My son (9 years old) recently had his appendix out, and it was determined that he has GERD (kind of like acid reflux) and ulcers (which he is being treated for with Prevacid). With the medication he is taking for the ulcers and GERD, he has been MUCH better with the treatment. So the Dr said lets try to work his ADD medication (Metadate CD) back in, and see how it goes. Well the problem is I have tried 3 seperate times and each time he is nauseus for the entire day and won't eat or drink hardly at all. So I have TWO questions for you wonderful mamas:
1. I am wondering if it wasn't the ADD meds that started the ulcers to begin with. he never had nausea before starting those meds (he had only been on them approximately 2 months before the ulcers and problems started) Anyone heard of that possibility? I mean maybe being nauseus for so long built up the acidity in his stomach and made the ulcers? Maybe I am pulling at strings?
2. What other ADD meds would be a good alternative to Metadate CD that DOESNT cause nausea that I might suggest to the Dr. for my son to take? (He only needs a low dose, and its not for hyperactivity, its more for focusing at school, He doesn't really need it for at home)
Please help!! I feel horrible seeing him feel nauseus the entire day whenever he takes this.
I would suggest going to www.drugs.com and researching his medicine, you can also do a search for other medications that will treat it and their side effects or adverse reactions. Hope that helps, good luck.
I've never heard of the Metadata CD. My son takes Adderall XR and has no issues.
I not sure about question number1, but for question number two, your doctor should be able to suggest another med that might work better. There is so many out there in which I don't know which meds compares to others. My 10 year old started Vyvanse over a month ago and does great as long as he eats in the morning before taking it, and he focuses so much better in school. His doctor suggest to keep track of signs and symptoms good or bad in case we need to swith dose or try another kind. Hope that helps, I know its not much information.
My son takes Vyvanse and doesn't experience any side effects. It has been wonderful for him.
Hi A.
I’m so sorry to hear that your son is suffering with these health issues...must be heartbreaking for you too. I, myself am not a big fan of prescription meds, don’t get me wrong though, I know that they have their place especially in emergency situations and surgeries, however I try to avoid them whenever possible and do my best at taking the “natural alternative” route, as Hippocrates states “Let thy food be your medicine.” I don’t know much about what your family is going through with these health issues, however I do know that nutrition might be a great place to start. I’ve seen and read many testimonies from people with GERD, acid reflux, ADHD, ulcers etc…that have used a fruit botanical from Southeast Asia and some eventually weaned themselves off the meds. I used to suffer with acid reflux and stomach ulcers for about 10 years until I started using it. If your interested in finding out more check out this website www.TasteOfGod.com I don’t know if it will help your son or not, but you might want to give it a try…and there are no side effects. God bless you and your son, I hope he finds relief very soon.
stratera seemed to work with my son. it was very low dose. did not ahve the side effects of regular meds. and it allowed him to have an apppetite.
remember to take all meds with food. my step son had nausea for a couple days at first with focaline but then it went away.
the stratera was really nice. you didnt have to take vacations from it. if you took it then it was in your system.i think it took a week to build up to therapuetic levels. cant remember if it was that one or focaline. anyway
stratera was good. i liked it. my son now is 12 and has learned to adapt and not use meds ...YEAH
good luck
Hi. When we adopted our grandson he was always sick and had adhd. I started with the Elisa (FICA)test for allergies and that solved about 80% of his problems. I find that herbal and homeopathic methods are safer and sometimes more effective for acid reflus and ulcers. Personally I use baking soda for acid and when that does not work I use charcoal capsules. The baking soda I put into capsules so it is easier to take.\
There are homeopatic pellets that will help with nausea. Ipicac is one of them. I know it is to induce vomiting, but the pellets are such a minute amount it works the opposite. I hope this helps some.
Check with your local health food store for ADAH alternative meds.(Pedi-active, etc.)
Good Luck, and God Bless! Char
My daughter takes Daytrana patches for her ADD and it helps her focus at school. The lowest dosage is 10 mg released over a whole day. It has worked wonders for her and she has never had any stomach pain with it.
Hi A.,
My step-brother is a pediatrician and suggested we use Concerta. I asked him before I asked our dr. We have had no issues with appetite or nausea at all. My son is growing like a weed, he can concentrate at school and he doesn't have mood swings that we had experienced with other medications. It is more expensive, but to us, it was worth it.
I agree with Janice and April. It seems that meds are given to children all too frequently. I have friends whose children have ADD/ADHD and their symptoms went away when certain foods were eliminated from their diet, and natural and homeopathic remedies were used instead of meds, and they were taken to see a vision specialist. In my opinion you should examine all your options BEFORE giving meds to your child. And many times what works for one child doesn't work for another which leads to an experiment on several meds until one works and not to mention side effects are sometimes involved. Don't get me wrong there is a time and a place for medicine. I pray God leads you to make an informed decision that is best for your family.
Blessings!
A., my son takes Dytrana which is a patch. The patch works for us because it never has to pass through the stomach and I can control the lenght of time the meds are in his system by simply taking the patch off. My son also is on meds for foucusing issues. Hopes this helps.
I've just read over all the responses so far and I'm so surprised at how many children take medication for "focusing issues". Anyone know why just over the last decade children are unable to "focus". Is that really an 'issue' or just a child being a child w/curiosity and energy? I'm truly just wondering as I don't know any children w/ADD/ADHD. It seems like doctors are over-prescribing meds for problems that maybe could be dealt w/in a different way or aren't really problems to begin with. Again, I could certainly be wrong as I am ignorant in this area...just curious.
There is a patch called Daytrana. It works pretty well and comes in many strengths. You apply it to the skin, usually the butt or hip, some children don't like to keep it on though. I tried it with my children and had good results except 3 of the 4 would take it off before they were supposed to. My twins also have gerd and take prevacid. They take adderall xr. They used to have vomitting also, but we found out they were having migraines. Once that was controlled they were fine. Daytrana is the only thing I can think of because it doesn't even go in the stomach.
Take care and good luck,
W.
A.,
Medications can cause all kinds of problems in people, and children especially. Before poking meds down your son for "ADD", have him evaluated by a vision therapy specialist, an optometrist that specializes in this type of therapy. My daughter was ADHD and on meds for 4 years. Finally, after only a few months of therapy, she was a NORMAL kid in school! Because of her success, other students' mothers called me and their kids were helped, too. Not all attention deficit problems are in the brain. Often it's the eyes not working together so that the child can comprehend what he or she is reading.
Oh, and the long-term effect of my daughter's meds were a total void of memories during those 4 years! If you want more info, e me at ____@____.com
Both of my children take Concerta. It's a once daily dose slow release. I have not noticed any decrease in appetite for either of them.
If there is no food in his stomach, there is nothing for the acid to work on breaking down but his stomach lining. I would suggest that he try eating first, then taking his medication just after his meal. That also helps slow the absorption of the medication.
You'll also need to make sure that the food he eats has a low acidic content. Limit citrus juices and fruits, tomatoes or food items made with tomato sauce etc. Limit caffeine and carbonated drinks (sodas etc) also, as most caffinated drinks are acidic by nature, and the carbonation eats into the stomach lining. If you have ever cleaned your battery posts on thier car battery or a filthy copper penny with coca cola, you know what I mean.
Changing his medication is a good idea. I would also suggest that you try what I do with my kids, they only take thier medication during the school week. Weekends, no need to focus quite so much, so they can skip it.
Good luck.
My son (11) had a time with different meds as well. He has OCD, but he takes Focalin XR It seems to have very few side effects. It may take a few weeks to get his body regulated to the medicine, but it usually get okay. My daughter(9) has just recently started taking it as well- she sometimes has mild headaches and slight stomach aches, but they may be linked to her hormones. It makes the kids not have much of an appetite- so you have to watch their weight. Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!!
