CONCERTA????? | ADHD Information

J's Mom- congrats on the news..sounds like it is working so far!!  we were rx concerta but the pill was too large for my son to swallow but i was told that is a great med for adhd my son also has oddHello,
My 7 year old son has started Concerta 2 days now. We have tried Adderall,Ritilin and Straterra. We have gotten a call every other day from school and had to actually pick him up a couple of times. He hasn't been on any meds. for about a month now. After a school meeting and sleepless nights for me; decided to try a new med. We got only positive feedback from school for 2 days now. His world seemed as if it awas crashing down on him and the family. His teachers have not been able to touch him once academically. These past 2 days have been unbeleavable. One teacher said it almost seems like he's a hole different kid. He's been able to sit down and do some academic work and has followed direction. He hasn't hit in 2 days now. He's on the lowest dose of Concerta. I'm crossing my fingers. He was diagnosed with A.D.H.D, TOURETTES SYNDROME and O.D.D. about 2 years ago. Feedback about CONCERTA would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million, Jeromes Mom.Wow - isnt it wonderful when life swings your way for a change. my son is on concerta and i don't like it. it started out to be a good med but now he is way outta control before he takes his med and when the med is wearing off. he is very nasty to me and adults. i also had to have my son put on a sleep medication because the concerta would keep him up all night. i hope this med works for u each kid has different side effects

 

My son, 8, was on 18 mg of Concerta for about 6 months and did very well, then comments from his counselor and a visit with the teacher led to his doctor upping the Concerta to the next dosage level, 27 mg., last week. So far, he's been rather emotional - sad, easily saddened - and I'm hoping that it's just his body adjusting to the new dosage. This is certainly a challenging and rather unpredictable journey.

I have 2 kids - son (7) ADHD, daughter (8) ADD

Concerta has been very helpful for both of my kids.  The first 2 weeks were a nightmare as far as side effects (for both kids)  but after that things have been going very well.  My doctor told me that if the side effects persisted after 2 weeks to call him but we were lucky.

My son was so hyper last year in 1st grade that he was condtantly in trouble and even got suspended for indecent exposure. (He impulsively pulled his pants down during a conversation with another kid about Batman underwear.)  This year on 18 mg Concerta I receive nothing but glowing reports.  His school work is excellent and he is the most challenging classes for his grade.

My daughter was never a behavior problem but daydreamed all day.  Her test grades were fine but she never participated in class.  We started her on 18 mg and teachers said things were just perfect with her performance.  A year later (and 10 pounds later) we have just had to increase her to 27 mg and there is some improvement.  An even higher dose may be required.

DRAWBACK: I am afraid of continually upping the dosage.  After all this is a powerful narcotic.  I am concerned about addiction and dependence on these drugs.  I am concerned that these drugs becaome a crutch and children fail to learn their own strategies and coping mechanisms. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER-  I know how good it feels to see your struggling child find some success. 

KidsInSpace38279.337962963to J's mom:  Congrats on some success.  I have an 11 yr old who has just started on Concerta.  He was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago ADHD.  Complications for him is that he also has a seizure disorder, with learning disabilities believed to be caused by early medication at 11mon. for the seizure activity.  Anyway - he was put on Stratterra at first as it was believed to be the safest med for him so as not to interfer with his seizure meds.  Unfortunately he started that med at 48 mg and was upped two weeks later to 64 mgs.  Needless to say this is a lot of medication (including his seizure meds) for one little boy.  It also turned my very happy boy into a monster plain and simple. I might add here, he had a Grand Mal seizure last week which caused a leg drag, head tilt and excessive drooling for several hours after the seizure.  He had not had a grand mal for almost 2 yrs... He was taken off Strattera and put on 36 mg of Concerta.  So far (and we are crossing our fingers here) no seizure activity, and for the last two days of school, my son has completed all homework during his resource time (never happens normally) and has not had to leave his regular ed classes at all.  When I asked him tonight how he thought things were going, he smiled (for the first time in weeks) and told me he feels much better and he thinks the meds are really helping him focus.  So for now - we are thrilled and pray that this is the answer for our boy without any seizure complications.  Anyway -for what it is worth - this has thus far been our experience.  (Just as a side note, my 17 yr old was also diagnosed at 9 with ADHD and has been on Ritalin which works extremley well for him.)