A Day Without Meds

Occasionally Kobe sleeps in, and when he does on the weekend, every once in a while he doesn't get his medicine.  He takes a medication called Focalin XR.  This medicine is suppose to help him focus in school so he can sit still long enough to pay attention to reading, math, etc.  I still give him his medicine on the weekends because I can only imagine how he must feel to have something help "ground" him but then not take it sometimes.  Structure and consistancy is important.  Today was one of those days without medicine simply because he slept until almost 11 am.  I was curious to see how he is without it because it has been since last summer since I've been around him for the day without his Focalin. 

I've been watching him close today and I realize that it is a weekend but he seems to be doing pretty "normal".  He was diagnosed as having ADD/ADHD.  Kobe has never had any type of hyper activity so this has always baffled me.  Kobe has always been low key but the teachers at school have been able to tell a difference on days that he hasn't had his medication.  He has listened really well today with the exception of being told to put jeans on and coming down stairs wearing jean shorts.  The funny thing is that he knew when he came downstairs that he hadn't done what I asked him but was wearing jean shorts.  I guess it is a good thing to see that he is functioning good without the meds but now the question is, does he need it?  It is hard to know what is best for him at this point. He is 13 and you start to wonder if medication is the way to go, or how much it is actually helping him at this point.  So you also start to wonder if it is hurting him even though it is "safe" by the FDA standards. I am now the one who makes these decisions for Kobe, and I want to do what is best for him.  I am considering taking him off the Focalin for the summer and going from there.  He could use an appetite for the summer, he has gotten so much taller in the last year but still weighs the same.  The Gluten Free Diet also has made his menu much smaller which hasn't helped him gain weight.  I hate this. I hate that I have to constantly question and tweek what I'm doing for him.  Makes a parent feel like they are in some type of science experiment.  So basically, if anyone has any input on this subject I would greatly appreciate it.  I know that some people who read my blog have children also on medication so I'm curious if they have had the same questions too.  Please feel free to leave your comments or even message me on Facebook.