Okay, the Ritalin LA 20mg is still not lasting. It is usually gone by about 3-4pm. I really need something to last longer. Concerta is in the same 'famliy' and is suppose to last 10-14 hrs. BUT, I read that it disperses at 22%/78%. We tried Metadate CD (30/70) and now the Ritalin LA (50/50). They just don't last. Since the Concerta's a.m. dose is only 22% is that going to be enough? (I homeschool him in the morning mostly, so need the med to really work in a.m.) Adderall XR is of course in a different 'family' but disperses at 50/50 while suppose to 10-12hrs.
I guess my question is change to Concerta or Adderall XR (which one?) OR ask for a short acting med for the p.m.? For those who are experienced - what are your thoughts? Something has got to change!!!
tw - I can tell you from the dexedrine (adderall) side that it works very well throughout an 8 hour work day for this adult ADHDer. If I take it before work it is at full strength for me within 20 to 30 minutes, and it works as 50%50%. The first half works for 3 to 6 hours, last half at least 3 and it continues to work up to another 6. I get what I find 6 hours of really intense focus and mental sharpness and I can always push it for the full 12. It seems to work at it's best after being on it a month.
Now I'm on dexedrine spansules and adderall is dexedrine salts so it's a little different but I hear from others here that it's similar.
I know of many people who blend the Ritalin LA with IR - using an IR to begin the day and then supplementing the LA to complete the day. It can be trial and error and sounds like you are doing a good job working out the timetable.
If your child is a Hyper ADHD Ritalin seems to work well (as with the methylphenidates) while inattentives like me often work best with the dexedrine and adderall. But I've also heard people who are opposite so again - trial and error.
Either one with someone like you to watch and to help retrain will make your child's struggle with ADHD that much better! You can help with seeing the times when the ADHD is working against him. Meds alone help him say no - but he has to know when to. As a child I can tell you I was clueless and if I had been on meds I still would have needed someone to say "woah - you need to look at what you are doing" so I could see the cues.
Good work! I'm glad to see when a parent is so involved!!
Thank you so very much. I always enjoy hearing what you have to say on the different topics. Not so with Reality!!!
We have an appt. today at 2pm. My son is really more inattentive followed by impulsive then hyper. I have notice that he seems to more hyper in the am before the med starts to work and again in the pm when it wears off then I THINK he was before. Is this the rebound that I hear about?
We see the hyperness more at home than other places. BUT, if he doesn't have his med on Wed. nights (for church) he can not recall anything about the story that was told! They do not see the hyperness at church either.
Thank you again for the moral support. I really needed that!!!! I am really trying my best and am probably worrying the docs to death. BUT THAT IS MY JOB FOR MY SON!!!!!
tw - don't give the docs a second thought. I'd love to know that when they see you coming they say "oh look - here comes that "problem mom" again - better do what she says!"LOL!
Do whatever, wherever however it takes to make your son's life the best you can. You should have seen my mom in action - a sight only seen before with great whites, elephants on the serengeti and a wolverine protecting it's young. She's a trooper!
There are cyclical ups and downs with any of the meds. With my dexedrine at work, I take it when I can do it about an hour or two before work. If I dont' I can get the uptake about a half hour into work and talk my coworker's ears off until it settles in. Then about second coffee break (4 hours in) I get a downturn slightly where I am a bit more introspective and quiet. Then it picks up again and I feel very driven to do all the work in the plant. It's annoying yet satisfying!
Glad you do all you can! I'm proud to see mom's of today doing all they can as my mother before you. Makes me all teary eyed with happiness. Our kids have a great future!!