Meds can be less effective under stress (physical or emotional), or with poor sleep. These things cause the brain to work less efficiently (more symptoms) and the meds to not be quite as effective. So wait to see if things go back to normal when things settle down. Also look for other sources of stress.
Is the doc you are seeing a pediatrician or psychiatrist? I only ask because psychiatrists generally have more experience with meds and are better at med management if the first few med tries do not work. They are also better with the higher than ususal doses and combos of meds when needed.
<<(his weight is 70 lbs, so that is the target dose>>
There is No "weight based target dose" for Concerta, it is not dosed by weight! What type of Dr is he seeing? It sounds to me like he needs a bit more Concerta, not another med altogether. The Staph infection, especially with Antibiotics could negate the effects of the Concerta, I would wait it out.
edbson39402.6005902778Thanks Vickie. The doc he sees is a pediatrician, but one who specializes in ADHD and other disorders. This is the bulk of his practice, and I trust him without reservations. He mentioned ODD, but did not want to tag him with that until we get the dental stuff out of the way. With infections, holidays, and time change, his body is all messed up right now. We go back for a med check in December, and he will have some of his dental issues out of the way.
Thanks again, I appreciate the support!
so many people are complaining about behaviors right now. The holidays are upon us! The grind of school is settling in, the clock and weather changes, plus him being sick..................good luck, it's so hard to figure out what is meds and what is not.Well, all has been going well, until recently. My 8 year old son has been on Concerta since June of this year. He did fairly well on the 27 mg, but it didn't seem like it lasted quite long enough, so the DR increased him to 36mg (his weight is 70 lbs, so that is the target dose). The first month was fine, but his teacher started noticing some bad behaviour towards the end of the month. Since his rx has been renewed, his behaviour has been even worse! As I am writing this he is sitting in the Vice Principal's office at school for the remainder of the day. The teacher tried to get him to go to the office after several incidents, and he refused. They has to come in and remove him from the classroom. This from the same boy who has been doing everthign right until recently! He even managed to get B's on his report card and all S's. We have NEVER had all S's before. Anyway, in the mean time he has had a staph infection and an abcessed tooth, which the Dr said could interefere with the way his medication works. So in the midst of all this rambling........can anyone offer any insight as to why this med or dosage wouldn't work all of a sudden? I feel like a bomb exploded, we have been doing so well this school year. And I think his teacher is wonderful....more than tolerant of his behaviours, so it must be pretty bad for her to complain and send him to the office. It has been disobedience and defiance, with a MAJOR ATTITUDE!
Thanks for letting me vent! Since we are still fairly new at this I use this board for insight. Who knows our kids better than their mothers? So any opinions are more than welcome. Thanks!