handling adhd without prescription medication
By Kellrae
@Kellrae (69)
United States
February 14, 2007 11:48am CST
For the last 2 1/2 years, I've been researching and implementing a nonmedicative approach to my child's adhd. The results have been phenominal. After about six months, someone commented to me that I must have finally found the right medication, because my daughter's behavior was so improved.
His jaw dropped when I explained that she was removed from all medication and we started changing our lifestyle. Did I mention that he was a pediatric nurse?
I'm not suggesting that you yank your kids off their medication. I am suggesting, however, that you discuss with your child's doctor any alternative methods you would like to try.Then, research, research, research! Make an informed decision about your child's health.
Here are a few things we did that has helped tremendously.We are still trying to improve, and we are a long way from being "cured".
First, we found a dye and preservative free multivitamin and mineral. It is only sweetened with natural fruit and vegetable sugars. We also added a daily dose of vitamin E and fish oil to our diets. Be sure and discuss any changes you make with your doctor.
Next, we started to read labels. We've cut out high fructose corn syrup, red dye 40, hydrogenated oils, and almost all refined grains (white flour,white bread, white rice,sugar). We are still working on this. It is a long uphill battle to change eating habits.
We started cooking more at home meals from scratch. A lot of prepackaged and restaurant foods contain preservatives, dyes and excess sugar. This isn't a time saver, but we do save a good deal of money.
Has anyone else found alternative ways to help aleviate add/adhd symptoms? What has worked for you?
4 people like this
4 responses
@manicme (9)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I am so happy that is working well for you!! My son is 8 1/2, by the age of 1 1/2 I had pretty much figured he was ADHD. I would discuss with his ped. & did all the research. Unfortunately, no improvement.We finally broke down and had him tested and medicated a little over a year ago. He has been so far behind in school, he was doing great for awhile and has recently been down so we reduced his Adderal & have started him on Stettera. I have found that I have ADHD as well. We are both on the extreme end. Diet and lifestyle changes had no effect on either of us. I also have Bipolar disorder, and that is why I didnt realize I was ADHD because the symptoms overlap. I am quit nervous he may also have this Bipolar since it ussually shows as ADHD in childhood. I do admit neither me nor him would be who we are with out our disorders.
good luck
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. My dd was on the adhd line pretty close to bipolar, or so her therapist said! We've been eating really junkie lately and she actually told a grown up to shutup today! My other dd told me about it and I made her apologize. She gets to spend the evening in her room, so she is currently crying. We have to get back on track!! Please don't give up on a healthy lifestyle. Even on meds, you'll be healthier. I wish the lifestyle changes would have worked for ya'll.
@snaglpus (17)
•
24 Feb 07
kellrae,I just finished a (can i say longass??)reply this subject to cheglommy on foods,chemicals in environment as aggravating and perhaps causative in hyperactivity & adhd.It is my belief that this is a specialty that needs to be made available to any county mental health clinic,city hospital,(maybe jails,state mental health hospitals)and through insurance plans.I still react to white flours within 3 hrs,because i have a lot of difficulty typing that otherwise is not there.I have to ride out 18 hrs of irritability until the effects dissipate. Took a lot of trials & note taking before eliminating offending foods.Docs who dismiss or don't know about this subject add up to second rate third world health care,ever increasingly expensive health care at that.
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I read somewhere (maybe from Dr. Rex Russell?) that a study was done on some of the most violent criminals and when there diet was supplemented, their demeanor changed dramatically. I wish I could remember where I read that. It seems that the study was done in another country, but I just don't remember all the details.
I believe J.I.Rodale said somewhere that studies showed that B vitamins(niacin in particular) helps mental patients regain their senses a bit. Interesting to say the least.
@14missy (3183)
• Australia
16 Mar 07
I did diet changes ets when my daughter was very little (she's 12) and didn't find a lot of difference with her behaviour. My youngest son (he's 5) is very hyperactive and he is definate;y sensitive to a variety of preservatives, colours. It definate;y shows the differences even in one family. My daughter is on meds for her ADHD now but we are looking into a programme thatrelies on the theory that the cerebellum of the brainj isn't fully developed in people with ADD dyslexia etc. and there are exercises to do that can develop it. We are having a meeting with the people endorsing this programme next weeks, so hope there is some credence to it. I'll let you know how it goes...
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
17 Feb 07
I have a cute little neice who is now 5 & a half yrs. old. She has adhd very bad. My mom who is 75 has had her for almost all her life until the past 6 months or so her real mom finally took responsibilty of her, for the most part. But my mom was the one we finally convinced to take the child to the dr. for medication. This child was uncontrollable, she was a nuisance to the neighborhood, she was breaking neighbors windows to get in their homes, she was stealing kids bikes, a little terror. But on the medication, she is a completely different child. Now that school started, the teachers would notice that she was out of control and abusive to the other children if not on medication. She was about to be expelled from kindergarten last week, until my mom took her back to the dr. and put her back on meds. She was a different child within the hour of taking her meds. What you and your husband are doing for your child sounds very productive. But I don't see my niece's "parents" doing that, or going to that kind of effort. So for her, the best thing is the meds for now. I am hoping that she will one day outgrow it. Do you know if they ever do? Her natural father is still very adhd. I wish you great success with this. Your child is so fortunate to have 2 loving parents willing to go to this extreme for him/her.
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
26 Feb 07
My dd was throwing things and yelling all the time. She was like a different child when she first started meds. Unfortunately, complications arose, so we chose to remove her from medications. It is a nightmare always switching meds to find that "magic bullet". We were away from home quite alot this week and ate out alot. I can tell a difference. The sullenness returned and a bit of irritability. I hope your niece continues to do well on her meds!
