Just not happy | ADHD Information

My son is 5yr old and was dx with ADHD in October. We first tried adderall xr ( made him angry and emotional), then Ritilan LA for about a week (his teacher said he was wonderful, and still himself, but emotional meltdowns at home over NOTHING), and Focalin xr 7.5mg and focalin 5 in the afternoon. He has been on focalin for about 5 months, has been okay, but I'm just not happy. Now he has started complaining of his stomache hurting and he has started crying a school. I called dr. and we have a appt. on Wed. I know he will want to switch meds again, but where do we go from here?

I have been thru the same meds. with my 5 yr old.

So far the one that works very well is Metadate Cd 20mg. We use it 2 times a day because he metabolizes very fast. One at 7am and next at 1pm. He eats ok and sleeps ok too. Addeall was pretty bad with getting to emotional and Ritalin La did not last too long.. Very up and down behavior. Focalin did not do anything.

I had to ask the doctor about Metadate after I found thru a board of parents that a lot of people had luck with it. Then the Doctor said Sure..lets try it.

But if I did not mention it he probably was going to try something different.

Thanks for answering! What is Metadate Cd? Is it a stimulant? Last time we were at the dr. he suggested trying Straterra, or was it Concerta? I can't remember. I hav noticed people talking about Metadate Cd on the boards, but I never paid attention.

Metadate cd is made of the same thing that Ritalin/concerta/focalin has. I can't remember but is methy...... can't remember... But anyway. Yes is an stimulant like the ones I just mentioned.

Give it a try it may work for you too.

Good luck

Metadate is methylphenidate, the same ingredient found in Ritalin. But Metadate CD has a different delivery system from Ritalin LA so it can have a different effect on the child.

My 12-year-old son was on Focalin XR from September until recently. He complained about "butterflies in his stomach" all day and was emotional as well. He has co-morbid anxiety so we figured out that Focalin XR was exacerbating his anxiety. Does your little guy have co-morbid anxiety? If that's the case, there's a chance that all stimulants will worsen his anxiety.

Good luck. This med stuff is never easy.

Hi Smallmom,
I've been wondering how is your son is doing. How is it going with the med change that you mentioned?
jfla238811.983900463My son feels very positive about the med changes. He told me today not to take him off of them (as if we would!). He said his depression was so bad that at times during it he wished he had the flu -- that would have been better! Sad commentary indeed..IMac38947.4487037037

Hi jfla, thanks for asking. My son is doing a whole lot better on a combo of the mood stabilizers Depakote and Lamictal. Yesterday was his first day back from spring break and he didn't fight me about going to school. He also did homework last night for an HOUR -- the first time since October. This morning he actually got out of bed, got dressed and came down to the kitchen for breakfast. I know these sound like small accomplishments, but even a few weeks ago, he was completely refusing school and doing any homework. I'm cautiously optimistic, but I think we're making progress.