It is a stimulant, so no, it does not need to build up in the system. It kicks in within 30-60 minutes, and will leave the system each day. You can miss a dose and not worry, and you also do not need to wean him off of it.
Having said that, you do feel a bit different on say day 1, then you do on day 7, just because it seems like there is a bit of an adjustment period. It's the same with side effects. The side effects that you see on day 1, may not be there on day 7, or day 30.
So while it doesn't matter if you miss a day, I think it's wise at first to try not to miss a bunch of days, so that you can get a good feel for how he is doing on the medication.
Hope that helps :)
ladym
Thanks for the info.
I also heard somewhere that when taking this med they should not drink a lot of acidic drinks. Did not hear if that was limited to when they first take the med-or if it should be an all day thing...Has anyone elso heard about this?
Also, I've seen a lot of people talk about Omega-3. Is this taken in vitamin form? Have people spoken w/ drs first, or something people are just adding into a daily routine?
I appreciate the advice and help from everyone. I started John with the Marbles 3 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference. He has already earned one surprise and is halfway to his next (we have given him 100 marbles to earn). I have also gotten some info and a chart from chartjungle (can't remember who suggested it) and we are following that pretty well also. He know knows he can look at what he is supposed to be doing throughout the day-not just listening to me tell him the night before (and againin the am). Transitioning him has been a lot smoother now...If only I could help him get through his anger and frustration...Hoping the meds will "clear up" his mind a little bit and help with that...
Oh- forgot one thing...Being new to this, I have been reading up alot...Just wondering if anyone knows of so more recent books-what I have found is mostly books that have been written 10+ years ago...
Also, found in the reading suggestions that Mothers treat their kids differently once the kids go on meds...Has anyone found this true? If so, why are we treating them different (suggested we treat them like moms of nonADHD kids-Better? Less commanding attitude-Do it Know or Else kind of thing)
My ds takes 7.5 in the morning and 7.5 in the afternoon. I can tell a huge difference in him with it. He has only been on it for a little over a month. I was giving it to him everyday, but sometimes not in the afternoons, and sometimes not on the weekends. The dr said I should probably give it to him more consistently because it seems when he goes off the meds or they wear off, he is worse than he was prior to his diagnosis.
I do feel as if I treat him differntly now. I probably shouldn't but I do. He is getting in trouble less!
I have been trying a new (to me) approach on discipline- making sure you address the negative only after you have complimented them at least 3 times on a behavior you would like to change- I catch him behaving the way I want (like playing nice w/ sis) and compliment him on it. Then, if he is getting rough, I will reprimand. The idea (if I'm getting this) is to "catch them doing the good". I've noticed the 3 days he's been on adderall he is much more likely to play "better" with sis than not on it. He has consitantly had 1 major "breakdown" in the middle of the day-ANGRY MODE . Almost as if all the "little agressions" build up and come out all at once. Keeping a diary for the Dr-I tend toforget specifics when I am there...write it all down & then I can't forget!