Bad experience w/Concerta

Thanks to both for the helpful replies and support.

To SmallMom: 

I believe we'll get him to a psychiatrist soon.  I was debating about this before, but contemplating the info. you provided, I think it's a good idea.  Thanks - you're very helpful.

Regarding symptoms - he's always had trouble staying "on task" in school and somewhat at home, though homework IS getting better than before.  It is interesting that, when it comes to his PlayStation, he can remain absolutely absorbed, jotting down pages of game strategies and playing games.  He'd probably go on for hours, if we would let him.

Occasionally, he has been described as "hyper".  He's also been described as a very nice, polite boy; however, some of his teachers in middle school would not agree with that (they give reports of disrepectful behavior, clowning around in classes in which his football buddies are in, and frequent tardiness).

Thanks, again.

Hanginindere,

The BASC is basically a questionnaire that points to certain behaviors like inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.  It is not in and of itself enough to make a diagnosis.  Certain behaviors associated with ADHD can also occur in other childhood disorders such as bipolar disorder and autism (not suggesting your son has either, but just want to make your aware that ADHD-like behavior occur in other disorders).  In addition, a pediatrician is a wonderful first-line resource on childhood illnesses, but he can't possibly be an expert on everything, including a complicated neurological disorder like ADHD.  Our pediatrician always refers this sort of an evaluation to a neuropsychologist.  And that is who many of us on this message board have turned to to finally figure out exactly what's going on with our kids.

What symptoms is your son exhibiting?  When did they start?  You are right in stating that bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as ADHD and stimulants can cause psychotic reactions in bipolar individuals.  (My own daughter had a manic reaction to an antidepressant, and she is now on mood stabilizers for a non-specific mood disorder.)  In your shoes, I would have your son evaluated by a good child psychiatrist to rule in or out bipolar disorder and then take him to a neuropsychologist to assess for other childhood disorders.

I hope that helps.  Wishing you lots of luck in figuring out what's going on.

Pediatrician prescribed 14-year-old son Concerta 10 mg recently (after doc reviewed school testing that pointed to ADHD).  After about a week of using it daily, son had "questionable reactions."  I described details to his doc (i.e., while involved in quiet activities around adults, suddenly experienced "my past dreams going through my head fast and I can't remember anything else that was going on"; in another instance at home, I noticed him acting "spaced out," asking odd questions, instantly forgetting what he was in the middle of, and acting very sluggish).  Doc took him off med.  Asked us to observe.  Please call him back.  Child never experienced another instance like described above.  This all occured two months ago.  Even though we've always liked this doc and will continue to take our son to him for medical problems, we haven't been back re the med.  Seems like everyone points to going to a neuropsych for a proper diagnosis?

Can you describe in more detail the exact testing the school did that pointed to an ADHD dx?  While I'm guessing we on this message board would point you in the direction of a neuropsychologist for a proper diagnosis, it would be helpful to know exactly what testing has already been done. 

Whenever a child has a reaction to a stimulant, it can be one of two things:  either the med is not the right one for him or he has been misdiagnosed.  I would certainly be concerned about the reaction your son had, and probably be nervous about putting him on any Ritalin-based med (Concerta is long-acting Ritalin).  Are you sure about the dosage?  Concerta's lowest dose is 18 mg (not 10 mg), which means 6 mg of Ritalin released every 4 hours for a total of 12 hours.  That's generally the starting dose for any child ages 6 and up.  It's a low dose, but of course, if he doesn't have ADHD, he might react in the strange way he did.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I did want to welcome you.  I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts soon.

Thanks so much for your informative response and for the welcome.  I am very happy that I found this website! 

Regarding testing done by his school:  BASC, "which showed clinical endorsement of ADHD symptoms..."  Regarding the Concerta dosage (oops - sorry about my error), you were correct - dosage was 18 mg (q. a.m.).

Also, I did come accross info. stating that bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as ADHD, and that stimulants given for ADHD could cause psychotic symptoms in a bipolar individual; however, I am certainly not one to diagnose myself or my family.   

Thanks, again

Wow, sorry about that with your son, my 11 year old is on 72 mg. of concerta a Day. and it is the only medicine that works for him. He has been on so many since  he was five. The only medicine he ever had a problem with was adderall, which turned him into a fighting machine, he would beat anyone up that looked at him wrong. Hopefully they will figure out what your son needs and  get it right.