Good evening,
I am a new member and just returned from our Pediatrician's office in tears. I have two boys with ADHD, one is 10 and one is 13. I have been dealing with my oldest sons ADHD behavior since he was kicked out of DAYCARE when he was 3. Nothing "bad" I felt, the woman just had a bunch of perfect little princesses playing dress up while my son went out and dug in the dog food that was left out. Anyway - they had been on Ritalin in the beginning - 10 mil every 4 hours and it worked pretty well. We wanted to go to a once a day medication since they were getting older and the "stigma" associated with going to the nurses office. We tried Concerta for both - it worked well for my youngest- but I could tell right away that it wasn't for my oldest. So he went back to Ritalin - then we wanted to try Adderall - the Dr. suggested Straterra, a six week build up time but we went ahead and tried it. I have never been overly thrilled as my sons grades are not where they could be (he is also a gifted learner) and lately (it's been almost a year) he is tired a lot. I received a note from all of his teachers stating that they have been having trouble with his attentiveness also. So - back to the Dr. and she said that she feels as if all she is doing is prescribing medication after medication and that we need to see a psychiatrist first before she will try another medication. For those who have had children on medication for 4 or more years - have you had the same issues with having to change meds? Can they become tolerant of them? Obviously he is going through many physical changes as well, since he is 13 - (oh my gosh - the changes!)
Thank you for your help and words of wisdom!
It sounds like you need to see a Psychiatrist instead of a pediatrician. Although peds mean well they are not as knowledgable about ADHD or the meds to prescribe.
Have they ever been evaluated by a Psych or Neuropsych?
What is the Strat dose, what is his weight, and what dose did he start on??
He is on 60MG - he was originally diagnosed by a psychologist and had a full / intense evaluation. He is 5' 5".What is his weight? What dose was he started at? Was it ramped properly?
60 mgs is the lowest dose range for a child weighing roughly 95 -100 lbs. Strat is dosed very strictly by weight, and a dose that is too high or too low won't work right.
edbson39391.8433680556The doc may be at the end of her med management expertise and it is time to go to a psychiatrist or neuropsychiatrist for med management. They are much more knowlegable about medications and co-existing conditions.
A psychologist can diagnose but cannot prescribe meds and does not train on meds in school.
My pediatrician referred us to a psychopharmacologist for meds. He said that it was NOT his field and I respected him for that. He can write prescriptions, however, he has no knowledge on all the meds available and "what works with what."
our pediatrician did the same. She tried a couple of meds, but when we were not seeing results or seeing too many side effects she referred us to a psychopharmolocologist. Thankfully so, we've had a lot of med changes. My daughter is also 13 and boy lots of changes, socailly, emotionally, etc., it's a rough time. I do have to say, home isnt terrific these days, but school is going great this year.
Go to a doctor who specializes in ADHD. It can be either a psychiatrist, neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, etc. The key is that they have a large ADHD practice. Those are the doctors that know the meds, know the side effects, and know that it is common to have to keep switching until you find the right balance/dose.
Your pediatrician is being honest and I think that is wonderful. Get him to a specialist.
I agree with the doctor, tou need to see a psychiatrst for medicating your children. A ped doc can be easy and nice but the psychiatrist knows far more about different forms of ADHD meds out there. DO you know how many long acting Ritalins are out there? A lot. Stick with docs answer and get some qualified help. We did.THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT AND ADVICE. I HAVE THE NAME OF A COUPLE OF SPECIALIST AND AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT.Let us know how that goes. Good, because the ped is telling your that the situation is now beyond her level of medical expertise.