So, we started with a therapist. Then had her tested for learning dissabilities. Then went to see an ADHD "Coach." Now we just went to see a Pediatrician who specializes in behavioral issues and psychopharmacology.

All in all I have been really impressed with everyone. The MD today was exceptional too. We spent two hours with him discussing our daughter and reviewing all of the testing, evaluations and survey's that have been performed on her. We walked out with a fairly detailed diagnosis, a prescription for one med with a second med that will be added after the first is worked out.

There seems to be quite a close knit community of professionals in the area (SF east bay, CA) that all know everyone. This MD was a close friend of the LD evaluator and knew the therapist as well as the "Coach". I gotta say my daughter is very lucky to be getting such expert help from these professionals.

As some of you may know I have been resisting going to medication for our daughter, but we finally reached the point of diminishing returns with school accomodations and behavior modification, that we felt medication would be the best thing for her. Like the doctor says, either it works or it doesn't. If it works you will know immediately.

Her diagnosis was ADHD, non-hyper, Anxiety NOS, and ODD at home only. Did I get those terms right? We are starting off with Focalin for the ADD. Then it will be an antideppresant type drug to help with the anxiety. Probably Lexipro. The Focalin is a fast acting med that we should see the results immediately.

Still kind of scary to try the meds, but the MD really understood the issues with our daughter and explained what each of these two meds will do to her behavior. Wish me luck.

The description of my daughters symptoms can be seen in my old threads.

That's great news. It's nice when all the pistons fire correctly.

Like you, we tried the non-meds route, but it just wasn't enough.

It truly is like a magic little pill.

Tried the first dose of Focalin yesterday at 3:30pm. An hour later she sat down and completed six pages of math homework in about a half hour. You should have seen how happy she was with herself when she told me about it when I got home from work.

I realize we need to watch for side effects, rebounding etc, but we are really so excited about the effects of this medication.

I do not like to keep things from my family, sisters, parents, so now I need to endure the barage of comments like; "she doesnt really need medication" "are you sure you want to jump into this" "isn't there anything else you can do". Blah blah blah.

We waited until October of last year before we finally accepted that her behavior and frustration was not within the norm.

Went through three months of therapy.
4 hour evaluation for learning dissorders
Continued therapy for three more months
Read books and did tons of internet research
Set up a token economy at home.
Altered homework quantity and type of homework problems (helped a lot, but not enough)
Met with an ADD "Coach" who said she had no additional recommendations to help out at home or with school work. Said we had already incorporated everything she could think of.
Met with an MD and got a prescription.

We would be robbing our daughter of her chance to do her best if we withheld medication from her.

I can handle the prodding and questions from my family, and will feel better in the end keeping them in the loop. However, for those of you who will get upset from the discussions, just don't tell them and don't feel guilty. You only need to satisfy yourself and your doctor that it is the right thing to do. If the meds help, there is no need to second guess yourself.

We also tried the non-meds route first and it worked well for behavioral issues. School issues were another matter so we tried meds. It took us two to see the lightbulb go off and then one other switch about 3 months later because of rebound, but we're 8 months into meds and it's been the right move.

Just don't be discouraged/afraid to switch if the meds work, then stop. Their bodies are changing/maturing, etc. and sometimes you have to tweak dosages and/or make changes to get the right results. Our ped is fabulous is saying that if we're not completely happy w/the meds due to side effects or response from DD, we should try something else. She said there are so many choices that you should never just "accept" one but keep trying if you need to!

Thanks for the info. I realize that we are not out of the woods yet, and there might be some side effects lurking in the future. I also realize that there are other meds that may work better, if we have problems with this one.

I was wondering, what do you mean by "rebound"?

I was wondering, what do you mean by "rebound"?Not pipsmom, but we have seen rebound in our son -- after the meds wear off, he seems even more distractible and unmotivated than usual, and cranky to boot.

MGDAD - It is great for me to read success stories like this. We have been having issues with my 5 year old son from an impulsive stand point and have been doing the counseling for about 6 months - better but not great. We are now going through diagnosis for ADHD and I'm afraid of the medicine route but through stories like yours I am getting more comfortable. Thanks for sharing.

I think most parents are scared of meds (I sure was), but the information they're giving us at the ADDA conference are very reassuring. Not only do the stimulent medications have a terrific safety record but they reduce the chance of teenage drug abuse by half and actually lower the risk of sudden unexpected unexplained death (ie: heart attack).

Scattered

Not pipsmom, but we have seen rebound in our son -- after the meds wear off, he seems even more distractible and unmotivated than usual, and cranky to boot.The doctor discussing medication said that he frequently gives a later dose so the kid can go to sleep and let rebound happen while he's sleeping -- it can even help the child go to sleep in many cases. Tom Brown says rebound occurs because the meds are falling off too fast (this is especially a problem with Ritalin) and a smaller dose to ease off more gradually can also be added. I know we have some mild rebound issues too, fortunately nothing more than a little crankiness.

Scattered

The doctor discussing medication said that he frequently gives a later dose so the kid can go to sleep and let rebound happen while he's sleeping -- it can even help the child go to sleep in many cases. Tom Brown says rebound occurs because the meds are falling off too fast (this is especially a problem with Ritalin) and a smaller dose to ease off more gradually can also be added. I know we have some mild rebound issues too, fortunately nothing more than a little crankiness.This is basically why we decided to give our son his second dose when he gets home from school. This way, he does well until it's time to wind down, have his bath, and get to sleep. It seems to be working well.

This is basically why we decided to give our son his second dose when he gets home from school. This way, he does well until it's time to wind down, have his bath, and get to sleep. It seems to be working well.I'm glad to hear it!:)