Jo-D - Thanks so much for prayers!!! Means A LOT.
Meli - we had tried Focus at different doses for over a month before trying scrip meds. All it did was make him quiet/sleepy for about an hour, then back to usual. Really was trying to avoid scrip, but we realize now (at least it's WE now, not must me) that he does need something else.
Kemi - thanks for the note! After a long talk with the Dr. this morning, we are going to try Abilify, starting this weekend, in case it makes him sleepy to start. She doesn't feel that in his case, since he responded so well to Risperdal with the exception of the side effects, that Tenex is right for him right now, and gave us a long explanation (and diagram) why.
Meanwhile, just got an e-mail from his teacher (yes, they e-mail me!!) that he's having a "difficult day," refusing to complete his work. Like my signature (which I stole from Seinfeld) Serenity Now!
I suggest you read the fourm on focus and brightspark on the natural remides board. some have had sucess with these and they are natural!!
I found some intresting articles on neutrition on the site www.wellbeingjournal.com They talk about nutrition and ADHD and antibiotics and the milk we drink! it may be worth a peek!
Hi, I am glad you are aware of the sensory issues. My ds has SPD too. You mentioned the sound sensitivity and the crashing into walls- I picked up on that. We tried Concerta and Strattera in the beginning for him (when original dx was adhd) and it made his behavior so much worse. So now he is only on Risperdal. It has helped alot but he has gained 10 lbs in 1 month. He is already a big kid, yikes! He is 7, about 4 1/2 ft adn now weighs 80lbs.
I think the Tenex is a good suggestion. Our psychiatrist has mentioned it alot. It did sound scary to me too. But not anymore scary than Risperdal or other meds-just like what Chasesmom79 mentioned. If it helps, it is worth a try. If he is acting like this on the outside, imagine how he is feeling on the inside.
I decided to try Risperdal instead of Tenex because of the sensory issues. I read that Risperdal helps the irritability in autistic kids. The sensory issues are closely related to autism.
Thanks so much Chasesmom, Vickie and Kemi -- all good info to take with us tomorrow.
Risperdal did work best and make him "himself," but the bedwetting side-effect was almost nightly, and was doing a job on his self-esteem (especially since we didn't know right away what the cause was!). He has always been a bit of a fashion bug, and is very aware (and bummed) that his favorite clothes no longer fit. The weight gain is pretty significant on his small frame, so we have to find a better fit. At least we had a good day today!
Thanks -- keep you posted!
I just want to say good luck and I am praying for youl. I think God will be suprised that I am mentioning another kid besides mine and for coping powers for someone else but me. But you are definately in my thoughts and prayers. JodieI totally understand your feelings about the side effects of Risperdal. Starting to wet the bed at the age of 8 because of meds I am sure was very upsetting. And the weight gain...My son just got some new clothes for Christmas that fit him great now they are snug
My neighbor's son and neice have went through the course of some different meds. I think they are on Abilify now and having better results with fewer side effects.
I just read the thread by goinuts, and feel like we have going through exactly the same thing. My 8yo son is bouncing off the walls right now, 12yo PC is trying to play with him. We should be at church right now, but 15 min before we were to leave, my DS had another meltdown, and forseeing what the next hour would be like, I just couldn't do it. Background: dx ADHD a year ago, ODD as well. Has sensory sound issues - doesn't eat in caf or take music. Tried Daytrana (made him manic, stopped after 4 days), Focalin (didn't help), Risperdal (helped, but made him bedwet and gain lbs), Zyprexa (no help and weight gain). Skinny kid who put on 15 pounds in 2 months). Stopped meds a week ago, and have been in h*** ever since. He has become incredibly disrespectful to me and brother. School said he's been basically horrible. They used to love him and I think are losing patience. DH and I have an appt. with his psych. tomorrow to discuss options. He has been in therapy for a year (weekly group as well as solo sessions). After long talk last nite, DH and I agreed to stop both since A. he hates it and I have to drag him there, and B. have seen absolutely no positive effect from it. School gives him OT 2x week, weekly session with child psychologist - he loves him, We are also giong to meet with his pedi. Dr. to see what he thinks and what he recommends. We feel like we've done everything everyone has recommended, and nothing is working. Cried myself to sleep list night again after he spoke to me in a way I've never heard before -- and I've heard a lot!! Sure could use some friends who understand right now. Thanks so much for reading!How is his focus at school? Are his main problems with physical things? Research tenex/guanfacine..I put a link in the thread you were referring to, but here it is again:http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24770& PN=1
It has been shown to help with impulsivity, aggression, anger, hyperactivity, etc. The only things it is not a big help with is the focus. Shire is trying to get approval to market a time release form as well that would last all day.
Research it and see if it may be something you would like to try. It has shown promise alone, and when used to augment a stimulant med, has sometimes allowed for a lower dose, thereby decreasing some of the side effects such as sleeplessness, and appetite suppression.
Just went on WebMd to look at Tenex -- looks a little scary (but then so do most of them). I will bring it up to the Dr. tomorrow and see what she thinks. If we can address some of his issues (mainly impulsivity), focus usually follows. I should have mentioned that when we upped his second try at a stimulant (focalin) he became more irritable. His psych took that as a sign that he has problems tolerating stimulants.
His main problems at school are being too active, not focusing on his work, being silly and purposely running into walls, being unkind to other children (he's usually sweet), and being rude to the aide. That was this week's report. Gee -- not to much
Thanks for the response!
The trick with guanfacine is to start low, increase slowly, make the initial increases at night, and once up to the effective dose, dont vary the daily amount by more than 1/2mg. This avoids alot of the side effects.
Shire has shown their extended release version guanfacine (at effective doses of 2-4mg) to be effective for ADHD and should ge FDA approval to market it later this year. You might print this for the discussion with the doctor:
http://www.shire.com/shire/NewsAndMedia/PressReleases/showSh irePress.jsp?ref=600&tn=&m1=&m2 =
vickie39110.438125of course the list of possible side effects is long..but it is just as long for say....amoxicillan I suspect....my guy is a tiny 55 pound 10 year old and the only thing I have noticed is a mellower, calmer boy, who sleeps all night! chasesmom7939110.3893865741