Increase in medication??? | ADHD Information

My ds is currently on 18mg of Concerta in the morning. We have had
little side effects which I am very pleased with. However, his behavior is
on the fence at school. He has three good days mixed with 2 bad days,
ect. Most of his issues are impulsive behavior. He plays well with most of
his friends but is still extremely sensitive and has issues with a couple of
boys. Sometimes can sit still in circle sometimes not. Sometimes listens
to his teacher sometimes not....I know that I can't expect him to be
perfect just wondering if we should at least try an increase. But then
what about the side effects....I know I should feel greatful that at least his
behavior has gotten somewhat better...we also do a reward system at
school and home. Just wonder if he adhd behavior could be helped with
and increase or I am taking the easy way out and holding my expectations
to high????Maybe speak to his pscyh about increasing to 27 mgs, which is still a low end dose, but a bit higher. [QUOTE=imcbmcc] He has three good days mixed with 2 bad days, ect. [/QUOTE]

From what you wrote, it sounds like your ds has been on Concerta for 5 days and your expecting to see a difference by now. If that's the case... yes, I think you should be noticing a difference after the first week of treatment. But I wouldn't expect "major" improvements, yet. You need to allow more time to pass before you ask your ds's doctor to increase his dosage.

Here's my opinion about the beginning stages of treatment...

Medication does not cure AD/HD. There is no cure. Medication cannot turn a child into a better person. However, medication give the child an opportunity to do better, as long as he is receiving proper training at home and at school. Without medication, the AD/HD child is incapable to be trained. Without medication (or another form of proven, effective treatment), we can try our best to train the AD/HD child, but our efforts will fail. With medication (or efective treatment), the child can do better, if he or she chooses.

Here's the problem... Bad habits are very hard to break. Our children have developed bad habits (not sitting in circle time, etc...). But with consistent training, that can change over time.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things to get your ds mentally and socially healthy, you just need to allow more time to pass. Be patient while your ds receives the right kind of child training. Keep up the reward methods and make sure he's getting good training at school.

If after 6 weeks of 18mg Concerta he still has not shown significant improvement, then I'd ask the doctor to think about making a change in medication. Until then, make sure you (and your ds's teacher) are keeping good notes that can be shared with your doctor at the next scheduled visit.