How to know if drug is working right | ADHD Information

I am relatively new to all this since my daughter (7) was diagnosed with mild ADHD. We had her on Medadate CD and she became a completely different child, so I knew it was not the right medication.  She was put on half the lowest dose of Vyvanse, which we just started Tuesday, but with her in school, I have no idea what to look for and whether I know it is working.  The teacher does not know yet that she is on medication (one, because she is a difficult teacher and two because my doctor advised not to say anything until we get the right meds into her).  I have noticed that the first day she took the medication she was really weepy, yesterday (the second day) was not as bad, but she got really defiant and angry (which isn't unusual for her) in the afternoon after school, but by bedtime was fine again.  Is this normal, should I wait it out, does she need more, should I talk to my doctor?  I am so new at this I have no idea what behaviors I am looking for especially since we weren't seeing any of the ADHD symptoms at home before we had her tested (she was tested because the teacher said she was really distracted at school).  I am just very confused since I have no idea what a child on ADHD medication should be like.  Any advice is welcome. I would watch her closely on the weekend and you'll have a better idea of what's going on.   I definitely wouldn't increase anything until you know how this is going.  One of the most common side effects of stimulants is "rebound" which occurs as the medication is leaving her system.  That can get better over time.

We have been through several medications but we've always started on a weekend so we can see how it works first. 

Is there any one at school you can trust to check in on your daughter for you?  I know it's hard when the teacher is difficult.
There isn't supposed to be much rebound with Vyvance but I have heard of it fluctuating through the day, and side effect might take a few days to get through. I would report them to the doctor and see what they say. Probably watch a couple more days.

 

Ditto on exercising or some other totally engaging activity moderating or negating awareness of the rebound feelings.  Mine slowly diminshed over time... weeks and months.

I talked with my doctor and we are going to continue the meds at least through the weekend to see how she acts during the day.  I have noticed that she becomes really moody and sad at night around 5 and I think it might be rebound.  I did get a note from her teacher today and she said that my daughter had a good week (except for today, which we didn't give her the meds because of the reaction) so, I think they are working, but does anyone know how long the rebound effect lasts?  Does it eventually go away or is she going to be coming down hard every time she has the meds? with my daughter some days she gets moody others not so much.  i do notice that when she does get emotional it doesn't last that long.  we are ending week three, and it has gotten better.  she is also sleeping very good now and is eating well, so that could be contributing to her better mood.  i give it to her at 5:30 so by 6pm she is over any moodyness that she might have had earlier.  It is different for everybody! I found that if you have physical actvity during the rebound time it helps a lot.

it's too bad that you can't talk to her teacher about the meds.   can you spend lunch with her at school?  and watch her on the playground?  i also aide in my daughters class twice a month so i get to see how she is doing in the class room setting.  i was upset when i first saw my daughter on meds in the class room. she was very quite but did her work and stayed in her seat.  but when i saw her at lunch and on the playground, i saw what was my daughters personality, and it made me feel better.  if you can't aide, how about a family member, or do you have a daily or weekely behavior chart.  there are about 10 kids in my daughter class that have behavior calendars, that they color red, yellow or green.  my daughter forgets to color hers but will remember what color she got if i ask her after school. i also get daily behavior reports from her teacher.  it helps me know what she needs to work on and how the meds are working.

my daughter is 6 and started on vyvanse 3 weeks ago.  over thanksgiving i gave her less then the full 30 mg.  i thought i was doing her a favor, but it made her more moody and more emotional.  it took at least two weeks to get her adjusted on the meds.  now she is doing well.