Non-custodial mom against adderall

by Kachai
(Tennessee)

I am very against adderall,especially in children. I think it is wrong to teach kids to take care of their problems with medications that, have no studies on long term effects on brain development. Not to mention we are teaching our children that there are easy way outs to problems and to take them bacause it sin't worth it to find your way around circumstances and become stronger.

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Non-custodial mom against adderall

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Jan 17, 2012
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For Adderall NEW
by: Anonymous

I have had ADHD since I was a child. My father strongly advocated against medicating me, so I was never treated for it. I have struggled most of my life because of this. I know his intentions were good, but it wasn't the right decision.

Although my ADHD has changed in adulthood, it's still present. I am no longer hyper-active and can manage things a little better than when I was a child. Nonetheless, before I started taking adderall I struggled on a daily basis. I would constantly forget important things and misplace things on a daily basis. I had a hard time focusing and completing tasks. I had a hard time motivating myself to get anything done. There have been many days I would lie around because everything was overwhelming. This in turn, would cause extra stress and anxiety. I was always extremely fatigued and mentally foggy.

I have had sleeping problems my whole life which got more severe with time. It got to the point where I would wake up 3-4 times a night if not more, EVERY night. I would wake my partner up from my restlessness and feel more tired than what I did when I went to bed. Regardless of how tired I was from being so sleep deprived, my brain was more active during the night. I never understood why I had these problems until I got treatment for my ADHD.

Adderall isn't teaching children that they can fix problems through medication. Adderall increases chemical activites in the brain. One of those chemicals is dopamine. Studies have shown that people suffering from ADHD lack sufficent amounts of this and other chemicals. Hence, no matter how hard a person tries to concentrate and complete daily tasks, it can be nearly impossible. In turn, it produced extreme anxiety and depression. This increases the chance of the person self-medicating, which can lead to addiction, as a coping mechanism.

I used to self-medicate. I started off by taking caffiene pills. Over time, it quit working. I would consume large amounts of caffiene along with the pills. I would drink alcohol on a regular basis. I also smoked pot and took pain pills from time to time. I am not proud of this. However, now that I am being treated for ADHD I have no desire to do any of those things.

For the longest time, I would deny that I had ADHD because it carries a negative stigmata. Now that I can admit it to myself its liberating. I never realized how bad it was until I was medicated. It's like I am seeing the world clearly for the first time in my life. I am able to concentrate. I am having less troubles sleeping and can focus on breaking counter-productive behaviors that has spanned over a lifetime.

I would reccommend elaborate research before discrediting ADHD. There are major reprecussions with it being left untreated.

Aug 03, 2011
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ohh...
by: Tj Chambers

I didn't even realize that you thought I wrote the short posting at the top of this page.

That certainly would have shortened the conversation a long time ago.

Right above some of these pages, it tells the name of the person that wrote it.

Aug 03, 2011
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OK
by: Anthony

TJ,

When I'm wrong I'm wrong, I messed up. I thought you posted the article. So I'm sorry about that. Look what it really comes down to is this, were talking about the problem. You did mention an interesting fact that I find to be very true. Pharmaceutical companies will never try to cure anything and walk away. It's always about making money. Also as Deborah Merlin mentioned boosting the chemical makeup of a child's brain can lead to a number of issues. Once the body feels as if it has enough of a chemical it shuts off it's ability to produce it's own to keep things in check. However I feel this can cause a number of hormones from being produced. Some of which are not being supplemented with medication. The only right way to do it would be to increase or decrease each individual hormone or chemical as needed. I just don't think science is there yet and they seem to have more of a blanket approach to solving problems. For me as an adult Adderall is working great. I've been on it for almost 4 years now and so far everything is fine. I do see a number of Dr.'s to monitor my health. I feel that when being on such a medication it's the responsible thing to do. Dr.'s should not just be able write an Rx and move on. Allot don't but some do. I also feel patients abuse allot of medications out there and don't follow important guidelines when taking them. About the diet thing, I'm not saying it doesn't work. I'm just saying having three children of my own I know how hard it can be. To not only make sure their staying away from allot of junk out there but to then truly monitor a healthy diet. My children go to school with a well balanced lunch. Do they always eat what I send them with??? - Anthony

Aug 03, 2011
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non-custodial mom against adderall
by: Deborah Merlin

In young children, ADHD medications such as adderall, concerta and Ritalin can stunt growth by disrupting the release of the growth hormones from the pituitary gland. But these drugs do not just affect physical growth - they can affect brain growth as well. Studies show that stimulants can cause a growing brain to malfunction and atrophy (shrink). Some short-term use can even cause permanent brain cell death.
All stimulants cause constriction of veins and arteries, causing the heart to work overtime, leading to damage to the heart.
A cardiologist recently told me that they are preparing themselves for an epidemic of premature heart disease with the amount of children taking stimulants.
Common amphetamine drugs have been linked to Parkinson's disease
Other non-stimulant drugs to treat ADHD are not the answer either.

Strattera carries a black box warning informing consumers of the increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents taking the medication. Patients taking Strattera should be closely monitored for abnormal changes in behavior or suicidal thoughts. Strattera can also cause jaundice
A great website to find out about the side-effects on any medication is
www.drugwatch.com

Aug 03, 2011
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My way or...?
by: Tj Chambers

Anthony,

I find it interesting that you said I need Adderall because I don't udnerstand what you wrote.

I think you need less medication because you completely missed my point and what I said.

Yes I am sharing my experience, i am sharing the experience of others, and others are sharing their own experience.

Also, I am not only sharing experiences. I said that on my Adderall page there are facts to the real side effects. Those came from the product label of Adderall. I also said, read it from the manufacturer, don't just take my word for it that its real.

I never said it is my way or the highway. I tell people like it is and I leave it up to people to make their own decision for their life. They have to live with the consequences of their actions whether it is good or not.

Like I said, if someone one wants to use medication, that is their decision. I am all for them doing what they want. That doesn't mean I wont warn them of the side effects just incase they don't know.

You can say with the right medication, their life will be better. In some areas there is a lot of improvements. Are the side effects worth it? That is the question. At some point there will be side effects that require some other medication. That is how the drug company produce their medication. Create a problem that was not there and then create a new drug to counter that problem while it will create a new one.

I know what causes out of control symptoms of ADHD. So I don't need a different opinion.

You also act like I don't have ADHD myself. I have lived with it too and struggled like you did.

I find it funny that you are telling me a child or adult can't eat a proper diet at the right time of the day in the right amounts but they will have no problem taking the right dosage at the right times of a pill everyday?

Your logic is a bit off.

its not up to me to make sure they eat what they need to everyday just like its not up to me to give them a pill everyday.

That is up to them to do what they need to do.

Aug 03, 2011
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Someone still not getting it. Part -2
by: Anonymous

TJ,

. Moving on with the second problem I have with your comments. You've said that we need to treat the cause of ADHD. If you really knew what caused it you might have a different opinion. As a child I had to teach myself to learn in a completely new way. My brain is wired to work just like every other persons, the problem is it's missing some of the fuel needed to transmit data in the correct manner. It's not that my brain couldn't work right it's just that is wasn't working right. In order for me to help myself I, would back up everything I needed to know with a picture. It's almost like saving a copy twice but the second copy was my tool to unlock the first. The first one is where I found the information that I needed and the second a means of getting there. This method was taught to me over years of working with some really good tooters and teachers. Imagine having to apply this method to everything, it never really becomes second nature and in my opinion is a great tool but only away around the problem. Correcting the chemical structure of the brain can allow it to work as intended, thus in my opinion getting you as close as possible to fixing the real issue. Not every person is missing the same chemical and so one medication will not help everyone. On top of that once you've found the correct medication, now you have to get the dose correct. If not it could have a bad effect. Now I agree diet can help, because it's boosting certain chemical structures of the brain. However here's the problem, once you've found a diet or food that a child response well to. Tell me how you’re going to make sure that the child or adult is going to eat at the right time in the correct amounts each and every day. It's not going to happen. Using a medication is not teaching children to use drugs or be lazy. If it can help them, it's showing them that not everything is perfect and sometimes we need help. It's alright to be different in a good way. Different to children today for some reason seems to be looked at in a negative way. It's not all bad. The biggest problem I've have with ADHD is the way it can cause you to be overwhelmed. Things are hard enough as it is, children need simple get to the point and structure. Children with ADHD need this even more. Don't make things harder than they need to be, and don't forget children are not adults. They can't be expected to deal with our problems and the way we can sometimes make things more difficult than they need to be. Good luck with yourself. - Anthony

Aug 03, 2011
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Someone's still not getting it.
by: Anthony

TJ,

Sounds like to me you could use some Adderall, because you do not understand what I've written prior. Let me make myself clear about something, Adderall is a very serious medication. It can have a number of side effects and it's not going to work for everyone. So let's recap, I have a problem with people who have a problem with Adderall "for no good reason". That should not include the group of people that it doesn't work for. To tell everyone not to use it is wrong, it helps allot of people. Everyone who has to deal with this in one way or another should be given the opportunity to educate themselves and make the best decision for them. You’re not just sharing an experience, your expressing "it's my way or the highway" and that's wrong. - Anthony

Aug 02, 2011
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What is there to disagree with?
by: TJ Chambers

I'm not sure what there is to disagree with. Like I said, you choose what you want to do. That is your decision and I leave it up to you.

You say that you don't see any side effects.

Can you tell me what a degenerative cardiovascular problem looks like? That is one of the side effects. They don't know how long it takes before this becomes known. You might not be able to see it until its to late.

What about psychosis? Now that is not a bad side effect right? How long before that develops?

What about sudden death? Can you see that one before it is coming?

Those are all real and possible side effects (many more) and if you say they are not enough to concern anyone or any parents about the drug, then I have to question your sanity.

Why do you keep talking about parents that do nothing? There is not only 2 categories those that use medication and those that do nothing.

There are also parents that do not use medication and go after the root causes of ADHD. They have great success reducing ADHD symptoms and have NO side effects.

That is the category I am in. I'm and ADHD adult, I do not use medication, and I have no side effects and I go after the root problem.

If you don't want to get to the cause of the problem and cover the symptoms with medications, Go for it. You are free to make your choice and run with it. That wont stop me from educating on the dangers of the medications and letting people know there is a BETTER way.

Aug 02, 2011
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Adderall had no side affects
by: Mother of an ADHDer

Anthony,
I agree with you and yes, I did read TJ's page on Adderall. My son is now 15 and has been on meds for ADHD since he was 7. He is no longer on adderall but only because after awhile he would get to where whatever he was on, it would no longer work for him. Adderall was one of the first ones he was on and it made such a difference for him in school and at home. Without it, he couldn't sit still, be quiet or concentrate at school to learn anything, he through tantrums, lashed out at teachers and could be punished for the same thing over and over but it never did any good. If we would have done what some parents do and refuse to put our child on meds for ADHD, he wouldn't be where he is today. He is now on the honor roll at school, never gets into trouble, gets along well at home and teachers and others are always commenting on him being an enjoyable kid to be around. I see no bad affects that Adderall had on him and believe that ever child is different. It may be bad for some and not for others. I am glad we used Adderall when we did. Thanks for your comments Anthony. Glad to see I'm not the only one who disagrees with TJ.

Aug 02, 2011
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Plenty of reasons to not like Adderall
by: TJ Chambers

Anthony,

The fact that you said people have no reason to dislike Adderall shows that you did not read my page on Adderall and you did not read the Facts sheet on Adderall from the manufacturer of the drug.

I don't take any drugs and I do just fine. I don't have all the lies and absence that I have to cover with sex, drugs, or alcohol.

You are showing your ignorance.

You can educate yourself on this page about the dangers of the drug. If you like it and use it, that is completely your decision.

Good and Bad Effects of Adderall.

Aug 02, 2011
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Learn to think with an open mind and don't forget to pay attention.
by: Anthony

As a child with ADHD and now an adult with ADHD, because it doesn't go away. I saw first hand what it was like to not learn as my piers have.You see I didn't start taking Adderall until I was an adult, then realized what I was missing. If I had only been given the same opportunity as a child, my ability to learn would have been much easier. The biggest problem people have today is learning to except the truth about what's really going on. Giving a child a tool to help them learn is not such a bad thing. Not everyone is perfect, not everyone is made the same, not everyone can learn the same. The key to overcoming anything is to first except the situation for what it is. Everyday normal people like the one's against Adderall (for no good reason) forget that they use different types of tools everyday to help themselves achieve there goals. The truth is most of them are living a lie, and won't figure out was going on until it's to late. Most people who could have used additional help as a child, tend to fill the void (that they don't realize they have) with drinking, drugs, sex, anger, ect. and end up with an overall feeling of not being satisfied. (for long anyway) Adderall has helped me profoundly as an adult, it needs to be monitored with care and adjusted often. As an adult knowing how I feel allows me to adjust my medication daily if needed. I take straight up fast acting Adderall, I take one in the morning 20mg, and only take additional pills if needed as my day progresses. I often take breaks on the weekends and sometimes I get myself into a bad mood because of it. The important thing to remember is, to be self aware of what's really going on and be able to make the change as needed. In a child this can be harder to keep track of, so I say slow and steady and see how it goes. One day at a time and if it doesn't work for you or your child then stop taking it. But don't ever, not give anyone the opportunity to better themselves. Especially a child who for the most part can't help themselves (alone) with such a difficult challenge. Sounds like to me your just trying to impress your fake, perfect friends with your not so perfect (perfectly normal) family. If what I wrote doesn't help you to try and realize what I'm saying. Then step back and read it again and keep stepping back and reading it over and over until you figure it out, it's important. Thanks - Anthony

May 18, 2011
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adderall is a downer
by: Anonymous

My son is much better off adderall he was like a walking time machine ready to explode he would not eat or sleep blocked everyone out.it really concerened me he would not eat,easy to get stomach cancer or any sickness when your body dont ahave any thing to fight off because of not eating he acts up a little bit but I will never give my son adderall again.he is much happier while taking the adderall he would be so depressed it was like not having a son nnow since he is off I have my happy son again

Apr 29, 2011
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long term effects
by: Anonymous

just to let you know, Adderall has been on the US market since 1996...thats 15 years, i have been taking it for close to 13 years. i was dx with ADD as a 20 year old..i am now a nurse, very good at what i do..im not psychotic, occasionally have insomonia and a few other side effects not worth mentioning, but the same side effects are felt after taking tylenol...no big deal.
not everyone agrees with the medication, BUT, i think its a life saver!!

Dec 23, 2010
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Just Wait and See
by: TJ Chambers

I just read your comment to this post. Nice of you to post as anonymous.

Your child may do very well now but just wait until he has problems sleeping, he starts lying and acting psychotic. When he has severe health problems and you don't know where they come from.

All of these are known side effects.

My own nephew that has been on Adderall for many years is having symptoms stated but you would never know its from the drug unless you know about the side effects.

Dec 23, 2010
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Adderall comment
by: Anonymous

In reading you post, I would have to think that you haven't dealt with a child with ADHD or one that has taken Adderall or you wouldn't post what you did. Have you seen the difference in a child with ADHD who is taking meds and one who isn't? My son is so much happier now that he can get along with kids and teachers at school, concentrate and learn like other kids or just do the simple things like sit still and listen without spacing off somewhere else. When their medication is right for them, they can learn and gain confidence in themselves that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do. I can't imagine where my son would be by the time he's 18 if he hadn't had medication to help with the ADHD.

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Carry On!

Hi TJ,
Glad to hear of your involvement in educating others. We need as many people as possible to carry the torch of health to others. Keep up the good work!

Jay Robb
JayRobb.com

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