I have a teen with Autism and ADHD and various health issues like causing most of these labels. While he has done well on Propanolol for anxiety and aggression, he still struggles alot with ADD/ADHD type symptoms. We were going to try out Strattera for him, but since we hadn't hit our insurance deductible it was going to cost us $400 plus per month, which is ridiculous. Strattera doesn't even have the best reviews and he cannot tolerate stimulants and Tenex had limited effectiveness for him.
I signed him up for an executive functioning class for teens, in hope it would give him enough skills to overcome some of these deficits. It turned into a disaster. Due to being on an inhaler for the effects of a lung infection he had to stop his Propanolol. The other students there were, according to their parents, on high doses of Concerta (Tenex at night when it wore off) and thus could sit and focus. The instructor ended up getting so agitated by my son's restlessness that he threatened to strap him to the chair, and allowed the other students to add in that they should tase my son. My son stormed out of there and when I confronted this teacher he claimed it was all a big joke and my son should know that as he is in junior high now. Needless to say, I filed a complaint and gratefuly the center addressed it. But it scared me how his symptoms getting out of control put my son potentially in harms way.
We've had success with Vayarin, a medical food for ADHD, with my other son who has the same medical issues and combined ADHD diagnosis from our Neurologist. It's helped with some of the younger son's defiant behaviors, so I am hopeful we see improvement for this child as well. I just want him to be able to control himself, focus, and take part in all life has to offer. After seeing how untreated ADHD is affecting their father's life (no follow through on projects, has to go to extremes with continual activities just to function and self regulate to the exclusion of family) and has wrecked my marriage, I have decided to do whatever I can to get my kids the help they need so they don't struggle in the same way.
My son is 17. He has ADHD and
Submitted by Hopeful Heart on
I can imagine that you are definitely a tired momma! I have been there myself. I cannot imagine a teacher acting that way in a class that is designed for kids that struggle with executive function. I'm so sorry that your son had to go through that.
My son is 17. He has ADHD and ODD. We struggled through the first 16 years of his life without medication. I even homeschooled him for six years because the classroom environment wasn't working out. He has had success with taking adderall for about a year. However, I have heard many instances where the drugs just quit working and the kids "crash", so to speak. The vayarin sounds very promising for a long term solution. I'm extremely interested in this treatment. I thought it was a supplement in pill form. You say it is a medical food. Could you explain how you use it? Can adults take it? Has your husband tried it?
Vayarin info
Submitted by tiredmomma1 on
Vayarin is a medical food that comes in capsules. It is a combo of omega 3's from krill and phosphotidylserine, and increase dopamine and noprepherine levels in the body. Much like many ADHD meds. It comes in a bottle of about 60 capsules and you take 2 a day. My older son actually started getting really angry and aggressive on it. He has never responded well to anything for ADHD, ever. He has two genetic Mutations on the COMT gene that mean his body has trouble breaking down certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine and others. Most ADHD drugs increase dopamine. He is also on Propanolol and that lowers Norprephrine levels, so maybe that is also too high with him. When under stress, he can be prone to high dopamine levels, developing mood swings and other major issues. It also increases his risk for bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia (scary!) My younger son with ADHD type symptoms and my husband respond really well to it and most folks with ADHD who do well on coffee or stimulants respond really well to Vayarin. Your doctor can contact Vaya Direct to call in a script and they have the lowest pricing and you get every 3rd bottle free. My husband seems to be doing better with his mood swings and agitation on Vayarin, thank Goodness. My younger son rages about 85% less on it, which is great, and overall attention is better.
I ended up taking my older son with Autism, ADHD/ODD and Autoimmune Encephalitis to a new Child Psychiatrist our Neurologist referred us to on an emergency basis. What a great guy! He was so friendly to my son and genuinely seemed interested in working with us and office staff seems very concerned and caring too. I suggested a Mood stabilizer after doing some research- my son has agitation, verbally and physcially abusive behavior, out of control mood swings and makes threats to himself and others. The doctor agreed to try a lose dose of generic Lamictal (lamotrigine) and it has worked! We had some agitation when doubling the dose so we dropped him back down to 50 mg. With that and the Propanolol he is in cheerful moods much of the time, not escalating verbally, and trying to engage with others. His aggression at school completely stopped, and as long as we keep that low dose things are good.
I recently read the story of Jean Claude Van Damme, how he had a history of drug abuse, mood swings and violent behavior, and got put in a mental health facility eventually where he was diagnosed with bipolar 1 (rapid cycling type) and on a small dose of Depakote, his whole life changed. He was able to stop drugs/drinking, improve his life, and eventually repaired his relationship with his ex wife. I don't know why these seizure meds are not tried more often at a low dose for those with ADHD/ODD and agitation or violent/aggressive behaviors or extreme mood swings. My older son also seems to focus much better on Lamotrigine. It works on glutamate receptors and other things and is a mild calcium channel blocker- those things have been recently implicated in brain diseases. I am just grateful for the first time in his life that he is becoming stable and I hope this continues to work for him.
Thank you so much for this
Submitted by Hopeful Heart on
Thank you so much for this information!! I'm going to contact our doctor.
I'm so impressed by how knowledgeable you are about the specifics of your children's situations and how much professional help you have access to. Unfortunately, we live in a tiny town in a very remote area. There are no specialists or psychiatrists or counselors available. We see our family doctor. However, he is very understanding and eager to help because his wife and daughter have adhd.
I'm so glad to hear that your sons, your husband, and especially you are getting some relief from their symptoms.
Thank you again!