Thanks MomWI
I consider you an expert if you've raised four! I appreciate your advise!
I've raised four to thirteen, and many *can* concentrate. I don't know how bad his behavior is--doesn't sound too terrible--but maybe it's not a bad idea to evaluate him again, now that he's older and other things can show up. If you're comfortable that he is only ADHD, then I agree with trying different doses of meds. I hope things get better.
Hello there. Wow, 13 and can't concentrate?? Sounds normal to me . Seems like his meds are helping a lot. I think a lot of parents of ADHD kids have said, "If s/he only try harder, they could do it. They have done it before." ADHD kids are consistently inconsistent. Sometimes they will do great and other times not so great. I know as a mom that it is hard to keep that in mind. And again, 13 years old--a tough year to get through anyway!
Hi all! I haven't been on line in a while, as I am a teacher and don't seem to have the time! However, I've always found this board to be extremely helpful and fun! (Great folks for the most part!) Anyway, hello again to old friends and hopefully new ones! I'm enjoying having the summer off and some time to myself! I would like to re-cap my story: My son is about to turn 13 and has been on meds since age 5. He has severe ADHD. We have been through many meds and med changes, trying to find the right combination to help him concentrate, focus, etc... Behavior is somewhat of an issue, but is getting better with age! (thank God, something is!) Anyway, what we've heard over and over throughout the years, from teachers, is that my son cannot seem to focus, stay on task or concentrate. Some of this, I'm sure is "attitude" as he certainly could put forth more effort. The teachers couldn't even believe he was ON MEDS until he forgot to take them one day....... THEN THEY REALLY SAW THE DIFFERENCE!!!!!. Since age 5, he has tried: Paxil (at one point they thought he was depressed, he's not) Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall, even one for "Bi-Polar" disorder which was a nightmare... and no he's not that either!) His highest dosage of Concerta was 54mil. He still wasn't improving in school so the Dr. switched him to Adderall. He's been on that (plus Ritalin) for about 5 years now. He takes 40mil daily, plus a 5mil Ritalin AM and during school, a 10ml. Ritalin at lunch. He weighs 98 lbs and is normal for his height/weight. He's very athletic. Basically, my question to ya'll is this: Does this seem like a lot of medication to only be "taking the edge off"? My last resort before school starts again is an appt. with a new "Pediatric Behavioral Specialist". Basically, I just want to know if there is anything new out there that we haven't tried that may work better for him? Concerta was fine..... basically same results..... I wonder if we should give it another try and maybe go up on the dose? I'd love to hear from anyone with advise. We have been to a neurologist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counselor, and basically we have not received any valuable help. He does have some sleep issues, which I've read many of your kiddos have. He takes Melatonin 3mg. at night and this helps him get to sleep and say asleep. Sometimes I think experienced parents come equipped with the best advise of all! If I could have all the money back from all the "experts" we've seen to no avail, I'd be RICH! Thanks for listening all, and I'm so happy to be back! I'd love to hear from ya'll! Dawn in San Antonio
Dawn,
My son is 13 and weighs 99 pounds. For med purposes, docs consider him an adult (and quite frankly, he's not much smaller than I am). So your son may be able to go up on his doses -- you should do research on what doses adults take and then ask his docs about it. Just a thought . . .
Thanks for that reminder, cr12345mr...... I guess I can't expect "normalcy"! Hi Small Mom! I remember you from last year! Thanks for your reply! Pls. tell me more about your son and what he takes, etc.... It's like teenagers have a whole new agenda! Yes, I agree that we may need to up the dosage. I just can't decide whether to stick with Adderall or go back to Concerta????? (We're Military and basically, after all we've been through, I can just tell THEM what I want.... We've had a dozen referals for the "outside"....) Pls.... I'd love to hear from more Mom's of teenagers and what has worked for them! It's truely like a whole new chemical change to deal with, on top of what we ALREADY deal with on a daily basis!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!