Hi, I am new to these boards, but have been reading for a few days. My son is 10 years old and has ADHD/severe ODD. We are changing meds. He was on ritalin and it was basically useless. We just changed doctors and he gave us a free month coupon for Vyvanse 30 mg (smallest dosage). We tried for a week and a half and I don't notice much of a difference at all, I tried it increase to 60mg as the doctor said to and my son said he was asleep at school. He does lie a lot and hates taking meds and would not take the 2 pills a second day. So we have only been giving him one.
We went back to the doctors and I wanted to give him a higher dosage in 1 pill of the vyvance but foiund out that it has to be "pre-approved" through my insurance (Tufts HMO) first, which takes time. So he wants us to try Adderall XR on the highest dosage of 30 mg and see how that is. But reading these boards it seems that no-one is on that dosage. Does anyone have any thought on this?? I am afraid when I start it on him tomorrow that I will get a call from the school to come get him as he will be all messed up.
Any information or experience with your child would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Your son may have very fast metabolism of the meds. This usually slow as a person gets older, but it complicated treatment. What kind of doc is managing the meds? I ask because a psychiatrist is more experienced with med managment and dealing with co-existing issues like ODD than a pediatrician.
Did the doc explain why you are trying this dose and how it compares to the 30 and 60g of Vyvanase?
Hi Vickie,
Not sure about his metabolism. The doctor is a psychiatrist though. He said the Vyvanse and adderall were basically the same, with the Vyvanse being longer lasting. He didn't tell me why the high dosage. I am thinking because he thinks that his ODD is severe and that it will help I guess.
Makes me worry though...
the 30 mg capsule may be the highest Adderall XR comes in, but that's not necessarily the highest dose! Seems I've read somewhere that 60 mg Adderall/day is max. dose indicated by standard literature (though many on this Board are prescribed more by their docs.)
And don't forget, theoretically your son's effective dose at any given time with the 30 mg. capsule is 15 mgs Adderall, which is fairly moderate.