Meds-How do we know what is right ? | ADHD Information

Hi, I am praying that you might share with us of wisdom and experience. I feel like me trying to help my son is like the blind leading the blind!

I am 40 and my 10 yr old son, Ethan and I have both been recently diagnosed with ADD inattentive type, or if you follow Dr. Amen's books we are a classic type 5 (inattentive ADD + depression).

We started Concerta 10 days ago and Ethan is at 27mg and I am at 36mg.  He's had an upset stomach and I've been nervous and had some headaches.  We aren't noticing any change in Ethan and I can only focus better some but it seems to wear off after about 8hrs (6am to 2pm), and then I feel depressed and tired.  We just don't know where to go from here .

Q: How are we supposed to feel when we find a medicine and a dosage that work for us?

Q:What does 'too much' feel like?

Q:Does this sound like the right medication for us?

Q:Would anyone who has a similar diagnosis mind sharing any advice or their experiences with us?

Q:Would Adderall XR be a good medicne to try next?  And finally,

Q:What is Wellbutin like and would it be a good medicine for us to add to either Concerta or Adderal?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and to help us with our concerns.  Right now I just feel so overwhelmed and feel like I don't have a clue about how to proceed!  I'll take any and all advise I can get!

Thanks, Holly O. of Redmond, WA.

Hello Holly, while I have no experience with Concerta, I just wanted to say welcome.

I found this article that you might find useful:http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/adhd/a/concerta.htm

Before thinking about trying other meds, you really need to give the ones you are on some time to find the right dose.  This seems to take a LONG time, so hang in there. 

 

I'm on ADDERALL XR and it works great for me but I am also extremely hyperactive. I have a combo ADHD so I am inattentive and hyperactive. From what I've seen Adderall doesn't seem to help the majority of ADD people without hyperactivity. It usually makes them more hyper or jittery. Of course some inattentives it works for fine. I know it's not much help but these meds truly do effect every person diferently. Even people in the same family can react differently to meds. Unfortunately it is a trial and error process for the most part. However don't give up on any too quickly. Even if you are on the right meds and dosage your body can get side effects while adjusting. I had an upset stomach and diarrea for 2 weeks when starting Adderall. I've been on it for 4 years now and have never had another problem. As soon as that initially 2 weeks was up I felt great. To give your body a fair chance to get used to and accept the meds I would stay on them for 1 month. After that time if you still have probelms or they are not working you can look at changing the dose or trying a different med. Also I have no idea how long concerta is supposed to last. I know Adderall XR lasts 7-8 hours for me then I have to take a regular adderall that will last 3-4 more hours to get through the day.

Off course if any of the side effects cause great discomfort or you are concerned you should stop taking them and call your doctor.

I think you will know what is right for you, when the evidence shows itself