I am running out of options... | ADHD Information

I am running out of options for my eight year old daughter.  We were forced to put her on meds back in the first grade because she was getting suspended from school for agressive behavior towards other students.  She had been on Risperdal (mainly for the agressive behavior), Ritalin, Concerta and most recently Strattera and presently Wellbutrin.  The only meds that I really saw any change in her was the Strattera (although it made her too sleepy during the day and up at night), and Wellbutrin.  She has been on the Wellbutrin now for about three weeks and I think it's wearing off.  It's also making her very emotional.  She cries more often and she keeps saying that she is a "bad girl" and that she "can't help it" and "it's not her fault".  I know the side effects for Strattera and Wellbutrin and that's why I don't want to increase the dosage and don't feel very comfortable with them to begin with.  She has no friends.  She keeps saying that kids are mean to her (but I think I am only hearing her side).  We are taking her to a social skills class once a week to try to help her get along with her peers but she even had a conflict there today with another child.  We started her in a private school this year and were lucky enough to get a really great teacher who is working with us.  I am doing alot of volunteering at her school and enjoying it but starting to feel embarressed that she is so misbehaved that I feel like crawling under a rock sometimes.  She does fine with her grades but needs to be reminded all the time to do homework, to study, to remember to bring things home, etc.  This is only the half of it!  I am thinking about Adderall but starting to think that meds are just not the answer.  I feel very bad right now and I'm trying not to get too depressed about it.  I just want her to have friends, self esteem and succeed (like all of us want for our kids)!  Any ideas would be helpful.

I know it is hard to keep trying out different treatments, and my heart goes out to you and your daughter. Is the med managment being done by a psychiatrist?

A med option that you might consider is guanfacine (tenex). Look at the tenex threads on the medication board for lots of information. There are many links that you can print to open discussion with the doc.

I hope you find a solution soon.

How long was he on Straterra?

Wellbutrin is a 3rd line med for ADHD, but does not work for everyone. Is there a co morbid?

why would stretra make her sleepy at night what time was the doses?

 is any one else adhd in the family?

has everyone else taken the quiz?

 thers another drug offered sometimes with stretera that helps with the aggitation . perhaps just taking that? 

 dernit caint theenk ove iyt?

 

 

Sammo39169.0170949074

I don't have any suggestions but just want you to know that we're going through the same thing.  I teach at the school that my fourth grader attends and sometimes I'm embarrassed because of his behavior or inappropriate remarks.  As you said, we just want our kids to have friends and be happy.  We have been trying new meds since Dec.  and still haven't found something that helps him focus, but also helps with anxiety and impulsivity.  I wish you the best!

She was on Strattera for one week.  I know that it takes time to take effect but she was showing effects the first day.  She was very sleepy during the day.  When we switched to giving it to her at night, then she couldn't sleep at night. 

What do you mean is there a co morbid?

The Straterra should be given at night in the beginning to avoid this side effect, and also started on the lowest dose, 10 mgs to make the transition easier.

Co-morbid conditions are conditions that ADHDers can have like anxiety, depression, tics, defiance. Co-morbids can complicate the treatment.