Crash and Burn | ADHD Information
Does anyone have ANY information on CRASH AND BURN and REBOUND REACTION. Are these the same things? My son (10 years old, 93 pounds) has been on Concerta for a few years and we've always liked it. We tried Adderall and Strattera and they were a no go. We raised his medication dosage from 18mg to 20 mg (Concerta) because it wasn't lasting all day anymore. The 20mg was doing great. In August we put him back on 18mg because he plays football and the effects from the meds were lasting (like they were supposed to) into football practice. I thought he wasn't into football this season and questioned that. He said he was and wanted to keep playing. He has a natural talent at football (so I've heard, I don't know a thing about the sport) but I really felt the meds were limiting him at practice. He even lost the position he wanted and I feel it's because he wasn't able to "get into it". Please, I am not a "sports pusher" by any means. I just want my son to be able to enjoy what he likes doing. Anyway, so we lowered the meds (to 18mg). He has done pretty good except that it, of course, it was wearing off right at about the time he got home from school. I have just been doing my best to cope with him during football because he enjoys it. Now football is over and we put him back on 20mg about a week or two ago. It's lasting and that's fine but when it wears off, whew! Attitude city! His expressions change and even the look in his eyes change when the meds take effect and when they wear off. I don't know so much if I like that. I know it's the drug doing that. Can other parents tell that same thing? Is the sudden hyperactivity, not listening, attitude, etc... the crash and burn. I need more info on this. I'm thinking about consulting with the doctor and changing him back to 18mg. At this point I don't know which is worse, him being overactive or him having an attitude. I really want to find out the cause beneath it all.
I'll be intrested what others have to say too. My 5 year old just started the Concerta this pass week and I notice when it's wearing off he gets very ugly and whiny. It's annoying. I'm going to mention it to his doctor and see what he says about it. Did your son experience stomach pain with it? Mine still has it after a week. I don't know if that's normal..
Tammy
Hey, I'm 15 years old and I have been taking ritalin on and off now for about 7+ years, and ill let you know that when I am coming down off ritalin I am excuse my french f**king pissy. I hate ritalin and I always have I feel like when I am coming down I am being scruntched into a ball and I am easily aggrivated and have a short fuse, especially if their is a lot of noise going on around me my brain gets so overloaded that I go into shutdown mode.over all I am pretty rude when I am comin down off ritalin, other then that I am a generally nice kid and very friendly and warm.
- Dave
P.S are your sons pupils dilating, or is it sort of look like their is no life in his eyes? because I have a little bit of both of these.
Other than a slight decrease in appetite, my son hasn't had any other symptoms that I am aware of. Also, I kept saying he was on 20mg of Concerta but it's 27mg. I don't know why I always forget that. I thought children were diagnosed until the age of 5 years. I have a very active 2 year old (also a boy) but I couldn't imagine putting him on meds. anytime soon. If it's not to nosy, can you tell me what was going on with your son to have him put on meds this early? I've read other post on here where children are as young as 2 when put on meds. We have the EXACT same problem with Concerta. Our son is 7, and we just tried taking him off of Concerta because of the reduced appetite and nastiness when coming down off of it in the evening. You can physically tell the difference between, say 5pm and 7pm. 5pm is happy and easier to handle; 7pm is nasty, angry and confrontational. You can see it in his eyes and his posture- he looks like he's just waiting for an excuse for a fight. We tried switching to Ritalin, Ritalin LA and Strattera, but the results we way less than satisfactory, so we're back to Concerta.
crash & burn/rebound reaction = same thing (I think)
It is expected that when the drug is wearing off (no matter what type) that the brain is not getting the artificial chemicals that were balancing it. Therefore it mood changes happen due to chemical changes.
Some people react more strongly than others. Some drugs suit some ppl, but they try a different one and get a bad crash.
Only way I could describe it is, you are feeling together and more functional on the meds, then when they wear off, you go back to feeling disorganised, flustered etc . Sometimes causing anger etc.
If you look at illegal amphetamine users, as this drug is impure, they feel overly confident, stronger, energetic and 'with it'. The same for our kids. Take that away and irritability is bound to happen.
Thank for the insights Rae.
So what is a parent to do? I am not sure what is worse, the hyperness and lack of attention or the cranky attitude.
My son gets weepy and angry when he is coming off the meds. If we did not have put him in school I think I might not medicat. I can deal with the hyperness and lack of attention but other can not.
We just went back to the doctor. We decided to put my son back on 18 mg. from the 27 mg. and she gave him a "booster dose" of Focalin for after school if he needs it. The doctor gave me 5 mg. so when we try that if it's to much I'm going to 2.5 mg. I've heard it is a pretty good medicine. my 5 year lod has rebound sometimes as he got use to the med they seemed to go away. It was almost like a light switch was turned on my mother in law once said when we switch his meds can we give him another one because he went from 2 to 5000 in a drop of a dime
My niece's son who is 6 and is of small build was on Concerta. She took him off it because of his angry outbursts which sounded pretty nasty. She tried to not medicate but he could not pay attention in school. He is now on Strattera and is doing better. This is one of the reasons I did not want my son on Concerta. My son is taking Adderall regular 20mg once daily (7am). We are going to increase it to 30mg. For a week we tried Adderall XR 20mg and for some reason he was tired, overly hungry, cranky, angry, and less focused. The doctor said he doesn't understand why but we decided to go back to regular and increase the dosage because my son had said he didn't notice any difference on 20. It's such a guessing game. That is the most frustrating part. That and dealing with the school.[QUOTE=louise]
Thank for the insights Rae.
So what is a parent to do? I am not sure what is worse, the hyperness and lack of attention or the cranky attitude.
My son gets weepy and angry when he is coming off the meds. If we did not have put him in school I think I might not medicat. I can deal with the hyperness and lack of attention but other can not.
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If he is hyper - send him outiside
If he is not paying attention, ensure you make him repeat what you say and make sure you have eye contact, and remind him if he gets of task, in a nice way - dont make him feel bad for loosing concentration.
Cranky attitude - only he has control over this. Just remind him that if he is cranky to take it somewhere else -- ie to his room or outside and come back to the family when he is feeling better. This is good training for a future marriage - people need to learn to remove themselves from situations they can only make worse by bad attitudes.
Also, it made my son feel better, when I told him I feel like smashing things sometimes, even people that annoy me, but I am not allowed to do this. I told him is normal to feel angry and violent feelings, but it is not acceptable to act on them. He needs to feel like he is not a bad person for having these feelings.
Just keep in mind - he is not used to these emotions either, teach him to expect them, and when he feels the crash - to let you know and you will give him a hug and try to find him something to do. My son just likes to watch TV whilst coming down. And needs to be left alone.
Rae7038310.7222800926Sanik just likes trippen teh ballz
Rae-
Once again, thank you for the great insights.
OH, how I wish i could just send him outside. We live in a the city and there is nothing but traffic outside. We did get a membership at a near by gym/pool and that is a huge help.
You are right about the cranky attitude, this is something we are all working on.
Thanks again
Louise