Daytrana for the summer or not? | ADHD Information

I have been trying to figure out if we should keep our son on Daytrana over the summer. I feel guilty for wanting him on it for my sanity and our relationship.

He was taking Concerta first during the school year for a couple of months (not weekends and breaks)one in the morning and one at 11am. Then we switched to Daytrana b/c we stoped seeing results and he was getting bad stomach aches in the evenings while eating dinner and at bed time. So our son has been taking Daytrana 20 mg, for about a month until school ended. Then we took him off of it for the summer. He seamed manageable most of time as long as he was doing what he wanted. HA! But I felt like all i did was yell at him all day, i barely wanted to be around him. (And I would have to tell him all day to stop sucking his fingers too!)
But we have decided to put him back on it after 3 weeks off of it and it's like his body has to get used to it again. We're a little worried. It works great for focusing,listening nicely, fallowing directions, not getting distracted and not sucking his fingers! but he talks non-stop about nothing important and seems to not get his idea's out well, he mumbles on and on to the point that we can't listen anymore (b/c we get knots in our stomach listening)and have to ask him nicely to stop talking about the subject. I feel bad.
I want to know if this behavior will go away or not? I'm hoping in a couple of weeks he will be more used to it and not mumble on and on and be more himself. We love and miss his energy and enthusiasm! We keep stop giving the patch to him b/c of this. But it probably makes it worse. Or is his dose too high, maybe? But besides the talking he is wonderful, sweet and easy to enjoy and love, on the patch.
I was also wondering if anyone noticed anger or emotional problems when the patch has worn off the next morning. And does that go away eventually too?
I feel so bad for him and I know how it feels to have ADHD, I have it too.

He still seems to have eating problems. He is not hungry or thirsty all day. A little worrisome. And I can't remember if he is suposed to have a break over the summer to catch up on growth and eating more? He barely eats anything all day. I try to make him a large breakfast and tell him he has to eat something at lunch and dinner.

Has anyone had any of the same experiences with Daytrana patches? And will it get better with time?

Thanks,
a concerned mom

kbee39270.0553009259

we never did the med break over the summers, but a lot of people do.

MY dd talks incessantly on or off meds! Quite often I do have to tell her to keep thoughts in her head. It's like tehy just blurt out every passing thought. I think this is owrse for her when her meds are not at a high enough dose, not when they are too high,. Also when ehr anxiety is up. I say this because other symptoms also increase. I doubt I'd adjust meds just for that. I do, however have two young girls and incessant talking just comes with the territory.

If you are having some rebound issues and appetite issues also though you may want to talk to your doctor this may just not be a good med for him.

We don't give ds a break from Daytrana for the summer. He really needs it
year round. He still talks lots anyway, but he is so much better with friends
and summer camp activities. As his doctor told us, ADHD doesn't take a
break for summer, so we shouldn't feel bad about continuing during breaks.
I think it's all dependent on the child. Some do not have the hyperactivity
symptoms and might do fine without meds during the summer. Maybe play
around with the dosage. You might be able to use a lower dose during the
summer instead of none at all. We have done that before where we used a
10mg patch on weekends and 15 mg during the week. We added Zoloft this
spring because of his high anxiety. He has anxiety to begin with, but the
Daytrana increased it. This combo. works well for ds. The good thing about
the patch is that you can take it off when you want to. You can keep it on
for 1/2 day instead of the whole day.We are taking a summer break from Daytrana. DD has ADHD /inn. so only really needs it to focus.

Remember the meds are not to change your child's personality. They are to help them be as successful as they can be.

If it is changing your child's personality, then you need to talk to the doctor about the dose AND the medicine. You may fine another med is better for YOUR child.

Every one is different. What is successful for one, is not necessarily the best for another.

 

You are so right! I know i don't want the med's to change his personality, but sometimes i get lost in trying to figure out if it's working(or not) or if it just takes time to get used to in his body... not eating,stomach aches, emotional...
But it's nice to be reminded, and to know that meds can be successful for kids, thanks!I agree with bethann if he seems this way you need to change his dose or to a different med. I also would call the doctor.thanks for the idea's, we do often take the patch off early, i love that too.
i do think we should lower the dose...to 10mg.
...has anyone tried cutting it in half? ..i know i've ripped it taking off the backing and his skin didn't show any signs of burning...hmm. maybe i'll try.

i think we're stopping for a while, yesterday was awful seeing my son(dd or ds??-what does that mean exactly?)on way too high of a dose(20mg), it was like he was on speed...really! he kept talking slowly and couldn't get his thoughts out very well, it was like he was druged, he was!!
i think no one should let there kids be like that, it's so sad seeing him so different; no enthusiasm, no excitment, no drama... : )i love him the way he is,even if he can be so difficult at times.