Natalieclare Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 My 11yods started medication for ADHD a couple of days ago. Yesterday was the first day we did structured learning activities while medicated. WOW, what a difference. He was able to complete a whole spelling word without being redirected. He was able to whip through several pages of math, without me sitting right next to him. He read a chapter of a book, painlessly. In fact, I found him on his bed reading his book, VOLUNTARILY. He played for 3 hours on Saturday with his 3yo sister without pestering. In fact, he was very thoughtful and helpful with her. He's always been a kid whose heart has been in the right place, he just couldn't seem to stop himself from being annoying. It's as if the crisis between industy vs inferiority has been conquered! He had been getting so discouraged with himself, feeling like he couldn't DO anything. He was kind of a wanderer with his free time; his brief periods of screen time were the highlight of his day. Yesterday, he told me, "I used to live for screen time, but now the highlight of my day is building things." He said that it used to take him a lot of effort just to focus on an object, but now he can just "look at it". I have agonized over this poor sweet hearted boy, watched him flail around trying to get into something. And I can't believe how much he can get into when he is able to FOCUS without all the effort and strain. A couple of things have been discouraging: he's had an extremely hard time getting to sleep and he feels a little weird having things come easier because he's taking medicine. He said, "I just wanted to overcome this stuff on my own, Mom." That was really hard to answer. I mean, I gave him a little talk about how he's the one who has to make good choices, the medicine can't do that for him, blah blah blah. But I'm not sure he's satisfied with my explanation. Anyway, it feels a little weird to me too, to have such a weight lifted off. I guess I'm still a little conflicted feeling about the whole drug issue, but when I see the results, I'm only overjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 My 11yods started medication for ADHD a couple of days ago. Yesterday was the first day we did structured learning activities while medicated. WOW, what a difference. That's so awesome! I'm glad it's working well. Maybe the side effects will decrease with time. In the meantime, I'm so glad he's seeing so much improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I'm glad that the medicine is helping him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I rejoice with you. Please please don't feel guilty about not overcoming without drugs. Would you expect a diabetic to overcome without insulin? Or the nearsighted to cope without corrective lenses? It sounds very much like your son has a legitimate, physical/chemical issue--thank God he lives in a time and a country wherein there are resources to address it meaningfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 I rejoice with you. Please please don't feel guilty about not overcoming without drugs. Would you expect a diabetic to overcome without insulin? Or the nearsighted to cope without corrective lenses? It sounds very much like your son has a legitimate, physical/chemical issue--thank God he lives in a time and a country wherein there are resources to address it meaningfully. Thanks for the encouraging words, Strider. I used a similar analogy with my son and together, we did thank God for it! I think he doesn't quite like to think of himself as having something wrong with him. I think that's the hard part to accept. It's almost like it's easier for him to see himself as bad than deficient, kwim? We've spent a lot of years telling him we like him for who he is, for his growth at his own rate. Now, all of the sudden it seems like we're saying, "well, yes, we like you, but now let's make it so we like you *better*" Of course that's not the truth--we just want to see his potential realized. It's just the downside of overprotecting his self-esteem. I think the positives of the medication will quickly outweigh these concerns of his, but there are a few mental and emotional hurdles to jump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 all the presents in it and tore into them like a cyclone (his and other peoples) while crying and howling "I can't stop, I can't stop". With meds, he can stop. The intolerance some parents and schools have a for a fidgeter has tarred the proper use of meds. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 If the sleep continues to be an issue, check with your doctor about trying small doses of melatonin. My niece is on ritalin and the sleep issue got to be such a problem, she was a mess day in and out for months. Her neurologist recommended melatonin and she's hasn't had a problem since. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaid Dad Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 This is great news! Thank you for letting us share in your happiness! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdWTMer Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Oh, isn't it wonderful when you solve a problem like that? My dh has been on an ADD med for a year and WOWZA what a difference. Seriously. But, sometimes, he feels like he doesn't need it and that's when we have problems. He knows he needs but like on Saturdays he tries to give himself a break and finds after half the day is over that he needs his meds. Oy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 YAH! That is good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whisperlily Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I'm so happy for you! DS has been on meds for 9 months now, and he's doing so well. I tried everything else, thinking meds were a bad idea or somehow wrong. I cried when I finally made the appointment... One day on meds and I thought... "Why did I wait so long?" His self esteem is finally gaining strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey in TX Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Congrats! It's a huge burden off your shoulders--and HIS! We struggled putting DS on meds for ADD/ADHD. It was shocking how quickly he could focus and his behavior improved. DD was also challenging to accept whether to put her on: maybe it was my parenting, etc. It's a big deal when the CHILD says they feel better about themselves, school etc. DD#3 gets her meds tomorrow. Congrats!! (If you don't mind me asking, what is he taking?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle T Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 It was one of the first times I could read him a paragraph, ask him what I just read, and he could actually give a coherent answer. For some kids, meds are the answer. Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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