I need all the help I can get!! | ADHD Information

I agree with edbson that maybe going to twice a day is a better starting point. Especially with the insomnia. Which is a common side effect that sometimes passes and sometimes does not. It goes without saying you cant have him up until 2:30 am.

There is a current thread on ADHD books going. http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30042& PN=1

Welcome to the forum, lucky boy to have such devoted grandparents .

I agree very much that your child is taking this medication too frequently.  They stay in the system (if they are not the timed release ones) roughly 4-6 hours, so make sure you don't give a dose anytime prior to bedtime where you don't have that much time to allow the medication to process.  I also haven't heard of someone dosing 3 times a day, so it makes me wonder who is prescribing this?  If it is just a pediatrician, I would make sure to go to a child psychiatrist, (or at least a psychiatrist) as the brain is complex.  Not only that, but the idea that you would start on one medication to see how it goes and then if it works, move onto something else doesn't make any sense to me.  Further, there is a timed release ritalin (even a generic) so not sure why you would be taking this more than once a day anyway.  If you have really good prescription coverage, I would consider "Concerta" which worked real well with my son. It is too expensive and it isn't covered under my rather poor insurance plan that I am lucky to have, being an American and all!
Good luck to you, and know that this is a great place to learn, vent and make friends.
Yme!39590.4159490741I just got custody of my 6 year old grandson, Nathaniel.  He was just diagnosed and started on Ritalin 10 mg. 3 x daily for 6 weeks.  If this helps, then we will progress onto another med. 
I have never dealt with ADHD before.  This is a whole new world for both of us.  I would very much appreciate any links to other "newbie" posts with lots of info in them, book recommendations and other info that is helpful.  I will elaborate more on his behaviors at another time.  The Ritalin kept the poor kid awake until 2:30 a.m. and I was up with him and back up at 6 so I am ready for bed after a very active, patience-trying, frustrating day!!
Thank you all so much!
Cath

Hello flutterby,

Welcome to this board.  I think you will find it very helpful and calming in a lot of ways.  When my son first started meds and he is 6 1/2 now we found that just giving him milk before bed and rubbing his legs seemed to help.  He eventually got to where sleep wasn't a problem.  We also found that the more protein we could give him at his meals the better for him. 

Eventually you will find what works for your grandson.  There will always be ups and downs but the downs  "do" get better over time and the ups keep getting better over time.   There are always exceptions but if we are all honest with ourselves we can see the improvement overtime.  That is why I suggest keeping a journal.  You can use this as a tool to look back and reflect upon the harder days and see the progress over time.  Hope this makes sense. 

Take care!

First I would say educate yourself, read, read read everythig you can about ADHD. Second, find a good Psychiatrist to handle meds, and therapy. Third, get the school on board for accomodations.

 

He was probably up so late because he had alot of meds to start out. I would ask about reducing the dose or the frequency. Most kids take Ritalin2 x daily, not 3.

Do you have any book recommendations?  That would be so helpful!
Thank you both for your advice.
I did speak with both his doctor and psych and they both agree that this is the proper dosage for Nathaniel.  Thanks for your concerns!  It's nice to have such good advice and support!
Cathy

When my daughter first started taking meds we had a problem with insomnia too.  They wound up putting her on an anti-depressant to help her go to sleep at night.  It really worked.  After awhile we were able to take her off the meds at night and she went to sleep just fine.

You also may want to consider a night-time ritual.  Such as a nice warm bath, glass of milk, snack, a story, etc...  Make sure to follow the same ritual every night and start about the same time every night.  It helps them fall into a routine and fall asleep easier.

My son is 4 and has recently started medication Biphentin 10 mg th is  a slow releasing drug, my pediatrician advised me to watch him very closely for any of the side affects such as isomonia and if he is having this to frequently to pull him off the drug and make an appointment to come and see him immediately .

On sunny days here in Canada they are Few and far between I run my boys butt off outside from about 12:30 until 6 pm he still is going threw a bit of insomina but when he finally goes to sleep he sleeps right threw the night ..

what a great grandma you are!!!