Ritalin help | ADHD Information
Tara,
Thank you for your reply. You deal with this very well. Having a good sense of humor I think is very important. As much as our children (and us) suffer from the day to day issues.
We are blessed with these children and must celebrate thier gifts.
Daviah~Finding the right medication for your child is so emotionally draining, is the only way I can explain my experience with my sons, but eventually you find the right one for the child...My younger sons sleeping problems come and go, one night he got up at 3:00 in the a.m. and decided to do science experiements with his sisters make-up, he destroyed her rug, comforters, TV, bottles and bottles of hand creams, then trying to clean it up--showercurtain, bath towels, socks...It was horrible. I now put a little bell on his door so he can't do anymore experimenting when were asleep...Got to love my little "Genius"
My 12 yr. old was just diagnosed, he makes me laugh, I'am always asking "how do you feel" He says the only difference from five minutes ago is that I don't want to make my brothers cry, I think I'am getting common sense, but I'am not really sure how to use it!!!! Love Him...
Luvmykids,
How was it discovered your son has ADD? Is he the inattentive type? Usually age 11 is a little old for a diagnosis of ADD unless he's not hyperactive. One-week trial means that if the medicine is not working or you or your son are not happy with it, he can go off of it. I did the one-week trial when I was 8. I don't remember "crashing." However, I was on a low starting dose. I just remember being hyper when it wore off.
Cheekydeeky
My son was on Ritalin. It didn't suit him. What do you mean by 'crashing'?
He had to take it 4 times a day. Once it wore of he was uncontrolable.
He is now on Concerta which is slow releasing. But you may find that Ritalin works for your child so don't give up.
Adele (hugs)
Thank you all for your responses. We will do our first trial over the weekend with him. We are going away tomoroow for 4 days to our cottage on the lake . We will be together for the entire time which will give us the opportunity to moniter him and make sure the dosag is correct. We are starting with 1 pill in the morning(15 mg) and a half at lunch. I will see if we are going to increase it on day two.
Thank you for the support.
Daviah
My little girls doesn't "crash" on ritalin. We are trying a slow release since she needs to take her meds 2 times at school and other kids are starting to ask "Why???"
Good luck, you know your child best. Keep us informed.
My son is 11 years old and on 15mg of paxil for a anxioty disorder. We now have a diagnosis of ADD. The docter is suggesting a trial period of Ritalin. I would be interested in hearing other parents responses to how thier children did on it. I am afraid that it will take away his spunk. I am also afraid of the "crashing " I hear about. ANy thougghts?
Every child or adult responses diffierently to medication so comparingdoesnt give you much information. When you say "crashing'' it could be that you are describing rebound in which case either the dose is to high, toolow or perhaps the child isnt responding well to that stimulant med for some reason so another form of stimulant medication is tried. This is why when starting stimulant medication it is called a trial. As far as taking away his spunk, what the medication does is tone down the impulsivity factor and in doing so, it gives the child the ability to make a choice. Its not lack of spunk but rather the child has more control and better focusing ability. Hope this helps
Its good to hear things are going well with your son. My oldest son who is 12, was just diagnosed with ADD this week and today was our first try on Concerta, I think it went well, can't let myself get to excited!!! Anyway, my middle son is 8 and he has ADHD and he takes Concerta, two 54mg in the morning and it has changed his life completely!!! For the better!!! He was diagnosed very young (I think) and we have tried alot of different meds. we have had the "crash" you spoke about on the other meds. it would happen every three hours like clockwork, just as it was time to take the next dose, he also had the "sleepy, crying" spells, we have gone thru ALOT of meds. for him, and thank goodness for Concerta. I recommend it Big Time. You had mentioned homework time, my son also takes Focalin (which is a pure form of Ritalin) at 4:00 that helps him with homework, and it stays with him until about 8-9:00. I hope my rambling on has helped alittle.
Tara thank you for your response. He had a horrible time getting to sleep last night. I am not sure if it was a freak event or if it was the ritalin. I will talk to the dr. about the concerta on Tuesday and get his thoughts on it. He is also on paxil for a anxioty disorder.... I hate having him so pumped up on meds, but he is so much happier and well adjusted on them.
Your 12 year old son must articulate how he feels both emotoinally and physically and socially about them. Has he voiced concern?
He does not have the HD component which may have made it harder to diagnose. However, he is impulsive.
We had out first weekend this weekend with him on th ritalin. today was 20 mg in the am and 10 in the pm. It seems to be going very well. He said he feels calmer and happier. He said he can concentrate and focous longer. He also mentioned that outside in fluences don't seem to both him as much. We all seem alot happier and we communicate much better. He did not "crash" which was my concern. Are any of you on the concerta or have children on it, that could comment?
I am hoping that they longer and slow time release may be an option for the fall. Due to the fact that he will need to concentrate into the evening hours for homework purposes.