Now on to Concerta, feeling so sad | ADHD Information
< =text/>_popupControl(); I'm mostly a lurker here, but felt the need to post today.
My 6 year old son is ADHD and has already tried Focalin XR and Adderall. Starting in January he began tantruming in school, trying to leave the building and just could not stay focused. This was mostly during transition time. We took him off the Focalin as we thought it was making his behavior worse. Over Easter break we started Adderall, 5 mgs., but the teacher and counselor at school really didn't notice a difference and he began losing weight. We have a prescription for Concerta now, 18 mgs.
I'm so sad and frustrated. His social skills are lacking and has one friend. He has personal space issues and this combined with his behavior earlier in the year has scared kids away. It just breaks my heart. I keep feeling like I'm missing something....there has to be something I'm not doing.
Has anyone had positive experiences with Concerta after other meds haven't worked?
We are scheduling an EKG for him as well, just to make sure. In my opinion it should have been done before the meds, I should have insisted on it.
Sorry to vent, I just feel so alone and so badly for my little boy.
Firstly, let me say that we all have been in your shoes with regards to the feelings of sadness and hopelessness. So, you have come to the right place.
As far as the "EKG" thing- that just came out and my son has been taking this kind of medication for years without one-do not feel badly or kick yourself.
Sometimes I think the news needs things to discuss so as to avoid the real news-like the fact that we are illegally occupying a country, using private contractors to do military work-paying them 3-4 times what it would cost the military to do, (while they are using our armored Hum V's to truck in prostitutes from Kuwait) etc. DO NOT GET ME STARTED.
As far as the "personal space" issue-my son dealt with that when he was your child's age. I will say that he has learned to not do that over time. Since I am a bit claustrophobic, it was real important to stress to him that "this is my personal space-do not enter it" and "we all have personal space- just like mommy."
I would also bet that you're more upset about his lack of friends than he is. My son barely mentions other kids, and when I ask, he is like, "oh, yeah. I forgot to ask them their phone numbers." So, know that it is common. If I were you, I would invite the whole class to some kind of a "party" or an event. Make sure your son is on his meds, and make him the "cool kid" with parents that are fun. Once he is properly medicated, understands boundaries, he will be alright.
My son started on Concerta and did very well. However, brains are not an exact science and often you will need to try multiple doses, or sometimes meds to get the desired results.
This is the venting place- go for it!
Wishing you well.
My dd was on Vyvanse and now is on Concerta. I like the Concerta MUCH better than the Vyvanse.
I've had the feelings you are feeling too, they're normal. I also feel alone and feel so bad for my daughter, and that is because nobody else understands, especially someone that doens't have an ADHD child.
For the time that I was taking it, Concerta worked well for me. The issue I had (and many other people it seems) was that the Concerta was less effective over time. My doctor had to keep upping my dosage, and when I hit the maximum amount he was willing to prescribe, I ended up switching to Focalin XR. Hi, I have the same feelings. Hailey was on vyvance and tomorrow we start concerta. I have been really uneasy about changeing her meds even though the vyvance didnt seem to be helping alot anymore. It did at first and it has been great because it had the least side effects out of all the ones she has tried. I had read on here on another board that alot of people were having bad head aches when they first started. So I was really dreading starting her on Concerta tomorrow. I feel a little better now after reading some of your post. I feel so bad for her also that she seems to stay to herself instead of playing with other children. I wasnt sure if this was a side effect to the meds because she also has down syndrome,mildly autistic,sensory disorder(doesnt like to be touched) and apraxia (limited speech) on top of severe adhd. They are starting her on 36 mg. She is 5. She had open heart surgery at 2.5 months. She sees a heart specialist and the dr.s are all in agreement that it is ok for her to take this med. Im at my wits end with all the times we have had to change her meds. I just wish we could find one that works for her. Ill let yall know how it goes. please keep my haileybird in your prayers.
< =text/>_popupControl(); Thank you to all of you who responded to my email. I feel so alone most of the time. I've had to cut back my hours to part/time so that I can be home with him after school. We can make it, it's just not easy.
Does it get better? My son is who he is and I love him...but for me as a mom, does it get easier? The looks from other parents, the constant having to redirect him or distract him when he is hyperfocusing. Sometimes I just fall into bed and pull the covers over my head, sure that I've made a mistake somewhere. That somewhere I have failed him. These feelings come and go, they aren't constant. I just want what all of you want, to have a happy and healthy child.
You are all so wise. Thank you for taking the time to write to me, I appreciate it more then I can put into words.
I think it does get better, but may not ever completely go away..
Right now, things are better than they've ever been at our house but two weeks ago, they were rock bottom. What I'm trying to say is, that we all have our ups and downs and we all have felt or still do feel like you are right now. When I feel that way, I just start reading everything I can find out about ADHD.
we just found out that Will may actually be suffering from anxiety and the stimulants could make them worse. That makes me more motivated to read and be educated about this. I don't like to be surprised at the dr's office.. I like to be in charge..
But who knows, you may have a wonderful weekend. You just never know what to expect with these ADHDers.
[QUOTE=Willsmama]
I think it does get better, but may not ever completely go away..
[/QUOTE]I think you hit the nail on the head, right there. I can tell you firsthand that with the right medication and support, dealing with ADD or ADHD gets a little easier over time. Sure, you may have some really bad days here and there, but you have good days too. Remember to stay positive.
Hi!
Will has been taking Concerta for a week now and is doing very well on it. For now. Usually things work well to start with and then gradually or sometimes not so gradually fall apart.
Will also has the lack of friends issue and it really bothers me. I don't think he's upset about it or even notices. Everyone likes Will but no one invites him over or anything like that. I've learned, recently, to just accept it. And once I realized I needed to do that, I also started thinking that it may be for the best. What would happen if he did get invited over and fell apart because he was just SO exicted? I think that might be worse than just not getting the invitation. But that's just what I'm thinking right now, subject to change, as always.
We recently had a EKG done also. Will is almost 9 but has been taking meds since he was around 6, so try not to beat yourself up over it. Be strong, take care of it now and move on.
Good luck. Try not to be upset over having to try different meds. We've been on some many that I lost count. We have good weeks, and bad weeks, and weeks where I think I cannot take it anymore. Right now, it's a good week. Again, sugject to change....
I just try to remember that this is what life gave us, deal with it, learn and grow from it, and be thankful that it's not worse. I know, easier said than done...