time to adjust! | ADHD Information

sethsmom,

Have you tried strattera?  It works differently than the stimulants you've already tried and does not have the side effects (tics).  If that doesn't work, check out Focalin.  It is also a stimulant but with one less salt.  Apparently it is better tolerated than the other stimulants.  More important, I strongly suggest connecting with your pharmacologist who should be an expert with your child's condition.  If you are not getting the support, advice and backup you need...get a new doctor. 

Paul

  DS has been taking ritalin la since he was 5, now turning 8. ADHD and Aspergers. His teacher,special ed teacher and speech therapist have all noticed he has less focus and is more hyper. He just started 2nd grade about a month ago so I figured he needed time to adjust, but I think we need to adjust! He takes 20mg in the morning and gets 10mg at school. He is already having problems before afternoon dose. He has pdoc appt on the 30th. Any suggestions from seasoned vets? Increase? Try a change? Any one taking concerta? He cant take adderral due to tics so vyvanse is out too. I would love suggestions!!!!

              Karen

We are in a similar situation. DS (ADHD/anxiety) has been taking meds
since 5 and just turned 8. He has been on Daytrana 15 mgs. since
Kindergarten. We just started 2nd grade and guess what? Today started
20mg dose. He just went through a growth spurt and I think that he
needs more meds. His anxiety is up as well and I think we may have to
increase his Zoloft. I will see how 20mg goes and will consult with
doctor. We were going strong for quite a while and this threw me for a
loop. Hope to have it straightened out soon. Luckily the school and his
teacher are awesome and help us lots.

He tried concerta when he was 5. the 18mg. dose wasn't enough and the
next higher dose was too much (emotional/meltdowns). It did last long
though. Ds metabolizes meds so fast that nothing lasts much except
Daytrana. Focalin was great, but the XR only lasted a few hours.

Hang in there, you probably just need a med adjustment.   Paul, my cousin is my pharmacist and has told me many times no to strattera. She stated that some of the side effects are permanent such as liver damage. But no we havent tried non stims. We tried the focalin after adderall and he had the same perseveration issues and tic problems. Constant pant waist adjusting, crying for no reason, headaches, snorting. My cousin suggested maybe in the morning adding a short acting as well as La.

My daughter takes Strattera quite successfully. By using Strattera we are able to keep her stimulant dose low (10mg of Methylin ER) and by doing this her side effects are basically kept at bay. Miinimal tics (they only show up during times of high anxiety now), better appetite and better sleep.

When she tried Daytrana her tics were quite minimal also. It KILLED her appeteite, but the tics weren't bad. We only stopped to ramp Strattera then we were going to add it back, but she is older (14) and wnted a pill rather than the patch.

Taking the short acting Ritalin then doing 20 or 30 of RLA later may work too, it's probably worth a  try since that is already what he's on. We did OK on RLA, but tics were present and she definitley had some rebound issues (severe silliness).