I’m stuck...confused..worried | ADHD Information

I have a 8 yoa daughter that was diagnosed w/ADHD at 6 yoa. She is currently taking Vyanase 40mg -which is suppose to last 8-12 hrs, well it doesn't. We changed from Adderrall XR 35mg because it was lasting about 6.5 to 7 hrs and then school was out and then it's homework time and there is usually a struggle til bedtime. The dr recommended that we try the new Vyanase because it works longer and would help during homework time. When she was on Adderall XR she wouldn't eat anything until it wore off and then she would eat & eat and that is about the same time "Nana's & mom's" patience would have to kick in cause at times it was very difficult. With Vyvanse she will eat a little off/on during the time she shows the med's are working. Well now the dr doesn't want to raise her med's again because she is not gaining weight and has recommended for us to go to a psychiatrist to have her evaluated. Which of course insurance doesn't really cover a whole lot. That's an issue. New medicine/Vyanse she would eat a little but it doesn't last through homework and the "old" med's she wouldn't eat and it is a hugh struggle to get her take it.
In the mornings are such a struggle having her take her medicine, she will NOT swallow the capusule at all. With the Vyvanse is powder so I could put it in her cereal or on her toast and didn't did know it, but it also takes longer to show that it's effective. With the Adderall it is little beads and the ONLY way she will take it is with baby prunes and then it's such a struggle for her to take it. I am talking a HUGE STRUGGLE to where she has pushed 1/2 of it back out of her mouth, spit it out in the sink or trash can, and getting her to open her mouth. It's a fight every morning when it is the Adderall. (that is another reason the dr thought we would try Vyanase).
I am wondering how other parents have had there child(rens) take medicine where there wasn't such a struggle; if we return to the Adderall. Oh yea, we have tried the "practice" the empty pill cap's, mini m&m's neither worked.

I am struggle and have broke down at times because I don't know what to do, I know I have to have more patience than I do and I get so tired of repeating myself 15 times before she gets it done. I have read and read and read articles, mag's, books and I don't seem to carry through what needs to be done. I don't want her to grow up hating me because she wish I was a better mom. I feel like I am correcting or getting on her ALL the time. I do praise her.
Then a few months ago I discovered that she had been exploring an adult site on the internet. I blew up and cried cause she is to young to be doing/seeing that. So we talked about it and I grounded her from the computer for a week. She "promised not to do it again". Well guess what, she did about 3 wks after she was allowed back on the computer. I am pulling my hair out cause she is to young for this and trying to explain about this and not lose it again. I don't want her to explore at a young age either - wait until she is 30yoa !!!! hahaha -ok 25 yoa.

Plus I am checking into another kind of dr that she might can see that is covered more under insurance because it's going to be expensive - but I will do what it takes to get her the help she needs. !!

Does anyone have suggestions on giving med's easier? Any suggestions on handling these "sneak peeks" on the internet and on doctors?

myangel0039695.1223611111My son takes Vyvanse 50 and is doing well so far. it lasts a full 12 hours for us, I am sorry It doesn't last as long for you. I wish you well, all kids metabolize differently. what about a short acting small amount of Adderal for homework? I would speak to the doctor.Just a couple of thoughts about getting her to take either one of the medicines. If you are putting it in her cereal, is she really getting a full dose? What about what's left in the bottom of the bowl? I give my son his medicine (Focalin XR, little "dots") on a spoonful of ice cream. If he takes it without a fuss, he gets another bite of ice cream. Some fuss and he loses the extra bite, a lot of fuss and he loses computer or TV for the day. He's 9 now and we've been doing this for several years and it works well. This school year he has only lost his extra bite once so far.

Spamula, Her ped'r is wanting us to go to a psychiatrist to see what else can be done with her med's, she did mention a very low dose for homework time that could be given to her just before school is let out. Glad to hear the Vyanse is working for your son.

csagreene, I have wonder if she was getting the full effect of the medicine also with putting it in the cereal and with the powder you can't see it, but with the beeds you can and she will not finish the milk if she sees the beeds in the bowl. Her Nana and I have tried it in: yogurt (she loves), on toast, cereal. We have not tried ice cream - I will have to in the morning. But it becomes a hugh fuss when I am walking to her with the spoon cause she knows that "it's that time" again. I have taken away, karate for that evening, t.v., computer, gameboy, NintendoDS, playing outside, which this really doesn't faze her if you do (there's always tomorrow). I even give her chances after chances to take it w/out a fuss and it still happens and count to 20 and remind her that she is going to lose ------- whatever I have picked and it happens anyway. So I am trying to find a way that it is easier on her and I.

Thanks for your advise, I will have to try ice cream in the morning.

myangel0039695.4561111111On your internet related issue, I would recommend looking into content filtering software. Something like net nanny (or similar) or a firewall that offers the same type of protection or block internet access entirely. She is far too young.

My oldest daughter likes to spend time looking at horse related things rather than doing her homework. I blocked all internet access on her computer except for maybe 3 or 4 sites she needed to do her home. If she needed to get to any other website, she needed to ask me or use the shared computer in the kitchen.

I take a very hard nosed approach with internet/computers in our house. I keep a very close eye on what my kids are doing. I block access to myspace. We talk constantly about internet safety, sharing personal information, etc. My kids aren't allowed computers in their rooms. They don't get their own emails until they are in 6th grade. I also monitor their email accounts. Some might think this is too extreme (and an invasion of their privacy), but there are so many risks and dangers out there. Even Club Penguin had major issues back in June (don't know if these have been resolved or not. My kids don't go there). I'd rather error on the side of safety. I would also suggest the Daytrana Patch. Neither of my ADHD kids have problems swallowing pills, but you can leave the patch on until homework is done. My son has been on it for almost 2 years now, and does wonderfully. I have him take it off right before dinner, after homework, and the effects last about 1-2 more hours. My daughter was on it, but had an allergic reaction to the adhesive, so she is back on Concerta. We did try her on Vyvanse, but her defiance got worse with it. I'd like to try her on the patch again, since they've changed the adhesive, but she is afraid that she will have the same reaction.i just anted to say that i have heard ppl on here that give vyvanse in a cup of water or pop. maybe u can put it in juice or pop or something and just dont fill the cup all the way so u know she has gotten all of her dose. my son is on 30mg and his works for about 10-12 hours also. i think with cereal thers just no way of knowing if she had it all and your right maybe thats why its wearing off sooner. ppl say this one has no taste to it so i wouldnt worry about her noticing it in her drink. good luck to u. i would also take away all internet. i think 9yrs old is way too young to be online esp if she is going to those sites. there are way too many bad ppl online looking for children and other young girl imo. i hope u get everything all straightened out!
kim

Horsemom,

Yes, I thought I had a filter for that a protector - well I found out that it didn't work. I asked for it to be installed and thought it was until she was able to get to that website. Im not that smart with computers on the blocking websites, but I have a program installed now and I haven't checked to see if it can get passed it. But she doesn't have a computer in her room at my house, she does at her Nana's and there was suppose to be a filter on that computer as well. She does have her computer in the den but it is not connected to the internet and I have thought about moving it into her room because she can only access what is on her computer - kids games, learning DVD's.

I am strick on her about a lot of stuff and some say I am to strick, but I know how it is out in the world and how people can be.

Thanks for the advise.

does your daughter have an iep? this is the first year for my 7 yo dd to have an iep. and it states that we are to get ALL of her homework the friday before, including reading assignments. On friday there is no homework (after all, it's friday). On saturday and sunday we manage to get about 90% of her homework done in little bits throughout the weekend. So during monday thru thurday we review spelling and vocab, as well as work a little bit on areas that she is struggling in math. We also do it in little bits, usually about 2 20 min sessions with a break inbetween. the simple fact that the iep lets us get the bulk of it done on the weekend (where she is medicated and not tired from a long day at school) makes our lives so much easier. and she doen't need that evening dose to get homework done.

as far as making it easier for her to take the meds, i would suggest a small amount of her favorite drink. If you let her pick the drink and keep it only for the morning meds, maybe she would feel like she has more control over the situation. Also at 8 yo she might need to know more about the reason why she needs the medication. Nothing in a negative way of course, but to let her know that it is helping her, and then having her set up the positive rewards for taking the meds as well as the consequences if she does not.

yesterday was the first day with my son with homework. it was pure torture. I have asked the doctor if i can give him a small dose of Ritalin after school but she refuses. I think I will change doctors because she is quite controling and seemed angry that i did not want to try Vyvanase (my son did terribly on Adderall and I learned it is a similar drug).

I am greatful after reading about your struggles that my son swallows his pills. But he used to not swallow them, and it prompted me to give up giving him meds all together years ago. When we restarted, he just had it in mind to take pills like a big boy and swallowed it with a glass of water. Its been a none issue since then. I remember those days of dealing with that though and it was aweful. I used to use apple sauce. That and yogurt worked best for me when we had to go that route. I wish they would make these drugs in a liquid form since it is given mostly to children. It sure would make life easier for a lot of parents.

Maybe you can try to encourage your daughter that "big girls" take pills by swallowing them whole and then demonstrate yourself. (taking a pain killer or something) I'm sure you tried that already and it really depends on whether she is even willing to try.

As far as the internet issue, I would not allow her access online without direct supervision at her age. My son does not go online as easily becaue his writing ability is limited to a kindergarden/first grade level at age 9. Though I know that will change. I would suggest you put a password block on the computer to even log on it and keep it in the family space so you can see what she is doing. I think those filtering programs are a great deal if you can manage it financially. I imagine they are costly.

Hope things work out for you.

Prayingmom106539700.2718402778

Prayingmom1065,

Oh yes on trying her to take the med's without issues. We (Nana & myself) have shown her how "big girls" take the medicine with a drink, she attempted 2 times and the empty pill stuck to the inside of her mouth and the next she didn't swallow it and that was that. We can't get her to even try again, she will take her vitamins with no problem - she chews them. The ONLY way she will take the med's is with baby prunes, I have tried ice cream, applesauce, yogurt. I have put the Vyanse in the cereal cause it's a powder and she can't see it, but with the Adderall she would see it and it doesn't come out of the bowl as easy. I don't hardly any differences in the Adderall and the Vyanse, and the Vyanse doesn't last the 8-12 hrs as some say it does. The first med's she took was Focilin and she became VERY ANGRY AND WANTED TO FIGHT, so she was off of them in 2 weeks and so the dr said she couldn't try Ritalin cause it is in the same family. So I am having to check into other means of getting her med's regualated cause after school homework is a big issue and arguing to get her to do it. Some evenings are better than others and then the good ones, want to get as much of it done that can be cause you might not get another chance without arguing. And taking away things/consequences most of the time do not faze her. So saying I'm going to take ........ whatever away she doesn't really have a reaction to it.

I will be glad when the med situation is settled or worked out so the next issue can be addressed. I do have an appt set with the teacher tomorrow/Wed and I will ask that I get the homework on Friday to give us the weekend to work on it, and if she refuses then I will set up the IEP to get it "official".

have you thought of the Daytrana Patches. they act like stickers on the body, i don't think my daughter could handle having a sticker on her so we didn't even attempt it. but others have had great success with it.

the adderall xr has those small beads, and she shouldn't chew them (it makes it less consistant). what about mixing the vyvanse in a small amount of liquid and using a medicine syringe, or a liquid medicine spoon. and having her take it like she would a liquid tylenol. why we are on the subject how does she take other medicines? like an antibiotic. does she use the baby prunes?

re homework. since we get it the friday before during the week it is mostly reviewing spelling, reading and math.

But here is what our nights looks like.

she gets off the bus around four. i have dinner waiting for her when she walks in the door. (and if i forget to get something made a hotdog or frozen pizza or mac and cheese are always stocked at my house.) the point is that if she is hungery (even if she doesn't realize it) she breaks down during work. so i can't start unless she is fed. I let her watch a show or play for about 20 min (sometimes she watches while she is eating if we are going to be short on time). with regular warnings like "when this show is over we are going to do some review."

then when we sit down to work i let her know that when we done with spelling or math or what ever, she can play on the computer play her video games or what ever she wants to do. I pick what i think is the most challenging subject first (we do a majority of her work on the floor in the family room, but i have noticed that her lying on her stomach to write acctually improves her handwriting), and i could wright a book on how i have adjusted her work to make it more fun for her. then when she is done she gets to play. when she is playing i let her know that she can only play for 20 min and then it is time to stop.

this is usually where she takes a bath and then has a snack (usually something fun like a cookie or ice cream) and then we sit down again (usually on the floor) and do the easier of the work.

she absolutly hates reading so i usually save that for around bed time, again after another snack (she is a very thin kid and i am trying to bulk her up). If she reads a book (of my choice) then she gets a sticker. Five stickers gets what ever you want on the weekend, (last weekend she wanted to build a fort out of the couch pillows and sleep on the floor, the weekend before she wanted to go out for pizza.) she still complains like crazy during reading, but i think that it will get better. it is not so much as removing something she likes but to reward her with something she values.

i try to keep everything to around 20-30 min. after that time i can tell she starts to get frustrated easily and has tuned me out, so it is pointless to go any further.

even if the teacher agrees to give you the homework on Fridays, you should look into an iep. you never know what teacher she will have next year, and if it is not on an iep and the teacher forgets to get you the work, you have no recourse. I now volunteer in my daughters class on friday afternoons to help with their friday folders to make sure that it all gets sent home, and it is in her iep, but her teacher has forgotten before and i had to make a mad dashes to school. I don't necessarily have time for it, but i know that it makes my daughters life/and mine easier during the week.

La Vida Loca,
Thanks for the response. I do have a meeting/conference with my daughters teacher today. I am going to ask for the homework and see what is said, but I do plan on having the iep meeting soon. I am trying to think of anything else that I might need for the year for when I do go in there so I can be ready.
As far as my daughters after school goes, her Nana picks her up and most of the time supper is ready for when they get back home because she is hungry and trying to keep her from going to the sugar foods (like she likes to do). Nana lets her play for 20-30 min's and then it's time for homework. Most of the time, she is angry/mad the first 15-20 min's of the homework but then she is ok and will buckle down, but when Nana sees her getting frustrated she lets her take a short break and get herself together and then it's back to work. Sometimes she is eating supper during homework, when homework is done for that day rather it is 1 page done or 2 or 3 pages and supper has been eaten then she gets a snack. I pick her up 6'ish and then he head home, there have been times that she eats supper on the way home. But regardless after we get home if it's early enough and she has done some homework, she gets to play for at least 30 min's or so inside or outside whatever she picks - then it's time for a bath, snack, read a book or go over spelling words. Most of the time she likes sitting in my lap in the chair to read a book or go over words and plus this is "our special time together".
On the medicine - I have tried all I can think of and I ran out of ideas that's why I posted on her to see other parents ways. I haven't tried the liquid medicine spoon or syringe - I will have to do that. The Vyanse is easier cause it's powder and I have been putting it in the cereal -most of the time. I will try the medicine spoon this morning and see how it goes - the struggle will come when she has to swallow it !!
Thanks

I can remember my mom putting my medicine on a spoon with jam. That way it was fast - but it still tasted horrible.

Most people I watch take pills put them in their throat THEN take a sip of water. This doesn't work for me. I take a big sip of water and hold it in my throat with my head up THEN throw the pill in the water. This way I never feel the pill. I recently took a vitamin capsule and it was too light and floated to the top of the water and got stuck in my throat (not taking that vitamin again lol). So trying with an empty capsule may have the same effect - it needs to be full so it is heavy enough to sink in the water.

Wow, that sounds really complicated suddenly - but really its quite simple, lol.

[QUOTE=Melissastar]

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My husband takes pills the same way. I thought he was the only one on the earth who did that.