Thanks for the quick responses. I was asking because his monthly recheck appointment is this afternoon after school and I wanted some "been there done that" advice before I spoke with the doctor today. I will mention what I am seeing in the behaviors to him and see what he thinks - but I thank you all for your insight!
I know I am ready for a break - and the kids probably are too!
gatorsmom,
it was exactly the reasons you state that prompted me to call doctor for higher dose from 18mg to 27mg. four days of slipping back at home and in school. i must admit i envy you for having had 3 months -- i only had 4 weeks at 18mg. our 27mg lasted only 3.5 weeks and we're on 36mg since this past sunday (fingers crossed i can get a few months on this one).
i too have the same problem with DS when talking to him when unmedicated (and it was one of the main reasons i knew his meds weren't working). he looks at everything else and/or plays with his fingers when i speak to him -- way too distracted.
his sleeping/eating issues return slightly at each dose increase and then improve again as they did with the initial dose.
I am with Diane weather change for I am a Social Worker and my whole caseload is bugging right now.
My son was diagnosed and started Concerta 18mg 3 months ago. Things have been great since then. He has been able to concentrate, and his overall behavior has been greatly improved.
This past week it seems like he has been in more trouble than he had been getting into at school. A couple of times this week his teacher has mentioned that he has struggled at school. He had a tantrum when the substitute teacher was there - and they even asked me if he had taken his meds that day (privately - not in front of him or other kids) because that used to be frequent before he was diagnosed. He had a complete melt down yesterday in art class because he had to sit at a table of all girls. So bad in fact that he was sent to the focus room - which is a major infraction.
I have also noticed at home that his behavior has been "off". He isn't following directions like he had been. Also, before he was diagnosed, when you would talk to him, he wouldn't look you in the eye. He would move his head and hands all around while you were talking to him. (kind of hard to explain unless you see it) It used to make me crazy. I have noticed that he is doing that sometimes again.
My question is, how do I know if he needs a med increase? The doctor said when we started this that it might take some time to get his dosage adjusted, but it worked so well that we didn't change anyting from the initial dosage. Do you think these behaviors warrant a change? How "bad" should things be before you take the step of changing med dosage?
We had such problems with appetite and sleeping when we first started that I am hesitant to change, but I don't want him to go back to being in trouble all the time either. His appetite and sleeping issues have leveled off where they are very manageable now. If we up his dosage will he start having those issues again?
This is all still pretty new to me. Thanks for your help. I love this forum. =)
A couple of things. Seems to me everyone is complaining about their kids behavior lately. IMO the weather change has a lot to do with it. PLUS not sure you're schedule, but we're about due for spring break so my kids are fried. That said, when is too much of n issue for a med change is different for everyone. It's the same call as whether or not you start meds in the first place. So ok, yup I didnt answer you're question, BUT now having said all that, I personally think AT LEAST two weeks of any change before considering med changes, and that is if there's nothing else going on to contribute, like illness, fatigue, any stressor that can make symptoms worse....etc., etc. So since there's usually something like this happening, maybe even longer. Generally fi you're seeing increased symptoms in all scenarios and multiple places, home AND school, a med increase is imminent, but not always. You may see side effects return with a med increase, yes.