ADHD Drug Warnings

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I've got what most would consider to be a pretty severe case of ADHD. For me, the behavior modification route was far, far better than the drugs. Until I have severe physical conditions (e.g., high blood pressure) I'll forego any sort of medication regimen. I think that I probably suffered a little for my choice in HS and undergrad. Not enough to keep me out of law school, and since getting into law school, I've been outperforming the vast majority of my 'normal' classmates.

I know my route probably isn't what most would choose, but I figure that ADHD is just an aspect of what I am. So long as there was no serious risk of harm, I never really saw the utility in medicating myself in order to try and repress some aspect of my personality.

It's a choice between the patient (possibly through their parent or guardian) and their physician. The above study is something which could probably have been inferred from the above medications. Most of them are psychostimulants. A side effect is an increased heart rate. Increased heart rates lead to cardiac events as far as I know.

That's why I was wondering at the inclusion of Strattera on that list.

I think if I'd been diagnosed earlier I would have had more options with regards to treating my ADD. It didn't hurt me academically really until college, although even then I was muddling through, but socially and mentally I've struggled with being different sometimes. Now, though perhaps an ADD coach would be effective, I can't pay for it and I'm not sure how well my insurance would cover it.

[Kevin]

An ADD coach? Really?

I've never even heard of that. I think you can probably self-adjust. It's just a matter of slowing yourself down and being more deliberate with the things you do and say. It'll be easier for you than for most because you're certainly above average in the intelligence department.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I think you can probably self-adjust. It's just a matter of slowing yourself down and being more deliberate with the things you do and say. It'll be easier for you than for most because you're certainly above average in the intelligence department.

That's one of the root problems of ADHD. Depending on the form and severity, some with ADHD simply don't have self-adjust controls and lack the foresight to be deliberate with things.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

That's one of the root problems of ADHD. Depending on the form and severity, some with ADHD simply don't have self-adjust controls and lack the foresight to be deliberate with things.

Especially when they're elementary-age school kids. Those kinds of things often come with some maturity.

Our approach to drugs has basically been this: without some medicinal support, our son, who has ADHD and High-Functioning Autism (relatively mild, but giving him extra challenges nonetheless), has little capability to work on the bahavior modifications and strategies that will help him cope in the long run. With medicinal support, he has the opportunity to learn the skills that will, we hope, enable to him to get along fine without drugs as he gets older.

[valkyrie]

The fact that speed = increased cardiovascular risk has always been obvious to me. Like anything, it's matter of weighing the costs and benefits and figuring out what's best for you or your kid.

[RU OX Alum]

addiction is also a factor

adderal is essentially the same thing as dexadrine

[Tom Earp]

So, these were all legal drugs?

Then what went wrong wrong?

They just have a better Lobbyiest!

Just check the days ADs. This is good for you except it can cause side effects!

[Kevin]

Tom, without these drugs, a lot of kids wouldn't have a chance academically -- especially in the early years of school which are extremely important. Others are simply unable to develop effective coping strategies to overcome their ADHD-ness. Again, the drugs can help there.

What's important (and what everyone has been saying here) is that we have to weigh the risks and the benefits, and if we do decide to medicate, we have to be conscious of the risks and side effects of the medication we're taking or giving to our kids.

A lot of people with ADHD without meds are unable to be productive, or worse, they self-medicate with more harmful addictive substances. Of course, no two cases/people are alike, so as I said, some of us don't need the meds while others do.

[Drolefille]

We just discussed stimulants in my drug class and interestingly Methamphetamine was also just announced to have negative heart effects. Basically take a stim. overwork your heart.

Also Ritalin is crazy weak compared to Dexadrine. That's all, not much else to add.

/oh and I can now remember how to spell norepinephrine again.