Congratulations Linda! That is great news! It is so encouraging to see positive posts like this. It is SO difficult to find the right med combinations for children who have co-existing mood and anxiety disorders along with the ADHD. My son is 13 and is dx'd ADHD Primary Inattentive along with Dysthymia (low-grade depression) and generalized anxiety. He is doing well on a combo of Concerta/Tenex/Zoloft. But it took almost 3 yrs to find the current combo.
Again.....congrats on the success and positive change! Okiemom
In a wierd way I feel lucky and blessed. Son 16 year old had been dx with ADD inattentive type and taking meds since 1st grade. He's been on several Metadate, Adderall, Strattera (did nothing for him), Provigil and now more recently Concerta and DAytrana ( for the past month) . Despite our attempts to keep meds in his body during all his waking hours (without meds he was VERY impulsive, argumentative, defiant, oppositional, low frustration tolerance...a real pain in the butt ). Despite the medications he still was VERY difficult to live with. Husband moved out 1 month ago because he could not take it anymore ( most conflicts were between Dad and Son) which of course has added more stress to our already stressful situation.
Due to all the above behaviors and an increase in aggressiveness I took him to the dr and she prescribed a different medication for mood stabilization. He has been on this new med for 1 week and the change is AMAZING. I have my child back! He remains a normal teenager ( sloppy, messy, procrastinating doing his chores, etc ) but without all the anger, defiance etc. It feels like a miracle. It's funny...after so many years of dealing with his "attitude" its hard now to trust this change...I keep waiting for the cursing, yelling, etc to start again. But it hasnt.
I had read on the internet that oftentimes when someone gets treated for a mood disorder the ADD symptoms decrease in intensity and meds for ADD can be lowered. WELL, since I have noticed such a positive change in him he is no longer using the Datrana patch in the afternoon . We forgot it a few days and then I noticed that he was in control of himself so he is not using it at the moment. If it appears that he needs it then we will use it. He continues to take his Concerta in the morning. In fact I had reduced it in half and yesterday ( 2nd day of school for him) HE asked for both pills because the 1 pill was not enough in school. That is a second miracle. In the past he never acknowledged the need for the meds and many times tried to avoid taking it. But to recognize that it does help him and that he needs more, is a miracle.
Sorry for this long post but I wanted to share that the treatment of the mood disorder was helping with many of the symptoms we thought were ADD and his increased level of insight. There is hope ...hang in there everyone and never give up searching for the best treatment for our kids.
Daniel is on Endotrex spray by neuroscience. We added to his morning juice. Working great. Next is his calm prt. Nights is 1 travacore. All these are vitamins. working great. 135. amonth for all 3.