Newbie | ADHD Information

My son had no appetite on Concerta, but does pretty well on ritalin LA.

If appetite is the only issue, you can have the doctor add periactin (for appetite), or tenex (guanfacine).  Both os them are often prescribed to help with appetite, and the tenex helps with sleeplessness.  My son is on both of these meds along with the ritalin LA, so I am unsure whether he would do as well on the ritalin LA w/o those. 

 what side effects did you son have on meds?  just curious. 

good  luck with getting an IEP going for your son:)  keep us posted!

shelley  

On 10 mg  2x day of Ritaling he basically stopped eating.  Eventhough it was suppose to wear off by dinner, he still didn't have much of an appetite, even then.  He would complain of headaches and stomach aces.  On adderal and focalin he was awful.  Up to 11:00 at night (eventhough last dose was in early afternoon), and constantly itching and rubbing his eyes.  His mood was much worse when coming off it then it was before he even went on it.  Any suggestions?

 

lauren

Posted: 02 February 2007 at 7:01am | IP Logged

We just had testing in the school completed for my 7 year old son, also.  This is the second time we have had him tested in a year.  She said that he is very bright, but is not living up to his potential due to having to be constantly redirected to stay on task. Last year we tried him on Ritalin, Adderal and Focalin, but we took him off the meds because of the side effects.  School desperately wants him to have an IEP and after doing much research and sitting down with the school psychologist to go over his testing, I think we need to follow that path.  I also have spoken with my son's pediatrician who will review all the results and make recommendations.  I am requesting an OT evaluation for Sensory Integration Disorder as well because my son gets very anxious with loud noises, when he thinks the twins (27 months old) are going to get his "stuff" or when he doesn't do well in school that day because he gets in trouble for talking, not listening, interrupting....He also has always had an aversion to certain types of clothing, smells and tags on his shirts, socks and shoes have to be "just right."  I hope everything works out well with you.  We are still in the beginning stages ourselves, but I know nothing is going to give us a quick result.  I wish you the best and would encourage you to do as much research as possible in order to make an educated decision that is best for your son.  In the long run, he is the only one that matters!

Lauren