my son | ADHD Information

I sooo know what you are going through.  My DS has been on Concerta for years with great results.  Suddenly, this school year (DS is 12) we are having some difficulties.  I'm still trying to figure out what is hormones, ADHD, typical teen behavior, the fact that we have moved, new school, etc.  It has been aweful!I really believe that most of my issues are the new school and a teacher that just isn't a good match (or maybe she isn't a great teacher - having just moved here I have no one to ask).  I can't wait for this school year to be over.  My DS is very unhappy as well.  I'm not brand new to my area but I move here in jan. So almost a year. He did have a kind of rough start in the new school district. But both boys have done so well in the 1st 2 mo in the new school than 4 months in the older schools, but u know as I think, I also failed to mention my 12 year old went to summer camp and met a girl. So that also a bit of the prob there. He started middle school this Sept. And the progress reports said how he's being too social, not turning in work and has over due projects. My god....I even notice noticed how he's spending so much more time on the pc (myspace) and that's due to my friends kids under 14 yrs old creating a profile for him. I monitor his page & the phone . But right now as I type this on my sidekick. I'm downloading a pc activity program w/ a timer.
I even thought about a possible change in out diets..I find that all the info I've read is over whelming.
I've recently been diagnosed w/ bipolar ii / adhd. So its hard for me to start some sort type of structure way in my home. When my mind just flutters w/ racing thoughts like 35mm movie film...
Sorry for ranting....not excuses. Just trying to figure this stuff out. You would think by now I'd have it down. I dont
< =text/>_popupControl(); This is also the time when children go through the largest brain growth of their lives, which is probably messing up his med situation.

ok, new to the forum-

my 12 year old son has been taking meds since he was 7. 1st it was ritalin and I wasnt sure about it- then concerta because I needed to get him on something once a day rather than 2x daily.- I forgot why it was we changed to adderall but I know at some point I asked for the xr because it just didnt seem to last throughout his after school program.

He's been taking 30 mg of the adderall xr for the last 2 years now- and I feel he's kind of outgrown it. He just started middle school and he's in the band (plays drums) but I've having such a hard  time keeping him in line w/ school work and other necessary chores. I dont know if this is due to the meds or even cuz this is a new chapter in his life.

I'm kind of afraid to ask the doc to raise the dosage - any opinions?

puberty changes all kinds of things! It is so hard to to seaprate typicla teen, hormones, ADHD symtpoms, meds............fun huh . 2 years on the same med and dose, I'd be in heaven! No really, it may just be a matter of tweaking the dose. Hormomes really do play havoc. Plus try to remember teens are supposed to have some defiant behavior. Like toddlers they are asserting their independance. It may not be fun, but sort of comes with the territory.