ADHD: Pharmaceuticals v. Natural Therapies

[Guest guest]

Hi again folks.

 

I know I don't post often but I have been watching

this discussion with much interest due to its

relevance to my situation. I don't think its

extremely informative, more of my personal opinion. So

please read it in the light it is intended. I am not

trying to be argumentative or dismiss anyone's

personal beliefs or feelings.

 

(from Ien)

> > Thom has some interesting ideas about what

> > he calls " the Edison gene " .

 

I have not heard of this so before I say anything I

will research it more. It sounds interesting tho. Will

check my local library to see if they have his books.

The only thing I have noticed about many of the large

number of books I have read om various childhood

disorders (ADHD, Agression, ODD, Bi-Polar)is they

really seem to be saying the same things over and over

and not really providing alot of new and useful

information in addition to their theory. I look

forward to reading these.

 

(from Andrea)

> my disagreement with the psychiatric labels.

> I think that people who get into such esoteric

> terms, or 'deep thinking' regarding the psychiatric

> labels that are being tossed around like candy >

couldn't be more off the mark and out in left field.

 

While I agree there is way too much labeling and some

seriously quirky ideas, and a medical community that

feels the need to label everything, some of it does

have its value. I think we have to separate those

trying to make a name for themselves v. those who

could care less if they end up in a resesarch journal

but would happily advance any malady that could be

made better for the sufferer.

 

It seems to me that the medical community cannot

function without psychiatric labels which is one of

those things that I think education causes (ie: I have

learned this from my book and therefore I must label

it as such even if it doesn't quite fit perfectly) and

which is intensified by the insurance companies who

must often foot the bill for treatment and demand a

firm diagnosis (which is not always able to be done -

I know this from personal experience with my son). I

think this in itself is a leading cause of

label-mania. Somehow I think there has to be a

mid-point.

 

I have a 9 yr old son who was extremely premature. For

the first 2 yrs of his life everything that happened

in his development was deemed to be caused/expected

due to prematurity. He was initially diagnosed early

on with Cerebral Palsy (incorrectly). Then I was told

he was mentally retarded (he wasn't - in fact if he

could stay on task long enough to complete IQ testing

he would probably be upwards of 140ish). Then I was

told he was Autistic (he has some of the main

characteristics of Aspberger's but is not a true

Autistic). When he was 2 they decided that he had

severe ADHD (I won't argue that diagnosis at all).

 

What I have learned about labels is that if you lay

out the symptomology for the various childhood

disorders: ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder,

Bi-Polar Disorder - all of which they have suggested

about my child and that are commonly diagnosed, you

will find that most of the symptoms are common to each

disorder. So where do we go from here?

 

I am not a huge advocate of medicating children, but I

made the decision to try it. Not for my benefit, but

so that my son who missing out on so many things could

finally find a place in this world that he wants to be

a part of desperately.

 

We have not had favorable results from meds. He has

been on Ritalin (reg and extended release), Adderall

(reg and extended release), Tenex, Strattera, Zoloft,

Zyprexa, Depakote, Seroquel, and a few more I can't

think of at the minute. I have had him on a no

preservative/no artificial coloring diet, tried many

of the ones that came " highly recommended. " All to no

avail with all of these.

 

Yes, I have wondered what I am doing to my child and

his future. But I also am looking at how can I

improve his present which will directly affect his

future as now is when his personality and emotional

stability is being formed not later. I also realize

that most drugs are used " off label " in children and

have only been significantly tested in adults. How's

that for scientific research. But....

 

> This group that talks about scientific research and

> how important it

> is in making decisions.... Good gravy people.... I

> would love to have

> anyone point me in the direction of actual

> scientific research done

> that PROVES this gobbedly gook as scientific fact!

 

To get accurate and complete research, how many

parents are willing to place their children in a

blind-study to determine the viablility of a

particular drug? We have to realize that is the only

way. I surely won't allow my child to be a part of the

group for purely selfish reasons (fear being the top

of the list).

 

> Next, the drug companies are what we call them.

> Profit seekers who do not care one whit

 

I agree, the movitation to the pharmaceutical industry

is profit. However, I believe that many of the

underlings working for these companies do care about

the people they are looking to find relief for.

 

> I do not see any need to 'figure out the thinking

> behind the labels'. I do not think that there one >

can figure out the logic in something that has no >

logic.

 

I, too, get disgusted with labeling for the sake of

labeling. Somehow, I try to keep in mind, without

some basis to work from, how can I expect any help for

my child? He has been mislabeled, misdiagnosed, and

continues to be an enigma to the medical professionals

who are trying to help me help him. But what can be

offered as an alternative?

 

> I have an Aunt whose life is forever ruined... it

> was not before she

> started seeing a shrink and taking the first of many

> harmful drugs.

 

Not all drugs are harmful. In fact, I would say the

vast majority are useful for a properly diagnosed

condition and used properly. This does not mean there

will not be problems. Problems strike the minority

rather the majority, so how can we know for certain

who will be stricken? Perhaps this is because we are

all individuals and no drug manufacturer can include

every single factor. No one can know for certain what

physical factors of each unique individual's physical

make-up will or will not affect the outcome of

medication use. Basically, its much like a

crap-shoot.

 

I think the best measure is to seek a like-minded

physician, find out their philosophy about conditions

and treatments. That is what I do now. When I first

seek out a new doctor, I talk to him/her and let them

know I do not want drugs to be a first measure of

relief, rather testing (if available) and alternative

treatments. Remember, we have to make the ultimate

decision about our health care. If we can't then we

need a trusted person to help us in that decision.

But the bottom line is, there are no guarantees in

life, including this. I expect an advanced knowledge

from our physicians, but I can not expect perfection.

 

> I have 2 brothers on them. One is lost to everyone

> now...

 

I feel your anguish and pain. I know that nothing I

say or do will help. I have watched drugs take my

happy loving child into zombie like states, made him

full of agression, and stop eating. But I don't know

any other way of helping him become a part of this

world because this is what it is. He will have to

adapt to the majority as the majority will not be

adapting to him. It has caused him intense emotional

distress. My heart breaks for him. So I continue to

try. If something doesn't work, I stop it. it should

seen fairly quickly (before serious harm is done) if

something shows promise or should be abandoned.

 

I don't know what is inside of my son that makes him

different than those who have successfully used these

medications, but there is something. I still have

hope that we will find something one day that will

allow him to feel more " normal " in this world. Until

then all I can do is keep trying.

 

I try to keep my mind focused on the fact there is so

much we don't know about the human body and the brain.

I can't blame anyone for trying, unless they are

ruthlessly callous, which I have only met in one

doctor.

 

I do sometimes hope/expect for them to provide me with

a miracle solution (because they are doctors and

specially trained I figure they SHOULD be able to fix

anything), and get upset and even angry when it isn't

forthcoming. But when I finally get it straight in my

mind, that these are simpy humans doing the best they

can with what they have to work with (just like me) I

can only wait and hope.

 

Andrea, I know you are hurt and angry, I know that

feeling well. I hope for a happy ending for your

brother. He'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Shortly I plan to start my own little research project

(using my child) and essential oils. I will be using

some of the ideas that psychiatrists and physicians

use now as a basis. If I find anything that may be of

some interest and worthy of discussion I will post it

and see what others think.

 

If anyone has done any experimentation with the use of

oils and ADHD, agression, and/or depression with your

kids, and wouldn't mind sharing what you have learned

I would appreciate any input. I'm not sure, but I

think that would have to be sent to me offlist (?).

If so, txstormlvr or

txstormlvr is how to reach me.

 

Laura

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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