son on adderall xr | ADHD Information

IMac38945.6796643519

hi.  it's been a while since i last posted and we have finished all the medical and psych testing for our son.  the diagnosis is adhd combined type and we just started him on 5 mg of adderall xr in the morning.   he's 4 1/2 years old and in just 5 days on the meds we are noticing a huge difference in his behavior.  he is much more easy going and is actually listening and obeying.  he seems much happier and, needless to say, so are we.  we have tons of concerns about putting him on stimulants and will have to take it day by day.

anyway, my main question pertains to side effects.  so far he has exhibited no insomnia or anxiety.  i'm monitoring his blood pressure and weight and will continue to keep a close eye on him.  the only adverse side effect so far is diminished appetite.  he was a very picky eater to begin with and is just not hungry since he started the meds.  we're giving him protein shakes in the am w/ breakfast and at bedtime and multivitamins to supplement his meals.  ironically, we can get him to eat a little bit since he is more calm and he wants to obey.  i just wondered what other parents have tried to get around the appetite suppression.  any tricks of the trade from you more experienced parents are appreciated!

 

thanks, paty

My son is a very picky eater, too. He hates hot dogs and mac&cheese, but he loves broccoli, peas, corn and chicken. The protein shakes and vitamins are a good idea. He also gets a cinnamonroll after school for a snack - high carb and fat. For breakfast I make pancakes ahead and freeze them, lots of vegies for supper and also a mulit vitamin. And he only drinks milk and water. For school lunch he takes a yoghurt and carrots with ranch dip, when he doesn't like whats on the menu.

I also use the shakes for our drinks rather than plain milk...sometimes we will add yougurt to our carnation instant breakfast...the yogurt drinks are good too,

my son loves meatloaf so if we have leftovers he will have that for breakfast along with his cereal   Iknowit sounds gross but he loves it and eats it....we also have lots of snacks  ( yes junk food too) and we try to get  him to eat something  between meals... He also love pumpkin muffins ( made with a yellow cake mix a can of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice) so I try to keep these available for him.

 We  have gone med free on weekends and I am planning on a med free Spring Break ( hopefully we will both survive).

 

you are covering the bases well.

Breakfast is now even more important than ever. Continue to use any supplements that you can, and it is great idea to tet them eat what it is that they like, even if it may not be something that you like them to be eating all of the time. It is common for the appetite suppresion to lessen after a couple weeks on a stimulant, but this does not always happen.

Great to hear that you are seeing a difference so early on.