Expert: Sharon Crandall - 10/12/2009

Question
My children were both dx with ADHD and were taking Ritalin 10 mg, 2-3x per day.  They were failing to grow or gain weight no matter what we added to their diet. Because of their height weight concerns we were prescribed Focalin XL (2 mg) Tenex in am for the 7 yer old, Focalin XL ( 3 mg) Tenex in am and again at 3:00 for both after the second week (dose was started F1, 2mg T1/2, etc.)  The first few days did not seem to be working out well, a lot of goofing off, slightly hyper, falling down for no reason and
severally hurting themselves, perseverating, bursting out answers and finishing others sentences, etc. At the end of the second week, after their doses were increased, they both complained that they had fevers, yet they were clammy to the touch and when temp was taken-was normal, had body aches, arm/leg pain eg:shoulder popped out of place but went back with help, severe lethargy in the 7 year old, she also could not remain asleep and felt that spiders were crawling on her while she slept as well as a lot of crying dry eyes. We also noticed tonight that she had a strange heart beat for awhile, my husband said it probably was sinus arrhythmia (?) and it went back to normal shortly after.  I am pretty concerned for the 7 year old, she is having a rough time.  I did not put 2 & 2 together until this eve-we thought they were ill until I really read the side affects.  

I would appreciate any suggestions.  I will call their Psych for an appointment ASAP and I will cut back their meds to the original dose started on the first week. I'm not sure what to do and I am quite concerned.

Thank you for your time

Answer
Dear Angela,
I am not a doctor and I cannot tell you what to do about the meds but I can tell you that I personally, would not want my grandchildren on any of the medications.  Ritalin is addictive and has all sorts of side effects as you are experiencing.  

I would immediately do some research on the medications and groups of parents with ADHD who use alternative methods.  This medication vicious cycle is very scary to me.  I am in horror of what you are experiencing.

You need a support group of parents using other methods.  There are all sorts of methods in handling the so-called ADHD "symptoms". I am almost finished with my book that takes each "symptom" and explains how it is an innate trait or combination of traits that are actually gifts.  The problem is not in behavior as it is the system that is not geared for children who are not physically and emotionally created by God to sit there and be quiet all day.

My website will soon have this book. www.personalityconsultant.com and I know this will help.  For example: Low concentration is a gift of multi-tasking.  It is the ability to change focus quickly, which is needed in many occupations. Some children are built so that their brains function better when they are on their feet moving around. Some enlightened schools are teaching with music and movement for kids like this and also have erase boards on the walls where these kids can stand to do their work, rather than sitting.

What I want to say to you I do not dare say because of the power these doctors have with the law behind them, but it wouldn't hurt to tell your doctor that you are getting another opinion and then find a doctor who believes in doing everything possible and only using medication as a last resort.  Some Osteopaths are that way.  They have medical degrees but use alternative methods. There is the Drake Institute I have heard about, as well.

If you were in the L.A. area I could see your children and do a complete personality trait workup on them and could tell a lot of what is going on and if it is something that isn't showing in their traits. The traits could explain all their behaviors and there are specific things to do about those traits.

You can also contact me through my website for followup.

To help you, I would need to know specific behaviors and I could suggest some things to do without medication.

You should be able to find other parents in the same boat, as these side affects have certainly happened in others, as well.

You know, sometimes we have to take charge of our children's health ourselves.

Please, please, get alternative help.  It is available.

Sharon