I would look into trying another med. Even other stims can be tried and he may not have the same problems. There are NUMEROUS meds he can try, so don't give up.
Tracy
TimzMom39336.5462615741My 7 YO son had similiar issues with focalin XR... Not when he first started it but serveral months later. He started on Focalin XR 20 MG last March (he was on Medidate CD for a year previous) It was going well. This summer it seemed to not work as well so the DR put it up to 30 MG, He seemed to do ok with that for 3 weeks or so but we noticed that it was only lasting 4-5 hours and he was coming "down" from the medication quickly and that is when he would get frustrated and aggressive. We tried the patch after that and that didn't work well... This week he started Vavynase 50 mg it seems ok he is happier making jokes and smiling more, but he keeps falling asleep???? He hasnt napped since before he turned one?? We give it a week or two then go from there...
Maybe you son is coming off the medicine too quickly.... Try a different med.
Good luck
My son, who is almost 5, was just put on 5 mg. of focalin extended release. From Day 1, he showed some daily minor aggressive moments over frustrating minor events, but his hyperactivity and focus was such a HUGE, NOTICEABLE change that we brushed it off as an annoying side effects and relished in the new blessings of having an enjoyable son. Since then, I've had to actually go pick him up at school for him hitting, running away from, and spitting at the teacher and continually screaming at the top of his lungs for a minor infraction at school. The tantrum lasted over an hour and occured over 5 hours after taking his medication. He couldn't get under control! Just 2 days before, he pitched a similar, though not as explosive fit, because he had to leave a friend's house. He hit, kicked everything in sight and screamed as loud as his volume would allow him to.
My son has NEVER done this!!!! The doctor had us take him off meds. for 5 days, and, as expected, he has had no aggressive moments...not even minor ones. Before meds, my son would pitch "normal" 4 year old fits but we could easily distract him and he was NEVER aggressive!
Has anyone else ever experienced this? What did you do? Is this a side effect?
There's no way to know, but I would think you would not want to put him back on it if he's having this aggressive behavior and was not having it before meds. There are other med options out there. Hang in there. It is quite frustrating. Diane V39335.6803472222We're going through our pediatrician with the medication, but he has been diagnosed by a psychiatrist, cognitive developmentalist, and his play therapist who works with ADHD children. We went for the first, second, and the third opinion because he is so young and we kept hoping "he'd just grow out of the hyperactivity." After 5 daycares, supplements, change in diet, and a Mother's Day Out program that is currently expressing their being overwhelmed with his impulsivitiy (after the 2nd week), we finally decided to try medications. Other than the tantrums that are uncharacteristic, he's really done beautifully on meds!!! He really looks like a different kid!
I just need to know if the tantruming will go away after extended use or if they'll stay with a vengeance!
It can, as all stims can. Is he seeing a Psych or a ped? I ask because almost is extremely young to have an ADHD diagnosis.