Focalin XR | ADHD Information

I'm having trouble finding out about other families experiences with Focalin.  My daughter ( age 9 gifted and adhd) was on Concerta 27mg since the fall, having much more success with organization and other executive function concers.  Since about Christmas, we started no deal with increasing problems with not being able to go to sleep, very emotional, almost depressed.  Took her off for 2 LONG weeks, then started Focalin XR at only 5 mg.   She is doing really well, but it seems impossible on that low of a dose.  I'm loving it, because I really struggle with the issue of medication.

 

Just wondering about others experiences with it

Focalin has been a GODSEND for my 17 year old son. I was really afraid he was headed to jail with other ineffective meds he had been on but we finally found a great psychiatrist who wouldn't give up on dosing him right. He had been on every stimulant on the market. He has gone from a .71 GPA to a 3.2 GPA if that gives you any indication. He did have nausea for the first week or two and I had to make sure he had breakfast, but absolutely no side effects since then.That's great lymom3! How much does Focalin XR does your son take daily? I'm just wondering if we'll be upping the dose as my son will probably grow quite a bit in the next few years. Hi Andrsmom,

My son, almost 12 has taken Focalin XR since right before school started last fall. He takes 15 mg or 3 - 5mg pills each AM. From what I have read, the 5 mg of Focalin XR your daughter takes is equal to 10 mg Ritalin. Still, that is a small dose and great if it is doing the job!

Our son was put on it instead of Concerta due to his small size and some anxiety that he has had in the past.  He has  occasional  brief  tummy aches, and, for him, I've found that he doesn't have them if I give him his meds about 20 min after breakfast with some milk.

Anyway, he is also gifted and adhd. (inattentive) He has slow processing and is a "dreamer", which was causing him to fall behind whether in gifted or reg classes, which would make him anxious and depressed. I love how the meds have helped him.

I don't know where you live, but my son also seems more "down" during the winter months, especially if the weather is cloudy and dreary for several days. We bought him a full spectrum light for the lamp in his room at the psychologists suggestion. Also, we all take a good brand of Omega 3 capsules daily, which is supposed to help mood.

Best wishes for your family! - Koko
wil-il, How is your son doing? Are you still trying the Focalin or did it not help him?
Koko

my son 4 was started on ritalin ir 5 mg for 2 months and did not get a whole lot of results.so doctor want to start him on focalinxr 10. He is a combined adhd with pdd and we are reluctant to start him on anything bec of fears of  him being more disconnected and witdrawn. we tried one day of focalin xr and he was fidgety and seemingly nervously agitated, but doctor wats to have him continue for 8 more days while in school only to see hoe really it will affect him. Does it really take that long to see how he adjusts to it?

Any thoughts???