Comments on: The Ritalin Riddle… When Nothing Else Seems to be Working

By: heather

heather — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:54:24 +0000

Thanks, Caroline, that’s actually very helpful. I hadn’t heard of that particular option and I’ll look into it some more. Like with many types of treatments, I think a lot depends on what a person’s particular CAUSE is — some treatments will work better with some people but other treatments for others. But since it’s kind of tricky to look inside a brain and see what exactly the problem is, you can’t really tell without trying different things. Heck, they’re not even 100% sure how these drugs work anyway, it’s all educated guesses.

Give my best to your boys!!

By: caroline

caroline — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:44:31 +0000

oh and one more thing. WIth the Strattera, Boo still has a lot of energy and happiness ( as you can imagine….) BUT has a lot more IMPULSE control and self control

By: caroline

caroline — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:41:09 +0000

Please do yourself a favor and DO not use ritalin. We tried that route with Boo (under the name of Concerta) and although it worked well, it reduced his appetite and affected his sleep. Instead, if you have the money or insurance, talk to your doctor about Strattera. It is a SNRI, and instead of “stimulating” it causes the brain to take in less of the chemical it is producting (hence the ri in name … reuptake inhibitor) and helps the body produce more neurosomething or other … a chemical that is used to focus, concentrate and be less hyper. There are a lot less side effects AND works well within the same levels as concerta etc.

Hope this helps

By: Let Them Eat Cookie Dough! | Mother By Nature

Let Them Eat Cookie Dough! | Mother By Nature — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:12:24 +0000

[...] just a few days ago, Lenore herself commented on one of my posts. I feel like I’ve been touched by celebrity! It’s almost as cool as when I got to [...]

By: Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:47:10 +0000

That was such a great post and so extremely familiar sounding to me as we are in the same position with a son the same age (turning 11 tomorrow!). I hadn’t read about dopamine, but that would explain a lot — his extreme desire for speed, his utter inattention at school (contrasted with his true curiosity about the world), his self-destructive ways even when he doesn’t want to be self-destructive (“Why didn’t I write down my assignment!”). It’s all there and I’m starting to think about ritalin, too. Love to read your further adventures… Lenore “Free-Range Kids” Skenazy

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:51:39 +0000

Trust your judgment. I agree with you that these medications are way overprescribed, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t necessary for some. And sometimes, the medication helps focus someone enough for them to learn better coping skills so that the medication becomes unnecessary. That is the way it was with my husband’s depression.

And having grown up with a brother who is genuinely ADHD, I know there is a tremendous difference between “just an active kid” and true ADHD!