Any ADHD meds that won't cause weight/height issues?

[Val.]

Tanner is 12 yo. He started meds in 1st grade, quit in the middle of 5th grade (his choice because he refuses to take them...more on that in a second) and is currently just starting 7th grade. We tried so many things...ritalin, adderall, strattera and eventually focalin, which he stayed on for the majority of those 4 years. He did the XR in the morning and a mini dose of the regular in the afternoon for homework time. We eventually gave up the afternoon dose to try to get him to eat more, but that didn't work. He decided over a vacation from school mid-year that the medicine made him feel "yucky" and made his stomach "hurt." And no matter how much he wanted to eat, he just couldn't. So, we stopped basically cold turkey. He gained 20 lbs in less than 2 months!! Since then, he's probably gained another 10. He's also grown a lot, but is still the shortest boy in 7th grade. I REALLY feel he would benefit from the medication to help him in many areas, not just focus and activity level, but also impulsivity, social skills, and organization. But, he just refuses to take anything because he doesn't like how it makes him feel and he wants to keep eating and growing. Such a catch 22. I COULD force him to take it, but told him if he kept his grades up (he was on A/B honor roll for the whole year last year) and if he didn't get in trouble at school (this is a relative thing because he is often "in trouble") he could continue to go without it for now... We talked about it again a few weeks ago and he agrees that it's frustrating being unable to easily control himself. He said he's willing to try something but not if it's going to affect his eating or growth. The one big thing I've not tried is INTUNIV and I've read mixed reviews on that. Any thoughts or ideas on that one or anything else?

Val

[Allegro]

Through many a google search I haven't found any. Still the end result is On average less than 1/2 " loss in final height. DS has been on them for a year and a half and still measures in the 90 percentile for height so I try not to worry. Weight has been an issue but not a big one.

[danellsar]

The only med we've found that doesn't seem to affect dd's weight is an old style one. It's called propanalol, and it's a beta blocker. When she knows she's going to be in a stressful situation that will create anxiety, she takes one right before. If she's in the situation and she's very anxious she can still take it and it still helps her be in better control. It's not for adhd, though, more for anxiety. I like it, and dd does too, because it's situational rather than ongoing. It works by lowering her blood pressure a little bit to help her stay in control.
Ellen

[amarie1]

We've been on Intuniv for 3 years

but I can't say that it has affected DS weight/growth as he's dropped from 50% H/W to 30% H/W during that time. It could be one of the other drugs he takes (strattera/risperdone - potentially impacting H/W). In terms of effectiveness it took a loooooong time to find the dosage and even now it's benefits are marginal as inattention is still his biggest challenge. We did tenex (same as intuniv but not extended release) with similar results. Sorry not much help.

Anne

[ReneeNJ]

Our only experience is w/ the stimulants - Ritalin and Concerta. There is a marked change in appetite with the meds -- most calories are consumed after 9 PM and meds are taken at 7 AM. DD does med vacations in the summer and that has helped catch up weight/height. DD is 13, weighs 80 lbs and I don't know her height. She is one of the smaller kids but I don't expect her to be tall either (everything says 5'3" for mature height). We do load calories as much as possible - whole milk, etc. This week she is doing a soccer camp and coming home and eating a cheese omelet at 9 PM when she gets home. They get lunch and dinner at camp plus snacks (and they go buy ice cream at the commisary).

I don't know if another form of meds is needed or another class would do the trick. DD is ADHD inattentive type.

Renee

[trek]

No, not from my experience dealing with Grant. Gosh knows he tried all the different classes of ADHD meds even INTUNIV. BTW, that was the only med that Grant asked to stop- he said "get me off this now". That was it in his Dr's eyes-well respected PEDI Psych in Atlanta, GA area.

He is on Risperdone and Paxil now- over 2 years. Does it touch attention no, but it helps him regulate a lot of the different things that impact him daily.