HELP!! stimulants causing depression | ADHD Information

On both stimulants we started out on the lowest dose. With the Concerta the lowest dose made her talk non stop and a little on edge. My Dr. said that was sure sign it was not enough. When we increased it wiped her out. Made her withdrawn and depressed. Which she prob. would have gotten depressed on the lower dose, but we only did it for a couple of days. With the Vyvansse same thing. The Psycologist mentioned trying Focalin next. The only thing with that is it does not last as long. We will surely need something to get through homework. I am very interested in trying the Strattera. Thanks

What dose of stimulants was your daughter on? Could it have been too high?

My kids are both taking strattera and it does help with focus and homework. For my younger son it's not enough to get him through school but he's on a much lower dose of stimulants now (10 mg. Daytrana when he was on 40 mg. Ritalin LA).

If your daughter got depressed on the stimulants, I would definitely see a psychiatrist for strattera though. Because it functions similarly to an anti-depressant, it can have the effect of making a depressed kid super-depressed or suicidal. Check the web site.

We've had great success with strattera but we never had the problem with stimulants that you did.

Keep plugging away. You'll find the right answer. The more I read these boards, the more amazed I am by all the options out there.

[QUOTE=Diane V]Tenex is best for impulsiveness and hyperactivity, not focus. Quite often this can be used in conjunction with a low dose stimulant for focus, allowing you to use a lower dose stimulant. She's used only Concerta and Vyvnase? There are a LOT of other choices. You could try Focalin, which some find causes less side effects, or Daytrana, which is methyphedinate in patch form, we found the patch delivery "smoother" than oral stimulants. You could also try Strattera which is non stimulant and helps best with focus, which is what we are actually using currently. My daughter does not do very well on stimulants (never has) we've also tried several off label options, so far so good with the Strattera.[/QUOTE]

Diane, my son takes 5 mg. of Methylphedinate in the morning, and 2.5 if the afternoon, in pill form. Could the Daytrana patch be for him?

I don't see why not. The smallest dose it comes in though is 10 mg. Why are looking to change is what you're doing not working? Diane V39430.1488888889[QUOTE=littlepeanuts]

My daughter is 6 and was diagnosed w/ ADHD this year. We are having such a hard time getting the meds thing right. The stimulants are causing her to be depressed/withdrawn. When I say depressed I mean actually talking about dying. We started out on Concerta horrible rebound and depression. Then we went to Vyvansse and I thought it was going to be the one. Then we got the depression again after taking it about 2 mos. So we stopped meds all together for a couple of weeks. Things are getting pretty bad. Lots of irritability, but not depressed. Not listening, not wanting to do homework and (when we get it done it is soo messy), forgetting to turn in homework at school. I could go on and on. Has anyone had these problems with stimulants? If so, did you find something that worked? Any certain combination? We have got to find something soon. She is really stuggling especially with paying attention to her school work. Any suggestions?

[/QUOTE]

Yes I had the same problems. My daughter actually was hearing things, and saw a evil clown when she closed her eyes. I fear came on her bad.

Try strattera, so far is has done wonders for my ds who will be 8 in Feb. She takes two doses a day. It may cause a little tiredness in the beginning days, but with my daughter it went away.

We do have an appointment coming up to discuss other options. Right now my daughter is very happy and outgoing. I love it this way. It is just very hard for her at school. I went to eat lunch with her today and her teacher said she is not completing her work and it takes so long to do such simple things like right sentences. But, SHE IS HAPPY!! (Not like she was on stimulants) She is a super smart child and I am so worried we are not going to find the right thing. Because it seems as if the stimulants will all cause the same side-effects. My dr did mention strattera, but has not had as much success with it. I guess that comment makes me feel it may not work, but you never know until you try. I am at the point I am scared to death to try anything else, but I know my daughter needs it. Like I said before she is super bright and I see it going to waste. Thanks so much for all responses. It is so awesome to finally talk to people who truely understand.

A lot of people dont like to try Strattera becasue it takes so long to work. If you've learned anything from your experiences it's that no matter what, you can stop the med, very simple. My daughter is taking Strattera right now after many years of trying all kinds of stimulants. Although the effect is not as dramatic as a stimulant, she is doing well. I really think it's worth a try. I had similar experiences with stimulants for my son. They cause everything from depression, anxiety, anger, outbursts. With every new stimulant trial came a new side effect, which to me was worse than the ADHD itself. However, the issue is school. He can not do well at school without some stimulant. Medadate CD has been the only one that is tolerated. However, It wears off early and he is frustrated, aggressive, and angry for a few hours into the evening. This changes to crying and sadness at bed time. It is really difficult. Many doctors have recommended a secondary medication........at this point I have to consider it as an option to stimulant treatment. It isn't easy-Why can't the traditional stimulant just work?

Who makes Tenex? I'd like to read more on this med.

I would also consult a good adolescent psychologist or psychiatrist. There may be something else going on.

Sounds like you need to speak with a Psych, doesn't sound like ADHD to me.

I agree, I would have her reevaluated.

You do not want her on these meds with all the negative side effects.

She is still young. Does she have an IEP, any learning disabilities?

My daughter also is forgetful, hyper, etc. but we have yet to have her diagnosed and medicated. Her brother was diagnosed at almost 5 and medicated before 7. He is much worse off than her.

I am keeping an eye on her as far as school is concerned. We do deal with days that she forgets to bring the homework home, I just send her back over to get it!(we live next door to school) but when it does become an issue, we will address it professionally. We are right now just trying to get her to follow the routine.

did she get this way pre meds? Withdrawn, sad? I would also reconsult with the psych. Are you suing a psych? Or pediatrician?

We started out with our pediatrician. We are now having her reevauated with a psycologist. We did not have the depression problems prior to the stimulants. Now that she is not taking the stimulants no signs of depression at all. Just curious what makes you think it could be something else. Is it because the stimulants are making her depressed? Thanks, look forward to hearing from you again.

Oh yeah I would like to mention that the NP at the psycologist office put her on Tenex. It is helping, but not with the staying focused of course.Thanks again

Tenex is best for impulsiveness and hyperactivity, not focus. Quite often this can be used in conjunction with a low dose stimulant for focus, allowing you to use a lower dose stimulant. She's used only Concerta and Vyvnase? There are a LOT of other choices. You could try Focalin, which some find causes less side effects, or Daytrana, which is methyphedinate in patch form, we found the patch delivery "smoother" than oral stimulants. You could also try Strattera which is non stimulant and helps best with focus, which is what we are actually using currently. My daughter does not do very well on stimulants (never has) we've also tried several off label options, so far so good with the Strattera.