Looking for someone to relate to... | ADHD Information

This is the first ADHD med my daughter had ever taken. She uses a 15mg patch now. we tried the 10 mg and it did nothing helpful at all... except curb her appetite of course. Is 15mg considered a high dose or a low dose?? I do put her patch on on the weekends, but for less time. We really only put her on it at all because of school. Thanks for letting me know about the thread. Thanks for your help.My 8yr old little girl had ADHD & had been on the daytana patch for about 4wks. I spend all my time worrying about her. Literally. I read everything... then worry more. It has definately helped her, though. There's been a real difference, for the better, in her life. However, the patch still scares me. Maybe some of you could help put my mind at ease. She is quiet on the med, almost backward a little and much more sensitive. Her appetite has been very affected. She doesn't eat her lunch in school and if she does, it's very little. Then when she comes home from school, she still isn't hungry (we have started having her patch removed at school to get it off of her earlier for this reason) Finally, early evening comes around and she's hungry. We are hoping this changes for the better with us removing her patch about 90 min earlier than before.So the loss of appetite worries me A LOT! . Also, her skin is usually red on the patch site.I've been told that this is normal, but yesterday, when her patch was removed, her skin looked a little purplish, almost like a little bruising under the skin. We don't put the patch in the same spot each day, and we do switch hips, but it looks really sore this time. Called the Dr. and he said put A&D on it to keep skin moist. will that deep redness go away on her skin?
   I am so glad to have literally stumbled upon this message board. I always wish I had someone who could relate to me about this& share my concerns. Everything is still unfamiliar territoty for us. This is the 1st ADHD med she has ever been on & everyday I question whether or not we have made the right choice. I feel a huge burden on my shoulders with this constant worry. Can anyone offer some reassurance or advice?? Thanks all.

 

Hi Lissy's Mama, Appetite suppression is a side effect of most stimulant medciation and I too am worried about this.  My ds is quite thin in the 15th percentile for weight.  We try to make sure he gets a good big breakfast ( usually cheese, pancakes and carnation instant breakfast).  I know he east a bit at lunch so I am not too worried..perhaps you can send in a pedisure for lunch ( if she will take it).  I can only suggest having lots of smoothies and or milkshakes when she comes home from school.  Sometimes it is easier to drink than eat. 

We are not patch users however, many have posted about their experience with this new med.  I am sure someone with more experience will respond.

Good luck with everything

Welcome Lissy's Mama!  My ds is on the patch and we've been having some terrific results.  There's a thread on the medications board (go to forum jump at the bottom of the page and look down the list.  It's after the parents board) about Daytrana and there you can read about other folks experiences.  Has you dd taken meds before this?  What did she take?  How much?  What were the reactions?  You say she's quiet and much more sensitive on the patch.  How much is she on?  Can you go to a lower dose?  Do you give her meds on the weekend?  One member here has used balmex on the redness the patch caused.  Read that thread, it's long, but there's tons of good info there.  It's called Daytrana Anyone?

My ds has had some minor redness that goes away overnight.  We have had such good results on it that I hope we can continue using it.  I hope this helps!
My ds, who's 13 and weighs 100 lbs, was on 40mg pills and then went down to 30mg patch and is doing very well.  How much does your dd weigh?  How tall is she?  A lot of parents don't give their kids meds on the weekend because eating, sleeping and growth are an issue.  One of my ds's friends is like this.  I think he grew 4 inches during the summer because he was on a "med holiday."  If your dd only needs it at school, I wouldn't give her meds on the weekend.   

Hi Lissy's Mama!

First..... take a deep breath...and relax.  (Easier said than done, right!!?)  You are not alone.  Stay on these boards and you will read posts by other parents walking in your shoes.  You are new to this journey.  Some on these boards, like myself, are a lot further into this journey.   Keep reading, relax, and keep a sense of humor.  You will find help for your daughter.

Make sure every meal she does eat is full of as many nutrients and calories as possible.  Don't force her to eat when she doesn't want it. You will just get into power struggles.   At night when she is really hunger....let her eat whenever she wants....even if its right before bed!  We use a lot of chocolate Ovaltine and Carnation Instant Breakfast in our household!  :)

Re... the patch.  Like others have said....go to the medications board and you will find tons of info on Daytrana.  Don't compare doses of the other kids of parents on this board.  Everyone metabolizes different.  When my 13 yr old tried Daytrana.... he quickly went to 60 mg.  That would be high for a lot of kids, but not others that metabolize at a high rate.  We switched back to Concerta because the patch was just too much of a hassle for us and I worried about skin sensitivity issues.

Good luck!  Keep reading!   Okiemom