! Lastly...go with what you feel,you know your children better than any doctor. Do not let you r ex-husband take him off.His body takes 2 weeks to regulate the medication.If you take him off and your ex husband realizes he actually needs it your sons body needs at least 2 weeks to re-adjust to the medication!!Have your ex got to the doctors appoinments and have the doctors explain.

Thanks, It is hard to keep battleing with his father about this. My son goes to his fathers every other weekend and all sumer. The doctor told him he did not need to give it to him on the weekends. It is hard on Monday after being at his fathers to concernate at school that day.

i know what you mean, my sons ped. doctor always asked me if i took him of the meds for the summer and weekends and i told him that i wasnt because i was not going to let my child go thru the withdrawls and have to "reprogram" his body if i did. I always listened to the neuroligst on the matter.

Thanks I will try that too. If I can get him to go is the real question.

I had to try several different types of meds befor we found on that works for him. But, The doctor and I are always adjusting the meds. If thew meds stay the same for long periods of time they do not work as good as they first did. I think we tried about 3 different types and even more different levels befor we found ones that work.

If your daughter was a zombie on the meds than they were too strong or the wrong kind.Could you tell me what and how much she was on.

It is to help him focus which in turn helps him stay still. If you ever have to deal with ADHD or ADD you would understand.

Thanks, I never tought to ask him. I will ask him maybe next school year.

I have tried several times to get his dad to go to the doctor with me. He cancelled 4 times and just went to the november apt. He thinks his son can go get tested at the hospital but, it does not work that way. I will talk to the doctor when I go back this month.

what are you talking about. This is a discussion about ADHD not about adding friends to YOUR list. If you have nothing to say about this discussion do not respond. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

thanks

Thanks

Thanks. I am going too keep him on meds. I just do not know how to make his father understand.

Thanks, I tried Karate and he just practist on his little sister. But, He was just five at that time. LOL Now his little sister can stand her own. they are in baseball and boy Scouts that helps.