Tenex Questions | ADHD Information
ok, update time. My gets foculin 10mg xr and 1/4 tablet of tenex in am at 7, then foculin 10mg xr at 12 noon, then tenex 1/2 tablet about 6pm. Bedtime is 8pm. Doc stated we could increase tenex to 1/2 a tablet during the day if needed and give a 3rd dose if needed in the afternoon.
I took son in for 1st day of school, told the teacher all about him ( adhd but very sweet, tries to please, etc). I picked up son yesterday afternoon and teacher told me that he was, and I quote, "very attentive". No problems noted. Ok, so far so good. I guess I will wait until the end of the week to see if he should have his meds increased or not. Our 504 meeting is next week.
Hi Longsally,
We added guanfacine (Tenes) to the stim (originally concerta, now focalin) because we could not increase the stim to a fully effective dose due to weight issues. The guanfacine helps with hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiance, weight and sleep issues but not so much focus. The combo is great for my youngest. As edbson has said, start low and with an evening dose, and increase very slowly to allow the body to adjust to the med. Read the very long Tenex thread for articles on tenex and the use of a long acting form by Shire in recent clinical trial.
I have read the posts about starting slow and "ramping it up" Do you know that our prescribing doctor, a psychopharm. never said anything about this!
We started out 1/2mg for about 2 monthsish, over 2 yrs ago then upped him ourselves to 1 mg ever since then. The only time we give him an extra 1 mg is before a 5pm practice when he seems to need somthing to control him impulsiveness. The doctor knows all this and just goes with it. I hope we aren't doing anything wrong with the second 1 mg in the pm if necessary. It is only during sport seasons and not every night - so that get's skipped often.
Again, the prescribing doctor doesn't have a problem with this! Do you think that is odd?
Hi Bethann,
My dd will be 10 next month and we have been strugling with her meds recently. We are considering adding tenex to a stimulant for her probably concerta. I like the concerta for her personality more than adderall right now but the concerta alone doesn't totally do it for her even at 72mg. She definitely has rebound issues with the concerta and could use a little more help during the day too. I was wondering if you could tell me what your son is like on concerta alone and what you feel like the tenex adds? Does it add to his focus at all? If you only dose him in a.m. how is he after school and in the evening? She really needs coverage in the afternoon and evening.
Thanks so much for your posts. They have been helpful! I am just not sure where to go with her meds right now.
Thanks Jo
Hi JO58,
My son has been on it for 3 years. When we began the medicine roller coaster of leveling off and which one, etc. concerta alone didn't do the job. He quickly went up to 72mg at 7 yrs of age and stayed there until he turned 10. He is now at 90mg of concerta.
Guanfacine was added along with the concerta pretty much from the get go. But I can tell you that when he took a half, the teacher told us he wasn't where he should be. So the next day we upped it to 1 mg and she said he was just fine.
So even though he was at the right dose of concerta for him, without the extra tenex, he didn't have a good day.
It relaxes him, controls his impulsive behavior, he eats not until after school, and sleeps like a baby.
He only takes in the am, 7am with the concerta. When he has football and baseball, he will take it again before practice/games. '
I hope this helps!
Your son is very lucky. As long as he has one friend, he is all set!!
Isn't it amazing how different their life can be if you medicate and take the time to find the right one. I know that even though he isn't Mr. Social Butterfly, he is still much happier and successful.
I was also told by his doctor that with the medication, this is his true personality. I think my son is much quieter, but the adhd got in his way! Without it, he is extremely immature and goofy. But that is definitely not the real him.
I work at night so that I am home to get them off to school ( next door) and am home when they get in. We don't have the cul de sac, we have the 2 acre's between homes and live on a main street. And yes, a lot of moms work to afford the town. So they have a program called schools' out to watch them until they get home.
It is nice that you have the playdates, I used to do that as well. Not at his age anymore they are too old. But he never got the invites back either. I blamed it on his adhd, but I also think it is ignorance on the parents part.
I used to be very sensitive about those things as well. It is so not worth it!! Our kids will be just fine, believe me, we will make sure of it!!
Thanks so much Bethann!
So if he has sports, an extra dose of tenex helps him enough? Without that extra tenex dose in the p.m., how is his evening behavior? Do you ever give him a booster of the stimulant? We have to give another dose of her stimulant any time she has afternoon sports or activities. It would be nice not to have to do that and may cut down on the tolerance too. Does your son have the hyper/impulsive ADHD? My dd is heavy on the HHHHHHHHH. Do you ever go without the concerta (weekends or holidays)? It seems like a lot of folks on here can do that with the tenex on board and still have good behavior. One final question, how do you feel the tenex effects him socially? My dd does okay socially but not great. 
I worry about it all the time. I feel like going into these preteen years it is becoming even more important.
Sorry for all the questions but he sounds like he is on a successful regimine. We just are not quite there with a stimulant alone right now!
Thank so much!!!!!!!!!!
My son is HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH & impuslive.
I do not give anything else to get through the night and homework. His concerta gets us through, however, tonight he was getting stimulated from our puppy and his valentines. He was also eating lots.
I NEVER stop the concerta, even when he is sick. I have read that doing that is NOT good. When they start again on Monday, it really knocks them out. I know those will disagree, but I remember doing that. He would be wiped and not eat at all. His body had to readjust. I give it to him everyday.
He has grown a lot to. pediatrician said it is because his body has adjusted to the meds.
It took us 6months to finally level off on the concerta dose of 72 for 3 years. Then I just micromanage. he takes a 54 and a 36 combo right now.
My son is more immature than others. He is more of a quiet kid around the house. He is doing well in school, social is tough I have a feeling, he just joins in, but no close friends. They all just hang out at school, no one after school. Anjd most important, he is ok with that. That is why thank goodness for sports. He is involved weekends with games, so there is socialization.
Question for Bethan, are you saying you went back to work and that stopped your worries at night about your son? I'm not sure I understand what you mean. As for the doctor who prescribed the tenex and the concerta, she is a psychiatrist who works at the UCLA ADHD clinic. We go there very two to three weeks to check back about how his meds are working. They take his blood pressure, check his heart, weight and height each time. I have confidence in this doctor as this clinic specializes in ADHD. But still it's a big worry for me to have my child on two medications. I never thought it would come to this.
I just saw your social question with tenex. I feel it helps him, controls any impulsiveness. We just live in a snotty town with snotty kids. It really amazes me.
We took thekids on a cruise this past october and he had a blast. He stayed in the kids club from 9am until 1am. He left with so many friends. but at home it's not like that. they click up with the help of their clicky mothers. I hate playdates, scheduling them like a board meeting. times are different and so aren't kids.
I'm in boston right now at work. I will always worry about my children, but working takes my mind off of it. I had too much time on my hands to worry. I would fall asleep and be awake by 3am and think and worry. This way I get the benefits and $ from my job and no anxiety.
I am very close with my son, I feel bad for what he has to go through. he has such a huge heart, sensitive boy. He'll be a great adult!!
I know what you mean about all the social stuff. My dd has one best friend which I am so thankful for but she is not really accepted otherwise. She is immature too but so sweet. It amazes me how tough it is today to be accepted socially!!!!!!!!! My dd is very happy although she just loves other kids and would love to be included more!Yeah, I think son want to be more accepted as well. He just kind of lones it and is happy. He is playing basketball now and hangs on the computer. He is just a great all around boy. I tell him all the time to never change! He gets what I mean.
I also think it is harder as a girl socially, girls are really cruel. I tell my daughter when things are tough she always has her best friend, me!!
Hi Bethan I understand about the work I used to work until my son was in the middle of Kindergarten at public school. The teacher has so many complaints about him and he had been in a pre-K before that with only 7 kids in the class. The public school there were 20 and the first time I saw the playground and how wild the kids were I was shocked. I found it hard to keep having to leave work to go to the school to talk about his problems. I hated the calls from the V.P. at work very embarassing as I worked at a Psychiatric Center of all places. LOL Anyhow, I do think work would help in some ways but to telll you the truth I like to be the one to pick him up after school. Lately with the tenex it's amazing he likes to play longer after school with other kids. I leave my cell phone with him and then go back and pick him up in an hour or so. He phones me if he wants to come home sooner. He has made a wonderful new friend who is coming to our house tomorrow after school. I'm delighted this boy he has met was the quiet child in my son's class who had no firends. That boy is so happy to be playing with my son and vice versa. I'm excited to see him attracted to playing with a boy who does not get in trouble for a change. LOL I am the mom who always offers the playdates. Believe me it's hard bringing different kids over after school they are all different. But I do it for my son and he enjoys the company. I just wish sometimes that other parents would do the invites back. I think though it is because most parents do work and don't have the time to bother. I just wish they would offer back on weekends. My son also has one friend who lives in our cul de sac and they have been friends since they wer6 months old. They are BFFs they say which is very sweet.
We started it because I was hoping it would help with his impulse problems and such, if you remember my posting back in Dec about his major hair cut. He was also taking at that time a bp med, because just before the hair incident, he had really high bp. We thought the Tenex would help his impulse and make his bp even better.
The bp problems went away and we just stayed on the Tenex thinking it would help with any sleep issues he sometimes has and were hoping it would help with the rebound he had while taking Focalin. But now he's on the Vyvanse, and I'm thinking the Tenex is really not needed, unless it's actually helping his bp remain lower.
Am I making any sense? I feel like I'm not.
I'm a little nervous about the cardiologist visit tomorrow. does anyone have any advice. I have no clue abouw what may happen and now that his bp seems fine, I'm afraid he'll just blow us off.
You are making sense.
Was he pulling his hair out?
When did he change to vyvanse? Maybe that is your/will's best med. Maybe it is helping with the bp. These are questions that will be answered tomorrow. Thank goodness it is so soon!!
You will have to also figure out if he is best without it and just alone with vyvanse. That is an experiment, unless the cardiologist wants him on the tenex.
Does this doc know about him on tenex??
We've never seen this dr before. We made the appt back in December, so we've been waiting a long time.
I guess we will just wait and see how it all goes tomorrow. I've made all my notes on everything that's been going on lately so I'm hopefully, prepared.
He's only been on the Vyvanse for a few weeks now.
He didn't pull out his hair but cut it down to the scalp right on top of his head, right before Christmas. And he had other issues that all started right after he started taking the first bp med. That's why I wanted to quit it. It may or may not be, but I was thinking his behavior was due to the new med.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Thanks!
Sorry I didn't remember, but I do now!
So vyvanse is working well, do you think along with the tenex? That is also a question. My son wouldn't be successful with concerta alone. The tenex makes it so much better.
Tell the doctor EVERYTHING! I hope he has a clue about adhd, some do some don't.
I look forward to hearing how Will & you made out!
Get a good night's sleep!!
B
Am I the only one that's not seen any difference in taking this med? Will has been taking it for about two months, 2mg in the afternoon and I could swear it does nothing for him...hey willsmama,
If you are NOT seeing any change in your son, then I would consult the doctor. There is a better med for him out there.
I would also ask the doctor if you can just stop the med or does it have to be done slowly.
This med controls my son's overstimulation, impulsiveness, anxiety, overall it helps him to relax. My son's concerta alone wouldn't do the "trick!"
Regards!!
[QUOTE=Joejoesmom]Question about the boards how do I increase my margins as others have
done? I can't seem to figure that out. Thanks [/QUOTE]
If I understand you correctly, it is by your number of posts, I believe.
Joejoesmom,
That is why you consult your prescribing doctor, even about your own anxiety. Especially if it is keeping you awake. I was like that. I went back to work, overnight to help out, and it work. These boards are a godsend as well!!
Who is the prescibing doctor? We use a psychopharmacologist, they specialize in all these type of meds. He is a genius about all this stuff!! I feel very comfortable with what we are doing FOR our son.
Our pediatrician referred us. Our ped. was honest about how he does NOT specialize in this area. He is for sick and well visits, etc.
Post on the boards when feeling worried, we all understand!!
Bethann, do you think this is the right dose for Will? We go back next week so I'll talk to the dr.. Vyvanse is working great but I haven't noticed anything with this Tenex..
I'll be glad when it's bedtime.. These holidays just put Will into overdrive...
Also, we're going to the Ped Cardiologist tomorrow for our first visit. Will had some major blood pressure problems in December and we don't know why. He's doing fine now, but it still worries me.. Please wish us luck!
I think it sounds high, but everyone is different.
My son is 10 1/2. He has been on 1mg for the entire day and night since he was 7.
If he has a practice after like 5pm, we will give him another 1mg to get through it, per his prescribing doctor.
Why do you need the tenex if the vyanese is working great?? Why did you start it, any rebound or sleep/eating issues? What if you stop and use JUST the vyanese??
And yes, this is a blood pressure med, it lowers it, I BELIEVE, not sure, but believe to help relax them.
Tell the cardiologist he is on this med, maybe it isn't for Will!!
Please let us know how you all make out with the doctor apppointment!!
well, my son is now on tenex 3/4 tablet in am and 1/2 in afternoon. We did add an afternoon pill but it bottomed him out. He was pale, lethargic. It scared me so we stopped it. No major probems since then.My son started a half tenex at 5:00 p.m. to help with rebound from his concerta 18 mg that he takes in the morning. It has made an amazing difference if he does get upset about anything he appologizes quickly. He has had such terrible rebound I was starting to think we would need to quit stimulants altogether. I'm so worried about getting our hopes up I really hope tenex is our answer. I haven't heard anything about ramping it up. I think if it's helping this much I hope we can just stay this way. We really need a break from all the arguing that has been happening at night. Hubby and I were about ready for a nervous breakdown together. We would say how are we going to handle him by the time he's sixteen. It's terrible to be frightened about your child's behavior so much and how he will be when he's sixteen. Anyone else worry like us? We are starting to see a marriage therapist in next week plus more parenting classes.
Yes, we too worry. Our son is also on both concerta and guanfacine(tenex). He is 10 1/2 and is now at 90mgs of concerta. We started at 18mgs and moved quickly over a 6month period up to 72mgs where he leveled off from 7 until 10 years of age. We also stated with 1/2 a guanfacine and then within the 6 months went to 1mg of it and are still there. It is a god send.
I find our son's personality is one which tries to please. He can not control his adhd symptoms, like hyperness and impulsivness. But he such a good kid, kind hearted, very sensitive, good all around. Without medication, it would be a struggle daily. I know he will outgrow these things, but he will always have the ADD, just without the hyperness. But I will always worry about him. I just love him so much!
Keep doing what your doing, it is working!!
We added Tenex about 6 weeks or so ago along with my daughter's Concerta. The combo is working really well for us. Our evenings are much more manageable. While she still goes to bed pretty late, she winds down much quicker and sleeps more soundly.Another thought on the concerta. We had rebound issues when her dosage was too low. When we went from 18 to 27, most of the issues went away.
I also worry about my daughter as well. Off meds, she can be a real loose canon and can get out of control. I hope that if or when she decides to stop taking meds she has the skills to handle her emotions.
We are also right there with you on the marriage counseling. Once we had my daughter under control and moving in the right direction, we decided we needed help as a couple as well. We are working with the same person that we worked with for my daughter and it has been great.
Thanks for the words of support. I'm wondering if we should increase my
son's concerta. I guess I will wait a while and see how it goes. He had
really bad rebound on Daytrana too. Before any meds he was pretty good
at night and in the mornings. His biggest troubles were at public school
with playground issues like pushing shoving fights. At home he was not
so bad although certainly difficult. Since the rebound issues at night my
husband and I would disagree how to handle that. My husband tends to
just hink he's acting terrible although even he says our son doesn't seem
to be able to control his emotions. Plus my husband will say I think it's
the medication. But he will still yell at him to get to bed and such and
then I get into an argument with him about not yelling at our son and
cutting him some slack. I was finding that at night he would get so out of
control the only thing to do was to just get him in bed even if we had to
skip his bath or even skip brushing teeth. He just had to get in bed to
pull himself back together. But it's such a strain on the marriage and
wow what happens to these kids at 16 years old when somone offers
them a drink at a party.? I'm worried sick about that he's only 8 now so I
know I need to calm down myself. We did try increasing the daytrana a
few times but he just didn't speak he was out of it like a complete
zombie. Last night I was awake most of the night feeling so worried and
guilty for putting him on two meds now. I just couldn't stop thinking
what if he has heart problems when he's grown up or kidney failure
because we did this. It's all such worries but thanks for the supportive
words and letting me worry here. Question about the boards how do I increase my margins as others have
done? I can't seem to figure that out. Thanks My son's appetite has really increased since he's been on tenex. I'm wondering has anyone had their child get fat on this med. My son is not fat but I'm concerned as it's such a switch from the low eating before this med. Also does anyone know if the school can take my son's 504 plan away now that he's doing so well in school? They left me a message today that they want to have a meeting with me about his 504 plan. They have barely given him any accomodations this year that we had asked for so I really don't want to lose it in case he might need it next year. For example if the next years teacher is not as good as this years or if he can't take stimulants any longer which is looking like a possibility.
My son's appetite has increased since he has adjusted to the meds. He has been on both concerta and tenex and was not eating and skinny for over a year. then he went through a growth spurt.
Mine eats and when he starts, he really gets going. We watch his calorie intake, especially since it is at the end of the night when he eats. he is then just going to sleep.
Just watch out for it, now. Watch the calorie and exercise. Mine plays a sport each season. It is better than nothing!!
I forgot to give my son his tenex tonight by 5 p.m. He was late getting his homework started and he had a complete crying fit over the math. He wouldn't let me help him and he just cried and ran to his room over and over. He finally managed to calm down when I stopped trying to help him. Then I got his medicaiton into him and let him take a t.v. break for a half hour. I gave him a bigger piece than just a half pill and within a short time he was calm and managed to complete his spelling sentences. I'm wondering does this medication really work that well or did he manage to calm down on his own?