Don't worry about how high the milligrams are. Just get him to where he is successful without changing his personality, or emotions.
My son was on 72mgs of concerta at the age of 7. He too is a fast metabolizer. He is now 10 and at 90mgs.
I don't really know. He was only on the metadate just over a week or so when we met with him and reported that it was wearing off around noon'ish etc and he said his body is metabolizing it to quickly. So I was thinking, ok, we'll give him an extra dose and he said no, i'll put him on this one its a longer lasting.
When he initially told me he was going with the metadate because he could go up as high as 70mg with it. So he started him on 20mg and that was it, then switched him to 10mg of adderall xr. now he's on 20mg and she says its better then it was last week, but it still isn't anything like the metadate. She said I ask him to do things and he just looks at me with a blank look like h has no idea what i'm talking aobut.
the crying seems to have minimized some, but when he gets upset, or mad he cries and yells and screams more then i've ever seen him do. I don't like it at all. I'm going to call them tomorrow and if he's not willing to put him back on the metadate i'm going to find him a new dr.
He has a WONDERFUL teacher for the most part. Some things she does I am not crazy about, but for the most part, she's very observant, and tries to keep me informed. Even if I have to track her down to find out. :)
brtsqd339405.7226273148Do you know why your doctor is being so stubborn about this? There is a big difference between adderal (an amphetamine) and metadate (a form of ritalin). We had problems with adderal also. There are a lot of forms of ritalin. We've had good success with Daytrana because it releases a little every hour so it lasts through homework time and also doesn't knock him out when it kicks in. We've never had the issue with the fast metabolizing, though.I spoke with his teacher this morning, and she said there is a difference from last week and this week, but still nothing compared to the metadate and his work. She said it really shows a big difference between the two.
On this one he just scribbles on his homework. On the metadate his work is done, and done neatly and he was learning things on it. So I don't know what my next step would be. She's going to make notes so that I can show the doctor to see what he has to say.
"I spoke with his teacher this morning, and she said there is a difference from last week and this week, but still nothing compared to the metadate and his work. She said it really shows a big difference between the two."
Theses would be great examples to show his Dr. You might explain that these papers are a example of the change in his behavior.
My son cried on adderall, got in the kids faces at school the teacher told me. His eyes were always dialated. We were lucky enough to be going to the pediatrician's office during this and he stopped the meds IMMEDIATELY. My son has never experienced anything like that since.
Call the doctor ASAP. Pediatrician was so concerned after what he witnessed that he didn't feel comfortable prescribing the meds so he referred us to a psychopharmacist who specializes in these meds, as well as adhd, bipolar, aspbergers, etc.
Wishing your son and you the very best, I know what you are going through, it is just heart wrenching!
So Trents teacher pulled us aside yesterday to tell us she's very worried, and disappointed in the medication change. They changed him from metadate cd 20mg to adderall xr 10mg because he was metabolising it too fast. well he's completley lost all focus at school since. with the metadate he was sitting, listening, doing his work, concentrating, focusing etc. so we told him it was wearing off shortly after lunch and that he was getting whiney at night. and he said thats what he was afraid of. he's metabolising it too fast. so he put him on adderall well now Trent can't sit still, can't focus, just scribbles on papers, which as you all know isn't good, because according to his teacher he's so far behind anyway. i don't know what to do. i've asked the dr to please put him back on the other, and we can just give him a smaller dose at lunch or something and he said NO!! Up his adderall dose to 20mg. I don't understand he was actually doing pretty well.
Any ideas? I mean I have no other choice at this point, as he told us to try that till Tuesday and see what happens.
That is a big part of the problem. A psychiatrist knows and is trained in diagnosing and dispensing of psychiatric medication. A pediatrician has no psych training and does it on the fly. Get a good child psychiatrist. spamula39403.3912384259Unfortunately he doesn't have any metadate left. He had one pill left, and we gave it to him yesterday. And his teacher said he had a "WONDERFUL" day. Compared to the "HE HAD A VERY BAD DAY" comment we have been getting lately.
Anyway, I guess I will just use the adderall dose for now, and see what happens. But I'm going to take him to my family doctor this week to see what he says and see about the referral. Thanks a bunch everyone. I really appreciate it. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me thinking that the adderall was wrong for him.
One more thing, we never thought anything of it, till thursday. Trent cries every single morning when its time to take the adderall saying that he can't have it, because it gets him into trouble. We literally have to force him. With the metadate he was willing and reminded us that he needed it.Why not use a booster dose of Metadate or ritalin, instead of changing meds. I would stop the adderall and go back to metadate, IMO
Maybe another Psychiatrist is in order? One who understands how these meds work?
That's what I wanted to do. I was thinking at lunch or even a little later giving him a smaller dose or something, but the dr wanted to change him right off. Now refuses to go back to it. It really bothers me, cause I agree, after seeing my son on the adderall I don't like how it affects him. All he ever does is cry and whine. He's never happy.
I guess come Monday, I'll be trying to talk to another dr. He doesn't see a psychiatrist right now, just a pediatrician. Maybe part of the problem?
Adderall doesn't sound like the righ medication for your son.
I'd look for a new doctor. He should be listening to your feedback and that of the teachers.
Good luck.
Yes, the ped is probably part of the problem, they do not have the knowledge to treat ADHD. You need a psychiatrist IMO. I also suggest a psychiatrist, but in the meantime, it's worth giving him the higher dose of Adderall. try it for a couple of days and see what happens. If hes still crying and no symtpom relief call the doctor on Monday. I would do the pcyh referral anyway. Do you have any metadte left? If the Aderrall is that bad you could just got back to what you were doing until you let the doctor know you do not want to use the Adderall and/or get the psych consult. That may take some time. Diane V39403.2232175926Thanks everyone I'm thinking the exact same thing. I'm trying to be truthful here though and follow directions and give it the 3 days or so to see if there is a difference or not. So far I'm not seeing anything good to report back to him about. :( You need to call your doc and insist on a med change! This is not working for him and he needs some relief. Even if they don't give you the same thing, try something else! I hate it when our kids are emotional from meds!Hi. I would tell your doctor that the adderall is not working, and you would like to go back to the metadate. If he still doesn't want to do that, tell him you are going to have to go to another doctor. My son takes metadate since kindergarten, he is in 2nd grade. I have had to increase it periodically because he wouldn't make it through school. I just did again this fall and it made the difference with him, it helps him all the way through. The increases usually go in 10mg and I think there may be a 5mg one along the way. My son likes the metadate and I think if your son likes the way he feels on one, and is working enough for you that is the one he should have."Trent cries every single morning when its time to take the adderall saying that he can't have it, because it gets him into trouble"
He's probably forgotten, as children will, about how his behavior was before he took any meds. Now he relates his current "bad" behavior to the new meds. If after a couple of days at the increased dosage you haven't seen a positive change I would tell his ped, if he won't go back to the metadate at an increased amount tell him that you will have to find a new dr. In the mean time if you haven't, you need to schedule an appointment with a child Psychiatrist. Ask the Dr what concerns he has about increasing metadate while he's not concerned about increasing the Adderall, when you've seen no improvement from it. Maybe he can give you an Rx for a few and you can test drive the increased dosage over the weekend or holiday so that you can monitor the results.
Godd Luck, it may be time to change Drs my experience has been that Drs are usually willing to listen to your concerns and experiences and will treat you or your child using this information, within reason. Then there are still those out there that think they know your child better than you do based on a 10 minute interview.
Well he took the 20mg this morning, and he did ok, but he was just there. It's not that he was crying, but he wasn't smiling like he normally does either though. But I know its just the first day. So I'm going to give it a few days and see what happens. I just don't understand why he changed him so quickly and now refuses to change him back. It's frustrating.
UPDATE: His dad just got home with him & his brother from a birthday party, and he's just out of control. He has cried nonstop. He's emotional like you wouldn't believe. The dog walked in front of him and he tripped and fell and he got mad and chased the dog crying in tears, screaming at the dog. Could this be from taking 2 of this?
brtsqd339403.588587963I took him to another dr who is treating my 12 yr old nephew who is adhd/odd and he was wonderful. He listened to every concern I had, looked at my sons school work, looked at his testing from the school, asked me if i had any questions or concerns. Directed me towards counceling for my son & our family. Put him back on the metadate cd 20 mg in the morning then a booster dose of 10mg at lunchtime. Told me if there are any problems of any sort or any questions whatsoever just give him a call.
Thanks ladies. Makes me feel alot better now.