Ritalin, Does it work ?

[MadDad]

If you have a child on medication you may already know that Ritalin is only a brand name for Methylphenidate hydrochloride. But how effective is it in the treatment of ADHD?

Our son has been taking it now for almost a year and we see a big difference if he misses a dose.
However, we don't want to treat him with drugs if a 'kinder' treatment is available.

Have you tried anything that works? or doesn't?

Let us all know about it please.

[loulou]

Hi MadDad,

My son (6) has been on Ritlalin for 3 months now. It's amazing how quickly he calms down after a dose.

I started feeling guilty about giving him drugs, so gave him a "day off" Ritalin to see how he was.

He was really hyper all day, running, climbing, falling over, jumping all over the place, like Tazmania really!

After that, i decided to carry on giving him the Ritalin because he's not enjoying himself whilst he's so hyper.

He's been off school for 11 months now, and is starting a special school soon.

The Head teacher said that most of the kids there who are on Ritalin, have their medication reduced or even stopped due to the teaching methods/environment in the school.

I am feeling pretty optimistic about it.

I'll keep you posted.

Loulou

[daffy]

hi baddad (and all)

Hi my lad has been on meds for about approx five years now. They really do help him.
I have the school on the phone if he has missed his dose. its really noticable!. I think the only reason he has got as far as he has at school is due to the medication. ( he certainly would have been kicked out by now,!!)

He has been on Ritalin and Methylphendiate. He is currently on concerta LX which is a long acting Methylphendiate one tablet stays in the system for up to twelve hours!. The problem is he suffers from side effects from all of the meds he has had these are the same with all of them, Supressed appitite, Consipation, and difficulty sleeping. So its tough. It helps loads as far as behavour and schooling but is his health suffering?.

I only give him his meds on school days and leave him off on weekends and school hols to enable him to eat properly. Unfortunatly we suffer because of it, but still what can you do?

take care
Daffy

[tri_harder]

Of course Ritalin works,

It is a class B narcotic, if you put any young child on a sedative then their systems will recat very quickly. It works now, but how much research has gone into the drug?

What really got me to join this was that last night I saw a programme where it followed kids every 3 years, the little Irish guy who's parents were reccomended that their child took ritalin, that was the "only option".

I know I am not an expert however I would like to ask to anyone one who has ritalin perscribed to their children, does the dosage increase over time with ritalin?

I don't want to put your backs up, so I apologise if I have. And the name tri_harder. I am a triathlete, it is not meant to be derogrative at all.

take care all

[MadDad]

Hi Tri_harder

Welcome to the forum. ALL comments are always welcome. This is a free speech site so please don't think you will upset anyone !!!

Our son has been on Methylphenidate hydrochloride for atleast 2 years. He has stayed on the same dose, 5mg twice daily. We find that this just calms him down enough to not end up harming himself or others. We still get occasional days when we feel an extra dose would have been good for us, but as I have said before we don't want to use drugs to alter our son. At the moment we are using them to keep him safe. If an alternative comes along we will look at it. Until then we will use as small a dose as possible.

[cmabrito2002]

Hello--
I recently found this page.
I have two sons (ages 13 & 8) with ADHD and have tried varies courses of treatment:

restricted diet----little or no improvement

ritalin for my 8 yr old --- he has been on it for x2 years and we have weaned him down to 10mg la each morning. I see such a difference on the Ritalin espically at a higher dose, but he was asked by his doctor if he felt different on it as opposed to off and he said he didn't feel as happy on meds--more "plain". We also saw such little weight gain that we took him off for the summer and since July (through 10/10) he gained 10 lbs. He now weighs 54lbs. His adhd prevents him from focus and he can become chatty with himself or just making sounds and impulsive tapping, etc it becomes disruptive for the class--so he is on 10mg la.

We have to take him for an ekg to be sure there are no problems from chronic use. The doctor is playing with the idea of ading either tenex or strateria for focus with the low dose of ritalin--so I am still researching. He will also be begining neuro feedback therapy with his LCSW for focus and learning better control on inpulses ---you should look into that.

My 13 yr old is taking wellbutrin and strateria with much success.