Crohn's and ADHD in my 17-year-old son

[newfie_mom77]

My 17-year-old son who has been struggling with ADHD since age 8 was just diagnosed with Crohn's.

I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with both of these things and what medications they are using? His Surgeon thinks the Internist will start him on Remicade and right now he is in between drugs for ADHD (has previously tried Ritalin, Strattera and Concerta with very little positive effect).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[xJillx]

Hi newfie! I don't have any advice regarding the correlation of ADHA & Crohn's, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. There are many parents that hang out around here. You should pop your head in the Parents of Kids with IBD forum. I bet you'll find it helpful.

I hope Remicade helps your son, and he starts to feel better soon!

 

[scifi-enthusiast]

I do not have ADHD but the teachers I had growing up always wanted me tested.

Thing is my parents are both teachers so they're able to diagnose right off the bat (especially my dad since he's a Special Ed specialist). Turns out I wasn't Attention Deficit while growing up. I was just hyperactive.

See I would be able to keep my attention on a book or the teacher, but I would fidget all the time or seem like I'm doing something else. Hyperactivity in children leads to anxiety disorders in adults.

I would recommend in getting a second opinion. I'm not disputing that your son may have it; I'm just saying it's always best to get a second opinion when dealing with ADD.

 

[Crohn's Mom]

Hi Newfie and welcome!

I'm curious. Since your son is between medications right now, and he's 17, how is he doing? Is it a problem? Or is he possibly more able to "control" his behavior and thoughts a bit better now with his age ?
My son is 17 as well and is definitely ADHD his whole life. I refused to medicate him for it tho. It was, is, a very trying time his entire life, but I am not sorry that I refused meds for him. He may decide later to try them, who knows, but right now he is in agreement with me on it still.
I ask because if he is possibly able to handle the ADHD better now with age and maturity, then maybe he could just stay off of those meds for now and concentrate and getting his chron's into remission and feeling better? Just a thought
I wish you the best in whatever you all decide, and again, welcome!
~T~

 

[newfie_mom77]

My son is doing terrible in school and after a meeting with his guidance counselor last week (who also has a son with ADHD), I'm convinced to try yet another medication to see how it affects him. Initially we only discontinued ADHD meds because it wasn't making a difference one way or the other. His Pediatrician wanted to try a new medication (Biphentin) but at that time I was having a struggle with my insurance to cover it...hence he ended up unmedicated.

My son agrees that he is really struggling to concentrate in school and his marks are really showing it.

We haven't been to see the Internist yet so the only treatment he is on for the Crohn's right now is simple antibiotics.