Both of my twin boys - 9 years old - diagnosed ADHD inattentive type, both with specific learning disabilities. One of my twins started Wellbutrin XL 150 mg about 4 weeks ago and it was the BEST decision I've ever made for him. He is doing soooo awesome. All a's,b's one c on report card this time and his attitude is out of this world awesome. I can tell he is enjoying life more and more in tune with the world around him.
However, my second twin tried wellbutrin and had adverse reactions - hearing voices in his head YIKES - the doctor removed him from it right away and put him on a trial of Focalin XR - again he had the hallucinogenic reactions. From talking with my doctor, it may be that he has anxiety disorder and the stimulants just heighten his anxiety causing these strange side effects. So, now we are trying Zoloft 25 mg/day. He's been on this three weeks. His ADHD symptoms seem even worse, but his moods are stabilizing somewhat. It's just kind of 2 steps forward, one step back with him on Zoloft. However, I did notice his math processing has sped up as of tonight! He was doing his math way faster than in the past. But he is so hyper and seems to have a lack of self-control that wasn't there before. Is this that now the anxiety is being treated that the ADHD is showing up more?
Has anyone else been down this complicated path of treating anxiety and adhd together? I've read some, but never read about a child having those strange side effects from stimulant. Oh and a long time ago he was tried on ritalin and adderall and he just was a zombie and when he came off of it, he would have extreme emotional meltdowns over nothing. The doctor said that if the Zoloft doesn't help the adhd on its own, then we may add a stimulant later. This is just scary to me...I'm so worried about him, because I know he has been in distress for many years...too much for his age. I could sure use some encouragement from others who have had an anxious, introverted, adhd child.
soory i can't help but i thought i would leave a note to wish you strengh and luck as dealing with one ADHD child is hard but 2 must be draining.
my advice is to post your question in the parents board,you will have loads more answers.
Wow twins with ADHD. Kind of proves the gene theory doesn't it? I feel so bad for you - one of me put my parents through the ringer - two and I may not have survived childhood LOL.
Firstly is this a GP/pediatrician? Maybe if so you should get a referral to a psychiactric specialist in childhood ADHD. Sometimes things get misdiagnosed such as bipolar (which could explain voices - common in rapid-cycling bipolar), thyroid, etc.
Also welbutrin is often considered the last med to chose for a child with ADHD so I'm puzzled why it was put first. It's an antidepressant and seratonin is the target of it and most other meds go after norepinephrine (adrenaline) which is the major believed cause of ADHD.
Ritalin is typically used first as it is most effective, usually has fewer side effects and doesn't have the possible worrisome effects that SSRI meds have been known to have (potential suicidal thoughts, mood swings, etc.).
Do check with a specialist if not done already. It's very important as at this age and with complications a specialized plan should be made out for both children.
You have my sympathies - but they must give you great joy as well. I hope things improve for you. Just know most kids adapt fast as they grow with ADHD and if you get them cognitive therapy along with the meds it can be well controlled.
Methylphenidate in liquid form:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/57/66098.htm
The twin which is doing so well on wellbutrin was tried on ritalin and straterra in the past. The ritalin turned him into a zombie...even with a tiny dose (I think 2.5 mg) Talk about la-la land... The straterra helped with moods and a little with attention, but I still felt he wasn't the best that he could be. And he was up to 60 mg with the straterra. But with wellbutrin xl at 150 (4 weeks now) he has been awesome. I haven't checked in with teachers to see how well he is doing with attention, but I've noted at home that he is noticing the world around him alot more, taking things more in stride, more cheerful, and he's stopped some compulsive habits he had - like rubbing on materials on his hands when sitting down (I know that seems minor, but it bothered me that he was always doing this and couldn't seem to stop), tongue thrusting habit, and his fatigue is gone. He was having low energy levels for a 9 year old. Now he's more engaged and looks forward to getting involved with activities more. He's more "life-focused"...and his report card had all a's, b's and one c (with his IEP in place).
My second twin, Kyle, tried ritalin, straterra, adderall, focalin, wellbutrin, and now we're trying zoloft. Stimulants (ritalin and adderall) turn him into a zombie as well. He gets so quiet and tuned into what he's doing, he's just almost lifeless. No emotions and very low profile. I don't like it, because I know that's not his true personality. Also, he would have horrible rebound after coming off of the medicine. Straterra really did nothing for him. I saw no changes really to be noted. The wellbutrin caused the voices and focalin caused other auditory hallucinations, like he would hear animals or water running that no one else could hear and he got a little paranoid. So that's why the doctor is now suspecting that he has an anxiety disorder (that's not the only reason, he has other symptoms - physical aches and pains that were ruled out by a physician as nothing physically wrong, tearfulness, not wanting to go to school, biting his nails to the extreme, etc.) along with the adhd and we have to get that under control before any stimulant will help. Or the doctor said there's a chance we can get the adhd under control just with zoloft. But, I don't think it will since now on Zoloft his adhd symptoms seem to be more obvious and harder to control, but he has more cheerfulness, less anxiety about school, less moodiness and ability to get to sleep is great.
Sorry for rambling, just wanted to let you know that this has been a long road of experiments and trying different things. So wellbutrin was not really used as a first line medicine. But, thank God it is working for at least one of my boys.
2nd twin also just yesterday got approved for IEP !!! I've had to fight tooth and nail to get that done. I guess our lovely public school system would have just let him keep failing unless I had insisted over and over he be tested by the school for a learning disability.
His doctor is a psychiatrist and he is qualified to treat children. There's only a couple of others in this area that specialize in only treating children, but one of them I can't stand because he doesn't listen to you and the other won't take our insurance. But, even though the one we're using treats adults and children, I think he is great. I'm very pleased because he listens to what you are saying and makes decisions based on the whole picture...not just a checklist. Twins have also been thoroughly evaluated by a neuropsych. So we've been through alot..... Thank you for your comments and yes, the boys are a huge blessing. I've just got to get them straightened out. At least with one, I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.(this tunnel anyway!)
Oh, one more thing that the doctor had mentioned is that if we do get ready to try a stimulant again, he thinks there may be a liquid form where you can start out with the smallest dose possible. Anyone else heard of this?
COOL, Thanks!