My son starts Vyvanse tomorrow | ADHD Information

[QUOTE=lilly4]

Yes, he's been assessed.

Okay, so he's "official". How the little guy taking the news? How are you managing this new development?

We've been to the doctor about 4 times over the past few years, and each time we've just talked with her (his pediatrician), and never took it any further than a discussion about behavior, grades, etc.

Hey, pat yourself on the back. You went a long way without meds so you must have worked very hard to keep the family functional.

No changes with friends; he has plenty of friends, is outgoing and likeable.
I'm grateful that he's never bullied anyone. He has a good heart and is too compassionate to do that.

He sounds like a sweetie. Watch out that he doesn't get bullied though. Other kids tend to pick on the sensitive sorts of ADHD kids.

He's not been happy at school with regard to the work and his performance, though. He gets frustrated when he can't find things and keep his work organized, which then just keeps the cycle going because when he's frustrated and scattered, he can't focus and do good work.

I SO get that. It's hard to keep things straightened around when there's so many brain trains whizzing down so many tracks. You should see my apartment. Bomb sites in Beirut are better organized

Yes, we've had feedback from teachers. His homeroom teacher had a conference with us and we've talked about ways to help him keep his things organized (file in his room, stickers, etc.) I took the Vanderbilt forms to the doctor along with some examples of his work - both bad when he didn't focus and slow down, and then some good work when he did focus and took more time with it.

Can you pinpoint or help him pinpoint the circumstances around the times that he's able to focus and what things cause him to lose track?

His dad and I had a really good talk with him (separately) last night, and he was very excited to make a change. He was actually looking forward to this morning and starting his medication. He wants things to improve and he even said he likes being "unique". At first it really bothered him to hear the doctor say what is wrong and prescribe him medication, but he felt better last night and is positive about it.

If he's looking forward to this, I have to stand up and salute you for a great job in getting him on board with so little resistance.

He IS "unique". He might even be a genius or highly gifted. He certainly sounds like he has a big heart and I'll take a kid with a good heart over a self-absorbed "A" student any day.

I really hope this med works. We've never done anything like this and I hope and pray there are no bad side effects.

I hope so, too. Sometimes the first choice doesn't work and then it's difficult. You tell the little fella to hang in there--we're rooting for him!
Thanks for letting me go on and on! :)

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Please let us know how he manages today!

He sounds like a real sweetie and you sound like an understanding parent. Let's hope you both will soon be chugging up Education Mountain

Thanks SO much for your wonderful reply.
It is a big help to talk with people who have been there (or are still there!) and can offer some kind words of encouragement, advice, and support.

Thank you, yes...he is such a sweetie and a really great kid.
I know I'm bias, but he really is very intelligent; he can really go places if this does not hold him back. We were told in Kindergarten, after he took his CogAT tests, that he may be gifted. One of our biggest reasons for pursuing treatment is simply that we don't want ADHD to hinder his opportunities and make things difficult for him. He has so much potential. He does tend to let his emotions get the best of him (like his mom:), but it's a matter of finding a good balance.
He certainly has a tough side as well, so I imagine he would stick up for himself if he was ever picked on.

As far as his first day is going - he called today from school and I spoke first with the nurse.
She said that he told her that he started some new medication this morning (kept it private) and that he felt jittery.
I talked with him and told him that he's ok, and it will take some time for his body to get used to it. I told him he's probably going to feel more "awake" and he'll be able to focus better.

I really hope this is the only side effect and that it will pass. We'll have to wait and see.

Thanks again!!

lilly439772.4859027778When my then 9 year old started Vyvance 30mg, the side effects took a good 2 weeks to go away and they were not bad. He did very well for the 1st year on the Vyvance. This year is different. We had upped the med because it was not lasting as long and he freaked out from anxiety(one of his comorbids) So now we are back down to 30 and giving that a try. I will tell you it was the best med we had tried for that 1st year. I hope it all goes well for you. It also took 3-4 weeks to see full effect.ADHD kids that are bright get a double whammy. They KNOW they're smart, but it's like you can't really prove it. People see that they're smart, and tend to blame them for 'not trying' and 'not finishing' because others can see that sharpness.

Internally, frustration can run high because although we have lots of wheels turning, we can't throw the correct switch, at the correct time to do the job. The way I view it is that that frustration is taking up 80% of the test tube and if someone adds 20% more liquid emotion, we spill over. That can have serious drawbacks and school and work.

I'm so glad he has an understanding mom.

I hope you're medication trial works out for you both.

Later, as he gains skills, he may be able sometimes, to use his intellect to overdrive his drawbacks. I didn't medicate until a few years ago because I overcompensated.

My only advice is to enjoy the kid--ADHD'er kids are never boring

Yes, he's been assessed.
We've been to the doctor about 4 times over the past few years, and each time we've just talked with her (his pediatrician), and never took it any further than a discussion about behavior, grades, etc.

No changes with friends; he has plenty of friends, is outgoing and likeable.
I'm grateful that he's never bullied anyone. He has a good heart and is too compassionate to do that.
He's not been happy at school with regard to the work and his performance, though. He gets frustrated when he can't find things and keep his work organized, which then just keeps the cycle going because when he's frustrated and scattered, he can't focus and do good work.

lilly439772.2774189815He sounds adorable.

Did you get him assessed?

and I'm nervous yet hopeful.

We've been struggling with many issues and whether to inquire about meds at all....well, we decided to, and now tomorrow is day one on this med.

He's 9 and in 4th grade. Some things we've been dealing with are:
inattentiveness, lack of organization and focus, resistance to work such as chores and homework, increased tension between him and family members, etc.
It's gotten progressively worse (slowly) since preschool, until now, after only 3 weeks into the school year, I was already having talks with his teacher.

He's very intelligent, creative, compassionate, insightful, inquisitive, and outgoing. However, what brought us to this decision was the simple fact that his negative behavior was becoming disruptive to our family, and that he was struggling in school and got two Cs for the first time on his report card.

I really hope that this will help him.

Any advice/info/experiences with this med that you have is very appreciated.

Thank you :)

Any changes with friends at school/social life? Is he happy at school? Any feedback from teachers?