Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below MS, W6, Lobo or anyone who might know anything about this....I have a friend who's son is on Ritalin. She wants to wean him off of it but definitely says it helps him tremendously. I did a search and found this http://www.additudemag.com/addabc.asp?DEPT_NO=202&SUB_NO=4 but I was wondering if anyone had any other comments, experience, information on this. He is in his early teens.
Ritalin and herbal equivalent
- Thread starter Debu
- Start date
I never post on the womens board mainly because it is the womens board (wouldn't want to intrude) but I would like to make a comment.
For one I am curious why she would want to ween him of a drug that was working for him? To me its like saying you wanted to take someone off insuling because they were diabetic. I know there is quite a bit of bad press concerning ritalin but when the condition is properly diagnosed and the chosen treatment is effective why would there be a need for an alternative?
I should add that I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 26 and since then I was prescribed ritalin (which never worked for me) and I did a lot of research on the subject. From what I gather the benefits of using said drug far outweight the drawbacks. We aren't talking about some minor disease but something that shapes the way we see and interact with the world, especially during the formative years. And trust me, it can get downright ugly sometimes
Basically I just hope that she has done her research and is comfortable making that decision for her child and understanding what the possible consequences might be.
That being said, I am all for a more natural approach to medicine and hope that there are alternatives to suit peoples needs. If at any time they need someone to talk to please contact me. I would also be more than willing to help with research to make things easier.
Best of luck...
Drifter
For one I am curious why she would want to ween him of a drug that was working for him? To me its like saying you wanted to take someone off insuling because they were diabetic. I know there is quite a bit of bad press concerning ritalin but when the condition is properly diagnosed and the chosen treatment is effective why would there be a need for an alternative?
I should add that I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 26 and since then I was prescribed ritalin (which never worked for me) and I did a lot of research on the subject. From what I gather the benefits of using said drug far outweight the drawbacks. We aren't talking about some minor disease but something that shapes the way we see and interact with the world, especially during the formative years. And trust me, it can get downright ugly sometimes
Basically I just hope that she has done her research and is comfortable making that decision for her child and understanding what the possible consequences might be.
That being said, I am all for a more natural approach to medicine and hope that there are alternatives to suit peoples needs. If at any time they need someone to talk to please contact me. I would also be more than willing to help with research to make things easier.
Best of luck...
Drifter
If she wants to ween him off the stimulants, adding more stimulants (even herbal ones) is definitely not the way to go. There is a distinct likelihood that taking him off of ritalin would cause withdrawl symptoms, and the usual way to curb those symptoms is through the use of anti-depressants, which are eventually removed. However, the doctor is the only one who can really decide this effectively... Her son may grow out of the ADHD as many kids do, or he may be an adult ADD-er (like Drifter and myself-- I was diagnosed at 19). Finishing high school might prove extremely challenging for him without the use of the meds, and this should probably come up in a discussion with the doctor. The structure of the military should make it possible for him to function without meds, but as far as the two years before then, I don't know... So, in summary, ephedrine will not be a good substitute, and in order to take him off of stimulants an anti-depressant (like cylert or wellbutrin, which are often used alone in treating ADHD) should probably be prescribed. All of this should be done under careful doctor's supervision.
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I've gotta step in here, guys.
I'm definitely for the "natural" way, myself - have been studying and using alternative/nutritional/herbal meds for about 20 years now.
I discussed my chubby kid on the diet board - how we put him on the Carbohydrate Addicted Kids diet. Not only did he slim down to gorgeous in two months, but he CALMED DOWN considerably. I had been terrified he would end up on Ritalin for two years. Stubborn, overactive, bad attitude, never listened, never paid attention, etc. He was a hellion!
I figured that eventually when he got into the public school system it would be Ritalin, exorcism or both.
I put him on the most liberal form of the CAD kid diet and he became an absolute ANGEL. NOT a zombie - a great, calm, self-determined kid. Considerate, interactive (instead of reactive or in his own little world) and paying attention to his surroundings.
I also discovered that he absolutely CRAVED fish - tuna, sardines, anything that swims. We upped his consumption of fish and he was able to tolerate more carbs and still be calm. To this day (he's 8) he loves and craves and needs fish. We let him eat as much as he wants. His favorite treat is just tuna w/mayo in a bowl. Somehow, he knows he needs it.
Here's a good link to Omega 3's and ADD.
http://borntoexplore.org/omega.htm
So, Omega 3's and Carb restriction (especially sugar) should help a lot. Both of them together seemed to put my little guy on track again.
Actually, I'm glad you mentioned it, because we've been a bit lazy about it, and we need to tweak his diet again. I can only apologize to the poor kid for the crappy DNA and try to make it right.
Fawn
I'm definitely for the "natural" way, myself - have been studying and using alternative/nutritional/herbal meds for about 20 years now.
I discussed my chubby kid on the diet board - how we put him on the Carbohydrate Addicted Kids diet. Not only did he slim down to gorgeous in two months, but he CALMED DOWN considerably. I had been terrified he would end up on Ritalin for two years. Stubborn, overactive, bad attitude, never listened, never paid attention, etc. He was a hellion!
I figured that eventually when he got into the public school system it would be Ritalin, exorcism or both.
I put him on the most liberal form of the CAD kid diet and he became an absolute ANGEL. NOT a zombie - a great, calm, self-determined kid. Considerate, interactive (instead of reactive or in his own little world) and paying attention to his surroundings.
I also discovered that he absolutely CRAVED fish - tuna, sardines, anything that swims. We upped his consumption of fish and he was able to tolerate more carbs and still be calm. To this day (he's 8) he loves and craves and needs fish. We let him eat as much as he wants. His favorite treat is just tuna w/mayo in a bowl. Somehow, he knows he needs it.
Here's a good link to Omega 3's and ADD.
http://borntoexplore.org/omega.htm
So, Omega 3's and Carb restriction (especially sugar) should help a lot. Both of them together seemed to put my little guy on track again.
Actually, I'm glad you mentioned it, because we've been a bit lazy about it, and we need to tweak his diet again. I can only apologize to the poor kid for the crappy DNA and try to make it right.
Fawn
