Hi Steely. Nice to hear from you. How are you??
Thanks for your thoughts. As far as I can see this, in my new "changed" thinking about medication for ADHD, it is a judgement that has to be taken in the light of what side effects manifest: are those side effects worse and more dangerous than the side effects of living with untreated ADHD (dangerous impulsivity, inability to learn properly at school, few or unstable friendships, inability to participate in most social situations, etc). You're right about the side effects for Strattera and lots of people seem to have horror stories about it.
At the same time, J's reaction is (so far) less alarming to his reaction to the stimulant, which he took for two days about six months ago. He went kind of crazy on it, and became much more violent and disturbed than he has so far on this. I just prefer the idea of something that doesn't affect appetite and sleep the way the stims do, that doesn't (in theory) have a crashing rebound effect.
Today J goes to stay with his dad and family for a few days. I did manage to have a reasonably constructive conversation with my ex-husband yesterday about J, ADHD and the medications. He accepts him taking the medication though of course not understanding the science (like most people and like me pre-J!), he doesn't really understand why nothing else works at well. If it works... I also said to him something I have long thought - that he himself could be undiagnosed ADHD (coincidence of course since he is not J's biological father) - he did not disagree. I think it's why he and J have the particular chemistry they do.
Day seven... J seems fine so far. Less sleepy yesterday and his running nose and rash have cleared up somewhat. We will see.